Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Application (Construction (Cement Mortar, Plasters, Refractory Materials, Paints, Gypsum Concrete Slurry, Fiber Wall, Others), Pharmaceuticals, Food, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Others), By Region, and By Competition 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 2.78 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	5.16%
Fastest Growing Segment	Construction
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 3.76 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market will grow from USD 2.78 Billion in 2025 to USD 3.76 Billion by 2031 at a 5.16% CAGR. Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) is a non-ionic cellulose ether extensively utilized as a thickener, binder, and film-former across the construction, pharmaceutical, and food industries. The market’s expansion is primarily supported by the fundamental demand for high-performance construction materials, such as tile adhesives and dry-mix mortars, alongside the critical requirement for pharmaceutical excipients in solid dosage forms. According to the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations (EFPIA), in 2024, the research-based pharmaceutical industry in Europe invested an estimated €55,000 million in R&D, reflecting the substantial investment environment that underpins the consumption of specialized formulation additives.

However, a significant challenge impeding broader market expansion is the volatility in the availability and pricing of essential raw materials, specifically cellulose pulp and cotton linters. Fluctuations in these input costs can unpredictably escalate production expenses, thereby compressing profit margins for manufacturers and creating instability within the global supply chain.

Key Market Drivers

The Expansion of Global Construction and Infrastructure Development serves as a premier catalyst for the Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) market, driven by the material's indispensable role in modern building formulations. HPMC is critical for enhancing water retention, workability, and adhesion in dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives, and self-leveling compounds, which are essential for high-quality infrastructure projects. This demand is exemplified by robust sector activity; according to the U.S. Census Bureau, in February 2025, the total value of construction put in place in the United States during 2024 was estimated at $2,154.4 billion, reflecting a continued upward trajectory in building investments. Such substantial capital deployment in residential and non-residential structures directly amplifies the consumption of cellulose ethers required to meet rigorous building standards and sustainability goals.

Simultaneously, the Rising Demand for Pharmaceutical Controlled-Release Formulations is reshaping market dynamics, particularly as the industry shifts toward plant-derived excipients. HPMC is increasingly preferred over gelatin for its superior stability and suitability for hydrophilic matrix systems that regulate drug delivery. Manufacturers are actively responding to this requirement; according to Shin-Etsu Chemical, in March 2024, the company announced a 10 billion yen investment to expand its pharmaceutical cellulose production capacity to address growing global needs. This trend is further bolstered by the broader consumer shift toward non-animal products, where, according to the Good Food Institute, in 2024, global retail sales of plant-based categories rose five percent to reach $28.6 billion. This surging preference for plant-derived solutions underscores the critical importance of HPMC in both pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications.

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Key Market Challenges

The volatility in the availability and pricing of essential raw materials, specifically cellulose pulp and cotton linters, constitutes a severe impediment to the expansion of the Global Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market. This unpredictability in input costs creates a precarious manufacturing environment where production expenses can escalate rapidly without warning. Manufacturers face the difficult choice of either absorbing these inflated costs, which significantly compresses profit margins, or increasing product prices, which risks reducing demand from cost-sensitive end-use sectors such as construction and pharmaceuticals. Consequently, this financial instability discourages long-term investment in capacity and supply chain optimization.

The impact of these rising input costs is substantiated by recent industrial data reflecting the cost pressures within the broader chemical manufacturing sector. According to the German Chemical Industry Association (VCI), in 2024, producer prices within the chemical industry increased by 0.8% in the second quarter compared to the preceding quarter, a rise explicitly attributed to surging raw material and energy expenditures. This statistical evidence highlights the direct correlation between escalating input costs and the financial strain on chemical producers, illustrating how raw material instability hampers the sustained growth of the market.

Key Market Trends

The Rising Utilization in Clean-Label and Sulfate-Free Personal Care Products is significantly influencing the Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) market, driven by the ingredient's ability to function as a bio-based thickener and foam stabilizer in mild surfactant systems. As consumers increasingly scrutinize ingredient lists for synthetic polymers and sulfates, manufacturers are reformulating hair and skin care lines to prioritize biodegradable, plant-derived alternatives. HPMC is uniquely positioned to meet this demand because it offers non-ionic compatibility with clean-beauty surfactant blends while enhancing viscosity and sensory attributes without skin irritation. This shift toward sustainable formulation is evidenced by major industry players aggressively increasing their bio-based inputs; according to L'Oréal, February 2025, in the '2024 Annual Report', the company reported that 92% of its biobased ingredients for formulas and packaging materials were traceable and derived from sustainable sources, signaling a massive industrial pivot that favors renewable rheology modifiers like HPMC.

