Top 10 Companies in the Plant-based Natural Polymer Industry (2026): Market Leaders Shaping a Sustainable Future

In Business Insights
February 06, 2026


The Global Plant-based Natural Polymer Market was valued at USD 28.4 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 44.7 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is primarily driven by the global shift towards sustainable and eco-friendly materials, stringent regulations on single-use plastics, and rising consumer demand for natural ingredients across the food & beverage, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries.

As industries worldwide pivot towards circular economy models and bio-based solutions, the companies producing plant-based natural polymers are at the forefront of this transformation. In this comprehensive analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Plant-based Natural Polymer Industry—a diverse group of chemical giants, agribusiness leaders, and specialty ingredient innovators defining the future of sustainable materials.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offerings: Cellulose derivatives (e.g., Klucel™), Biodegradable polymers

BASF SE is a global chemical leader with a significant and growing portfolio of bio-based polymers. The company leverages its vast R&D capabilities to develop high-performance cellulose ethers and other plant-based polymers for applications ranging from construction and pharmaceuticals to personal care. Their commitment to sustainability is integrated into their product development lifecycle.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Product carbon footprint calculation for entire portfolio
  • Biomass balance approach for integrating renewable raw materials
  • Target of EUR 22 billion in sales from Accelerator products by 2025

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9️⃣ 2. Cargill

Headquarters: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Key Offerings: Starches, Gums (e.g., from corn, tapioca), Bio-industrial products

Cargill utilizes its massive agricultural supply chain to produce a wide array of plant-based natural polymers, primarily derived from corn, wheat, and tapioca. Their offerings include native and modified starches that serve as thickeners, stabilizers, and binders in food systems and industrial applications. Their scale ensures consistent supply and competitive pricing.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to sustainable agriculture across its supply chain
  • Partnering with farmers to reduce environmental impact
  • Developing novel bio-based solutions to replace petroleum-derived products

8️⃣ 3. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offerings: Specialty polymers for personal care, Eco-friendly biopolymers

Croda International is a specialty chemical company focused on creating high-value ingredients from natural, renewable sources. Their plant-based polymer portfolio includes conditioning agents and film-formers derived from cellulose and other plant materials, catering predominantly to the premium personal care and cosmetics market.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Target of 75% of organic sales from products classified as ‘Reducing Crude Oil’ by 2030
  • Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) integration for all new products
  • Innovation in green chemistry principles

7️⃣ 4. Akzo Nobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offerings: Bio-based thickeners (e.g., Bermocoll® cellulose ethers)

Akzo Nobel, through its Nobian and other subsidiaries, is a key producer of Bermocoll® cellulose ethers. These plant-based polymers are essential additives in the construction industry for water retention in cement-based materials, as well as in paints, coatings, and other industrial applications, prized for their biodegradability and performance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Developing 100% bio-based and biodegradable pigment dispersants
  • Ambitious carbon reduction targets across operations
  • Focus on circular solutions for the built environment

6️⃣ 5. CP Kelco

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offerings: Pectin, Xanthan Gum, Gellan Gum, Specialty Biopolymers

CP Kelco is a leading global producer of nature-based ingredient solutions. Their expertise lies in fermenting plant-derived sugars to produce high-performance gums like xanthan and gellan, and extracting pectin from citrus peels. These polymers are critical for texture and stability in food, beverage, and personal care products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Utilization of renewable, plant-based raw materials
  • Waste reduction and energy efficiency programs in manufacturing
  • Development of clean-label solutions for the food industry

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Plant-based Natural Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offerings: Cellulose ethers (Natrosol™, Aquaflow™), Guar derivatives

Ashland is a prominent global specialty materials company with a strong portfolio of plant-derived polymers. Their cellulose ethers are used as thickeners, rheology modifiers, and water-binding agents across pharmaceuticals, personal care, and construction. They also offer guar gum derivatives for various industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expanding portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable products
  • Commitment to responsible sourcing of natural raw materials
  • Goals aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

4️⃣ 7. Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offerings: Starches, Textured Vegetable Proteins, Plant-based hydrocolloids

ADM, a global agricultural processing giant, is a major supplier of plant-based polymers, primarily starches from corn and other grains. They are increasingly focusing on value-added, modified starches and other bio-polymers for food, feed, and industrial markets, leveraging their immense biorefining capabilities.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in regenerative agriculture practices
  • Expanding capacity for plant-based proteins and ingredients
  • Committed to reducing greenhouse gas intensity across operations

3️⃣ 8. Dow Inc.

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offerings: Bio-based acrylics, CELLOSIZE™ Hydroxyethyl Cellulose

Dow is a materials science leader developing plant-based alternatives within its broader polymer portfolio. Their CELLOSIZE™ products are cellulose-based polymers used as thickeners in paints, coatings, construction materials, and personal care. Dow is actively researching pathways to incorporate renewable carbon into more of its product lines.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Goal to transform waste and alternative feedstock into 3 million metric tons of circular and renewable solutions annually by 2030
  • Developing bio-based routes for key chemical intermediates
  • Commitment to a circular and low-carbon economy

2️⃣ 9. Roquette Frères

Headquarters: Lestrem, France
Key Offerings: Pea starch, Potato starch, Plant-based proteins and derivatives

Roquette is a global leader in plant-based ingredients, deriving polymers from pea, potato, corn, and wheat. They are a key player in the shift towards alternative, non-GMO, and allergen-free plant sources. Their starches and derivatives are used extensively in food, nutrition, and pharmaceutical applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strong focus on pea and other non-GMO, sustainable crop sourcing
  • Investment in green chemistry for ingredient modification
  • Commitment to improving the environmental profile of its entire value chain

1️⃣ 10. Novamont S.p.A.

Headquarters: Novara, Italy
Key Offerings: Mater-Bi® (biodegradable bioplastics), Origo-Bi® (plant-based polyesters)

Novamont is a pioneering company specializing in the development and production of bioplastics and biochemicals from renewable sources. Their flagship Mater-Bi® products are compostable polymers made largely from starches, vegetable oils, and other plant-based materials, designed to solve specific environmental problems like plastic pollution.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Integrated biorefineries using underutilized land and marginal crops
  • Leader in the development of the circular bioeconomy model
  • Full product lifecycle management, including end-of-life composting solutions

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Plant-based Natural Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Materials is Plant-Powered

The plant-based natural polymer market is experiencing a paradigm shift, moving from niche applications to mainstream adoption across global industries. While traditional synthetic polymers still dominate in volume, the push for sustainability is driving unprecedented investment in bio-based alternatives, advanced processing technologies, and circular supply chains.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated regulatory pressure against single-use plastics in the EU, North America, and Asia
  • Rising consumer preference for natural, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients
  • Technological advancements in extraction, fermentation, and modification of plant-based polymers
  • Strategic partnerships between ingredient suppliers and brand owners to co-develop sustainable solutions

Get Full Report Here:
Plant-based Natural Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not just supplying ingredients—they are actively constructing the foundation for a more sustainable, plant-powered materials economy.