Top 10 Companies in the Dry Strength Agent Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Paper & Packaging Performance

In Business Insights
November 10, 2025


The Global Dry Strength Agent Market was valued at USD 1.85 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.48 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.1% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is primarily propelled by the rising demand for sustainable packaging, the expansion of the e-commerce sector requiring durable corrugated boxes, and the increasing need for high-performance paper products across various industries.

As the paper and packaging industry focuses on enhancing product quality, reducing fiber costs, and improving recyclability, dry strength agents have become indispensable. These chemical additives significantly boost the tensile, burst, and tear strength of paper without the need for additional pulp. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Dry Strength Agent Industry—a selection of global chemical giants and specialized manufacturers that are engineering the future of paper performance.

Download FREE Sample Report: Dry Strength Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: FennoBond™ (GPAM), FennoSize™ (Starch-based), Bio-based dry strength agents

Kemira is a global leader in water chemistry and a powerhouse in the paper chemicals sector. Its extensive portfolio of dry strength agents is designed to improve paper quality and production efficiency for mills worldwide. The company invests heavily in R&D to develop sustainable solutions that help customers reduce their environmental footprint.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Development of high-performance GPAM and starch-based polymers
  • Focus on bio-based and renewable raw materials
  • Commitment to achieving carbon-neutral operations by 2040

9️⃣ 2. SEIKO PMC CORPORATION

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Polyvinylamine (PVAm), Cationic Polyacrylamide, Specialty polymers

SEIKO PMC is a leading specialty chemical company renowned for its high-purity PVAm-based dry strength agents. These products are known for their exceptional efficiency at low dosages, making them a preferred choice for premium paper grades, including fine paper and packaging board.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Pioneering PVAm technology for superior dry strength enhancement
  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing Asian market demand
  • Development of products compatible with recycled fiber systems

8️⃣ 3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Basoplast® (Starch derivatives), Polyamine-based agents

BASF’s Paper Chemicals division offers a comprehensive range of dry strength agents that cater to diverse papermaking needs. Their solutions help improve paper machine runnability and final product strength, particularly in packaging and tissue applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Integration of dry strength agents into holistic papermaking solutions
  • Strong emphasis on product safety and regulatory compliance
  • Research into next-generation biodegradable strength additives

Download FREE Sample Report: Dry Strength Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Solenis LLC

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Pace® (GPAM), Performance Polymers, Starch-based additives

Solenis is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals for water-intensive industries, including pulp and paper. The company’s dry strength agents are engineered to maximize fiber utilization, allowing papermakers to maintain quality while incorporating more cost-effective or recycled fibers.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Advanced polymer chemistry for high-retention dry strength programs
  • Solutions that support water conservation and effluent reduction
  • Global technical service network providing on-site optimization

6️⃣ 5. Harima Chemicals Group, Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Lignosulfonates, Specialized polymeric agents

Harima Chemicals is a key player, particularly in the Asian market, with a strong focus on lignin-based chemicals. Their dry strength agents leverage renewable raw materials from the pulping process, offering an eco-friendly alternative for strength improvement.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Utilization of lignosulfonates as sustainable strength additives
  • Tailored solutions for specific regional paper grades and processes
  • Commitment to the circular economy through by-product valorization

5️⃣ 6. PT Lautan Luas Tbk.

Headquarters: Jakarta, Indonesia
Key Offering: Starch-based dry strength agents, GPAM, Commodity chemicals

As one of Indonesia’s leading chemical distributors and manufacturers, PT Lautan Luas has a significant presence in the Southeast Asian paper chemicals market. The company supplies a wide range of dry strength agents, serving the region’s growing pulp and paper industry.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Strategic partnerships with global chemical manufacturers
  • Expansion of local manufacturing capabilities for key additives
  • Focus on providing cost-effective solutions for emerging markets

4️⃣ 7. Buckman

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Customized polymeric strength agents, Enzymatic solutions

Buckman specializes in providing tailored chemical solutions that improve paper quality and manufacturing efficiency. Their dry strength programs are often part of an integrated approach that includes retention, drainage, and deposit control.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Focus on application-specific, customized formulations
  • Investment in smart chemistry and digital dispensing systems
  • Global knowledge network for rapid problem-solving

Download FREE Sample Report: Dry Strength Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


3️⃣ 8. Shandong Tiancheng Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Weifang, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Cationic Polyacrylamide (CPAM), GPAM, Anionic Polyacrylamide (APAM)

Shandong Tiancheng Chemical is a major Chinese manufacturer of polyacrylamide and other water-soluble polymers. The company is a key supplier of dry strength agents to the vast Chinese paper industry, offering competitive and effective products.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Large-scale production of polyacrylamide-based strength agents
  • Focus on cost-optimized products for high-volume paper grades
  • Adapting products to meet China’s evolving environmental standards

2️⃣ 9. Kapp Chemie

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Specialty starch derivatives, Synthetic polymers

Kapp Chemie is a significant regional player in the Indian subcontinent, providing essential chemicals to the local paper industry. The company offers a range of dry strength agents that help Indian paper mills improve their product quality and competitiveness.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Development of products suited for the unique fiber blends used in India
  • Strong focus on technical service and customer support
  • Expanding product portfolio to include more eco-friendly variants

1️⃣ 10. Papertex Speciality Chemicals

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of paper chemicals, including dry strength agents

Papertex Speciality Chemicals specializes exclusively in chemicals for the paper industry. As a specialized supplier, they offer targeted dry strength solutions and a deep understanding of the application challenges faced by paper mills.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Niche focus on the paper industry enables deep application expertise
  • Development of multi-functional additives that provide strength and other benefits
  • Commitment to helping mills optimize chemical usage and reduce costs

Get Full Report Here: Dry Strength Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Dry Strength Agents Is Sustainable and Smart

The dry strength agent market is undergoing a significant evolution. While traditional polymers continue to dominate, the industry is increasingly focused on bio-based alternatives, multifunctional chemistries, and digital integration for optimal dosing and performance.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Rising demand for bio-based and renewable dry strength agents derived from starch, chitosan, and lignin
  • Development of multifunctional additives that provide strength along with retention, drainage, or softness
  • Increased adoption in tissue and packaging grades to enable higher recycled content and basis weight reduction
  • Integration with Industry 4.0 and smart manufacturing for real-time optimization of additive dosages

Get Full Report Here: Dry Strength Agent Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only strengthening paper products worldwide—they are enabling a more sustainable and efficient future for the entire pulp and paper industry.