The Global Absorbent Polymer Market was valued at USD 9.8 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.9% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is fueled by rising hygiene product demand, agricultural water conservation needs, and medical sector applications, alongside breakthroughs in superabsorbent polymer (SAP) formulations and sustainable alternatives.

As global industries pivot toward efficient water management solutions and eco-friendly materials, leading absorbent polymer manufacturers are innovating through advanced R&D and strategic capacity expansions. This report profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Global Absorbent Polymer Market—a blend of chemical conglomerates, specialized producers, and emerging players defining the future of absorption technologies.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: HySorb® superabsorbent polymers

The world’s largest chemical producer dominates the SAP market with its high-performance HySorb® series, commanding 25% global production capacity. BASF has pioneered bio-based SAPs while optimizing manufacturing processes for sustainability.

Market Leadership:

• Operates 6 SAP production sites across 3 continents
• Holds 300+ SAP-related patents
• Water-saving formulations for arid region agriculture

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9️⃣ 2. Nippon Shokubai Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: AQUALIC™ superabsorbent polymers

This Japanese chemical leader introduced the first commercial SAP in 1978 and continues to set industry benchmarks. The company prioritizes thin-core diaper technologies and plant-derived SAP alternatives, capturing 22% of global market share.

Market Leadership:

• Global production capacity exceeding 1.4 million tons annually
• Patent portfolio covering core SAP technologies
• Strategic alliances with major hygiene brands

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8️⃣ 3. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: SPECTRUM® superabsorbent polymers

Evonik’s specialty SAPs serve premium hygiene and medical markets through tailored absorption profiles. The company invests heavily in surface-crosslinking technologies and biocompatible formulations for next-generation applications.

Market Leadership:

• Custom SAP solutions for 150+ customers worldwide
• Vertical integration from acrylic acid to finished SAP
• Medical-grade absorbents division growing at 12% CAGR

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7️⃣ 4. LG Chem Ltd.

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: Hi-SAP superabsorbent polymers

As Asia’s SAP production leader, LG Chem supplies 30% of regional demand through its integrated petrochemical infrastructure. The company specializes in high-absorption SAPs for ultra-thin hygiene products while expanding into agricultural applications.

Market Leadership:

• 1.2 million ton/year SAP production capacity
• Patented anti-caking technology for tropical climates
• Strategic focus on China and Southeast Asian markets

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6️⃣ 5. Sanyo Chemical Industries

Headquarters: Kyoto, Japan
Key Offering: Sanfresh superabsorbent polymers

This Japanese specialty chemical firm develops niche SAP formulations with added functionalities like odor control and antibacterial properties. Sanyo holds critical patents for temperature-responsive absorption technologies.

Market Leadership:

• Premium-priced specialty SAPs for health-conscious markets
• 60:40 revenue split between hygiene/industrial applications
• Strategic focus on high-value medical SAPs

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5️⃣ 6. Sumitomo Seika Chemicals

Headquarters: Osaka, Japan
Key Offering: Sunfresh superabsorbent polymers

Sumitomo Seika combines traditional chemical expertise with advanced polymer science, producing SAPs for specialized feminine hygiene and adult incontinence products. The company operates high-efficiency production lines with 98% yield rates.

Market Leadership:

• Closed-loop production with 30% lower water usage
• Feminine hygiene specialization with 45% market share in Japan
• Patented low-pH SAP technology

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4️⃣ 7. Formosa Plastics Corporation

Headquarters: Taipei, Taiwan
Key Offering: UltraSAP superabsorbent polymers

Formosa leverages its petrochemical integration to produce cost-competitive SAPs for emerging markets. The company has rapidly expanded capacity while maintaining quality standards for global hygiene product manufacturers.

Market Leadership:

• Fully integrated acrylic acid to SAP production
• 15% cheaper production costs than industry average
• Agri-SAP division growing at 18% annually

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3️⃣ 8. Songwon Industrial

Headquarters: Ulsan, South Korea
Key Offering: SONGWON® SAP

This chemical manufacturer has transitioned from commodity SAPs to high-margin specialty formulations. Songwon develops customized polymer blends for niche industrial and medical applications through its advanced polymer labs.

Market Leadership:

• Specializes in high-absorption industrial SAPs
• 30+ formulation patents in medical absorbents
• Strategic focus on Middle Eastern and African markets

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2️⃣ 9. Shandong Nuoer Bio-Tech

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Norland SAP

China’s largest domestic SAP producer supplies 40% of the country’s hygiene product manufacturers. The company combines competitive pricing with improving technical specifications to capture growing Asian demand.

Market Leadership:

• 650,000 ton/year SAP production capacity
• 35% cost advantage over imported SAPs
• Strategic focus on Chinese market

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1️⃣ 10. Quanzhou BLD Science Technology

Headquarters: Fujian, China
Key Offering: BL-SAP superabsorbent polymers

This emerging Chinese manufacturer specializes in agricultural SAPs and value-grade hygiene product absorbents. BLD has rapidly expanded through strategic alliances with regional distributors and OEM producers.

Market Leadership:

• Cost leader in agricultural SAP market
• 150,000 ton/year dedicated agri-SAP line
• Pioneer in biodegradable SAP research

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🌍 Market Outlook: Sustainability and Specialization Driving Growth

The global absorbent polymer landscape is transforming with environmental regulations and application-specific innovations reshaping competition. While hygiene products remain the dominant segment (72% market share), agricultural and medical applications are growing at over 9% CAGR annually.

📈 Critical Market Trends:

• Bio-based SAPs projected to capture 15% market share by 2030
• Smart absorption technologies enabling precision agriculture
• Ultra-thin diaper formulations requiring advanced SAP blends
• Medical-grade SAPs for wound care growing at 11% CAGR

Get Full Report Here: Global Absorbent Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The profiled companies are not merely SAP suppliers—they’re engineering the next generation of water management solutions across global industries.