The ethyl cellulose market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.04%, reaching a market size of US$1,306.120 million in 2030 from US$974.355 million in 2025.
Ethylcellulose (EC) is an ethyl ether of cellulose and is a free-flowing, white-to-light-tan powder. One of the advantages of ethyl cellulose plastics is that they are an alternative to PET in screen printing, boasting superior water resistance compared to other biodegradable options. It is an eco-friendly option. Ethylcellulose plastics can be made at a scalable level, and their low energy requirements for the fabrication process could change the landscape of eco-conscious production. The biodegradability of Ethylcellulose plastics is very useful in the food packaging industry. Offering a sustainable alternative paves the way for greener practices in flexible production.
The other major applications of substances include cosmetics, nail polish, vitamin coatings, printing inks, and special coatings, among others. It is used as a thin coating in the paper and as an emulsifier in the food industry.
Ethylcellulose is added to a titania (TiO2) paste as a binder, affecting the photovoltaic performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. The right amount of EC as an organic binder in the paste is important for the formation of crack-free ZnO films. This optimizes the photovoltaic performance.
Solar PV is an important part of the clean energy transitions worldwide. It significantly contributes to reducing carbon emissions globally, underpinning efforts to reach international energy and climate goals. According to the IEA (International Energy Agency), the number of households relying on solar PV will probably grow from 25 million at present to more than 100 million by 2030. Global solar PV manufacturing capacity has been increasing in Europe, Japan, the United States, and China over the last decade. China has invested over USD 50 billion in new PV supply capacity.
EC is easy to process and includes other excipients. It is applied in the coating agent, flavoring fixative, binder, filler, film-former, drug carrier, or stabilizer. EC offers properties such as water-insoluble cellulose derivative with biocompatibility, gastro resistance, and degradation to non-toxic and readily excreted products. It is utilized in pharmaceutical technology.
Rising healthcare product demand worldwide is propelling growth in the pharmaceutical industry. The expanding pharmaceuticals are due to the growing cases of chronic ailments and rising risks of infectious diseases. The global demographic change toward an increasing geriatric population is a significant driver for the increased use of pharmaceuticals. According to EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations), pharmaceutical industry production has expanded from €363,000 million in 2022 to €390,000 million in 2023. This increased demand for pharmaceuticals will lead to the market growth of ethyl cellulose.
Ethylcellulose, which contains about 48-49.5% of ethoxy, is used for film formation. Ethanol is used as a solvent for dissolving ethyl cellulose to form a solution with a viscosity. The ethylcellulose films are reliable with water solubility, plasticity, or collapsibility for usage in food packaging.
According to the World Bank, roughly 4.5 billion low-income people in developing countries collectively spend more than $5 trillion a year. They spend $2.3 trillion a year on food and beverages solely. These numbers suggest that the food and beverage industry is the major economic sector for growth and demand. Thus, demand for the packaging will likely rise during the forecast period.
By geography, the market is segmented into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The major economies like China, Japan, India, and South Korea dominate the Asia-Pacific region. Some of the fastest-growing emerging economies are from this region, such as ASEAN countries.
The Asia Pacific region is expected to see notable growth in the ethyl cellulose demand market due to the increasing number of applications in the pharmaceuticals and food packaging industry.
The region holds the world's largest population; thus, the demand from the food sector is likely to increase. Further, according to the IBEF (India Brand Equity Foundation), the market size of India's pharmaceuticals industry is US$65 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$130 billion by 2030 and US$450 billion market by 2047. The Indian pharmaceutical industry is booming and hailed as the 'pharmacy of the world'. India has the highest number of USFDA-approved plants outside the U.S.
North America is expected to have a significant market share for ethylcellulose plastics products due to the major demand from cosmetics, food packaging, paints & coatings, and electronic items. U.S. processed food products exports in 2023 had a total volume of 10.51 Metric Tons (Millions).
The market leaders for the Global Elastomer Market are Lotte Fine Chemicals, African Chemicals S.A.E., SIDLEY CHEMICAL CO., LTD, and Shandong Head Co. Ltd., among others. The key players in the market implement growth strategies such as product launches, mergers, acquisitions, etc., to gain a competitive advantage. For Instance,
With this plant's completion, it has become possible to procure raw materials and produce about 10,000 tons of HEC products. With this, LOTTE Fine Chemical has gained momentum to expand its specialty material business with HEC. HEC is a cellulose derivative produced using EO and pulp. This additive can offer viscosity and moisture in industrial sectors such as water-soluble paint, daily items, cosmetic products, etc.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Ethyl Cellulose Market Size in 2025 | US$974.355 million |
| Ethyl Cellulose Market Size in 2030 | US$1,306.120 million |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 6.04% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Million |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Ethyl Cellulose Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |
The ethyl cellulose market is segmented and analyzed as follows: