Polyethyleneimine Market Analysis & Forecast: 2025-2032

Polyethyleneimine Market Size and Trends 2025- 2032.

The Polyethyleneimine Market is estimated to be valued at USD 459.2 Mn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 568.6 Mn in 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.1% from 2025 to 2032.

Key Takeaways

• Based on Type, the Branched Segment is leading the market with 73.4% of the market revenue in 2025. The growth is attributed to the strong chemical structure and high density of amino groups.
• Based on Application, the Water Treatment Chemicals dominate the overall market owing to the increasing demand for water purification.
• Based on Region, Asia-Pacific is dominating the market, accounting for around 54.7% of the global market share, owing to rapid industrialization and urbanization.

Market Overview

The term polyethyleneimine is also known as polyaziridine. Polyethyleneimines consist of a repeating unit with a cyclic amine group and two aliphatic carbon CHâ‚‚CH‘ ‚‚ ‚ spacers. Linear polyethyleneimines have all secondary amine groups, while branched polyethyleneimines contain primary amino groups. Increasing government regulations around water quality and wastewater management are driving the adoption of PEI in water treatment. In particular, municipalities and industrial plants are adopting PEI-based solutions to meet environmental standards.

Current Events and Its Impact

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End-Use Application of Polyethyleneimine Market

1. Water Treatment

• • Use: PEI is commonly used in water treatment processes, especially in coagulation and flocculation. It can help remove suspended particles, heavy metals, and other impurities from water.
  • Example: In drinking water purification, PEI is utilized to help remove contaminants by promoting the aggregation of particles into larger clusters that can then be filtered out.

2. Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Applications

• • Use: Due to its cationic nature, PEI is used in the pharmaceutical industry for drug delivery systems and gene therapy. It can form complexes with nucleic acids (DNA, RNA) for gene transfection and to improve the bioavailability of therapeutic compounds.
  • Example: Gene therapy uses PEI as a vector for delivering genetic material into cells. PEI is also used in drug formulations to enhance the solubility of poorly soluble drugs.

3. Polymerization and Catalysis

• • Use: PEI serves as a chelating agent and is used in various catalysis processes, particularly in the polymerization of monomers and in catalytic processes for producing fine chemicals and materials.
  • Example: In polymerization reactions, PEI can be used to stabilize transition metal catalysts, which helps control reaction rates and improve efficiency.

4. Cosmetics and Personal Care

• • Use: PEI is used in the cosmetics and personal care industry as a conditioning agent, emulsifier, and thickener due to its ability to form stable emulsions and enhance the texture of formulations.
  • Example: In shampoos, conditioners, and skin creams, PEI helps improve the texture, spreadability, and moisture retention of the products.

5. Agriculture

• • Use: In agriculture, PEI is used for pesticide formulations and fertilizer delivery. It can improve the stability and efficacy of agrochemicals, enhancing their adherence to plant surfaces and increasing their effectiveness.
  • Example: PEI-based formulations are used to deliver pesticides and herbicides more efficiently, reducing the amount of chemical needed and improving environmental safety.

6. Surface Coatings and Paints

• • Use: PEI is used in coating formulations due to its ability to modify surface properties, improve adhesion, and provide corrosion resistance. It can be added to paints, varnishes, and coatings to enhance performance.
  • Example: In corrosion-resistant coatings for metals, PEI enhances the adhesion of paint layers, particularly in environments exposed to moisture and chemicals.

Segmental Insights

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Polyethyleneimine Market Insights, by Type: Rapid Industrialization is Driving the Branched Segment’s Growth.

Based on Type, the Branched segment currently has the largest market share, with 73.40% of revenue in 2025. The growth of this segment can be attributed to the strong chemical structure that provides a high density of amino groups. The polymer known as branched polyethyleneimine (BPEI) is made up of repeating units of ethylene diamine groups. BPEIs are solids and contain primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups. The primary amines on BPEIs are used to form covalent connections with carboxyl-functionalized nanoparticles, resulting in a firm, strongly positively charged BPEI surface. By effectively acting as a crosslinker, they improve the tensile strength, cohesiveness, and moisture resistance of adhesives, paints, coatings, etc. The versatility and cost-effectiveness of the branched segment significantly contribute to its adoption across multiple industries such as water treatment, paper production, detergents, etc.

