Paper Dry Strength Agents

Global Paper Dry Strength Agents Market to Reach US$953.6 Million by 2030

The global market for Paper Dry Strength Agents estimated at US$834.3 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$953.6 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 2.3% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Polyvinyl Amine Agent, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 1.3% CAGR and reach US$347.0 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Polyacrylamide Agent segment is estimated at 3.1% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$227.3 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 4.2% CAGR

The Paper Dry Strength Agents market in the U.S. is estimated at US$227.3 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$179.5 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 4.2% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 0.9% and 1.6% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 1.2% CAGR.

Global Paper Dry Strength Agents Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Dry Strength Agents Crucial in Modern Papermaking Processes?

Dry strength agents (DSAs) are specialty chemical additives used to improve the mechanical properties of paper and paperboard during dry conditions. These agents enhance tensile, bursting, and internal bond strength by promoting fiber-to-fiber bonding in the sheet-forming process. Their role is critical in optimizing paper quality while allowing manufacturers to reduce the use of costly long-fiber pulps or refine energy-intensive process variables. DSAs enable the production of lighter, yet stronger papers, supporting cost-efficiency and sustainability.

These additives are particularly important in printing and writing paper, packaging board, tissue paper, and specialty grades where strength, stiffness, and printability are essential. Common types include cationic starch, polyacrylamide (PAM), glyoxylated polyacrylamide (GPAM), and other natural or synthetic polymers. They are typically applied during the wet end of the papermaking process and are chosen based on pulp type, pH conditions, and performance requirements of the final product.

How Are Formulations and Sustainability Considerations Shaping Innovation in This Market?

Formulation trends are moving toward higher efficiency polymers that provide enhanced bonding at lower dosages, minimizing chemical load and improving drainage performance. Manufacturers are developing next-generation DSAs with improved compatibility across recycled and virgin fibers, as well as better resistance to interference from fillers and contaminants in closed-loop water systems. This is especially important in mills processing mixed or recycled inputs where fiber strength is inherently reduced.

Sustainability concerns are also influencing formulation direction. Biodegradable and bio-based DSAs derived from starch, cellulose derivatives, and other plant-based polymers are gaining attention as mills seek to reduce dependence on synthetic resins and minimize effluent impact. Suppliers are exploring DSAs that perform well under neutral or alkaline papermaking conditions, which are more environmentally favorable. In parallel, innovations in multifunctional additives that combine dry strength with retention, sizing, or wet strength properties are being explored to streamline chemical use and reduce process complexity.

Where Is Demand Concentrated and Which Applications Are Expanding Most Rapidly?

Demand for dry strength agents is highest in the production of packaging materials, including corrugated board and folding cartons, driven by global e-commerce growth and regulatory shifts toward fiber-based packaging over plastic. Tissue and towel grades also represent a significant application area, where strength improvement is needed without compromising softness or absorbency. Printing paper and specialty grades, including security paper and label stock, continue to require consistent strength properties under high-speed converting conditions.

Asia-Pacific remains the largest market, supported by strong packaging production and increasing recycled paper utilization in countries like China and India. North America and Europe have mature markets with growing focus on lightweighting and sustainable fiber use. In Latin America and Africa, demand is rising due to capacity expansion in tissue and board manufacturing. Suppliers are increasingly offering customized DSAs tailored to regional raw material profiles and mill configurations.

Growth in the Paper Dry Strength Agents market is driven by several factors…

Growth in the paper dry strength agents market is driven by factors such as rising demand for stronger and lighter packaging materials, increasing use of recycled fibers in papermaking, and ongoing innovation in additive chemistry to improve process efficiency. Shifts toward lightweight and sustainable paper products in retail, e-commerce, and foodservice sectors are encouraging mills to adopt more effective DSAs to meet performance targets while optimizing costs.

Increasing adoption of bio-based and multifunctional agents is expanding usage across both mature and emerging markets. As mills face greater environmental scrutiny, DSAs that support energy savings, reduced refining, and improved runnability are gaining preference. Demand is further supported by the global push for plastic substitution, where paper grades must offer enhanced strength without compromising recyclability or processing speed. These evolving material and regulatory demands are sustaining long-term interest in dry strength optimization solutions across the paper industry.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Paper Dry Strength Agents market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Type (Polyvinyl Amine Agent, Polyacrylamide Agent, Starch-based Polymers Agent, Amphoteric Polymer Agent, Other Types); End-Use (Paper End-Use, Paperboard End-Use, Other End-Uses)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 32 Featured) -

• Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.
• Ashland Inc.
• BASF SE
• Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
• Chemisphere Paper Technologies
• Chimica Pomponesco S.p.A.
• Ecolab Inc.
• Evonik Industries AG
• Harima Chemicals Group, Inc.
• Kemira Oyj
• KURARAY CO., LTD.
• Nalco Water (An Ecolab Company)
• Nitto Boseki Co., Ltd. (Nittobo)
• Omnova Solutions Inc.
• Penford Products Co. (Ingredion)
• Polestar Polymers Pvt. Ltd.
• Puyang Yintai Industrial Trading Co., Ltd.
• Seiko PMC Corporation
• Solenis LLC
• Zhejiang Zhengda Paper Chemical Co., Ltd.

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