Market overview
The global cellulose gum market is worth USD 1.9 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 3.2 bn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Industrial and technical grade is the largest by grade segment.
| Scope | Cellulose gum (sodium carboxymethyl cellulose) used as thickener, stabiliser and binder in food, pharmaceuticals, detergents, oil drilling and personal care. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Food and Beverage |
| Value 2025 | USD 1.8 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 1.9 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 3.2 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 659,204 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 1,071,233 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 2,814 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Cellulose Gum market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 1.9 bn |
| 2027 | USD 2.0 bn |
| 2028 | USD 2.1 bn |
| 2029 | USD 2.2 bn |
| 2030 | USD 2.3 bn |
| 2031 | USD 2.4 bn |
| 2032 | USD 2.6 bn |
| 2033 | USD 2.7 bn |
| 2034 | USD 2.8 bn |
| 2035 | USD 3.0 bn |
| 2036 | USD 3.2 bn |
Cellulose Gum market segmentation
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food grade | 34.0% | 35.7% | USD 631 mn | 6.0% |
| Pharmaceutical grade | 9.0% | 9.9% | USD 167 mn | 6.5% |
| Industrial and technical grade | 57.0% | 54.4% | USD 1.1 bn | 5.0% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food and beverage | 32.0% | 34.4% | USD 594 mn | 6.2% |
| Detergents and cleaning | 20.0% | 18.6% | USD 371 mn | 4.8% |
| Oil and gas drilling | 14.0% | 13.0% | USD 260 mn | 4.8% |
| Pharmaceuticals and personal care | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 297 mn | 6.8% |
| Paper, textile and ceramics | 18.0% | 16.0% | USD 334 mn | 4.2% |
By form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Powder | 62.0% | 59.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 5.0% |
| Granular | 25.0% | 26.0% | USD 464 mn | 5.9% |
| Liquid and solution | 13.0% | 15.0% | USD 241 mn | 7.0% |
By viscosity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Low viscosity | 30.0% | 27.0% | USD 556 mn | 4.4% |
| Medium viscosity | 40.0% | 39.0% | USD 742 mn | 5.2% |
| High viscosity | 30.0% | 34.0% | USD 556 mn | 6.8% |
By purity level
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical (below 65%) | 28.0% | 25.0% | USD 519 mn | 4.3% |
| Semi-purified (80 to 90%) | 30.0% | 28.0% | USD 556 mn | 4.8% |
| Purified (above 98%) | 42.0% | 47.0% | USD 779 mn | 6.7% |
Top 25 countries for cellulose gum by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 75.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 93.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 482 mn | 26.0% | USD 862 mn | 6.0% |
| 2 | United States | USD 241 mn | 13.0% | USD 374 mn | 4.5% |
| 3 | India | USD 148 mn | 8.0% | USD 304 mn | 7.4% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 111 mn | 6.0% | USD 165 mn | 4.0% |
| 5 | Japan | USD 93 mn | 5.0% | USD 136 mn | 3.9% |
| 6 | Brazil | USD 74 mn | 4.0% | USD 127 mn | 5.5% |
| 7 | Indonesia | USD 74 mn | 4.0% | USD 146 mn | 7.0% |
| 8 | Russia | USD 56 mn | 3.0% | USD 86 mn | 4.4% |
| 9 | Mexico | USD 56 mn | 3.0% | USD 95 mn | 5.5% |
| 10 | France | USD 56 mn | 3.0% | USD 82 mn | 4.0% |
| 11 | South Korea | USD 44 mn | 2.4% | USD 73 mn | 5.2% |
| 12 | Italy | USD 40 mn | 2.1% | USD 66 mn | 5.2% |
| 13 | Netherlands | USD 35 mn | 1.9% | USD 59 mn | 5.2% |
| 14 | Thailand | USD 32 mn | 1.7% | USD 59 mn | 6.4% |
| 15 | Turkey | USD 29 mn | 1.6% | USD 48 mn | 5.2% |
| 16 | Vietnam | USD 26 mn | 1.4% | USD 54 mn | 7.6% |
| 17 | Canada | USD 23 mn | 1.2% | USD 39 mn | 5.2% |
| 18 | Spain | USD 21 mn | 1.1% | USD 35 mn | 5.2% |
| 19 | Poland | USD 19 mn | 1.0% | USD 31 mn | 5.2% |
| 20 | Egypt | USD 17 mn | 0.9% | USD 31 mn | 6.4% |
| 21 | Saudi Arabia | USD 15 mn | 0.8% | USD 25 mn | 5.2% |
| 22 | Argentina | USD 14 mn | 0.7% | USD 23 mn | 5.2% |
| 23 | Malaysia | USD 12 mn | 0.7% | USD 21 mn | 5.2% |
| 24 | Belgium | USD 11 mn | 0.6% | USD 18 mn | 5.1% |
| 25 | Pakistan | USD 10 mn | 0.5% | USD 19 mn | 6.4% |
| Rest of world | USD 116 mn | 6.3% | USD 192 mn | 5.2% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Ashland
- CP Kelco
- Nouryon
- Dow
- Daicel
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Lamberti
- Nippon Paper Industries
- Dai-ichi Kogyo Seiyaku
- Ugur Seluloz Kimya
- Sidley Chemical
- Shandong Head
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Amtex Cellulose
- Anxin Cellulose
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the cellulose gum market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grade, by end use, by form, by viscosity, by purity level. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the cellulose gum market?
The global cellulose gum market is estimated at USD 1.8 bn in 2025 and USD 1.9 bn in 2026.
How fast will the cellulose gum market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 3.2 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 1.3 bn.
Which country is the largest market for cellulose gum?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 482 mn in 2026, 26.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 47.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 7.4% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which cellulose gum segment is largest?
In the by grade split, Industrial and technical grade is the largest segment with 57.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading cellulose gum companies?
Global leaders include Ashland, CP Kelco, Nouryon, Dow.
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