USD 28–48 mn2025 estimate
PRESS RELEASE · 30 OCTOBER 2026
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market Estimated at USD 1.3–2.1 bn in 2025, Says Market Krystal
MARKET KRYSTAL ESTIMATE
USD 1.3–2.1 bnHydroxypropyl Methylcellulose market, 2025- Confidence
- Grade B
- Forecast
- 2026–2035
- Scenarios
- to 2047
30 October 2026 – Market Krystal has published its Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose market report, covering demand, supply, the value chain and market size, with a forecast for 2026–2035 and scenarios to 2047.
HPMC is a non-ionic cellulose ether made by reacting alkali cellulose from wood pulp or cotton linters with methyl chloride and propylene oxide. In tile adhesives, grouts, wall putty, AAC jointing mortar and ready-mix plaster it holds water, thickens and extends open time; pharma and food grades serve tablet coatings, capsules and food texture. Supply depends on purified cellulose, chlorinated and oxide feedstocks, and a concentrated base of producers in China, Japan, Korea, Germany and the USA.
Key findings
Demand
Construction is the dominant use (IMARC, ChemAnalyst) and Asia-Pacific the largest region at about 40% (ChemAnalyst), with India and Southeast Asia dry-mix mortar growing fastest.
Supply
Shin-Etsu, Dow (WALOCEL/METHOCEL), Lotte Fine Chemical, Ashland, Shandong Head and many Chinese producers supply the market.
Value chain
Purified cellulose (wood pulp or cotton linters) + Methyl chloride + Propylene oxide → HPMC → Tile adhesives and grouts, Wall putty, skim coats and plasters (incl. ready-mix and gypsum), Pharmaceuticals and capsules
THE QUESTION THE REPORT ANSWERSHow much HPMC will tile adhesives and dry-mix mortars in India and Asia consume by 2035, and which producers can supply construction grades at the needed quality and cost?
Companies covered include
Shin-Etsu ChemicalDowLotte Fine ChemicalAshlandShandong HeadKima ChemicalRoquette
Recent developments
Lotte Fine Chemical started commercial production on a 6,000 t/yr food and pharma cellulose line at Incheon, lifting that capacity to 18,000 t/yr and total cellulose capacity to about 70,000 t. Asia Business Daily
Roquette completed the acquisition of IFF Pharma Solutions, IFF's pharmaceutical excipients business. Roquette
Shin-Etsu Chemical announced a JPY 10 bn investment in pharmaceutical cellulose, with a new L-HPC plant at SE Tylose in Germany due in H2 2026 and doubled warehouse capacity at Naoetsu. Shin-Etsu via Indian Chemical News
THE FULL REPORT
Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (construction grade) Market Report 2026-2035: Size, Producers, Pricing and Scenarios to 2047 (CAS 9004-65-3)
Producers and capacities, demand by application and region, value chain, pricing, market size and scenarios. PDF and Excel.
About Market Krystal
Market Krystal is a chemical market intelligence company. It publishes CAS-level market reports that follow each molecule from feedstock and production route through producers, applications and end users, and tracks chemical-industry developments from official company and regulator sources.