Natural Polymer Market

Natural Polymer Market: Overview

The Natural Polymer Market is valued at USD 10.5 Bn in 2026 and is projected to reach USD 21 Bn, growing at a CAGR of 10% by 2033. Materials that can be produced from natural resources are known as natural polymers. Animals, plants, and microorganisms contribute to the natural synthesis of polymers. Either addition polymerization or condensation polymerization is used to create them both. Natural polymers are more efficient than synthetic ones since they are less expensive, non-toxic, and frequently found in nature. Cellulose ether, exudate and vegetable gum, starch and fermentation products, and protein-based goods are a few examples of fundamental herbal polymers. Natural polymers are widely used to transport nondurable goods, medications, oilfield products, food, and drinks. Additionally, they find extensive use in the following industries: construction, adhesives, paints & inks, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, oilfields, cosmetics & personal care products, food, and packaging.

Increased consumer desire for environmentally friendly and non-petroleum-based goods is predicted to fuel the natural polymer market. Many environmental issues are linked to the disposal of commercially accessible plastics that are not biodegradable. As a result, it is anticipated that the packaging industry will experience a considerable demand in the market for natural polymers to lower their carbon footprint. Similar to this, greater adoption of natural polymer-based products in the pharmaceutical industry, such as binders and fillers for capsules, excipients, wound dressing, and treatments for joints affected by arthritic disease will further spur market expansion. However, demand for natural polymers will significantly fall because of price swings, a lack of raw materials, inconsistent product quality, and supply uncertainty. Additionally, the industry's expansion appears to be hampered by the increased awareness of deforestation and animal conservation. The readily available alternatives to natural polymers, such as cotton and natural rubber, are projected to constrain market expansion.

The demand for natural polymers in hydraulic fracturing fluid is anticipated to increase in the oilfield industry. The packaging industry is another major user of natural polymers, and market expansion is also anticipated for this sector. Many manufacturers are concentrating on the research and development of natural polymers for various uses, such as the development of innovative medicine delivery strategies using natural polymers, due to the growing trend towards using eco-friendly products. The market for natural polymers is also anticipated to grow over the projected period due to their rising acceptance as alternatives in the medical field industry.

Natural Polymer Market: COVID-19 Impact

The expansion of the packaging sector has been adversely affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The demand for consumer products has decreased due to the lockdown. Due to a lack of consumer demand, the food and beverage business, where packaging is crucial, is in decline. Additionally, the government has made overseas travel prohibited. As a result, there have been fewer import and export transactions, which has slowed the expansion of the packaging sector. These factors may lower the demand for natural polymers in the next one to two years.

Natural Polymer Market: Drivers

Increasing Application Across Different Industries to Drive Market Growth

The demand for natural polymers is predicted to increase in the oilfield industry for hydraulic fracturing fluid throughout the forecast period. Natural polymers are frequently employed in the packaging sector to create various packaging products. The expansion of the natural polymer market is projected to be fuelled by an increase in packaging businesses. Demand for natural polymers is expected to be driven by rising environmental concerns, the use of non-biodegradable petroleum-based replacements, and the volatile price of crude oil. Additionally, it is anticipated that natural polymers will gain more acceptance as an alternative in the medical field business during the forecast period. High investment in government-led research and development initiatives has resulted in various commercial applications for natural polymers in packaging, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture, which are expected to present a lucrative potential for market expansion.

Increasing Awareness Regarding Sustainable Polymers Driving Market Growth

Demand for natural polymers is anticipated to be driven by rising worries about environmental contamination and degradation due to the usage of petroleum-based replacements that are non-biodegradable, as well as the unstable price of crude oil. Moreover, rising government-sponsored research and development expenditures have resulted in various commercial uses for natural polymers in packaging, medicine, and agriculture.

Natural Polymer Market: Restraints

Strict Regulations to Hamper Market Growth

Stringent environmental norms and regulations regulate the natural polymer market, which is anticipated to restrain market growth over the forecast period. Additionally, it is projected that growing public awareness of deforestation and animal conservation would serve as a small market barrier. The easy accessibility of natural polymer substitutes like cotton and natural rubber is anticipated to hinder market expansion.

Natural Polymer Market: Segment Overview

Cellulose Ethers to Dominate Market due to their Application in Biomedical Science.

The molecular repeat unit of cellulose, a naturally occurring linear polymer (polysaccharide), is made up of two d-anhydroglucose ring units connected by -14 glycosidic oxygen connections, allowing the molecular chain to bend and twist. Bacterial cellulose can be employed as a scaffold or membrane for tissue engineering since it has good mechanical properties, high hydrophilicity, crystallinity, and a high degree of polymerization. Cellulose-based materials can be used for biomedical applications such as medical implants, wound dressing, drug delivery, scaffolds for tissue engineering, and vascular grafts, thanks to the adaptability and plasticity of bio nanocomposites.

