Top 10 Companies in the Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market (2025): Industry Leaders Powering Drug Formulation Innovation

In Business Insights
July 27, 2025

The Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market was valued at USD 186.3 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 284.6 million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.9% during the forecast period (2025-2032). This growth is driven by expanding pharmaceutical production, increasing adoption of plant-based excipients, and rising demand for modified-release drug formulations across Europe.

As pharmaceutical manufacturers seek safer, more reliable formulation agents, Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose (HPMC) has emerged as a critical polymer for tablet coatings, capsules, and controlled-release applications. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market—market leaders driving innovation in pharmaceutical excipients.


🔟 1. Ashland Global Holdings

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Benecel™, Aquarius™ HPMC grades

Ashland leads the European HPMC market with a 22% share through its premium cellulose ether product lines. The company supplies ultra-pure pharmaceutical HPMC to major drug manufacturers across Germany, France, and the UK.

Innovation Focus:

  • €120 million investment in cGMP-compliant European facilities
  • Development of specialized grades for hot-melt extrusion
  • Bioavailability enhancement solutions for poorly soluble drugs

Download FREE Sample Report: Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Shin-Etsu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Metolose™ HPMC series

Shin-Etsu holds 18% market share in Europe through vertically integrated manufacturing and strict pharmacopoeia compliance. The company recently expanded its German facility with an €85 million investment.

Innovation Focus:

  • Expansion of low-viscosity HPMC production capacity
  • Strategic partnerships with European CMOs

8️⃣ 3. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: METHOCEL™ HPMC

Dow’s pharmaceutical division supplies high-performance HPMC grades to 35 European countries, specializing in film coating and controlled-release applications.

Innovation Focus:

  • E6 premium grade development for extrusion applications
  • Alliances with generic drug manufacturers

7️⃣ 4. Colorcon, Inc.

Headquarters: Dartford, UK
Key Offering: Opadry® film coating systems

Colorcon specializes in HPMC-based pharmaceutical coatings with formulations that integrate functional polymers for enhanced drug delivery.

Innovation Focus:

  • Expansion of ready-to-use coating systems
  • Continuous film coating technology advancements

Download FREE Sample Report: Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Kollidon® and Kollicoat® HPMC solutions

BASF combines cellulose ether expertise with polymer science to deliver advanced HPMC-based drug formulation systems across Europe.

Innovation Focus:

  • €150 million investment in sustainable excipient production
  • Co-development programs with innovator pharma companies

5️⃣ 6. Evonik Industries

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: EUDRAGIT® and RESOMER® polymer blends

Evonik specializes in high-performance HPMC combinations for targeted drug release, serving European pharmaceutical innovators.

Innovation Focus:

  • HPMC-based gastroretentive systems development
  • Functional polymer portfolio expansion

4️⃣ 7. SEPPIC

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Sepifilm® coating systems

The French specialty chemicals company provides HPMC-based film coating solutions with particular strength in dietary supplements.

Innovation Focus:

  • Plant-based excipient innovations
  • Organic-compliant product line expansion

3️⃣ 8. JRS Pharma

Headquarters: Rosenberg, Germany
Key Offering: VIVAPHARM® HPMC grades

JRS Pharma is a leading European excipient specialist with 12% market share in Central Europe, known for cost-effective HPMC solutions.

Innovation Focus:

  • Local production support for EU customers
  • High-flow binder grade development

Download FREE Sample Report: Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market – View in Detailed Research Report


2️⃣ 9. Celotech Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shanghai, China
Key Offering: Affordable HPMC for generic drugs

Celotech supplies cost-competitive pharmaceutical HPMC, particularly to Eastern European manufacturers.

Innovation Focus:

  • EU pharmacopoeia compliance expansion
  • Local warehousing to reduce lead times

1️⃣ 10. TCI Chemicals

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Laboratory-grade HPMC

TCI serves the European pharmaceutical R&D sector with high-purity HPMC materials for formulation development.

Innovation Focus:

  • Customized polymer solutions
  • Development support for early-stage formulations

Get Full Report Here: Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Pharmaceutical HPMC in Europe

The pharmaceutical grade HPMC market is undergoing significant transformation, driven by advanced drug delivery technologies and sustainability requirements. As European regulators implement stricter excipient guidelines, manufacturers face both challenges and opportunities.

📈 Key Market Trends:

  • 15-20% annual growth in vegetarian capsule production
  • Expanding applications in 3D printed pharmaceuticals
  • Increasing demand for bio-based raw materials
  • Digitalization of quality control processes

Get Full Report Here: Europe Pharmaceutical Grade HPMC Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled are not only supplying essential excipients—they’re enabling the next generation of advanced drug formulations across Europe.