The global carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) market size was valued at USD 2.90 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 3.04 billion in 2025 to USD 4.29 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.0% during the forecast period. The rising demand for ready-to-cook food products will create lucrative opportunities for this market in the forthcoming years, states Fortune Business Insights, in a report, titled “Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Market, 2025-2032.” The market size stood at USD 1.60 billion in 2020.
The restrictions on mobility and other government regulations have boosted the demand for packed and ready-to-cook foods during the outbreak. Concerns about food availability and safety during the pandemic’s start led to a surge in demand for food items such as primary foods, convenience foods, and secondary processed foods. As a consequence, demand for food stabilizers, thickening agents, and other components used in food processing increased, further propelling this market.
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Driving Factor:
Surging Demand for Food Additives to Aid Expansion
Because of the high demand from the food industry, the Carboxymethyl Cellulose market is expected to develop significantly. One of the primary factors driving the market is the rising demand for food additives such as thickening agents, stabilizers, and viscosity modifying agents. CMC powder, for example, is used in the manufacture of ice cream. The use of CMCX removes the need for churners and salt ice mixes, which are commonly employed in the production of ice cream. Furthermore, rising demand for premixes, bread items, instant noodles, meat products, sauces, fast-frozen meals, and other ready-to-cook and ready-to-eat items is driving up demand for carboxymethyl cellulose.
Market Segments:
Based on application, the market is classified into food & beverages, oilfield, paper & pulp, detergents, coatings, and others. The increasing demand for detergents due to their exceptional properties of sodium carboxymethyl cellulose will aid the segment’s growth. Furthermore, the adoption of CMC in oil drilling activities as thickening agent for water retention in drilling mud is another segment experiencing growth.
Geographically, the market is classified into North America, Asia Pacific, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.
Regional Insights:
High Demand for Convenience Food to Augment Growth in Asia Pacific
The market size in Asia Pacific stood at USD 0.69 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand due to the increasing demand for convenience food products. The presence of huge oil reserves will contribute to the growth of the market in North America. Whereas the heavy demand from paper & pulp sector can spur opportunities for the market in Europe.
Latin America is expected to hold a significant carboxymethyl cellulose market share during the forecast period due to the rising demand from developing countries like Brazil, Colombia, Argentina, and others.
Competitive Landscape:
Major Companies to Expand Brand Presence through Strategies
Prominent players in the industry mainly operate based on the product’s pricing and application features. Several large firms are forming strategic partnerships to enhance brand and sales in order to increase their market share and get a competitive edge.
Key Development:
- November 2025 –Tate & Lyle acquired CP Kelco from J.M. Huber, forming a global leader in specialty food ingredients. The deal is expected to expand innovation and global reach and significantly strengthen their presence in the market through enhanced R&D, scale, and clean-label formulation capabilities.
- May 2025- Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd., announced the completion of a new LiB CMC lithium-ion battery grade carboxymethyl cellulose factory in Hungary, strengthening its production capacity to support battery manufacturing and sustainable technologies.
The Report Lists the Key Companies in the Market:
- CP Kelco U.S., Inc. (California, U.S.)
- Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd (Tokyo, Japan)
- Ashland Inc. (Delware, U.S.)
- Dow Chemical Company (Michigan, U.S.)
- Lamberti S.P.A (Gallarate, Italy)
- DKS Co. Ltd (Kyoto, Japan)
- Química Amtex S.A. (Medellin, Colombia)
- Nouryon (Amsterdam, Netherlands)
- Other Key Players
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