Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Market: Strategic Analysis and Forecast (2025–2036)
Western Market Research predicts that the Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Market was valued at USD XXXX Million in 2025 and is projected to reach a market valuation of USD XXXX Million by 2036, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of XX.X% during the forecast period.
1. Market Overview
Paper Dry Strength Agents (DSAs) are essential chemical additives used in the papermaking process to enhance the structural integrity, burst strength, tensile strength, and folding endurance of the finished product. As the global paper industry shifts toward the use of recycled fibers—which are inherently shorter and weaker than virgin fibers—the demand for high-performance DSAs has surged. This report provides a deep dive into the chemical innovations, regulatory landscapes, and technical progress shaping the industry through 2036.
2. Market Segmentation
By Chemical Type:
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Polyvinyl Amine (PVAm) Type: High-efficiency agents preferred for tissue and towel applications.
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Polyacrylamide (PAM) Type: The industry standard for general packaging.
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Glyoxylated Polyacrylamide (GPAM) Type: Rapidly growing due to its ability to improve both dry and temporary wet strength.
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Starch-Based Polymers: Natural, sustainable options including cationic, anionic, and amphoteric starches.
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Amphoteric Polymers: Advanced synthetic agents that work across a wide pH range.
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Nanocellulose-Based: An emerging segment focused on ultra-high-performance sustainable coatings.
By Source/Application Category:
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Natural Dry Agents: Modified and unmodified starches, guar gum, and vegetable gums.
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Synthetic Dry Agents: High-molecular-weight PAM, PAE, GPAM, and PVAm.
By End-Use Industry:
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Paper Packaging & Board: Corrugated boxes, cartons, and containers (driven by E-commerce).
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Tissue & Towel: Facial tissues, paper towels, and napkins (focus on softness vs. strength).
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Graphic Paper: Printing and writing paper, newsprint.
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Specialty Paper: Filter paper, wallpaper, and security paper.
By Form:
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Liquid Form
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Powder/Granular Form
3. Key Players Covered
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Global Chemical Giants: Solenis, Kemira OYJ, BASF SE, Ecolab (Nalco Water), and Archroma.
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Starch & Bio-Material Leaders: Cargill, Roquette Frères, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Ingredion, and Avebe.
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Regional Specialists: Seiko PMC Corporation (Japan), Harima Chemicals Group, Arakawa Chemical Industries, Tianma, and Seiko PMC.
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Emerging Technology Players: Changhai Refinement Technology, Chengming Chemical, Kurita Water Industries, SNF Group, and Dongying Nuoer Chemical.
4. Regional Analysis
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North America: A mature market focused on "lightweighting"—producing thinner paper with higher strength. The U.S. remains a hub for chemical R&D in synthetic DSAs.
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Europe: Driven by the circular economy. High recycling rates in Germany and Scandinavia necessitate intensive use of DSAs to maintain fiber quality. Strict REACH regulations favor bio-based starch agents.
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Asia-Pacific: The dominant and fastest-growing region. Rapid industrialization in China and India, coupled with the massive expansion of the e-commerce packaging sector, drives volume demand.
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LAMEA: Growth is emerging in Brazil’s pulp and paper industry, with increasing investments in high-capacity packaging board mills.
5. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Threat of New Entrants (Low to Moderate): High capital requirements for chemical plants and the need for specialized R&D act as barriers.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Major paper mills (e.g., International Paper, Nine Dragons) purchase in bulk and demand customized chemical formulations.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Suppliers of raw monomers and corn/potato starch have influence based on agricultural commodity cycles.
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Threat of Substitutes (Low): DSAs are fundamental to the use of recycled fiber; there are currently no cost-effective alternatives for structural strength.
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Intensity of Rivalry (High): Intense competition between Solenis, Kemira, and BASF on patent-protected technologies and technical service support.
6. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Essential for the viability of recycled paper; improves machine runnability; reduces fiber costs.
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Weaknesses: Sensitivity of synthetic agents to water chemistry variations (pH, conductivity).
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Opportunities: The ban on single-use plastics is driving a shift to paper-based straws and containers, requiring high-performance DSAs.
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Threats: Digitalization reducing demand for printing/writing paper; fluctuating raw material prices.
7. Trend Analysis
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Lightweighting: Brands are demanding thinner packaging to reduce shipping costs, requiring DSAs that provide "strength without bulk."
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Bio-Hybrid Agents: Development of products that combine natural starch with synthetic PAM to balance cost and performance.
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Digitalization of Chemistry: Real-time sensor monitoring in mills to adjust DSA dosage automatically based on fiber quality.
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Circular Economy: A shift toward 100% biodegradable agents to ensure the paper remains compostable.
8. Drivers & Challenges
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Drivers:
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E-commerce Surge: Exponential growth in corrugated box demand.
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Sustainable Packaging: Paper replacing plastic in food service.
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Recycled Fiber Utilization: Global mandate to increase recycled content in paper.
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Challenges:
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Water Closed-Loops: Paper mills are reusing more water, leading to "white water" contamination that interferes with DSA efficiency.
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Strict Regulations: Restrictions on acrylamide levels in food-contact packaging.
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9. Value Chain Analysis
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Raw Material Sourcing: Acquisition of monomers (acrylamide), starch (corn/potato), and catalysts.
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Chemical Synthesis: Polymerization and modification in specialized chemical reactors.
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Formulation & Blending: Creating site-specific chemical "cocktails" for different mill types.
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Distribution: Logistics involving bulk tankers or specialized intermediate bulk containers (IBCs).
