Desiccants Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Type (Silica Gel, Activated Alumina, Activated Charcoal, Zeolite, Calcium Chloride, Clay, Others), By End User (Packaging, Food, Pharmaceutical, Electronics, Others), By Region and Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.19 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.81%
Fastest Growing Segment	Silica Gel
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.67 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Desiccants Market will grow from USD 1.19 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.67 Billion by 2031 at a 5.81% CAGR. Desiccants are hygroscopic substances such as silica gel and calcium chloride designed to absorb moisture from the immediate environment to induce dryness. The primary drivers supporting market growth include the critical need for moisture control in pharmaceutical packaging to ensure drug stability and the protection of sensitive electronic components from corrosion. Furthermore, the sustained volume of international trade necessitates effective humidity management solutions during logistics to prevent spoilage. Underscoring this industrial momentum, according to the American Chemistry Council, in 2024, global chemical production increased by 1.1 percent during the month of December.

Nevertheless, the market encounters a significant impediment regarding environmental sustainability and waste disposal. The widespread use of conventional desiccants often involves synthetic packaging materials that are difficult to recycle and hazardous chemical indicators which attract regulatory scrutiny. The substantial investment required to develop sustainable alternatives and comply with tightening ecological standards presents a major challenge for manufacturers and could impede broader market expansion.

Key Market Drivers

The Rapid Expansion of the Pharmaceutical Industry is a primary catalyst for the desiccants market, driven by the absolute necessity of maintaining drug efficacy and safety through rigorous moisture control. As pharmaceutical formulations become more complex and sensitive to humidity, manufacturers are increasingly reliant on high-performance desiccant packets and canisters to prevent hydrolysis and degradation during storage and transit. This reliance is particularly acute in major consumption regions where healthcare spending is escalating. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations, November 2024, in the 'The Pharmaceutical Industry in Figures' report, North America alone accounted for 54.8 percent of estimated world pharmaceutical sales in 2024, highlighting the massive scale of product movement that requires desiccant protection to meet stringent quality assurance protocols.

The Growing Demand in the Electronics and Semiconductor Sectors further propels market momentum, as microchips and circuit boards are highly susceptible to corrosion and defects caused by ambient moisture. Specialized desiccants are integral to the packaging of these components to ensure they arrive at assembly lines in optimal condition, a need that has intensified with the surge in global chip production. According to the Semiconductor Industry Association, February 2025, in the 'Global Semiconductor Sales Increase 19.1% in 2024' press release, global semiconductor industry sales totaled $627.6 billion in 2024, reflecting the heightened manufacturing output that directly correlates with increased desiccant usage. This sector-specific demand is bolstered by broader logistics trends where humidity management is essential. According to the International Air Transport Association, in 2025, global air cargo demand increased by 3.2 percent year-on-year in January, signaling a sustained volume of sensitive goods requiring moisture protection during international transport.

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Key Market Challenges

The Global Desiccants Market faces a substantial obstacle regarding environmental sustainability and the management of waste. Conventional desiccant solutions frequently utilize non-biodegradable synthetic packaging and chemical indicators that are complicated to recycle or potentially hazardous. As environmental regulations become increasingly stringent, manufacturers are compelled to transition away from established, cost-effective materials toward eco-friendly alternatives. This shift necessitates significant capital expenditure for research and development, directly increasing production costs and squeezing profit margins that could otherwise fund market expansion.

The impact of these regulatory and cost pressures is evident in the broader chemical manufacturing landscape which underpins this market. According to the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), in 2024, production volumes in the chemical-pharmaceutical industry remained approximately 16 percent lower than the levels recorded in 2018. This stagnation reflects the difficulty companies face in maintaining growth momentum while navigating high operational costs and compliance mandates. Consequently, the desiccant sector struggles to scale operations efficiently as the financial burden of meeting sustainability standards limits the ability to capitalize on rising demand.

Key Market Trends

The Integration of Smart Moisture Indicators and IoT-Enabled Sensors is fundamentally transforming the Global Desiccants Market by converting passive humidity control into active supply chain intelligence. Logistics stakeholders are increasingly deploying desiccant units embedded with wireless connectivity that monitor environmental conditions in real-time, allowing for immediate interventions before moisture damage compromises high-value cargo. This technological convergence is driven by the need for granular visibility in complex distribution networks, where maintaining specific humidity thresholds is critical for product integrity. According to Tive, March 2025, in the 'State of Visibility 2025' report, the usage of IoT-based cargo tracking solutions increased by 200 percent over the previous year as companies prioritized automated digital monitoring over legacy manual methods.

