The paper dry strength agent market is projected to reach US$ 986.51 million by 2031 from US$ 752.27 million in 2024. The market is expected to register a CAGR of 4.1% during 2025–2031. The increasing focus on sustainability and adoption of bio-based dry strength additives is likely to bring new trends into the market during the forecast period.

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Analysis

With the booming e-commerce sector, especially post-pandemic, the demand for shipping and packaging materials is surging. Online shopping relies on paper and paperboard packaging for products, including boxes, padded mailers, and other protective packaging. Thus, the rising e-commerce sector and the need for durable and strong paper and paperboard packaging materials drive the demand for dry strength agents across the paper and pulp industries. The awareness of hygiene and cleanliness, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, is increasing the demand for tissue and hygiene paper products. Thus, the adoption of dry strength agents among tissue and hygiene paper manufacturers is soaring due to their advantages in improving the overall strength and quality of the final product.

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Overview

Dry strength agents are chemicals added during the wet-end processing of paper, increasing its tensile strength and tear resistance and improving structural integrity; this helps paper and paperboard to withstand physical challenges such as tearing, bending/folding, and crushing during product shipping to longer distances. These chemicals are added to paper during the manufacturing process to enhance its strength and durability when dry. Dry strength is a crucial property for paper products used in printing, packaging, and tissue products, where the paper needs to withstand handling and use without losing integrity. Common dry strength agents include polyvinyl amine, polyacrylamides, starch derivatives, and other chemicals.

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Paper Dry Strength Agent Market: Strategic Insights

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Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Drivers and Opportunities

Increasing Paper Recycling Rate

Over the past few years, the paper recycling rate has been increasing due to growing environmental concerns regarding deforestation and climate change. The e-commerce sector uses paper packaging, such as cardboard boxes, corrugated materials, and paper wrapping, and is responsible for a large volume of paper waste generation. Online shopping has led to a higher volume of paper packaging waste, which needs to be processed and recycled. Governments focus on recycling paper and reusing it to reduce their carbon footprint and promote sustainability. According to the American Forest and Paper Association, 46 million tons of paper were recycled in the US in 2023. The recycling rate for paper and cardboard stood between 65% and 69% and 71% to 76%, respectively. According to the Confederation of European Paper Industries, Europe's discarded paper and paperboard recycling rate stood at 79.3% in 2023. The increasing paper recycling rate is driving the demand for paper dry strength agents, as they play a crucial role in improving the quality and durability of recycled paper. The paper fibers tend to degrade with each reuse, reducing strength and durability during recycling. As the fibers break down, the paper becomes weaker, which makes creating high-quality products from recycled materials more challenging; this is particularly true for packaging materials, which require strength to withstand physical stress during handling and transportation. Paper manufacturers rely on dry strength agents to compensate for the loss of fiber strength in recycled paper. They help reinforce the fibers, restoring the lost strength. Thus, dry strength agents ensure that recycled paper meets the necessary performance standards, especially for corrugated boxes, cartons, and other packaging materials. Thus, increasing the paper recycling rate drives the growth of the paper dry strength agent market

Increasing Demand for Tissue and Hygiene Paper

Facial tissues, toilet paper, paper towels, and sanitary napkins, require strength to perform their intended function without tearing or falling apart. As the demand for high-quality tissue products is rising, manufacturers are using dry strength agents to improve the tensile strength and durability of the paper without compromising its softness or absorbency. They enhance the mechanical properties of tissue paper, making it stronger and more resistant to tearing, even with the addition of water; this ensures that tissue products maintain their integrity and functionality during use, improving consumer satisfaction. The growing awareness of hygiene and cleanliness, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, is increasing the demand for tissue and hygiene paper products. Thus, the demand for dry strength agents among tissue and hygiene paper manufacturers is soaring due to their advantages in improving the overall strength and quality of the final product.

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Report Segmentation Analysis

Key segments that contributed to the derivation of the paper dry strength agents market analysis are type and application.

• Based on type, the market is segmented into polyvinyl amine, polyacrylamide, starch, and others. The polyacrylamide segmented is sub-segmented into Amphoteric Polyacrylamide, cationic glyoxalated polyacrylamide, cationic solution polyacrylamide, and others. The starch segment held the largest share of the market in 2024.
• In terms of application, the market is segmented into printing and writing paper, tissue paper, packaging paper, specialty paper, and others. The packaging paper segment dominated the market in 2024.

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Share Analysis by Geography

The geographical scope of the paper dry strength agent market is mainly divided into five regions: North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East & Africa, and South & Central America.

Asia Pacific held a significant market share in 2024. The Asia Pacific paper dry strength agent market is segmented into China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and the Rest of Asia Pacific. With rapid industrialization and economic development in Asia Pacific countries, especially across China, India, and Japan, there is a rise in demand for paper and packaging products. The expansion of the packaging industry, driven by e-commerce, consumer goods, and retail sectors, fuels the need for dry strength agents to enhance the quality and durability of paper products. According to the International Trade Administration (ITA), China is the largest e-commerce market in the world, generating a revenue of US$ 1.5 trillion in 2024. The growing e-commerce sector in China necessitates effective and durable paper and paperboard packaging, driving the demand for dry strength agents in the region's papermaking industry.

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Report Scope

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market News and Recent Developments

The paper dry strength agent market is evaluated by gathering qualitative and quantitative data post primary and secondary research, which includes important corporate publications, association data, and databases. A recent key development in the paper dry strength agent market is mentioned below:

• Harima developed the world's first high molecular weight, amphoteric PAM-based paper strengthening agent, "Harmide T2," which is certified by the FDA, BfR, and GB9685 as an indirect food additive. (Source: News Letter, May 2023)
• BASF's enhanced chemical recycling processes, IBM's AI-driven sorting innovations at MRFs, and Circulate's blockchain for traceability in recycled plastics. (Source: Press Release, February 2024)
• Ahlstrom acquired 60% share in Chinese decor paper producer, Minglian New Materials Technology Co Ltd and formed a joint venture with a plant in Xingtai, Hebei Province, China. (Source: News Letter, Jan 2022)

Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Report Coverage and Deliverables

The "Paper Dry Strength Agent Market Size and Forecast (2021–2031)" report provides a detailed analysis of the market covering below areas:

• Paper dry strength agent market share and forecast at global, regional, and country levels for all the key market segments covered under the scope
• Paper dry strength agent market trends, as well as market dynamics such as drivers, restraints, and key opportunities
• Detailed Porter's Five Forces and SWOT analysis
• Paper dry strength agent market covering key market trends, global and regional framework, major players, regulations, and recent market developments
• Industry landscape and competition analysis covering market concentration, heat map analysis, prominent players, and recent developments for the paper dry strength agent market
• Detailed company profiles