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Technical Application: On-site service by chemical engineers at paper mills to optimize dosing.
10. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Invest in GPAM (Glyoxylated Polyacrylamide) technologies. It is the highest-growth synthetic segment due to its versatility and efficiency in recycled systems.
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For Paper Mills: Transition toward dual-polymer systems (Starch + Synthetic) to achieve the best cost-to-performance ratio while meeting sustainability targets.
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For Investors: Target companies expanding in South East Asia and India, as global packaging production continues to migrate toward these manufacturing hubs.
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For R&D Teams: Focus on salt-tolerant agents. As mills close their water loops, agents that perform in high-conductivity environments will become the new industry standard.
1. Market Overview of Paper Dry Strength Agent
1.1 Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Overview
1.1.1 Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Paper Dry Strength Agent Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Paper Dry Strength Agent Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Paper Dry Strength Agent Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Polyvinyl Amine Type
2.4 Polyacrylamide Type
2.5 Glyoxylated Polyacrylamide Type
2.6 Starch Based Polymers Type
2.7 Amphoteric Polymers Type
2.8 Others
3. Covid-19 Impact Paper Dry Strength Agent Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Natural Dry Agents (e.g. modified and unmodified starches)
3.4 Synthetic Dry Agents (e.g. PAM/PAE/GPAM)
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Paper Dry Strength Agent Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Paper Dry Strength Agent Business
5.1 Cargill
5.1.1 Cargill Company Profile
5.1.2 Cargill Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.1.3 Cargill Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Roquette
5.2.1 Roquette Company Profile
5.2.2 Roquette Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.2.3 Roquette Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 ADM
5.3.1 ADM Company Profile
5.3.2 ADM Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.3.3 ADM Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Grain Processing Corporation (GPC)
5.4.1 Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) Company Profile
5.4.2 Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.4.3 Grain Processing Corporation (GPC) Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Ingredion
5.5.1 Ingredion Company Profile
5.5.2 Ingredion Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.5.3 Ingredion Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Seiko Pmc Corporation
5.6.1 Seiko Pmc Corporation Company Profile
5.6.2 Seiko Pmc Corporation Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.6.3 Seiko Pmc Corporation Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Kemira
5.7.1 Kemira Company Profile
5.7.2 Kemira Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.7.3 Kemira Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 BASF SE
5.8.1 BASF SE Company Profile
5.8.2 BASF SE Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.8.3 BASF SE Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Harima Chemicals Group
5.9.1 Harima Chemicals Group Company Profile
5.9.2 Harima Chemicals Group Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.9.3 Harima Chemicals Group Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Avebe
5.10.1 Avebe Company Profile
5.10.2 Avebe Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.10.3 Avebe Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Arakawachem
5.11.1 Arakawachem Company Profile
5.11.2 Arakawachem Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.11.3 Arakawachem Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 Solenis
5.12.1 Solenis Company Profile
5.12.2 Solenis Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.12.3 Solenis Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.13 Tianma
5.13.1 Tianma Company Profile
5.13.2 Tianma Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.13.3 Tianma Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.14 Changhai Refinement Technology
5.14.1 Changhai Refinement Technology Company Profile
5.14.2 Changhai Refinement Technology Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.14.3 Changhai Refinement Technology Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.15 Chengming Chemical
5.15.1 Chengming Chemical Company Profile
5.15.2 Chengming Chemical Paper Dry Strength Agent Product Specification
5.15.3 Chengming Chemical Paper Dry Strength Agent Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
6.2 North America Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
7.2 East Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
8.2 Europe Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
9.2 South Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
11.2 Middle East Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
12.2 Africa Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
13.2 Oceania Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
14.2 South America Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Paper Dry Strength Agent Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size by Application
16 Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation
By Chemical Type:
-
Polyvinyl Amine (PVAm) Type: High-efficiency agents preferred for tissue and towel applications.
-
Polyacrylamide (PAM) Type: The industry standard for general packaging.
-
Glyoxylated Polyacrylamide (GPAM) Type: Rapidly growing due to its ability to improve both dry and temporary wet strength.
-
Starch-Based Polymers: Natural, sustainable options including cationic, anionic, and amphoteric starches.
-
Amphoteric Polymers: Advanced synthetic agents that work across a wide pH range.
-
Nanocellulose-Based: An emerging segment focused on ultra-high-performance sustainable coatings.
By Source/Application Category:
-
Natural Dry Agents: Modified and unmodified starches, guar gum, and vegetable gums.
-
Synthetic Dry Agents: High-molecular-weight PAM, PAE, GPAM, and PVAm.
By End-Use Industry:
-
Paper Packaging & Board: Corrugated boxes, cartons, and containers (driven by E-commerce).
-
Tissue & Towel: Facial tissues, paper towels, and napkins (focus on softness vs. strength).
-
Graphic Paper: Printing and writing paper, newsprint.
-
Specialty Paper: Filter paper, wallpaper, and security paper.
By Form:
-
Liquid Form
-
Powder/Granular Form
3. Key Players Covered
-
Global Chemical Giants: Solenis, Kemira OYJ, BASF SE, Ecolab (Nalco Water), and Archroma.
-
Starch & Bio-Material Leaders: Cargill, Roquette Frères, Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Grain Processing Corporation (GPC), Ingredion, and Avebe.
-
Regional Specialists: Seiko PMC Corporation (Japan), Harima Chemicals Group, Arakawa Chemical Industries, Tianma, and Seiko PMC.
-
Emerging Technology Players: Changhai Refinement Technology, Chengming Chemical, Kurita Water Industries, SNF Group, and Dongying Nuoer Chemical.
