Asia-Pacific Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) Market

APAC Superabsorbent Polymer Market Analysis

The Asia-Pacific Super Absorbent Polymers Market is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 6.5% during the forecast period.

• High raw material cost and availability of raw material are likely to hinder the market's growth.
• Increasing investments in the development of bio-based superabsorbent polymers are projected to create opportunities to the market in the coming years.
• China is expected to dominate the market and is also expected to witness the fastest CAGR during the forecast period.

APAC Superabsorbent Polymer Market Trends

Rising Demand from Residential Construction

• Disposable baby diapers increased in popularity with the introduction of superabsorbent polymers. Super absorbent polymers are used in baby diapers due to their ability to absorb liquids and keep them trapped, even under pressure.
• Superabsorbent polymers used in baby diapers can absorb about 30 times their weight in urine. The swollen gel holds the liquid in a solid, rubbery state and prevents the liquid from leaking onto the baby's skin and clothing.
• Super absorbent disposable baby diapers are sophisticated, well-engineered products that provide many benefits, including convenience, comfort, exceptional leakage protection, improved hygiene, and skin care, as compared to cloth diapers.
• Additionally, many new intense innovations, to design better diapers to meet baby's needs, are being brought to the market. A baby's diaper requires about 13 grams of SAP, hence driving the SAP market.
• The baby diaper industry holds around 70% share of the superabsorbent polymer industry in the region. Asia-Pacific is the major market producing baby diapers. An increase in the demand for baby diapers due to increased birth rates and higher disposable incomes and increasing awareness among the population about hygiene in Asia-Pacific, especially in India and China, are likely to increase the demand for superabsorbent polymers.

China to Dominate the Market

• China is one of the major consumers of personal hygiene products in the world. The demand for personal hygiene products in the country is attributed to a large number of infant population and an increase in disposable income, which leads to an increase in personal and hygiene care spending. The use of baby diapers in China started late, but it has grown at a rapid pace over recent years. The country accounts for more than one-tenth of the world's infant population.
• The agricultural activities in China are also on a rise due to the rapid increase in domestic and export demand for various agricultural products. The agricultural industry of the country is growing by 4.5% annually and is expected to grow faster in the future.
• The Ministry of Agriculture of China has overseen significant public investment in water, land, and technology to boost the agricultural sector. In 2011, China invested approximately USD 630 billion for water conservation during the period 2012-2020, which would enhance the usage of superabsorbent polymers in the country.
• Other industries, like food packaging and healthcare, is also growing and will boost the demand for superabsorbent polymers in China.

APAC Superabsorbent Polymer Industry Overview

The Asia-Pacific super absorbent polymers (SAP) market is partially consolidated. Key players in the market include NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD., BASF SE, SUMITOMO SEIKA CHEMICALS CO.,LTD., SANYO CHEMICAL, LTD., and Evonik Industries AG, among others.

APAC Superabsorbent Polymer Market Leaders