Polyethyleneimine market insights, by Application: Rise in Water Purification Solutions is Driving the Water Treatment Chemicals Segment’s Growth.

Based on Application, the Water Treatment Chemicals segment is expected to dominate the market in 2025. The dominance of Water Treatment Chemicals in 2025 is primarily driven by the rise in demand for water purification and wastewater management solutions, which can be achieved through the use of Polyethyleneimine. As it has an excellent chelation, making it ideal for removing any impurities, metals, contaminants, etc. For instance, in January 2024, Membion, a German wastewater recycling company, bagged a €5 million investment. The investment was led by TechVision Fonds and DeepTech & Climate Fonds, focusing on the expansion of Membion’s production capacity and offering advantages in water and wastewater treatment. Such innovations highlight the critical role played by PEI in enhancing wastewater management and addressing global needs.

Regional Insights

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Asia-Pacific Polyethyleneimine Market Analysis and Trends

Asia Pacific held a dominant position in the global polyethyleneimine market in 2025, accounting for 54.70% share in terms of volume, followed by North America and Europe, respectively. Driven by the rapid industrialization and urbanization in countries such as China, India, and Japan. The region is home to a large number of end-use industries that require polyethyleneimine, such as water treatment, textiles, and adhesives. China is leading the Polyethyleneimine market revenue due to a variety of different reasons, including its large manufacturing base, government regulations on environmental norms for managing wastewater discharge and industrial effluents, etc. Moreover, a rise in the e-commerce sector in China is fueling the need for adhesives and packaging materials, thus requiring polyethyleneimine. Meanwhile, India, too, is experiencing rapid urbanization, infrastructural development, which in turn is leading to the rise in the need for effective water purification solutions. Polyethyleneimine is widely used in the country, not only for water treatment but also in skincare and haircare products.  India’s Make in India mission and a step towards industrial self-reliance are also adding to the chemical consumption. For instance, in April 2024, the President of India officially launched the country’s first home-grown gene therapy for cancer at IIT Bombay. PEI plays an important role in gene therapy applications and is commonly used as a non-viral vector in delivering genetic materials into the cells.

North America Polyethyleneimine Market Trends

North America is a mature market for polyethyleneimine, with a well-established industrial base and a high degree of technological advancement. It is the second largest market by region, accounting for around 19.3% of the global market share. The growth of the market in this region can be attributed to the well-established industrial ecosystem, technical advancements in the region, and strict environmental regulations. The North America market has two major countries leading it- the U.S. and Canada. While the U.S. is the leading market for PEI, owing to major applications in adhesives and water treatment. Canada also follows closely, growing rapidly through investments in eco-friendly technologies and clean water initiatives. In January 2024, the Government of Canada announced the launch of the Canada Water Agency and a $650 million investment over 10 years in the Freshwater Action Plan to protect and restore water quality and ecosystems in key watersheds nationwide. This is further driving the adoption of PEI. Besides this, PEI also finds its application in the paper industry of the country, which is a major contributor to the country’s economy. Not only this PEI also finds its applications in a variety of different markets.

Polyethyleneimine Market Trends

Increasing demand from the construction industry and a rise in construction activities

Increasing demand from the construction industry and a rise in construction activities are expected to propel the market growth. As per the statistics provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately owned residential units authorized by building permits were at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,873,000 in December 2021. Single-family permits were granted at a rate of 1,128,000 per year. Unit authorizations in structures with five or more units were at an annual rate of 675,000. Building permits approved an expected 1,724,700 housing units in 2021. This number was 17.2% higher than the 2021 forecast of 1,471,100. This is further propelling the polyethyleneimine market demand.

