Cellulose Esters Market Overview
The Cellulose Esters Market Size was valued at USD 12.04 Billion in 2023. The cellulose esters industry is projected to grow from USD 12.71 Billion in 2024 to USD 19.66 Billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.60% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032). Cellulose esters are cellulose-derived polymers. Papermaking, food packaging, medicines, adhesives, paints, coatings, and plastics are just a few of the industries that employ them. Cellulose esters are chemical molecules that are non-toxic, biodegradable, and renewable. They have better flow-out and pigment wetting capabilities.
Furthermore, they are frequently seen as safer alternatives to phthalates and BPA. As a result, they're a wonderful option for people who want to limit their exposure to dangerous substances.

Thanks to its applications in many end-use sectors such as paints and coatings, textiles, paper and pulp, and others, cellulose esters are experiencing a surge in demand from growing nations in Asia-Pacific. Another factor propelling the market surge is its application as a renewable bio-based material. The market players will benefit from the transition to green technology and increased awareness of the benefits of employing biodegradable plastic in composites, optical films, paint coatings, plastics, and laminates, among other applications.
Cellulose Esters Market Share, by Type, 2017 (%):

Source: MRFR Analysis
Regional Analysis
The Cellulose Esters Market has been segmented into five key regions, namely, Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
The North American market held the largest Cellulose Esters Market Share in 2017 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR in the coming years owing to the growing demand for pharmaceutical drugs. The US is the leading country in the region due to growing demand for the product in coatings, inks and due to the presence of leading manufacturing companies in the region such as Celanese Corporation, Eastman Chemical Company, and Rayonier Advanced Materials.
The Asia-Pacific Cellulose Esters Market is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the coming years owing to the surging product demand in the automotive and construction industries. China is the leading country in the region owing to its largest tobacco industry base and growing demand from coating industry. The European market held a significant market share in 2017 and is expected to maintain this trend in the coming years due to the growing pharmaceutical industries, coatings, and films and tapes among others.
Germany is the major contributor in the region owing to the continuous technological advancements and wide range of drug delivery systems. France, the UK, Spain, and Italy are other countries contributing to the regional market growth. The Latin American market held a moderate market share due to the significant consumption of the product in inks and coatings. Brazil, Argentina, and Mexico are the prominent countries in the region. The Middle East & Africa market is projected to grow at a sluggish rate owing to limited availability of raw material.
Segmentation Analysis
The Cellulose Ester Market has been segmented on the basis of Raw Material, Application, and Region.
Based on Raw Material, the Cellulose Esters Market has been categorized into cellulose acetate, cellulose acetate propionate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate, and others.
By Application, the Cellulose Esters Market is classified into coatings, films & tapes, textiles, cigarette filters, healthcare, inks, and others.
The Cellulose Esters Market has been studied across the five regions—Asia-Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.
Key Players
Solvay (Belgium), China National Tobacco Corporation (China), Celanese Corporation (US), Sappi (South Africa), Daicel Corporation (Japan), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Acordis Cellulostic Fibers (Germany), Rayonier Advanced Materials (US), Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (Japan), and Sichuan Push Acetati (China) are some of the key market players operating in the Cellulose Esters Market.
Cellulose Esters Market Industry Developments
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Q1 2024: Eastman Announces Expansion of Cellulose Esters Production Capacity in Tennessee Eastman Chemical Company announced the completion of a major expansion of its cellulose esters production facility in Kingsport, Tennessee, aimed at meeting growing demand for sustainable materials in coatings and packaging applications.
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Q2 2024: Celanese Appoints New CEO to Drive Growth in Specialty Materials Celanese Corporation named Lori Ryerkerk as its new CEO, with a strategic focus on expanding the company's specialty chemicals portfolio, including cellulose esters for advanced coatings and filtration products.
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Q2 2024: Solvay Launches New Cellulose Acetate Product for Sustainable Packaging Solvay introduced a new grade of cellulose acetate designed for biodegradable packaging, targeting food and consumer goods manufacturers seeking alternatives to single-use plastics.
