The Global Specialty Pulp Market was valued at US$ 2.23 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach US$ 8.78 Billion by 2028, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6% during the forecast period. This robust growth is primarily driven by increasing demand for high-performance materials in sectors such as textiles (artificial fiber), biodegradable plastics, filtration media, and high-grade specialty papers.

As industries worldwide pivot towards sustainable and high-performance bio-based materials, the role of specialty pulp manufacturers becomes increasingly critical. These companies are at the forefront of innovation, developing advanced cellulose products that serve as the building blocks for a greener economy. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Specialty Pulp Industry—a diverse group of established giants and specialized producers shaping the future of renewable materials.

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🔟 1. Södra (Södra Cell)

Headquarters: Växjö, Sweden
Key Offering: Dissolving Pulp, Softwood Pulp, Hardwood Pulp

Södra is one of the world’s largest producers of market pulp, with a significant focus on specialty grades. Its subsidiary, Södra Cell, operates advanced pulp mills in Sweden, producing high-quality dissolving pulp used for textiles (viscose/lyocell) and other specialty applications. The company’s commitment to sustainability is deeply embedded in its forestry operations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• 100% of wood raw material sourced from sustainably managed forests (PEFC/FSC certified)

• Pioneering the production of Duracell® and DuraPulp® biocomposites

• Targeting fossil-free production processes across all mills

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9️⃣ 2. Sappi Limited

Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
Key Offering: Dissolving Pulp (DP), Specialised Cellulose, Packaging Pulp

Sappi is a global leader in the manufacturing of dissolving wood pulp (DWP) and specialty papers. Its DWP, marketed under brands like Verve and Alcel, is a key raw material for the viscose staple fiber and textile industry. Sappi’s operations span North America, Europe, and South Africa, supplying global markets with high-purity cellulose products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Comprehensive commitments under Sappi’s 2025 sustainability goals

• Investment in biorefinery technologies to extract maximum value from wood fiber

• Active member of sustainable forestry initiatives like CanopyStyle

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8️⃣ 3. Bracell Limited

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: Specialty Dissolving Pulp

Bracell is a major player in the specialty dissolving pulp market, operating one of the largest and most modern single-line pulp mills in the world in Brazil. The company specializes in high-quality dissolving pulp derived from sustainably grown eucalyptus, serving the textile, pharmaceutical, and food industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leader in plantation management and biodiversity conservation in Brazil

• Operations are energy self-sufficient and export surplus renewable energy to the grid

• Commitment to zero deforestation in its supply chain

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7️⃣ 4. Aditya Birla Group (Grasim Industries)

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Dissolving Pulp, Viscose Staple Fiber (VSF)

Through its pulp division, the Aditya Birla Group is a vertically integrated giant in the viscose value chain. It produces specialty dissolving pulp that feeds its own large-scale VSF (viscose staple fiber) production, which is used globally in textiles and non-wovens. The group has a significant presence across Asia, Europe, and North America.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Largest global producer of VSF with a focus on closed-loop manufacturing

• Part of the “Hi-Bright” pulp initiative for enhanced brightness and purity

• Active participation in the “Fashion for Good” sustainable apparel platform

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6️⃣ 5. Lenzing AG

Headquarters: Lenzing, Austria
Key Offering: Specialty Dissolving Pulp for TENCEL™, LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers

Lenzing is a world-renowned specialty pulp and fiber company, famous for its flagship TENCEL™ Lyocell and Modal fibers. While a major fiber producer, its expertise in producing the high-purity dissolving pulp that feeds its fiber lines makes it a key influencer in the specialty pulp market. Lenzing’s pulp is known for its exceptional quality and environmental performance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Industry-leading carbon emission reduction targets aligned with the Paris Agreement

• Pioneer of the REFIBRA™ technology, recycling cotton waste into new fibers

• All production sites have EU Ecolabel and OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 certifications

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5️⃣ 6. Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM)

Headquarters: Jacksonville, Florida, USA
Key Offering: High Purity Cellulose, Specialties including Acetate and Ethers

RYAM is a leading global supplier of high-purity cellulose specialties, which are used in a wide array of industrial applications beyond paper. Their products are essential for manufacturing acetate filters for cigarettes, thickeners for food and pharmaceuticals, and high-strength polymers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Majority of timberlands are certified to Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI®) standards

• Focus on developing new bio-based products from cellulose

• Commitment to responsible sourcing and environmental stewardship

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4️⃣ 7. Borregaard

Headquarters: Sarpsborg, Norway
Key Offering: Specialty Cellulose, Vanillin, Lignin-based Products

Borregaard operates one of the world’s most advanced and sustainable biorefineries. It uses natural, renewable raw materials to produce a range of specialty cellulose products, including high-purity cellulose for chemical derivatives, as well as innovative lignin-based products that replace fossil-based materials.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• World leader in second-generation bioethanol and lignin-based bioproducts

• Nearly 100% of the wood raw material is utilized in value-added products

• Ambitious science-based targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions

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3️⃣ 8. Metsä Fibre (Part of Metsä Group)

Headquarters: Espoo, Finland
Key Offering: Softwood and Hardwood Pulp, Bioproducts

Metsä Fibre is a leading European producer of softwood and hardwood pulp, with a growing focus on specialty applications and bioproducts. Its new-generation bioproduct mill in Äänekoski, Finland, is a benchmark for resource efficiency and innovation, producing pulp alongside various bio-based side streams.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• All pulp mills do not use any fossil fuels in their production processes

• Pioneering the development of new bioproducts like textile fibers and biocomposites

• All wood raw material is traceable and certified (PEFC, FSC)

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2️⃣ 9. Stora Enso

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Dissolving Pulp, Fluff Pulp, Market Pulp

Stora Enso is a leading provider of renewable solutions in packaging, biomaterials, and wooden construction. Its biomaterials division produces high-quality pulp, including specialty grades for absorbent hygiene products (fluff pulp) and dissolving pulp for textile applications, positioning it as a key player in the transition to a bioeconomy.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Aiming for 100% regenerative solutions by 2050

• Investment in lignin extraction for battery anodes and carbon materials

• Strong focus on circular economy principles across all product lines

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1️⃣ 10. Celulosa Arauco y Constitución S.A. (Arauco)

Headquarters: Santiago, Chile
Key Offering: Market Pulp, Specialty Pulp for Composites, Fluff Pulp

Arauco is a global forestry company with significant production capacity for market pulp, including specialty grades. The company produces pulp from sustainably managed radiata pine and eucalyptus plantations in South America, supplying global markets with products used in textiles, hygiene products, and advanced biocomposites.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leader in sustainable forest management and certified plantations

• Major investments in energy-efficient pulp production technologies

• Development of innovative pulp-based solutions for the construction and automotive industries

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Specialty Pulp Is High-Value and Sustainable

The specialty pulp market is undergoing a significant transformation, evolving from a traditional paper-focused industry to a cornerstone of the bioeconomy. While textile applications remain the largest segment, the future promises expansion into novel, high-value sectors that replace fossil-based materials with renewable cellulose alternatives.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Textile Transition: Growing demand for sustainable fibers like lyocell and viscose, driving investments in new dissolving pulp capacity.

• Bio-based Revolution: Specialty pulp is increasingly used in biocomposites, bioplastics, and other materials to reduce reliance on petrochemicals.

• Circular Economy: Development of pulping technologies that can utilize recycled textiles and agricultural residues as feedstock.

• Regulatory Push: Government policies and consumer preferences favoring biodegradable and compostable materials over single-use plastics.

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The companies listed above are not only supplying essential raw materials—they are actively engineering the foundation for a more sustainable industrial future.