Penetration of electric vehicles

The penetration of electric vehicles is expected to boost market growth. As EV manufacturers are using more plastics instead of conventional vehicles to achieve the lightweight and improve efficiency, there is a direct rise in th consumption of PEI, as it is a crucial polymer. According to the International Energy Agency, in 2030, global electric vehicle sales are expected to reach 125 million as per the New Policies Scenario (excluding two- and three-wheelers). In the EV30@30 Scenario, in 2030, around 70% of the vehicle sales in China are expected to be EVs. This is further escalating the polyethyleneimine market share.

Polyethyleneimine Market Drivers

Growing demand for detergents

The growing demand for detergents is primarily fueling the growth of the polyethyleneimine market. Polyethyleneimine is used in detergent compositions for enhanced stain removal. Detergent compositions containing polyethyleneimine provide enhanced removal of organic stains, particularly polyphenolic stains such as morello juice (cherry juice), blueberry juice, red wine, tea, and coffee.

Increasing demand for water treatment chemicals

Increasing demand for water treatment chemicals is again projected to foster market growth. According to UNICEF, about 4 billion people, or approximately two-thirds of the world's population, experience water scarcity for at least one month each year. More than 2 billion people live in countries where water supplies are scarce. Half of the world's population could be living in areas facing severe water shortages in 2025, with 700 million people being displaced by intense water scarcity by 2032. Therefore, water treatment has become necessary over the years.

Global Polyethyleneimine Market - Opportunities

Increasing development of polyethyleneimine-nano silica composites

The increasing development of polyethyleneimine-nanosilica composites is expected to offer lucrative polyethyleneimine market opportunities. For instance, scientists are focusing on developing novel solvents and solvent combinations exhibiting lower volatility, better thermal stability, lower corrosive characteristics, a lower degradation rate, and reduced regeneration costs. Adsorption by polyethyleneimine nano-silica composites, such as SBA-15-supported PEI and MCM-41-supported PEI, constitutes an attractive solution owing to minimal utilization of regeneration energy, high capture capacity and selectivity, processing convenience, cost-effectiveness, and reduced environmental impact.

Rapid growth in the personal care and cosmetic industry

Rapid growth in the personal care and cosmetic industries is expected to bring profitable growth opportunities. According to Invest India, India's beauty and personal care product industry is currently valued at USD 26.8 billion and is expected to grow to USD 37.2 billion by 2025. According to Forbes India, the beauty and personal care industries received USD 264 million in financing in the seven months ending July 2021, up from USD 106 million in the entire year of 2021.

Market Report Scope

Polyethyleneimine Market Report Coverage

Key Developments

• In September 2024, the SK Capital Partners invested a whopping USD 150 million in SI Group, which is expected to enhance the production of specialty chemicals, including PEI.
• In July 2024, Polyformes, a UK-based polyethylene foam products manufacturer, was acquired by Maxfarlane Group, costing around $20.7 million. The aim is the expansion of Macfarlane’s product portfolio.
• In July 2022, BSB Nanotechnology and Dow announced a partnership to increase the use of bio-based and low-carbon ingredients in the Global Polyethyleneimine Market. The Dow Chemical Company (Dow) is a producer and supplier of raw materials for products in a wide variety of industries, including appliance, automotive, agricultural, chemical processing, electronics, oil and gas, and processed foods. Dow Chemical Company, an American chemical and plastics manufacturer that is one of the world's leading suppliers of chemicals, plastics, synthetic fibres, and agricultural products.
• In May 2022, Nippon Shokubai and Arkema joined forces to begin feasibility studies and establish a joint venture for the construction of an industrial facility to manufacture LiFSI (lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl) imide), a crucial component of battery cells for electric mobility.

