Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, & Forecast, Segmented By Product (Polyvinyl Alcohol, Polyitaconic Acid, Polyacrylamide, Polysaccharides), By Application (Disposable diapers, Adult incontinence products, Female hygiene, Agriculture, Medical, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 176.73 Million
CAGR (2026-2031)	7.33%
Fastest Growing Segment	Polyvinyl Alcohol
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 270.17 Million

Market Overview

The Global Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market will grow from USD 176.73 Million in 2025 to USD 270.17 Million by 2031 at a 7.33% CAGR. Biodegradable superabsorbent materials are hydrophilic polymers engineered from renewable resources such as polysaccharides, polypeptides, or bio-based synthetics that possess the unique ability to absorb and retain large volumes of aqueous fluids before decomposing naturally. The primary drivers supporting market growth include rigorous government mandates enforcing plastic waste reduction and an increasing corporate commitment to circular economy goals which necessitates the replacement of conventional petrochemical inputs. According to European Bioplastics, in 2024, the global bioplastics production capacity reached approximately 2.47 million tonnes as industries increasingly integrate renewable materials into their supply chains.

Despite this robust growth trajectory, the market faces a significant impediment regarding the cost competitiveness of these eco-friendly alternatives. The complex extraction and processing required to manufacture high-performance biodegradable superabsorbents currently result in higher production costs compared to established petroleum-based sodium polyacrylate variants, which limits widespread adoption in price-sensitive mass markets.

Key Market Drivers

Surging consumer demand for eco-friendly personal hygiene products is fundamentally reshaping the market as environmentally conscious individuals increasingly reject conventional petrochemical-based absorbents. This shift is compelling major manufacturers to reformulate their product lines with biodegradable superabsorbent materials to minimize environmental impact and meet rigorous sustainability targets. Validating this industry-wide pivot, Kimberly-Clark, in its '2023 Sustainability Report' published in June 2024, reported a 16.4% reduction in its plastics footprint against its 2019 baseline, a milestone driven significantly by the expansion of its plant-based and biodegradable product offerings. To support this growing requirement for renewable inputs across the hygiene sector, European Bioplastics revealed in December 2024 that the global bioplastics production capacity is projected to surge to approximately 5.73 million tonnes by 2029.

Concurrently, the rising adoption of biodegradable hydrogels in water-smart agriculture is acting as a critical growth catalyst, particularly in regions facing severe water scarcity. These bio-based polymers are being deployed to enhance soil moisture retention and improve fertilizer efficiency without leaving microplastic residues, directly addressing both food security and soil health concerns. This trend is evidenced by the commercial success of specialized agritech firms; for instance, according to EF Polymer K.K., August 2024, the company reached a cumulative global sales milestone of 400 tons of its organic superabsorbent hydrogel, reflecting the accelerating uptake of these materials by farmers seeking sustainable irrigation solutions.

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Key Market Challenges

The primary obstacle impeding the expansion of the Global Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market is the substantial cost disparity between bio-based superabsorbents and their synthetic counterparts. Producing high-performance biodegradable polymers requires complex processing of organic feedstocks, which inherently incurs higher operational and raw material expenses compared to the mature, optimized supply chains of petrochemical-derived sodium polyacrylate. This price premium proves particularly detrimental in the price-sensitive personal hygiene sector, where manufacturers operate on thin margins and are often reluctant to absorb the additional costs associated with eco-friendly raw materials despite the environmental benefits.

Furthermore, the market struggles to achieve the economies of scale necessary to drive down unit costs. Because the production volume of biodegradable materials remains a fraction of the global plastics output, manufacturers cannot leverage the bulk pricing and efficiency advantages enjoyed by the incumbent synthetic industry. According to European Bioplastics, in 2023, bioplastics represented roughly 0.5 percent of the more than 400 million tonnes of plastic produced annually. This stark volume imbalance perpetuates a cycle where high costs limit market penetration, and limited market penetration prevents the production scaling required to reduce costs, thereby stalling widespread commercial adoption.

Key Market Trends

The development of marine-degradable and PHA-based polymer variants is accelerating as manufacturers seek to surpass the environmental limitations of first-generation hydrogels. Unlike traditional absorbents that potentially leave persistent microplastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) offer complete biodegradability in diverse environments, including ocean water, prompting aggressive capacity expansions to meet industrial needs. Validating this shift towards scalable production, According to Danimer Scientific, August 2024, in the 'Environmental, Social, and Governance Report 2023', the company maintained an annual nameplate capacity of approximately 65 million pounds of its Nodax-based finished product to support the growing global requirement for bio-based resins.

Simultaneously, the market is witnessing a wave of strategic acquisitions and high-value partnerships where established industry leaders absorb or fund niche biotechnology firms to expedite commercialization. This trend addresses the critical lack of infrastructure for scaling fermentation-based production by leveraging the engineering expertise and capital of industry incumbents to bridge the gap between pilot and mass production. A prime example occurred when, According to Lummus Technology, June 2024, in the press release 'Lummus Reinforces Commitment to Biopolymer PHA Commercialization', the company took a lead investor position in RWDC Industries' convertible bond round to accelerate the development of the first commercial-scale PHA facility, signaling a maturing supply chain for next-generation absorbents.

Segmental Insights

The Polyvinyl Alcohol segment is currently positioned as the fastest-growing category within the Global Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market due to its exceptional water solubility and non-toxic composition. This material is experiencing a surge in demand from the agricultural sector, where it is utilized to enhance soil moisture retention and improve crop viability in arid environments. Furthermore, its biocompatibility drives adoption in the personal hygiene industry as manufacturers shift towards sustainable alternatives. The validation of its safety for various applications by regulatory entities, such as the Food and Drug Administration, further accelerates its commercial acceptance globally.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific commands the leading position in the Global Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market, driven by robust demand from the expanding personal hygiene and agricultural sectors. Rapid urbanization in nations such as China and India has accelerated the consumption of disposable hygiene products, creating a substantial foundation for sustainable material adoption. Furthermore, the region’s agricultural industry increasingly utilizes these materials to improve water retention in arid cultivation areas. This dominance is significantly reinforced by strict environmental mandates; for instance, China’s National Development and Reform Commission has implemented rigorous restrictions on non-degradable plastics, compelling manufacturers to transition toward eco-friendly alternatives.

Recent Developments

• In October 2025, EF Polymer secured $17.8 million in a Series B funding round to scale the production of its fully biodegradable superabsorbent polymers derived from agricultural residues. The investment was led by a consortium of investors committed to sustainable technologies and will support the company in expanding its manufacturing capabilities and research initiatives. EF Polymer’s technology upcycles organic waste, such as fruit peels, into a bio-based hydrogel that retains water and nutrients, primarily for agricultural applications but with growing potential in the hygiene sector. This financial boost enabled the company to accelerate its global market penetration and further develop its circular economy model for superabsorbent materials.
• In April 2025, Planet Smart unveiled PlanetSorb, a patent-pending, naturally biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (bioSAP) capable of decomposing within months in landfill conditions. The company introduced this innovation to directly tackle the microplastic pollution associated with the fossil-based SAPs traditionally used in the disposable hygiene industry. The new material was engineered to be compatible with existing manufacturing equipment, allowing brands to adopt the eco-friendly alternative without requiring significant infrastructure changes. PlanetSorb demonstrated competitive liquid absorbency rates compared to conventional polymers, positioning it as a viable sustainable component for diapers and sanitary pads in a market increasingly regulated for environmental impact.
• In July 2024, ZymoChem announced the launch of BAYSE, a breakthrough scalable, 100% bio-based, and biodegradable superabsorbent polymer (SAP). This new material was designed as a drop-in replacement for traditional petroleum-derived polyacrylates, which are widely used in disposable absorbent hygiene products such as infant diapers. By utilizing a proprietary fermentation-based platform, the company successfully created a renewable alternative that maintains the performance and affordability of fossil-based SAPs while significantly lowering the carbon footprint. The product addresses the urgent environmental challenge of landfill waste generated by single-use hygiene items, offering a microplastic-free solution for the global market.
• In March 2024, Kelheim Fibres GmbH collaborated with the yarn spinner Gebr. Otto to introduce a sustainable, high-performance solution for period underwear utilizing bio-based materials. During the Techtextil exhibition in Frankfurt, the partners showcased a concept that integrates Kelheim’s specialty viscose fibers, which serve as the absorbent core, with Otto’s spinning technology. This joint development was designed to offer a biodegradable alternative to synthetic superabsorbent materials commonly found in disposable hygiene products. The collaboration aimed to address the growing consumer demand for reusable and environmentally friendly hygiene solutions by optimizing liquid retention and distribution layers without compromising on comfort or performance.

Key Market Players

• The Lubrizol Corporation
• BASF SE
• Archer-Daniels-Midland Company
• Amereq, Inc.
• Itaconix Corporation
• NIPPON SHOKUBAI CO., LTD.
• Nuoer Chemical Australia Pty Ltd
• JRM Chemical, Inc.
• CHINAFLOC Chemical Co. Ltd.

By Product	By Application	By Region
Polyvinyl Alcohol Polyitaconic Acid Polyacrylamide Polysaccharides	Disposable diapers Adult incontinence products Female hygiene Agriculture Medical Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market, By Product:

• Polyvinyl Alcohol
• Polyitaconic Acid
• Polyacrylamide
• Polysaccharides

• Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market, By Application:

• Disposable diapers
• Adult incontinence products
• Female hygiene
• Agriculture
• Medical
• Others

• Biodegradable Superabsorbent Materials Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE