Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) Market - Forecasts from 2024 to 2029

The super absorbent polymers (SAP) market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.95% from 2024 to 2029.

The super absorbent polymers (SAP) market is expected to witness growth owing to multiple factors, such as the increasing demand for adult incontinence products. This is followed by an increasing use of the water treatment application and an increasing demand for disposable baby diapers. All of these factors combined are driving the super absorbent polymers market growth.

• The exceptional rise in the adult incontinence product demand is regarded to be one of the major growth drivers, further driven by an aging population and the heightened awareness of the diminished stigma. There is an increase in the necessity for the specified products responsible for providing comfort and ensuring dignity in later life stages with longer life expectancy. Since there is an increase in the number of nations that are experiencing a growing aging population, it is directly correlated with the rise in the prevalence of diseases like urine incontinence. In this regard, the advancements in super absorbent polymer technology play a major role as these polymers are carefully designed to retain large volumes of liquid and efficiently absorb, providing better leakage protection and allowing for discreet and thinner products.
• The rise in efficient awareness of sanitation and personal hygiene also plays a crucial role in driving the growth of the market among adults, as there are also adult diapers that are designed to retain and absorb large amounts of liquid.
• The rising demand for biodegradable super absorbent polymers is another growth driver that is playing an imperative role in driving the market. With the growing environmental awareness, there is an increasing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable solutions. In this regard, biodegradable SAPs emerge as more environmentally conscious options, which are imperative in addressing the worries about the lasting effectiveness of conventional polymers. Moreover, these SAPs are beneficial as they naturally breakdown as well as significantly reduce ecological damage and long-term pollution. Bio-based superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a type of SAPs derived from renewable or bio-based sources. They are gaining favor compared to synthetic super absorbent polymers. Synthetic SAPs typically lack biocompatibility, biodegradability, or renewability. The adoption of bio-based SAPs offers a potential solution to mitigate the environmental impact associated with SAPs, commonly utilized in products for hygiene, agriculture, construction, and medical waste adsorbents.

SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMERS SAP MARKET DRIVERS:

• The bio-based SAP is likely to be the fastest-growing type during the forecast period

In the coming years, the bio-based SAP is expected to be the largest and the fastest growing by type segment during the forecast period, mainly because of its use in different industries. One such industry is the agriculture industry where this segment is contributing to its market growth. Bio-based SAP is efficient in improving soil fertility, drought tolerance, and even water retention, making it an affordable and attractive option for sustainable agriculture practices. Moreover, these bio-based SAPs are made from renewable resources such as cellulose, chitin, and starch, which makes them more environmentally friendly than traditional SAPs.

• The growing application of super absorbent polymers SAP in the medical industry

Based on application, the medical industry is regarded as the fastest-growing industry for these SAPs. They are considered to be crucial components in the manufacturing of personal care products such as sanitary napkins and diapers. These SAPs in the medical industry are also used for their high absorbency, which is an essential factor in maintaining comfort and hygiene.

Thus, it is efficient to say that the adoption of SAPs is increasing swiftly across the medical/healthcare sector owing to several factors that all point towards growing consumer awareness about the benefits of using high-quality personal care products. Thus, the production of medical textiles is another factor in the medical industry that is driving the demand for the market.

SUPER ABSORBENT POLYMERS SAP MARKET GEOGRAPHICAL OUTLOOK

• The Asia Pacific region is expected to dominate the super absorbent polymers SAP market during the forecast period.

The major economies like China, Japan, India, and South Korea dominate the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the fastest-growing emerging economies are from this region, such as ASEAN countries. India and China have about 35.5% of the world's population. The Asia-Pacific region is expected to dominate the super absorbent polymers SAP market during the forecast period because the region is home to several countries constituting significant production capacities, which drives the demand for eco-friendly materials.

This dominance is driven by the region's significant demand for personal hygiene products, such as diapers and incontinence items, which are major applications of SAPs. The APAC regions are witnessing an increase in the aging population, which is an imperative factor contributing to the regional growth of the SAPs. China, in particular, is expected to be a major contributor to the region's market growth, with its large population and growing middle-class driving demand for SAPs in various sectors, including personal hygiene, agriculture, and medicine.

The region's high raw material costs and availability of raw materials are likely to hinder the market's growth. However, increasing investments in the development of bio-based SAPs are expected to create opportunities for the market in the coming years. Bio-based SAPs are gaining popularity due to their eco-friendly nature and potential to reduce the environmental impact of traditional SAPs.

Super Absorbent Polymers SAP Market Key Developments:

• In May 2022, Nippon Shokubai started working towards the achievement of carbon neutrality by 2050. It announced that it had obtained ISCC PLUS certification from the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification system (ISCC)*1 for superabsorbent polymers (SAP) made from caustic soda produced using electricity generated from renewable energy by its subsidiary Nippon Shokubai Europe N.V. (hereinafter NSE).
• In October 2023, BASF commenced production of super absorbent polymers at its cutting-edge Superabsorbent Excellence Center, located within its integrated site in Antwerp, Belgium. The company invested USD 25 million to enhance the development of superabsorbent polymers and improve their performance. The €25 million investment is a clear commitment of the company to the hygiene business as an important part of its acrylics value chain.

The super absorbent polymers SAP market is segmented and analyzed as follows:

By Type

• Sodium Polyacrylate
• Polyacrylamide Copolymer
• Bio-Based SAP
• Others

By Application

• Personal Hygiene
• Agriculture
• Medical
• Industrial
• Others

By Geography

• North America
• USA
• Canada
• Mexico
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Others
• Europe
• United Kingdom
• Germany
• France
• Italy
• Spain
• Rest of Europe
• Middle East and Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Rest of the Middle East and Africa
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• South Korea
• Taiwan
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest of Asia-Pacific