Simultaneously, the Integration of HPMC in Gluten-Free and Plant-Based Food Texturizing is creating a distinct high-value growth avenue, separate from pharmaceutical applications. HPMC is becoming the industry standard for replicating the viscoelastic properties of gluten in bakery products and the fibrous texture of muscle tissue in meat alternatives. Its thermal gelation properties allow plant-based foods to retain structure during cooking, a critical challenge in vegan formulation. This specific application is expanding rapidly as the sector diversifies beyond simple meat analogues into complex bakery items; according to the Plant Based Foods Association, May 2025, in the '2024 Plant-Based Foods State of the Marketplace Report', U.S. retail sales of plant-based baked goods grew by 13% to reach $111 million, underscoring the increasing reliance on hydrocolloids that can deliver premium texture in allergen-free foods.

Segmental Insights

Based on authoritative market analysis, the Construction segment is identified as the fastest-growing category within the Global Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market. This accelerated expansion is primarily propelled by the increasing global reliance on high-performance dry-mix mortars, tile adhesives, and self-leveling compounds. HPMC is indispensable in these formulations for its ability to provide superior water retention, adhesion, and workability, which are essential for modern infrastructure standards. Furthermore, the industry-wide shift from traditional on-site mixing to factory-produced construction materials significantly drives the demand for this additive to ensure consistent quality and structural durability in residential and commercial projects.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific leads the global Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose market, driven primarily by accelerated industrialization and infrastructure development in major economies such as China and India. The region experiences substantial demand from the construction sector, where the material is essential for cement renders and tile adhesives. Furthermore, the expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing base utilizes this polymer extensively for tablet binders and coatings. This dominance is reinforced by robust local manufacturing capabilities and rising consumer expenditure on personal care and processed food products, establishing the region as the central hub for consumption and production.

Recent Developments

• In December 2024, Shandong Head Group announced an investment of $80 million to establish a new manufacturing facility in the United States dedicated to the production of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) vegetable capsules. The planned facility was designed to increase the company's annual production capacity by more than 20 billion capsules, directly addressing the rising demand for plant-based delivery systems in the North American market. This strategic expansion aimed to improve supply chain efficiency, reduce delivery lead times for local customers, and mitigate potential risks associated with international trade disruptions.
• In October 2024, Lotte Fine Chemical entered into an exclusive global distribution partnership with Colorcon to supply its "AnyCoat" family of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) products. Under the terms of this ten-year agreement, the partner company assumed responsibility for representing these essential cellulose ethers, which are critical for tablet coating and controlled-release formulations, to the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical markets. The collaboration aimed to leverage Lotte’s extensive manufacturing capabilities alongside the partner’s established technical service network, thereby delivering optimized value, reliability, and regulatory support to drug developers and manufacturers worldwide.
• In March 2024, Roquette announced a definitive agreement to acquire a pharmaceutical solutions division from a major global bioscience company for an enterprise value of $2.85 billion. This strategic transaction encompassed a broad portfolio of pharmaceutical excipients, including hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), which is widely used in oral dosage solutions. The acquisition was designed to rebalance the company's business focus towards health and nutrition while significantly expanding its footprint in the United States. By integrating these capabilities, the company aimed to establish itself as a leading specialist in drug delivery systems and enhance its service offerings to pharmaceutical clients globally.
• In March 2024, Shin-Etsu Chemical announced a substantial plan to double the production capacity of its pharmaceutical excipient, Shin-Etsu AQOAT (hypromellose acetate succinate), at its Naoetsu Plant in Japan. This expansion was initiated to address the rapidly growing global demand for enteric coating agents and solubility-enhancing polymers within the pharmaceutical industry. The company also emphasized its commitment to further investments in its pharmaceutical cellulose business to ensuring a stable supply chain. This capital investment represented a strategic move to meet the evolving technical requirements of drug manufacturers for high-functionality cellulose derivatives.

Key Market Players

• Ashland Inc
• Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd
• Colloids Ltd
• Zhejiang Haishen New Materials Limited
• DuPont de Nemours Inc
• CP Kelco U.S., Inc.
• Celotech Chemical Co., Ltd.
• Hebei Xuyang Building Materials Co Ltd
• Changzhou Guoyu Environmental S&T Co., Ltd.

By Application	By Region
Construction (Cement Mortar, Plasters, Refractory Materials, Paints, Gypsum Concrete Slurry, Fiber Wall, Others) Pharmaceuticals Food Cosmetics & Personal Care Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

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

• Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Market, By Application:

• Construction (Cement Mortar, Plasters, Refractory Materials, Paints, Gypsum Concrete Slurry, Fiber Wall, Others)
• Pharmaceuticals
• Food
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Others

• Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose 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