Market and product

US demand for natural polymers is forecast to expand at 4.3% each year to reach $5.1bn (£3.5bn) or 1.9 billion pounds (862 million kg) in volume by 2020, according to an international industrial research firm.

A new study from the US-based Freedonia Group found that growth would be driven by demand for natural ingredients in the large food and beverage industry, bolstering use of cellulose ethers and starch and fermentation polymers.

Cellulose ethers are the largest product type of natural polymer, representing a third of the market. Methyl cellulose will retain its market-leading spot through the forecast period, but demand for hydroxyethyl cellulose, microcrystalline cellulose, and carboxymethyl cellulose will also be significant.

Methyl cellulose’s largest application is construction, where it used in a variety of capacities, including plastering, flooring, grouting, mortaring and tile adhesion.

The report added that the food and beverage industry will relinquish its spot as the largest outlet for natural polymers to the medical industry over the next four years.

The growth would be driven by strong demand from collagen in wound care applications as well as cellulose ethers used in pharmaceuticals.