Analyst Viewpoint

• The global Polyethyleneimine (PEI) market is quietly carving out a niche as an indispensable specialty chemical. While the overall growth rate may appear modest, the market's real value lies in its high-functionality and cross-sector adaptability. Among all segments, Branched PEI is unequivocally dominating —by functional advantage. Branched PEI’s superior molecular architecture allows for more reactive sites, making it far more effective in water treatment, paper strengthening, and biomedical applications. Linear PEI, while still important, simply does not offer the same efficiency in high-demand industrial contexts.
• In terms of application, the Water Treatment Chemicals segment is emerging as the most strategically dominant, driven by rising global water scarcity concerns and tightening regulations. PEI’s role as a cationic polymer in wastewater purification and flocculation solutions is irreplaceable — and this is where it stands apart from commodity chemicals. The Adhesives and Sealants and Paper industries also remain critical, but they are increasingly becoming application-specific battlegrounds, whereas water treatment offers the broadest and most policy-supported runway.
• Geographically, the powerhouses are clear: Asia-Pacific and North America. Asia-Pacific holds the pole position, thanks to its manufacturing muscle, rising biopharmaceutical ambitions, and water infrastructure needs. The two dominant countries — China and India — are not just driving volume, but also reshaping the innovation pipeline. On the other hand, North America, particularly the U.S., is asserting itself through high-purity and specialty-grade PEI production, catering to pharma, biotech, and high-end paper sectors.

Market Segmentation

• Global Polyethyleneimine Market, By Type
  • Linear
  • Branched
• Global Polyethyleneimine Market, By Application 
  • Detergents
  • Adhesives and Sealants
  • Water Treatment Chemicals
  • Cosmetics
  • Paper
  • Coatings, Inks and Dyes
  • Other Applications
• Global Polyethyleneimine Market, By Geography
  • North America
    • U.S.
    • Canada
  • Latin America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Mexico
    • Rest of Latin America
  • Europe
    • Germany
    • U.K.
    • Spain
    • France
    • Italy
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • Australia
    • South Korea
    • ASEAN
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Middle East
    • GCC Countries
    • Israel
    • Rest of Middle East
  • Africa
    • South Africa
    • North Africa
    • Central Africa
• Company Profiles
  • BASF SE
  • Dow
  • FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation
  • Gongbike New Material Technology (Shanghai) Co., Ltd. 
  • NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co., Ltd
  • Polysciences, Inc.
  • SERVA Electrophoresis GmbH
  • Shanghai Holdenchem Co.
  • WUHAN BRIGHT CHEMICAL Co., Ltd.

Sources

Primary Research Interviews

• In-depth interviews with industry experts, manufacturers, distributors, and key stakeholders in the PEI supply chain.

Databases

• Government and industry trade databases
• Chemical and material consumption and production statistics
• Import/export data from customs and trade ministries
• Subscription-based chemical usage databases (non-competitive)

Magazines

• Chemical Weekly
• Industrial Product Review
• Specialty Chemicals Magazine
• Global Manufacturing Journal
  

Journals

• ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
• Journal of Applied Polymer Science
• Environmental Science & Technology
• Polymer Journal
  

Newspapers

• The Economic Times (Industry section)
• The Financial Times (Commodities and Chemicals)
• The Hindu BusinessLine
• The Wall Street Journal (Market and Corporate Developments)

Associations

• American Chemical Society (ACS)
• Indian Chemical Council (ICC)
• Society of Chemical Manufacturers & Affiliates (SOCMA)
• European Chemical Industry Council (CEFIC)

Public Domain Sources

• Press releases from manufacturers and government agencies
• Regulatory filings and compliance data
• Government websites (e.g., U.S. EPA, BIS India, European Chemicals Agency)
• Academic theses and whitepapers available online
• Patent databases (WIPO, USPTO, etc.)

*Definition: Polyethylenimine, or polyaziridine, is a polymer with repeating units composed of the amine group and two carbon aliphatic CHâ‚‚CH‘ ‚‚ spacers. Linear polyethyleneimines contain all secondary amines, in contrast to branched PEIs, which contain primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups.