Cellulose Market Size & Share 2020 to 2026
Market Size by Source (Natural, [Crops, Cotton, Jute, Hemp, Flax, Corn, Wheat], Fruits, [Apple, Peaches, Strawberries, Treewood [Hardwood, Softwood], Synthetic), by Modification (Unmodified, Modified, [Microcrystalline Cellulose, Cellulose Ethers, Oxidized), by Manufacturing Process (Viscose, [Acid Sulfite, Prehydrolysis Kraft], Cellulose Ethers), by Purity (Above 95%, 85%, 95%, Below 85%), by Application (Food, Pharmaceuticals, Paper, Cosmetics, Textiles), Industry Analysis Report, Regional Outlook, Application Growth Potential, Price Trends, Competitive Market Share & Forecast.
Report ID: GMI4854
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Published Date: November 2020
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Report Format: PDF
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Authors:
Kiran Pulidindi, Akshay Prakash
Cellulose Market Size
Cellulose Market size was valued at USD 211.68 billion in 2019 and is estimated to exhibit 2.9% CAGR from 2020 to 2026. The rising paper production along with increasing adoption of the cellulose fiber in textile industry in the emerging economics is expected to drive the market growth.
Cellulose has long been used to make clothing products in the textile industry such as rayon, for which is manufactured from pulp or cellulose. Cellulose fibers can also be produced by an industrial process, by the extraction of cellulose from plant materials, dissolution, and regeneration.
The most important raw material used is wood; therefore, these fiber types are also summarized as wood-based fibers. Moreover, cellulose acetate is also utilized in the manufacturing of the paper or nonwoven polymers, which can be used in the textile industry as a fiber to manufacture clothing, which will further strengthen the cellulose market share.
Cellulose Market Analysis
The natural source cellulose segment is estimated to hold over USD 190 billion of the total cellulose market. Over the past few years, many manufacturers are producing cellulose from non-edible plant materials, which include grass, stalks of cereal crops, and wood, to develop natural & bio-bridgeable solutions. It is also easily soluble in seawater, which is expected to solve the marine plastic waste problem as it decomposes in seawater twice as fast as conventional products.
Furthermore, processing of naturally sourced cellulose is easy and is also used in various end-use industries such as packaging and textiles, among others. The superior durability along with the ability to withstand superior compressive force will enhance the cellulose market penetration.
In 2019, the unmodified segment held over 90% share in cellulose market. Unmodified cellulose is a biodegradable & compostable compound used in numerous applications in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics & personal care, and paints & coating industries. The growing COVID cases across the world have adversely impacted cellulose production and its related end-use industries over past few months, however, many manufacturers are using this event as an opportunity as nano cellulose-based bio sensors can be used to manufacture COVID 19 test kits.
According to the American National Institute of Health, the proposed test kit can identify spike proteins from insulating antibodies of people. The cellulose-based device is called point-of-care molecular device. These products are low-cost, lightweight, hydrophilic, and porous and it is also developed with renewable materials which is expected to positively influence the cellulose market expansion in the future.
The below 85% segment will witness over 2.5% CAGR in cellulose market size, as these are used for the paper and clothing’s production owing to higher presence of cellulose in the pulp. Moreover, these types of pulp grade also used to produce paper packaging, the growing implementation of paper and flexible packaging across the FMCG sector is likely to create substantial opportunities for the paper packaging, further strengthening the product penetration.
Paper applications will witness over 3% CAGR through 2026 owing to the high usage of cellulose in paper production. It helps to reduce the drying time of the paper. It improves the paper quality, making it is less porous & translucent with higher printing quality. The cellulose also requires lesser raw materials and energy to produce paper. The cellulose will also support light weighting, improving energy efficiency in transportation.
Cellulose foams are being used in the production of packaging reels to substitute polystyrene-based products. The key advantage of using cellulose instead of wood-based pulp fibers is that CNF can reinforce the thin cells in the starch foam, replacing polymer reels manufactured using fossil fuels with a renewable material that decreases weight. This will have a positive effect on cellulose market growth.
Asia Pacific will witness over 3% CAGR through 2026 in cellulose market. A substantial demand for printed books, clothing’s, pharmaceutical products and packaging, especially in essential goods, owing to the rising disposable income and standard of living will essentially contribute toward the high revenue generation. Moreover, Asia Pacific has seen significant growth in the textile industry owing to increasing in consumer inclination towards the comfortable clothing, which result in increasing the demand for high-value fabrics such as hemp, silk and viscose.
