The Global Rheological Additives Market was valued at US$ 4,087.6 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 5,816.3 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period (2023–2029). This robust growth is being driven by escalating demand from the paints and coatings industry, advancements in sustainable formulations, and the critical role these additives play in enhancing the performance and stability of products across inks, adhesives, and personal care.

As industries worldwide push for higher performance, durability, and environmental compliance, the focus intensifies on the specialty chemical companies that provide the essential additives controlling flow, stability, and texture. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Rheological Additives Industry—a group of global chemical giants and specialized innovators shaping the future of material science.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: DISPONIL®, EFKA®, Rheovis® additives

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry and a major supplier of rheological additives. Its comprehensive portfolio includes products for aqueous and solvent-based systems, serving the coatings, construction, and personal care markets. The company’s innovations focus on providing sag resistance, anti-settling, and improved application properties.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of high-performance, eco-friendly additives for low-VOC formulations

• Expansion of bio-based and renewable raw material sources

• Global R&D centers dedicated to rheology and application technology

Download FREE Sample Report: Rheological Additives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: UCAR POLYPHOBE®, ACUMER®, CELLOSIZE™ additives

Dow is a powerhouse in specialty chemicals, offering a wide array of rheology modifiers for architectural and industrial coatings, adhesives, and construction materials. Its technologies are critical for achieving desired viscosity, stability, and film build in demanding applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leadership in associative thickeners and hydrophobically modified polymers

• Commitment to circular economy principles and sustainable product design

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8️⃣ 3. Elementis plc

Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
Key Offering: BENTONE®, THIXATROL®, OPTIGEL® additives

Elementis is a recognized global specialist in rheology additives, particularly known for its organoclays and synthetic thickeners. The company serves the coatings, personal care, and energy sectors with products that provide superior control over flow and sag resistance.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Pioneering easy-to-use rheological modifiers that reduce processing time

• Focus on water-based and high-solids systems to meet regulatory demands

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7️⃣ 4. Arkema Group

Headquarters: Colombes, France
Key Offering: THIXCIN®, CRAYVALLAC®, NYLACOL® additives

Through its Coating Resins segment (including the acquired Ashland performance adhesives), Arkema offers advanced rheology modifiers. Its products are essential for achieving gloss control, anti-settling, and texture in coatings and construction chemicals.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Investment in bio-circular materials and sustainable coating solutions

• Development of additives for next-generation waterborne and powder coatings

Download FREE Sample Report: Rheological Additives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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6️⃣ 5. BYK (ALTANA Group)

Headquarters: Wesel, Germany
Key Offering: BYK® additives portfolio (e.g., BYK-ETD, ANTI-TERRA)

BYK is a leading global supplier of additives and instruments, with a strong focus on rheology control. Its products are used to modify viscosity, prevent sagging, and improve suspension in paints, coatings, inks, and plastics.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Extensive R&D in additive technology for enhanced performance and efficiency

• Solutions that enable reduction of environmental footprint in end-products

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5️⃣ 6. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: TIXOGEL®, LICOCARE®, DISPERSOGEN® additives

Clariant’s Business Unit Additives provides innovative rheology modifiers for industries ranging from coatings and adhesives to personal care. Their expertise lies in creating tailored solutions that meet specific performance and regulatory requirements.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of ECO-friendly additives derived from renewable sources

• Solutions that improve energy efficiency during manufacturing and application

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4️⃣ 7. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: AEROSIL®, TEGO® ViscoPlus, ACCENSET® additives

Evonik is a global leader in specialty chemicals, with a strong position in fumed silica (AEROSIL), a key inorganic rheological additive. Its products provide thixotropy, anti-settling, and reinforcement in silicones, coatings, and composites.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leading innovation in pyrogenic silica and silicone-based rheology control

• Focus on products that support lightweight and high-performance material design

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3️⃣ 8. Lubrizol Corporation

Headquarters: Wickliffe, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: CARBOPOL®, PEMULEN™, NOURYON® additives (legacy)

Lubrizol offers a wide range of rheology modifiers, particularly strong in the personal care and pharmaceutical markets with its CARBOPOL polymers. Its additives are critical for creating stable gels, lotions, and creams with desirable sensory properties.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Expertise in polymer chemistry for precise viscosity and rheological control

• Developing sustainable and naturally derived ingredients for personal care

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2️⃣ 9. Wacker Chemie AG

Headquarters: Munich, Germany
Key Offering: VINNACOL®, POWDERACT®, HDK® pyrogenic silica

Wacker is a major producer of silicone-based and pyrogenic silica additives used as rheology modifiers. Its HDK brand is essential for controlling flow behavior in coatings, sealants, and printing inks.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Innovations in silicone chemistry for high-temperature and demanding applications

• Focus on products that enhance durability and longevity of materials

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1️⃣ 10. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: INCROMAX®, CRODASPERS™, ALCOSLURRY® additives

Croda is a leading supplier of specialty chemicals, with a significant presence in rheology modifiers for personal care, coatings, and home care. The company emphasizes performance and sustainability, often utilizing bio-based raw materials.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Strong commitment to sustainability with a majority of ingredients from natural sources

• Development of innovative rheology solutions for sensitive and natural formulations

Read Full Report: Rheological Additives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Rheological Additives Is Smarter and Greener

The rheological additives market is undergoing a significant transformation. While traditional inorganic thickeners like clays and silicas remain vital, the industry is rapidly advancing towards multifunctional, sustainable, and smart additives that respond to environmental changes and improve application efficiency.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Rising demand for bio-based and renewable rheology modifiers driven by consumer preference and regulations

• Development of associative thickeners for superior performance in low-VOC and waterborne formulations

• Increasing adoption in emerging economies for construction, automotive, and personal care products

• Integration of digital tools and modeling for precise rheological control and predictive formulation

Read Full Report: Rheological Additives Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential performance enhancers—they are driving the innovation and sustainability agenda for countless industries that rely on controlled flow and stability.