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Q3 2024: Mitsubishi Chemical Opens New Cellulose Esters R&D Center in Japan Mitsubishi Chemical inaugurated a research and development center dedicated to cellulose esters in Yokohama, Japan, to accelerate innovation in eco-friendly materials for coatings and films.
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Q3 2024: Daicel Corporation Signs Supply Agreement for Cellulose Acetate with European Packaging Firm Daicel Corporation entered into a multi-year supply agreement with a leading European packaging company to provide cellulose acetate for use in sustainable food packaging solutions.
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Q4 2024: Eastman Partners with Unilever to Develop Biodegradable Cellulose Esters for Personal Care Eastman Chemical Company announced a partnership with Unilever to co-develop biodegradable cellulose esters for use in personal care products, supporting Unilever’s sustainability goals.
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Q4 2024: China Approves New Environmental Standards for Cellulose Acetate Production The Chinese Ministry of Ecology and Environment issued new regulatory standards for cellulose acetate manufacturing, aimed at reducing emissions and promoting greener production practices.
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Q1 2025: Celanese Announces Acquisition of Specialty Cellulose Producer in Brazil Celanese Corporation acquired a Brazilian specialty cellulose producer to expand its footprint in South America and strengthen its supply chain for cellulose esters used in coatings and filtration.
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Q1 2025: Solvay Secures Major Contract for Cellulose Esters in Automotive Coatings Solvay signed a multi-year contract to supply cellulose esters for use in high-performance automotive coatings to a leading global car manufacturer.
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Q2 2025: Daicel Corporation Announces Investment in Cellulose Acetate Film Facility in India Daicel Corporation revealed plans to invest in a new cellulose acetate film manufacturing facility in India, targeting the growing demand for sustainable packaging in the region.
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Q2 2025: Eastman Launches Next-Generation Cellulose Esters for Electronics Applications Eastman Chemical Company launched a new line of high-purity cellulose esters designed for use in electronic device coatings, offering improved performance and sustainability.
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Q3 2025: Mitsubishi Chemical Partners with European Pharma Firm for Cellulose Esters in Drug Delivery Mitsubishi Chemical announced a partnership with a European pharmaceutical company to supply cellulose esters for use in advanced drug delivery systems.
Target Audience:
- Traders and distributors of celluloseÂ
- Nationalized laboratories
Report Attribute/Metric |
Details |
Market Size 2023 |
USD 12.04 Billion |
Market Size 2024 |
USD 12.71 Billion |
Market Size 2032 |
USD 19.66 Billion |
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) |
5.60% (2024-2032) |
Base Year |
2023 |
Market Forecast Period |
2024-2032 |
Historical Data |
2018 & 2020 |
Market Forecast Units |
Value (USD Billion) |
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Market Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
Segments Covered |
By Raw Material, Application and Region |
Geographies Covered |
North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World |
Countries Covered |
The U.S, Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil |
Key Companies Profiled |
Solvay (Belgium), China National Tobacco Corporation (China), Celanese Corporation (US), Sappi (South Africa), Daicel Corporation (Japan), Eastman Chemical Company (US), Acordis Cellulostic Fibers (Germany), Rayonier Advanced Materials (US), Mitsubishi Chemical Holdings Corporation (Japan), and Sichuan Push Acetati (China) |
Key Market Opportunities |
Advancements in applications of cellulose esters is expected to provide lucrative opportunities |
Key Market Dynamics |
There is a surging demand for the cellulose esters from emerging economies of Asia-Pacific |
Cellulose Esters Market Highlights:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Unstable raw material prices and health risks can deter market growth.
North America would propel the market ahead.
China would lead the Asia Pacific market.
Applications of the market are films & tapes, coatings, cigarette filters, textiles, inks, healthcare, and others.
Cellulose acetate, cellulose nitrate, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate propionate, and others are a part of the market study.