With Increased Demand for Eco-friendly Packaging Material, Packaging Material Category Dominated Market

Many environmental issues have been brought on by disposing commercially of accessible plastics that are not biodegradable. As a result, the market for natural polymers is anticipated to increase significantly in the packaging sector to lower carbon footprint. Natural polymers such as starch-blend and polylactic acid are found in packaging materials like form film, loose-fill, and thermoform. In addition, the market for natural polymers is anticipated to rise rapidly in the cosmetic and personal care sector due to a shift in consumer preferences toward chemical-free and eco-friendly cosmetics.

Natural Polymer Market: Regional Landscape

North America to Dominate Market due to Growing Usage of Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic, and Personal Care Goods

The North American, European, Asian Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin American areas make up most of the world's natural polymer market. Among these, North America is leading the regional scene and is anticipated to rule the market for natural polymers throughout the next years. The market for natural polymers in North America is primarily driven by their use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and personal care goods. Further propelling the market for natural polymers is their expanding use in the packaging and oilfield industries. In terms of market size, Asia Pacific is the second-largest market for natural polymers. The demand for oil and gas is rising throughout the Asia Pacific due to the region's fast industrialization and population growth.

In addition, the market for natural polymers is anticipated to grow, particularly in China and India, due to the increased penetration of silk in textile applications. Due to strict government rules for the disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic plastics, natural polymer application in the packaging industry is anticipated to grow substantially. The Middle East's expanding construction industry, particularly in Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE, is anticipated to fuel the demand for natural polymers.

Additionally, the FIFA 2022 World Cup in Qatar is anticipated to significantly accelerate construction activity, which is anticipated to affect the natural polymers market positively. The European natural polymer market is anticipated to grow healthy, primarily due to rising consumer demand for environmentally friendly and non-petroleum products. Due to the low level of regional growth, the Latin American market is anticipated to grow at a comparatively slower rate over the forecast period.

The market for natural polymers is anticipated to be driven by the expanding construction sector in the Middle East, Asia Pacific, and Africa. However, it is anticipated that the market for natural polymers will be constrained due to a lack of technological improvement and capital expenditure in most emerging nations in the MEA. In the Asia Pacific area, rising middle-class income levels, increased industrialization, and rising population are predicted to significantly accelerate the natural polymer market. The demand for products with no petroleum base and that are environmentally benign is expected to increase, leading to the expansion of the European natural polymer market. Over the projection period, the Latin American market is anticipated to expand comparatively slower.

Global Natural Polymer Market: Competitive Landscape

In July 2021, BMW I Ventures came upon Natural Fiber Welding, Inc., a producer of plastic-free, all-natural alternatives to materials derived from animals or petrochemicals, such as textiles, foams, and leathers. The capital round will enable the business to measure anything from batch material handling to industrial roll-to-roll production. Researchers at the University of Cambridge created a polymer film in June 2021 made entirely of plant protein and didn't require any chemical additives. According to the company, it performs similarly to traditional polymers. The company ready to market the solution, Xampla, claims that the finished material can be disposed of in nature after use, like any natural waste, leaving no pollutants behind. The final substance is entirely made of plant protein, which can be obtained as a by-product of the agriculture business. NFW has developed the most up-to-date technology to replace the present petrochemical-based materials and enables natural inputs to be created and molded into MIRUM, an all-natural, resilient, and recyclable leather substitute. A Daiichi Sankyo Group Company, American Regent, Inc., and its partner Vifor Pharma Group announced in December 2021 that they had reached settlement agreements with Sandoz, Inc. and Mylan Laboratories Ltd. that would end the patent litigation that had been sparked by accelerated new drug applications (ANDAs) seeking US FDA approval to market generic versions of Injectafer®.

Few of the players in the Natural Polymer Market include:

• Cargill, Incorporated
• Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)
• DuPont de Nemours, Inc.
• BASF SE
• Novozymes A/S
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Gelita AG
• CP Kelco U.S., Inc.
• Ingredion Incorporated
• Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
• Evonik Industries AG
• FMC Corporation
• Roquette Frères
• Eastman Chemical Company 

The Global Natural Polymer Market is Segmented as Below: 

By Type
• Polysaccharides
• Proteins
• Others

By Application
• Packaging
• Agriculture
• Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare
• Food & Beverages
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Others

By End Use Industry
• Food & Beverage
• Healthcare & Medical
• Agriculture
• Packaging
• Textile
• Others
By Geography / Region
• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East & Africa