The Global Paper Dry Strength Additive (DSA) Market was valued at USD 5,362 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 8,681.58 Million by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.50% during the forecast period (2024–2032). This robust growth is fueled by the relentless demand for high-performance paper in packaging, e-commerce logistics, and premium printing, coupled with the global shift toward sustainable and fiber-efficient papermaking processes.

As the paper industry strives for greater strength, lower basis weight, and enhanced recyclability, the role of specialty chemicals has become paramount. These additives are the unsung heroes, enabling paper mills to produce stronger, lighter, and more cost-effective products. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Paper Dry Strength Additive Industry—a group of global chemical innovators and specialty suppliers who are defining the future of paper performance.

---

🔟 1. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: FennoStrength, FennoBond, and other starch-based and synthetic DSAs.

A global leader in water chemistry and pulp & paper chemicals, Kemira Oyj is a powerhouse in the dry strength additive segment. The company offers a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to improve tensile, burst, and internal bond strength, with a strong emphasis on bio-based and sustainable solutions derived from renewable raw materials.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Pioneering high-performance, cationic starch derivatives for superior fiber bonding.
• Investing in R&D for next-generation DSAs compatible with 100% recycled fiber streams.
• Committed to helping customers reduce their carbon footprint through fiber-saving technologies.

Download FREE Sample Report: Paper Dry Strength Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Basoplast®, Polymin® range of polyacrylamide and polyvinylamine-based DSAs.

BASF stands as one of the world’s largest chemical producers, with a formidable presence in paper chemicals. Its dry strength additives are engineered for maximum efficiency, allowing for significant yield increase and cost savings in paper production, particularly in packaging and graphic paper grades.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Developing advanced polyvinylamine (PVAm) polymers that offer exceptional dry strength at low addition levels.
• Focusing on digital solutions and “Smart Chemistry” to optimize additive dosing and paper machine performance.
• Integrated R&D efforts aimed at creating additives that enhance paper recyclability.

---

8️⃣ 3. Solenis LLC

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Perform™, Plex® and Polystay® series of strength resins and polymers.

Solenis is a pure-play specialty chemical company deeply rooted in the pulp and paper industry. Known for its customer-centric approach and technical expertise, Solenis provides tailored DSA solutions that address specific challenges in wet-end chemistry, improving runnability and final sheet properties.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Strong portfolio of glyoxylated polyacrylamide (GPAM) resins for wet and dry strength.
• Investments in biotechnology for novel, environmentally benign strength additives.
• Global service network providing on-site optimization to reduce chemical and fiber usage.

---

7️⃣ 4. Ecolab (Nalco Water)

Headquarters: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Nalco™ strength enhancement programs, including cationic starch and polyacrylamide solutions.

Operating through its Nalco Water division, Ecolab is a dominant force in industrial water treatment and process chemicals. Its paper business delivers integrated chemical programs where dry strength additives are a critical component, helping mills achieve operational excellence and sustainability targets.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Offers comprehensive “3D TRASAR™” technology for real-time monitoring and control of additive feed.
• Developing solutions that allow for increased use of recycled content without sacrificing strength.
• Global reach supporting mills in achieving water reduction and energy efficiency goals.

Download FREE Sample Report: Paper Dry Strength Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

6️⃣ 5. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: A diverse portfolio including cationic starches, polyacrylamides, and natural gum-based additives.

Ashland is a premier global specialty materials company with deep expertise in cellulose and polymer chemistry. Its paper technologies division offers a broad spectrum of dry strength additives that enhance paper performance while supporting more sustainable manufacturing processes.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Leading innovations in modified starch technology for high-shear paper machine environments.
• Focus on bio-functional additives derived from renewable resources like guar and cellulose ethers.
• Commitment to developing products that meet stringent global regulatory and safety standards.

---

5️⃣ 6. SEIKO PMC CORPORATION

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Polymaron® polyacrylamide-based DSAs and specialty paper chemicals.

As a major chemical supplier in the Asia-Pacific region, SEIKO PMC holds a significant market share, particularly in Japan, China, and Southeast Asia. The company is recognized for its high-quality synthetic polymers that deliver consistent strength improvements in challenging papermaking conditions.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Specialization in high-molecular-weight polymers for superior retention and strength aid performance.
• Active R&D in developing multi-functional additives that combine strength with drainage and retention.
• Expanding production capacity in Asia to meet the region’s rapidly growing demand.

