Top 10 Companies in the Biobased Paper Dry Strength Agents Market (2026): Market Leaders Powering Sustainable Paper

MARKET INSIGHTS

Global biobased paper dry strength agents market size was valued at USD 22.16 million in 2025 and aims to reach USD 46.85 million by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 8.6% during the forecast period.

Biobased paper dry strength agents are a class of functional additives derived from renewable resources, such as starch, chitosan, soy‑based polymers, and engineered cellulose. They are primarily used in papermaking to enhance the mechanical properties of paper, including tensile strength, burst strength, and internal bonding, without relying on synthetic polymers. This is crucial for producing high‑quality, durable paper and packaging products while aligning with the industry’s shift towards sustainability and circular economy principles.

The market growth is driven by stringent environmental regulations and a strong consumer preference for sustainable packaging. The European Union’s Single‑Use Plastics Directive and similar initiatives globally compel manufacturers to adopt eco‑friendly alternatives. Technological advances in biotechnology have produced more efficient and cost‑effective biobased agents. In 2023, Kemira introduced a new generation of biobased strength agents that deliver improved performance, a move mirrored by competitors such as Solenis, who are investing heavily in R&D to broaden their sustainable product portfolios and capture a larger share of the market.

Biobased Paper Dry Strength Agents Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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Top 10 Companies in the Biobased Paper Dry Strength Agents Market (2026)

1. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Kouvola, Finland
Key Offering: Bio‑based dry strength agents, including the recent “Kemira Green Strength” line.

Kemira’s portfolio focuses on soy‑based polymers and engineered cellulose, delivering high tensile and burst strength while maintaining low environmental impact. The company’s recent launch of a high‑performance agent for recycled pulp has been adopted by several leading packaging manufacturers.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Investing €15 million in R&D for next‑generation biopolymers.
• Partnerships with Finnish agricultural cooperatives to secure a stable supply of soy and corn starch.
• Commitment to reduce CO₂ emissions by 30 % across production lines by 2030.

2. Solenis

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Comprehensive dry strength agent suite, including the “Solenis Bio‑Bond” range.

Solenis leverages advanced polymer chemistry to produce agents that match or exceed synthetic performance. Their recent collaboration with a major North American paper mill demonstrated a 12 % increase in internal bonding for recycled grades.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Acquisition of a bio‑based polymer developer in 2024 to accelerate product innovation.
• Strategic alliance with a European sustainability certification body.
• Targeting a 25 % market share in the U.S. recycled paper segment by 2030.

3. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Eco‑friendly dry strength additives derived from engineered cellulose.

BASF’s “Eco‑Bond” series has been integrated into several high‑volume paper mills across Europe, providing consistent performance while lowering the overall chemical load.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Investment in a biorefinery that converts agricultural waste into high‑purity cellulose.
• Partnerships with German universities for green chemistry research.
• Goal of 40 % renewable content in all chemical products by 2035.

4. Buckman

Headquarters: Tullahoma, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Bio‑based dry strength agents focused on recycled pulp enhancement.

Buckman’s “RenewBond” line has proven effective in improving burst strength for recycled paper grades used in food packaging.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Collaboration with U.S. agricultural producers to secure corn‑starch feedstock.
• Implementation of a closed‑loop water recycling system in key manufacturing facilities.
• Targeting a 15 % reduction in embodied energy for each product line by 2029.

5. Seiko PMC Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Soy‑based polymer dry strength agents with high water‑resistance properties.

Seiko PMC’s agents are widely used in specialty paper applications where optical clarity and strength are critical, such as high‑end printing and packaging.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Development of a biodegradable additive line for single‑use packaging.
• Partnership with Japanese agricultural universities to improve soy‑polymer yield.
• Goal of zero waste to landfill in all production sites by 2032.

6. Harima Chemicals Group, Inc.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Engineered cellulose‑based dry strength agents for high‑strength paper board.

Harima’s products are favored in the e‑commerce packaging sector, where strength and recyclability are paramount.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Investment in a bio‑based cellulose biorefinery in the Kansai region.
• Collaboration with global logistics firms to promote recyclable packaging solutions.
• Targeting a 20 % increase in recycled pulp usage in its product mix by 2030.

7. Arakawa Chemical Industries, Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Chitosan‑derived dry strength agents with superior bonding performance.

Arakawa’s agents are used in specialty paper grades that demand high internal bonding and low moisture uptake.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Partnership with seafood processing plants to source chitosan from shellfish waste.
• Development of a low‑energy production process for chitosan derivatives.
• Goal of reducing process emissions by 25 % by 2035.

8. DuPont

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Bio‑based polymer additives that enhance dry strength and reduce the need for synthetic polymers.

DuPont’s “BioBond” series has been integrated into North American paper mills, delivering consistent performance across a range of grades.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Investment in a bioreactor facility to produce bio‑based polymers from lignocellulosic biomass.
• Strategic partnership with a leading U.S. packaging brand to pilot fully recyclable paper solutions.
• Targeting a 30 % reduction in overall chemical consumption per ton of paper by 2030.

9. Dow Chemical

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Engineered cellulose‑based dry strength agents tailored for high‑volume paper production.

Dow’s agents are used extensively in the packaging sector, particularly for corrugated board used in e‑commerce logistics.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Collaboration with agricultural suppliers to secure a renewable feedstock pipeline.
• Implementation of a closed‑loop water recycling system in key facilities.
• Goal of achieving a 35 % renewable content in all chemical products by 2035.

10. Clariant

Headquarters: Zwingen, Switzerland
Key Offering: Bio‑based dry strength agents with a focus on internal bonding and surface strength.

Clariant’s “EcoBond” range has been adopted by several European paper manufacturers seeking to enhance product quality while maintaining sustainability credentials.

Sustainability & Growth Initiatives:

• Investment in a research facility dedicated to green polymer chemistry.
• Partnership with European circular economy initiatives to promote recyclable packaging.
• Targeting a 20 % reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across production by 2030.

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Market Outlook

Industry analysts anticipate that the biobased paper dry strength agents market will continue to expand as regulatory frameworks tighten and consumer demand for sustainable packaging rises. The shift from synthetic to renewable additives is already evident in several key regions, with Europe and North America leading adoption due to stringent policies and mature supply chains. Asia‑Pacific is poised to become the fastest‑growing market, driven by rapid industrialisation, increasing disposable income, and growing environmental awareness.

Future Trends

Technological Innovation in Bio‑Based Materials
Ongoing research into soy‑based polymers, engineered cellulose, and chitosan derivatives is producing agents that match or surpass synthetic performance. Strategic collaborations between chemical firms and paper manufacturers accelerate the rollout of these advanced formulations.

Regional Diversification of Market Growth
While North America and Europe maintain strong positions, emerging economies in Asia‑Pacific and Latin America are adopting biobased solutions earlier in their production cycles, bypassing legacy synthetic systems. This early adoption creates new market segments and drives demand for high‑performance agents.

Development of Multifunctional Agents
The next wave of biobased additives will combine dry strength with ancillary functions such as drainage aid, sizing, or barrier properties. These multifunctional solutions will reduce overall chemical loads, lower production costs, and simplify paper machine chemistry, offering a compelling incentive for manufacturers to transition from single‑function synthetic portfolios.