Top 10 Companies in the Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Market (2026): Industry Leaders Strengthening Paper Performance

In Business Insights
January 08, 2026

The Global Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Market was valued at USD 821.5 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.12 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is fueled by escalating demand for high-quality packaging, heightened hygiene standards for tissue products, and the paper industry’s continuous shift towards more efficient and sustainable wet-end chemical solutions.

As paper manufacturers worldwide strive for superior sheet strength, enhanced drainage, and improved retention, liquid cationic etherification agents have become indispensable. These chemicals are critical for modifying starch and other polymers, imparting a positive charge that significantly boosts their effectiveness in papermaking. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Industry—a group of chemical innovators and specialty suppliers driving performance and sustainability in modern paper mills.

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🔟 1. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: UCARE™ Polymers, ETHOCEL™, a range of liquid cationic etherification agents

Dow is a global leader in materials science, offering a comprehensive portfolio of chemistries for the paper industry. Their liquid cationic etherification agents are widely used for starch modification, enhancing the performance of starches as wet-end additives to improve retention, drainage, and paper strength.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Development of high-efficiency, low-dose cationic agents

  • Focus on bio-based and renewable raw material pathways

  • Commitment to sustainable product portfolios through 2030


9️⃣ 2. SKW Quab Chemicals (a member of the Evonik Group)

Headquarters: Juchen, Germany
Key Offering: QUAB® brand cationic reagents, including liquid Glycidyl Trimethyl Ammonium Chloride (GTAC)

As part of Evonik’s Smart Materials division, SKW Quab Chemicals is a premier global supplier of high-purity cationic reagents. Their QUAB® products are essential for producing cationic starch, polyquaterniums, and other specialty chemicals used in paper manufacturing for charge control and retention aid systems.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • World-leading production capacity for GTAC

  • Investment in process optimization for reduced environmental footprint


8️⃣ 3. Sachem, Inc.

Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Custom-synthesized liquid cationic etherification agents, specialty quaternary ammonium compounds

Sachem is a leading specialty chemical company with deep expertise in cationic chemistry. They provide tailored liquid cationic etherification agent solutions to the paper industry, focusing on high-performance applications that require specific molecular structures and charge densities.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Strong R&D capabilities for custom molecule design

  • Emphasis on manufacturing processes with minimal waste generation


7️⃣ 4. Chemigate Oy

Headquarters: Kemi, Finland
Key Offering: Fennobond® and other wet-end chemicals, including liquid cationic agents

Chemigate is a Finnish specialty chemical company with a strong focus on the global forest products industry. They develop and manufacture innovative chemical solutions, including high-performance liquid cationic etherification agents that enhance paper machine efficiency and product quality.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Proximity to Nordic paper mills drives application-specific innovation

  • Commitment to the principles of the circular bioeconomy

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Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. LOTTE Fine Chemicals

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Cationic etherification agents, Mono-Chloroacetic Acid (MCA) and its derivatives

LOTTE Fine Chemicals is a major Asian producer of chemical intermediates. They supply key raw materials and finished liquid cationic agents to the paper industry, serving a growing market across Asia-Pacific with a strong emphasis on quality and supply reliability.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Expanding production capacities to meet regional demand growth

  • Investment in environmental, health, and safety (EHS) management systems


5️⃣ 6. Shubham Starch Chem Pvt. Ltd.

Headquarters: Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India
Key Offering: Cationic starches and etherification agents for the paper industry

Shubham Starch is a significant player in the Indian market, specializing in modified starches and the chemicals used to produce them. They provide liquid cationic etherification agents that enable local paper mills to manufacture high-performance cationic starch on-site.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Focus on cost-effective solutions for emerging markets

  • Leveraging India’s agricultural base for starch-derived chemicals


4️⃣ 7. Shandong Delin New Materials Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Dongying, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Liquid cationic etherification agents, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Shandong Delin New Materials is a leading Chinese manufacturer of specialty chemicals for water treatment and the paper industry. They have established a strong position in the domestic market by supplying high-quality, competitively priced liquid cationic agents.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Rapid scaling of production to serve China’s vast paper industry

  • Adherence to evolving Chinese environmental regulations


3️⃣ 8. Shandong Tiancheng Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Weifang, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Tetramethyl ammonium chloride, Trimethyl ammonium chloride, and other cationic intermediates

Shandong Tiancheng specializes in the production of quaternary ammonium salts and other chemical intermediates. Their products are essential precursors for formulating liquid cationic etherification agents used in paper sizing and retention applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Vertical integration in the production of ammonium compounds

  • Focus on supply chain efficiency within China’s chemical industry parks


2️⃣ 9. Dongying J&M Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Dongying, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Customized liquid cationic etherification agents, quaternary ammonia compounds

Dongying J&M Chemical is a specialized producer of fine chemicals with a focus on the paper and textile sectors. They offer a range of liquid cationic agents known for their consistency and performance in challenging paper mill conditions.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Tailoring product specifications to meet individual mill requirements

  • Implementing green chemistry principles in manufacturing


1️⃣ 10. Dongying Zeao Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Dongying, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Liquid cationic surfactants and etherification agents

Dongying Zeao Chemical rounds out the top ten, serving the paper industry with specialized cationic chemicals. Their products are used to enhance the interaction between fibers, fillers, and other additives in the papermaking process, improving overall machine efficiency.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

  • Development of multifunctional cationic agents

  • Focus on cost-performance optimization for paper manufacturers

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Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Paper Strengthening is Smarter and Greener

The liquid cationic etherification agent market is evolving in response to the paper industry’s dual challenge of achieving higher performance while reducing environmental impact. While traditional agents continue to dominate, innovation is accelerating towards bio-based derivatives, multi-functional molecules, and enhanced production processes.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • R&D into cationic agents derived from renewable resources

  • Growing demand for agents compatible with paper recycling processes

  • Digitalization and IoT for optimized chemical dosing and efficiency in paper mills

  • Strong market growth in Asia-Pacific, driven by expanding paper production capacities

Get Full Report Here:
Liquid Cationic Etherification Agent in Paper Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying chemicals—they are providing the essential building blocks for stronger, higher-quality paper products and enabling the paper industry’s journey towards greater sustainability and efficiency.

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