---

4️⃣ 7. Harima Chemicals Group, Inc.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Lignin-based dispersants and strength additives, specialty resins.

Harima Chemicals is a unique player, leveraging its core competency in lignin chemistry—a byproduct of the pulp-making process. The company produces lignin-based additives that not only function as dispersants but also contribute to dry strength, offering a sustainable alternative to purely synthetic polymers.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• World leader in valorizing lignin, turning a biorefinery byproduct into high-value paper chemicals.
• Offers a circular economy solution by providing bio-based additives to the same industry that generates the raw material.
• Continuous improvement of lignin polymer performance to compete with synthetic alternatives.

---

3️⃣ 8. Buckman Laboratories

Headquarters: Memphis, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Comprehensive wet-end chemistry programs, including proprietary strength additives.

Buckman is a privately-held specialty chemical company with a formidable reputation for innovation in the paper industry. Its approach is highly customized, offering integrated chemical systems where dry strength additives work synergistically with retention aids, deposit control, and other process chemicals.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Develops application-specific polymer technologies through its “Buckman Full Potential” programs.
• Invests in digital tools like the “Buckman 360” platform for data-driven process optimization.
• Focus on reducing overall chemical usage and waste through synergistic product formulations.

---

2️⃣ 9. Imerys Group

Headquarters: Paris, France
Key Offering: Functional mineral additives (e.g., kaolin, calcium carbonate) that contribute to sheet strength and filler bonding.

While primarily a minerals company, Imerys plays a crucial, indirect role in dry strength. Its high-performance pigments and fillers, when used with effective DSA programs, enable higher filler content without compromising strength, leading to significant cost savings and improved paper properties.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Develops engineered minerals that improve inter-fiber bonding and sheet formation.
• Enables lightweighting and fiber reduction, directly contributing to sustainable paper production.
• R&D focused on creating minerals with tailored surface chemistry for better additive interaction.

---

1️⃣ 10. SNF Group

Headquarters: Andrézieux, France
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of polyacrylamide (PAM) flocculants and specialty polymers used as dry and wet strength aids.

SNF is the world’s largest producer of polyacrylamide polymers, serving diverse industries including water treatment and paper. In papermaking, its ultra-high molecular weight polymers are critical components in retention/drainage systems, which are intrinsically linked to achieving optimal dry strength by retaining fine fibers and fillers.

Sustainability & Innovation Initiatives:

• Global manufacturing footprint ensures reliable supply of high-quality PAM polymers.
• Investing in bio-acrylamide production pathways to reduce the carbon footprint of its key raw material.
• Works closely with paper chemical formulators to develop next-generation copolymer technologies for improved strength.

Get Full Report Here: Paper Dry Strength Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

---

🌍 Outlook: The Future of Paper Dry Strength Additives is Smarter and More Sustainable

The Paper Dry Strength Additive market is undergoing a significant evolution. While conventional starch and synthetic polymers remain essential, the industry is rapidly advancing toward intelligent, sustainable, and multifunctional solutions. The drive for a circular economy and resource efficiency is pushing innovation to new frontiers.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Bio-based and Renewable Additives: Intense R&D into starches, cellulose derivatives, chitosan, and lignin-based polymers to replace fossil-fuel-derived synthetics.
• Digitalization and Smart Manufacturing: Integration of IoT sensors and AI for predictive analytics to optimize DSA dosing in real-time, minimizing waste and maximizing performance.
• Multi-functionality: Development of “one-pot” additives that combine dry strength with wet strength, drainage, retention, and sizing properties, simplifying wet-end chemistry.
• Recycled Fiber Compatibility: Creating new DSAs specifically designed to restore strength in paper made from high percentages of recycled pulp, which has shorter, weaker fibers.

Get Full Report Here: Paper Dry Strength Additive Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not merely suppliers of chemicals—they are indispensable innovation partners, empowering the global paper industry to produce stronger, lighter, and more sustainable products that meet the demands of a resource-conscious world.