SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMERS MARKET ANALYSIS

Definition of Market/Industry:

Super absorbent polymers are polymeric materials that have excellent water absorbency power as they can absorb 400–800 times water than their weight. SAP is widely used in personal &hygiene products such as adult continence products, baby diapers, and sanitary napkins. Diaper manufacturing is the largest application area of Super Absorbent Polymers, however, they also have agricultural applications.

The global Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) market is estimated to be valued at US$ 9344.2 million in 2021 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 5.8 % over the forecast period (2021-2028).

Recent Developments:

In October 2019, Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, Adani Group, BASF SE and Borealis AG have agreements for feasibility study to evaluate a collaboration for the establishment of a chemical complex. The chemical complex at in Mundra, Gujarat, India will include major facilities including polypropylene complex and acrylic value chain complex.

In March 2021, BASF has announced to invest around US$ 30 million for its super absorbent polymer business. BASF is building a state-of-the-art super absorbents excellence centre in Antwerp, Belgium.    

In June 2021, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has announced its plan to set up super absorbent polymer plant at Kochi refinery. The company has aimed to set pilot plant of 200 tons per annum capacity which will be followed by 50 kilo tons commercial plant.

Asia-Pacific (Region) held dominant position in the global Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) market in 2020, accounting for 55.8% share in terms of volume, followed by Europe and North America, respectively.

Figure 1. Global Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) Market Value (US$ Mn), by Region, 2020

Drivers:

Rising awareness regarding hygiene around the globe due to growing cases of various infectious diseases is expected to fuel the market growth of super absorbent polymers. Growing demand for diapers, tissues, and sanitary napkins among health-conscious consumers is expected to augment the market growth of super absorbent polymers. Super absorbent polymers is primarily used in the aforementioned hygiene products.

Expanding application of SAP across end-user applications such as medical, agriculture, and construction is expected to accelerate the growth of super absorbent polymers market. Moreover, owing to their excellent property of water absorption and water holding capacity is boosting their demand from construction and waste management applications, this is further expected to uplift the market growth of the super absorbent polymers.

Market Opportunities

The growing use of super absorbent polymers product across agricultural& horticulture applications and waste management is expected to foster market growth. Growth in agricultural activities is expected to have a positive impact on the market of super absorbent polymers over the forecast. Other emerging application includes automotive, construction, and packaging.

Growth in the number of working women and geriatric population is estimated to augment the demand for incontinence products. This is expected to open new avenues in the market of super absorbent polymers over the forecast period. 

Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) Market Report Coverage

Report Coverage	Details
Base Year:	2020	Market Size in 2021:	US$ 9344.2 Mn
Historical Data for:	2017 to 2020	Forecast Period:	2021 to 2028
Forecast Period 2021 to 2028 CAGR:	5.8%	2028 Value Projection:	US$ 13865.8 Mn
Geographies covered:	Regions: North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa
Segments covered:	By Type (Sodium Polyacrylate, Poly Acrylamide Co-polymer and Others) By Application (Disposable Diapers, Adult  Incontinence  products, Feminine Hygiene Products and Others)
Companies covered:	Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, Yixing Danson Technology, Kao Corporation, Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd., San-Dia Polymers Global Co. Ltd., Sanyo Chemicals Industries, Formosa Plastics Corporation, and LG Chemicals Ltd.
Growth Drivers:	Increasing hygiene awareness Growth of personal care industry
Restraints & Challenges:	Rising environmental concerns

Market Trends

Changing lifestyles and improving standard of living of consumers across developing regions such as the Asia Pacific is stimulating the market growth of the super absorbent polymers. Rising hygiene awareness has become one of the major trends in the developing region and this is expected to favor the market growth of super absorbent polymers over the forecast timeframe.

Increasing production capacity of the super absorbent polymers product by major players in order to meet the rising demand is expected to foster market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in December 2019, LG Chem planned to invest a total of 300 billion won ($278.6 million) to expand its petrochemical facilities in Yeosu, South Jeolla Province. With the investment, the company plans to increase the annual production capacities of crude acrylic acid and super absorbent polymer by 180,000 tons and 100,000 tons, respectively.

Figure 2. Global Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) Market Share, By Application, 2020

Key Takeaways of the Graph:

• The Disposable Diapers (Segment) held dominant position in the market and accounted for 5.8% share in the global Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) market in 2020. The segment is expected to reach US$ 10549 million in 2028.
• Increasing disposable income and increasing spending on health care majorly on childcare have push the demand for Disposable Diapers

Market Restraints

The market of SAP in developed regions such as North America and Europe are mature markets and are witnessing slow growth. This factor is projected to hinder the market growth of super absorbent polymers over the forecast period.

Growing environmental concerns as super absorbent polymers products are non-biodegradable and thus have a negative impact on the environment. This is projected to hinder the market growth of the superabsorbent polymers in the near future.

Competitive Section:

Company Names 

1. Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.
2. Evonik Industries AG
3. BASF SE
4. Yixing Danson Technology
5. Kao Corporation
6. Sumitomo Seika Chemicals Co. Ltd.
7. San-Dia Polymers Global Co. Ltd.
8. Sanyo Chemicals Industries
9. Formosa Plastics Corporation
10. LG Chemicals Ltd.

Few Recent Developments

Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd.

• In December 2019, Nippon Shokubai and Sanyo Chemical Industries have completed the merger to form a new company called Synfomix. Synfomix has two divisions. Materials and solution. Materials will focus on the superabsorbent polymer (SAP) value chain division, including ethylene oxide (EO) and acrylic acid (AA).