The Adoption of Biodegradable and Bio-Based Desiccant Materials represents a parallel shift as manufacturers reformulate products to align with aggressive circular economy goals. Confronted with the environmental impact of synthetic silica gel and plastic laminates, the industry is pivoting toward natural desiccants like bentonite clay and sustainable, fiber-based sachet wrappers that eliminate microplastic waste. This transition is being led by major chemical producers who are systematically overhauling their offerings to meet client demands for compostable and renewable packaging solutions. According to Clariant, March 2025, in the 'Integrated Report 2024', the company confirmed that more than 80 percent of its product portfolio now consists of sustainable products, highlighting the scale at which major suppliers are committing to eco-friendly material innovation.

Segmental Insights

The Silica Gel segment represents the fastest-growing category within the global desiccants market due to its exceptional moisture absorption capabilities and non-toxic composition. This expansion is largely driven by widespread application in the pharmaceutical and food packaging sectors where maintaining product dryness is essential for stability. The endorsement by regulatory institutions such as the United States Food and Drug Administration regarding its safety for contact with consumables significantly reinforces industrial confidence. Consequently, manufacturers increasingly rely on silica gel to extend the shelf life of sensitive goods, ensuring its continued dominance in market growth.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific commands the leading position in the Global Desiccants Market, driven by its status as a central manufacturing hub for the electronics and pharmaceutical sectors. Major economies like China and India generate substantial demand for moisture control solutions to ensure the stability of sensitive products during storage and export. Additionally, rapid urbanization has increased the consumption of packaged food, necessitating reliable preservation methods to extend shelf life. This dominance is reinforced by continuous industrial expansion and supportive government incentives that bolster domestic production capabilities, solidifying the region's pivotal role in the global supply chain.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Absortech joined a working group within GALIA, the French automotive logistics industry body, to collaborate on circular economy initiatives and automotive packaging standards. This partnership aimed to develop and promote sustainable practices for moisture damage prevention in the automotive supply chain. By participating in this consortium, the company sought to contribute its expertise in desiccant solutions to help reduce waste and optimize the environmental impact of logistics processes. This collaboration highlighted the growing importance of sustainability and industry cooperation in addressing moisture control challenges during the global transport of automotive components.
• In May 2025, Sanner GmbH introduced an optimized version of its TabTec CR packaging solution, featuring integrated desiccant technology for the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors. The enhanced child-resistant dispenser was engineered to improve closure tightness, ensuring superior moisture protection for sensitive oral solid dosages such as tablets and capsules. This product launch incorporated a tailored desiccant integrated directly into the container's base, which eliminated the need for separate moisture-adsorbing sachets and facilitated more efficient filling processes. The development reflected the company's focus on combining user-friendly design with robust product stability and protection.
• In May 2024, WiseSorbent unveiled two sustainable product innovations at the Vitafoods Europe exhibition, addressing the industry's increasing focus on environmental responsibility. The company introduced the WiseMini Ink-Free, Glue-Free Desiccant, a solution designed to eliminate potential contaminants in food and pharmaceutical packaging by removing the need for adhesives and printed inks. Simultaneously, the manufacturer launched the WisePouch+ Recyclable Desiccant Pouch, which was produced using fully recyclable polyethylene materials. These launches underscored the organization's commitment to reducing the carbon footprint of moisture control solutions while ensuring high safety standards for dietary supplements.
• In February 2024, Aptar CSP Technologies announced a strategic collaboration with a material science and flexible packaging provider to introduce a new active packaging solution. This partnership resulted in the launch of the ProActive Intelligence Moisture Protect (MP-1000) platform, which integrates proprietary 3-Phase Activ-Polymer technology into a flexible blown film structure. The innovation was designed to adsorb moisture within the packaging headspace without requiring additional desiccant sachets, thereby streamlining the manufacturing process and eliminating the risk of accidental ingestion. This development aimed to provide enhanced protection for moisture-sensitive products such as pharmaceuticals, probiotics, and medical devices.

Key Market Players

• Fuji Silysia Chemical Ltd.
• Desicca Chemical Pvt. Ltd.
• TROPACK Packmitel GmbH
• Oker-Chemie GmbH
• Hengye, Inc.
• Multisorb Technologies Inc
• Clariant AG
• Capitol Scientific, Inc.
• W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
• Evonik Industries AG

By Type	By End User	By Region
Silica Gel Activated Alumina Activated Charcoal Zeolite Calcium Chloride Clay Others	Packaging Food Pharmaceutical Electronics Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Desiccants Market, By Type:

• Silica Gel
• Activated Alumina
• Activated Charcoal
• Zeolite
• Calcium Chloride
• Clay
• Others

• Desiccants Market, By End User:

• Packaging
• Food
• Pharmaceutical
• Electronics
• Others

• Desiccants 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