Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) Market: Strategic Analysis and Forecast (2026–2036)
Market Outlook
The global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose (HEC) market, valued at approximately USD XXX million in 2025, is projected to witness robust growth, reaching USD XX million by 2036. This growth trajectory represents a steady CAGR of [XX]% during the forecast period. As a non-ionic, water-soluble polymer derived from cellulose, HEC continues to be a critical additive across diversified industries due to its superior thickening, suspending, and binding properties.
1. Segment Analysis
To provide a granular view of the industry, the HEC market is categorized based on production method, purity grade, and end-use application.
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By Production Method:
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Liquid Phase Method (Slurry Process): The most prevalent method, offering better control over substitution levels.
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Gas Phase Method: Utilized for specific industrial grades, though less common than the liquid phase.
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By Purity/Grade:
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Industrial Grade: Widely used in construction and oil drilling.
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Cosmetic/Personal Care Grade: Characterized by high purity and low microbial count.
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Pharmaceutical Grade: Meets stringent regulatory standards for drug delivery systems.
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By Application:
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Paints & Coatings: The largest segment, where HEC acts as a rheology modifier and stabilizer.
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Personal Care & Cosmetics: Used in shampoos, lotions, and toothpastes for texture and stability.
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Oil & Gas: Crucial for completion fluids and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
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Construction: Enhances water retention in mortars and cements.
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Pharmaceuticals: Used as a tablet binder and film-forming agent.
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2. Regional Analysis
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Asia-Pacific: Dominates the market share due to the massive construction boom in China and India, coupled with a flourishing personal care sector. It is also the primary manufacturing hub for HEC.
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North America: Growth is driven by advanced pharmaceutical R&D and the recovery of the shale gas industry, where HEC is used in hydraulic fracturing.
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Europe: Focuses on high-quality, sustainable cosmetic grades. Stringent VOC regulations in Europe drive the demand for HEC in water-based coatings.
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Middle East & Africa: Driven primarily by the oil and gas sector and infrastructure development in the GCC countries.
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Latin America: Steady growth supported by the agricultural and paint industries in Brazil and Argentina.
3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate): Suppliers of raw materials (wood pulp and cotton linters) are limited, but the commodity nature of cellulose balances their power.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Large-scale paint and cosmetic manufacturers have significant leverage and can switch between suppliers based on price and viscosity specifications.
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Threat of New Entrants (Low to Moderate): High capital investment for chemical processing plants and strict environmental regulations act as barriers.
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Threat of Substitutes (Moderate): Competition from other cellulose ethers like CMC (Carboxymethyl Cellulose) or synthetic thickeners like Carbomers.
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Competitive Rivalry (High): Major players compete intensely on product purity, solubility rates, and regional pricing.
4. SWOT Analysis
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Strengths:
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Excellent thickening efficiency and salt tolerance.
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Bio-based and biodegradable nature.
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Non-ionic charge allows compatibility with a wide range of surfactants.
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Weaknesses:
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Susceptibility to microbial degradation in liquid form.
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Sensitivity to extreme pH levels compared to some synthetics.
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Opportunities:
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Increasing demand for "Green Chemistry" in developed economies.
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Expansion of the pharmaceutical sector in emerging markets.
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Threats:
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Volatility in the prices of raw cellulose and ethylene oxide.
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Stringent environmental norms regarding chemical waste management.
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5. Trend Analysis
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Sustainable Sourcing: A shift toward FSC-certified wood pulp to meet ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) targets.
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Innovative Surface Treatment: Development of "delayed-hydration" HEC, which allows for easier dispersion in water without clumping.
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Nanocellulose Integration: Research into combining HEC with nanocellulose to create high-strength biodegradable films and advanced drug delivery vehicles.
6. Drivers and Challenges
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Market Drivers:
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Urbanization: Rising demand for high-quality architectural coatings.
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Grooming Trends: Global surge in premium skin and hair care product consumption.
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Oil Recovery: Increased exploration activities requiring high-performance viscosifiers.
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Market Challenges:
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Supply Chain Disruptions: Logistic bottlenecks affecting the global distribution of raw materials.
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Regulatory Hurdles: Complex registration processes for pharmaceutical-grade HEC (e.g., REACH in Europe).
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7. Value Chain Analysis
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Raw Material Procurement: Sourcing of high-purity cellulose (wood or cotton) and etherifying agents (ethylene oxide).
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Manufacturing: Alkalization of cellulose followed by etherification under controlled temperature and pressure.
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Purification & Drying: Removal of by-products (salts), drying, and milling to specific particle sizes.
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Distribution: Network of global distributors and local warehouses.
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End-User Integration: Application in paints, cosmetics, and industrial formulations.
8. Key Players Covered
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Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
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The Dow Chemical Company
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Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.
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Nouryon (formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals)
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CP Kelco (A J.M. Huber Company)
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Lotte Fine Chemical (formerly Samsung Fine Chemicals)
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Daicel Corporation
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Kima Chemical Co., Ltd
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Shandong Head Co., Ltd.
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Zhejiang Haishen Chemical Co., Ltd.
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Wuxi Sanyou Macromolecule Materials Co., Ltd.
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Kimix Chemical Co., Ltd.
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Zibo Hailan Chemical Co., Ltd.
9. Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Invest in R&D to develop enzyme-resistant HEC grades to enhance the shelf-life of water-based paints.
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For Investors: Focus on companies expanding their production capacity in the Asia-Pacific region to capitalize on low production costs and high demand.
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For Buyers: Diversify the supplier base across different geographies to mitigate risks associated with regional logistics or raw material shortages.
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For Policy Makers: Encourage the adoption of bio-based HEC in construction to reduce the carbon footprint of infrastructure projects.
1. Market Overview of Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC)
1.1 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Overview
1.1.1 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) 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 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Gas Phase Method
2.4 Liquid Phase Method
3. Covid-19 Impact Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Coating
3.4 Industrial
3.5 Agriculture
3.6 Others
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Business
5.1 Ashland
5.1.1 Ashland Company Profile
5.1.2 Ashland Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.1.3 Ashland Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Dow Chemical
5.2.1 Dow Chemical Company Profile
5.2.2 Dow Chemical Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.2.3 Dow Chemical Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Shin-Etsu Chemical
5.3.1 Shin-Etsu Chemical Company Profile
5.3.2 Shin-Etsu Chemical Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.3.3 Shin-Etsu Chemical Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Samsung Fine Chemicals
5.4.1 Samsung Fine Chemicals Company Profile
5.4.2 Samsung Fine Chemicals Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.4.3 Samsung Fine Chemicals Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 AkzoNobel
5.5.1 AkzoNobel Company Profile
5.5.2 AkzoNobel Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.5.3 AkzoNobel Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Daicel
5.6.1 Daicel Company Profile
5.6.2 Daicel Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.6.3 Daicel Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 LNCC
5.7.1 LNCC Company Profile
5.7.2 LNCC Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.7.3 LNCC Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Shandong Head
5.8.1 Shandong Head Company Profile
5.8.2 Shandong Head Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.8.3 Shandong Head Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Shandong Yiteng
5.9.1 Shandong Yiteng Company Profile
5.9.2 Shandong Yiteng Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.9.3 Shandong Yiteng Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Ruitai
5.10.1 Ruitai Company Profile
5.10.2 Ruitai Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.10.3 Ruitai Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Shangyu Chuangfeng
5.11.1 Shangyu Chuangfeng Company Profile
5.11.2 Shangyu Chuangfeng Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.11.3 Shangyu Chuangfeng Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 Zhejiang Haishen
5.12.1 Zhejiang Haishen Company Profile
5.12.2 Zhejiang Haishen Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.12.3 Zhejiang Haishen Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.13 Wuxi Sanyou
5.13.1 Wuxi Sanyou Company Profile
5.13.2 Wuxi Sanyou Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.13.3 Wuxi Sanyou Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.14 Hubei Xiangtai
5.14.1 Hubei Xiangtai Company Profile
5.14.2 Hubei Xiangtai Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Product Specification
5.14.3 Hubei Xiangtai Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
6.2 North America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
7.2 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
8.2 Europe Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
9.2 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
11.2 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
12.2 Africa Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
13.2 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
14.2 South America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) Market Size by Application
16 Hydroxyethyl Cellulose(HEC) 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’s Five Forces Analysis
18 Regulatory Information
17 Analyst's Viewpoints/Conclusions
18 Appendix
18.1 Research Methodology
18.1.1 Methodology/Research Approach
18.1.2 Data Source
18.2 Disclaimer
1. Segment Analysis
To provide a granular view of the industry, the HEC market is categorized based on production method, purity grade, and end-use application.
-
By Production Method:
-
Liquid Phase Method (Slurry Process): The most prevalent method, offering better control over substitution levels.
-
Gas Phase Method: Utilized for specific industrial grades, though less common than the liquid phase.
-
-
By Purity/Grade:
-
Industrial Grade: Widely used in construction and oil drilling.
-
Cosmetic/Personal Care Grade: Characterized by high purity and low microbial count.
-
Pharmaceutical Grade: Meets stringent regulatory standards for drug delivery systems.
-
-
By Application:
-
Paints & Coatings: The largest segment, where HEC acts as a rheology modifier and stabilizer.
-
Personal Care & Cosmetics: Used in shampoos, lotions, and toothpastes for texture and stability.
-
Oil & Gas: Crucial for completion fluids and enhanced oil recovery (EOR).
-
Construction: Enhances water retention in mortars and cements.
-
Pharmaceuticals: Used as a tablet binder and film-forming agent.
-
2. Regional Analysis
-
Asia-Pacific: Dominates the market share due to the massive construction boom in China and India, coupled with a flourishing personal care sector. It is also the primary manufacturing hub for HEC.
-
North America: Growth is driven by advanced pharmaceutical R&D and the recovery of the shale gas industry, where HEC is used in hydraulic fracturing.
-
Europe: Focuses on high-quality, sustainable cosmetic grades. Stringent VOC regulations in Europe drive the demand for HEC in water-based coatings.
-
Middle East & Africa: Driven primarily by the oil and gas sector and infrastructure development in the GCC countries.
-
Latin America: Steady growth supported by the agricultural and paint industries in Brazil and Argentina.
