Global Water Soluble Polymers Market: Snapshot
Water soluble polymers consists a wide variety of mineral polymers that are either of natural or synthetic origin, and are mainly used for facilitating the separation process of materials in suspension in an aqueous medium. They have wide applications in chemical processes such as thickening, dispersion, gelling, flocculation, coagulation, and rheology modification. The growing number of wastewater treatment processes in various industrial activities world over is a key factor propelling the application of water soluble polymers in various industries.
A burgeoning shale oil production to address a growing demand for natural gas in various parts of the world has spurred the demand for these polymers in a variety of applications in the petroleum industry. In addition, a number of emerging specialized applications of water soluble polymers, such as in the pharmaceutical industry, is further likely to accentuate the market. The global water soluble polymers market is projected to rise at a CAGR of 5.9% from 2013 to 2019. Expanding at this pace, the market is projected to reach US$29.63 billion by the end of the forecast period.
Application of Synthetic Water Soluble Polymers to Reign Supreme
On the basis of the raw material used in making water soluble polymers, the market is segmented into synthetic, natural, and semi-synthetic materials. Of these, the synthetic segment is projected to be the dominant segment and accounts for more than 50% of the market in 2012. Synthetic polymers coagulants and flocculants have gained traction across various effluent water treatment processes. They are extensively used to dewater sludge in treating various types of wastewater.
On the other hand, natural-based water soluble proteins, particularly casein and gelatin, is expected to provide lucrative avenues for market players. This is attributed to the high cost of the materials and hence are suitable for high-value markets. The advent of lower-priced synthetic substitutes may hinder their industrial uses to an extent.
Polyacrylamide to Witness Widespread Demand in Coming Years
Based on product type, the water soluble polymers market is segmented into guar gum, polyacrylamide, polyvinyl alcohol, gelatin, casein, polyacrylic acid, PEG, polysaccharides, PVP, polyamines, and quaternary ammonium compounds. Among these, polyacrylamides has emerged as the leading segment in terms of consumption and is projected to rise at the major CAGR of 7.4% from 2013 to 2019. The growth is expected to be driven by their extensive application in wastewater treatment plants and in the petroleum industry. Guar gum is a prominent segment which is anticipated to rise at a CAGR of 5.5%, from 2013 to 2019. A large chunk of production of guar gum is expected to come from several economies of Asia Pacific, notably China and India. Other product types are predicted to lose some share in the coming years.
Wastewater Treatment Poised to be Leading Application Segment
The major application segments of the water soluble polymers market comprise water treatment, detergent and household products, petroleum, paper making, agriculture, food, and pharmaceuticals. Of these, the water treatment segment led the overall market in 2012 and is projected to witness wide application of water soluble polymers. Meanwhile, the detergents and household products segment is projected to rise at a healthy 5.6% CAGR during 2013 - 2019. The substantial application is attributed to rapid advances made in the FMCG sector. Furthermore, the vastly rising demand for water soluble polymers in numerous petroleum applications, including in enhanced oil recoveries and drag reduction, is fueled by increasing shale gas drilling activities. Water soluble polymers also find wide applications in paper making.
Asia Pacific to Provide Abundant Growth Avenues
Based on geography, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World. Of these, Asia Pacific led the global market in 2012 accounting for 40% of the total volume. The regional market is poised to lead throughout the forecast period and is projected to rise at the leading CAGR during the forecast period. This regional market is trailed by the Europe market and is forecast to remain so until 2019. Both, Europe and North America are considered mature markets for water soluble polymers.
On the other hand, North America and the Rest of the World segment combined accounted for a substantial share of the global market.
List of Figures
FIG. 1 Global water soluble polymers market segmentation
FIG. 2 Global water soluble polymers market, 2012–2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 3 Water soluble polymers market: Value chain analysis
FIG. 4 Global shale gas market, 2012–2019 (Bcf) (USD billion)
FIG. 5 Global water and wastewater treatment: Industrial and municipal market, 2012–2019 (USD billion)
FIG. 6 Global coagulants and flocculants market, 2012–2019 (USD million)
FIG. 7 Global crude oil prices, 2008–2013 (USD/Barrel)
FIG. 8 Porter’s Five Forces analysis for water soluble polymers
FIG. 9 Water Soluble Polymers: Market attractiveness analysis
FIG. 10 Water Soluble Polymers: Company market share analysis, 2012
FIG. 11 Global water soluble polymers market volume share, by raw material, 2012 and 2019
FIG. 12 Global synthetic water soluble polymers demand, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 13 Global natural water soluble polymers demand, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 14 Global semi-synthetic water soluble polymers demand, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 15 Global water soluble polymers market volume share, by product, 2012 and 2019
FIG. 16 Global demand for water soluble polyacrylamide & copolymers, 2012 – 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 17 Global demand for water soluble guar gum & derivatives, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 18 Global demand for water soluble polyvinyl alcohol, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 19 Global demand for water soluble casein & caseinates, 2012 – 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 20 Global demand for water soluble gelatin, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 21 Global demand for water soluble polyacrylic acid & copolymers, 2012 – 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 22 Global demand for other water soluble polymers (Polysaccharides, PEG, quaternary ammonium compounds), 2012 – 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 23 Global water soluble polymers market volume share, by application, 2012 and 2019
FIG. 24 Global water soluble polymers demand for water treatment, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 25 Global water soluble polymers demand for detergent & household products, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 26 Global water soluble polymers demand for paper making, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 27 Global water soluble polymers demand for petroleum, 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 28 Global water soluble polymers demand for others (Food, pharmaceuticals, etc.), 2012 - 2019 (Kilo tons) (USD million)
FIG. 29 Global water soluble polymers market volume share, by region, 2012 and 2019