The regional paper and paperboard industry gained a significant share during the last few years, holding 47.4% of the production in 2016 and reaching 48.1% in 2019. Moreover, improvements in the education system and the growing demand for printed books across developing countries including India and Thailand will propel the cellulose market revenue over the forecast span.
Cellulose Market Share
The global cellulose market was highly fragmented with the presence of multiple small & large market participants across the globe, offering identical products. Prominent industry participants are doing substantial investments in new product development to strengthen their expertise in cellulose materials and gain an edge over their competitors.
With increasing demand for eco-friendly, biodegradable and water-soluble products, many manufacturers are investing in these technologies to gain a competitive advantage. In January 2020, Daicel Corporation introduced an environmental-friendly form of cellulose acetate. The new product is expected to solve the marine plastic waste problem as it decomposes in seawater, twice as fast as conventional products.
Some of the key manufacturers of the cellulose industry are
Some of the key strategies adopted by these manufacturers are backward integration, acquisition, production capacity expansion and new product development.
The cellulose market report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of volume in Million Tons and revenue in USD million from 2016 to 2026 for the following segments
By Source
By Modification
By Manufacturing Process
By Purity
By Application
The above information is provided on a regional and country basis for the following:
By Region
Research methodology, data sources & validation process
This report draws on a structured research process built around direct industry conversations, proprietary modelling, and rigorous cross-validation and not just desk research.
Our 6-step research process
1. Research design & analyst oversight
At GMI, our research methodology is built on a foundation of human expertise, rigorous validation, and complete transparency. Every insight, trend analysis, and forecast in our reports is developed by experienced analysts who understand the nuances of your market.
Our approach integrates extensive primary research through direct engagement with industry participants and experts, complemented by comprehensive secondary research from verified global sources. We apply quantified impact analysis to deliver dependable forecasts, while maintaining complete traceability from original data sources to final insights.
2. Primary research
Primary research forms the backbone of our methodology, contributing nearly 80% to overall insights. It involves direct engagement with industry participants to ensure accuracy and depth in analysis. Our structured interview program covers regional and global markets, with inputs from C-suite executives, directors, and subject matter experts. These interactions provide strategic, operational, and technical perspectives, enabling well-rounded insights and reliable market forecasts.
3. Data mining & market analysis
Data mining is a key part of our research process, contributing nearly 20% to the overall methodology. It involves analysing market structure, identifying industry trends, and assessing macroeconomic factors through revenue share analysis of major players. Relevant data is collected from both paid and unpaid sources to build a reliable database. This information is then integrated to support primary research and market sizing, with validation from key stakeholders such as distributors, manufacturers, and associations.
4. Market sizing
Our market sizing is built on a bottom-up approach, starting with company revenue data gathered directly through primary interviews, alongside production volume figures from manufacturers and installation or deployment statistics. These inputs are then pieced together across regional markets to arrive at a global estimate that stays grounded in actual industry activity.
5. Forecast model & key assumptions
Every forecast includes explicit documentation of:
✓ Key growth drivers and their assumed impact
✓ Restraining factors and mitigation scenarios
✓ Regulatory assumptions and policy change risk
✓ Technology adoption curve parameter
✓ Macroeconomic assumptions (GDP growth, inflation, currency)
✓ Competitive dynamics and market entry/exit expectations
6. Validation & quality assurance
The final stages involve human validation, where domain experts manually review filtered data to identify nuances and contextual errors that automated systems might miss. This expert review adds a critical layer of quality assurance, ensuring data aligns with research objectives and domain-specific standards.
Our triple-layer validation process ensures maximum data reliability:
✓ Statistical Validation
✓ Expert Validation
✓ Market Reality Check
Trust & credibility
Verified data sources
Trade publications
Security & defense sector journals and trade press
Industry databases
Proprietary and third-party market databases
Regulatory filings
Government procurement records and policy documents
Academic research
University studies and specialist institution reports
Company reports
Annual reports, investor presentations, and filings
Expert interviews
C-suite, procurement leads, and technical specialists
GMI archive
13,000+ published studies across 30+ industry verticals
Trade data
Import/export volumes, HS codes, and customs records
Parameters studied & evaluated
Every data point in this report is validated through primary interviews, true bottom-up modelling, and rigorous cross-checks. Read about our research process →