Kemira tops specialty pulp and paper chemicals market in 2024

The Business Research Company’s 2026 report says Kemira Oyj led global sales in specialty pulp and paper chemicals in 2024, while the market stayed fragmented and competitive. The report highlights sustainability, AI-driven process optimization and next-generation pulp technologies as the main forces shaping future growth.

Why it matters: - Specialty pulp and paper chemicals help mills improve paper strength, retention, brightness, resource use and environmental compliance. - The market is being shaped by demand for higher-quality paper products, more efficient manufacturing and lower-impact chemistry. - Competitive positioning now depends on product innovation, technical service and sustainability-focused formulations.

What happened: - The Business Research Company released its Specialty Pulp & Paper Chemicals Market Report 2026, covering market size, trends and global forecast 2026-2035. - Kemira Oyj led global sales in 2024 with a 3% market share. - The report says the market is fairly fragmented, with the top 10 players accounting for 17% of total market revenue in 2024. - The report identifies Kemira Oyj, Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, Ecolab, Solenis LLC, AkzoNobel NV, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Clariant and SNF Floerger as leading companies.

The details: - Kemira’s pulp and paper segment offers retention and drainage aids, strength chemicals, sizing agents, bleaching solutions and process treatment technologies. - The company’s portfolio supports paper quality enhancement, production efficiency, resource optimization and sustainable manufacturing across packaging, tissue, printing and specialty paper uses. - Major companies in the market also include Ecolab, Solenis LLC, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Buckman Laboratories International Inc., Clariant, SNF Floerger, Omya International AG, Imerys, Harima Chemicals Group Inc., Borregaard ASA, Wacker Chemie AG, Huntsman Corporation, ERCO Worldwide LP, Arakawa Chemical Industries Ltd., Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. and Bim Kemi AB. - Major raw material suppliers include Olin Corporation, Westlake Corporation, Covestro AG, Dow Inc., LyondellBasell Industries, INEOS Group, Nouryon, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, LG Chem, SABIC, Wanhua Chemical Group, OCI Company Ltd., PCC Group, Arkema SA, Tokuyama Corporation, Shandong Haihua Group, Tata Chemicals Ltd., Sisecam Wyoming LLC, Aditya Birla Chemicals and Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited. - Major wholesalers and distributors include Brenntag SE, Univar Solutions Inc., DKSH Holding Ltd., IMCD N.V., Azelis Group NV, Barentz International, Safic-Alcan, Biesterfeld AG, Stockmeier Group, Helm AG, Marubeni Corporation, Mitsubishi Corporation RtM Japan Ltd., Tricon Energy, Redox Limited, Connell Company LLC, Manuchar NV, Caldic B.V., ICC Chemical Corporation, Quadra Chemicals Ltd. and TRInternational Inc. - Major end users include International Paper Company, Smurfit Westrock plc, Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene Corporation, Svenska Cellulosa Aktiebolaget (SCA), Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Oji Holdings Corporation, Nine Dragons Paper Holdings Limited, Lee & Man Paper Manufacturing Ltd., Mondi plc, DS Smith plc, APP, APRIL Group, Georgia-Pacific LLC, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Essity AB, Metsä Board Corporation, Sylvamo Corporation, Paper Excellence Group and Packaging Corporation of America. - The report says leading companies are using sustainable chemical solutions, advanced functional additives, AI-driven process optimization, bio-based specialty chemicals and strategic capacity expansions to stay ahead. - The report also highlights enhanced strategic insights in the 2026 edition, including market attractiveness scoring, TAM analysis, company scoring matrix graphics and tables, Excel-based forecasting dashboards, market hotspots infographics, and key technologies and future trend analysis.

Between the lines: - Market concentration appears low enough to leave room for competition, but high enough to reward companies with strong technical support and process expertise. - The competitive edge is shifting toward chemistry that improves performance while also reducing resource use and regulatory pressure. - Kruger Inc.’s $32.4 million investment in its Kamloops Pulp Mill signals how mill upgrades and AI-based controls are becoming part of the broader innovation race. - Kruger’s new pressure diffusion washer is described as the first system of its kind in Canada. - Advanced washing technology and AI-driven optimization can raise pulp quality, cut resource consumption and support higher-value specialty paper production.

What’s next: - Product development, strategic partnerships and capacity expansion are expected to strengthen the position of leading suppliers. - More mills are likely to adopt AI-based controls, improved washing systems and other process optimization tools. - The report points to continued growth in sustainable chemistry and bio-based products as paper producers respond to environmental expectations. - More information is available in the company’s announcement and the full report.

The bottom line: - Specialty pulp and paper chemicals is a fragmented market where scale matters, but innovation, sustainability and mill-level process gains increasingly decide who wins.