Top 10 Companies in the Global Cationic Acrylic Polymer Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Water Treatment and Specialty Applications

In Business Insights
June 21, 2025

The Global Cationic Acrylic Polymer Market was valued at USD 1.85 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 2.72 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.6% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is fueled by rising demand from water treatment facilities, increasing adoption in personal care formulations, and growing applications in the paint & coatings industry.

As industrial sectors seek more efficient flocculants and binding agents under tightening environmental regulations, cationic acrylic polymers are emerging as critical performance chemicals. This report examines the Top 10 Companies in the Cationic Acrylic Polymer Market—specialty chemical producers leveraging polymer chemistry innovations to address global industrial challenges.


🔟 1. Arkema Group

Headquarters: Colombes, France
Key Offering: ENJAY™ cationic acrylic copolymer series

Arkema maintains a premier position in water-soluble polymers, with its ENJAY product line demonstrating exceptional performance in municipal and industrial water treatment applications across Europe and North America.

Innovation Focus:

  • Bio-sourced monomer incorporation (30% renewable content)
  • High-charge-density polymers for challenging wastewater streams
  • Global technical service network supporting product optimization

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Global Cationic Acrylic Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Zetag® flocculant polymers

BASF’s performance chemicals division produces cationic acrylic polymers that achieve superior turbidity reduction and sludge dewatering performance, serving over 5,000 water treatment plants worldwide.

Innovation Focus:

  • Smart polymer systems with temperature-responsive properties
  • Waste-to-value polymer recovery technologies
  • Closed-loop production processes reducing environmental impact

8️⃣ 3. SNF Group

Headquarters: Andrézieux-Bouthéon, France
Key Offering: Flopam™ AN 900 cationic series

As the world’s largest polyacrylamide producer, SNF delivers tailor-made cationic polymers to mining, oilfield, and municipal water clients through its 25 production sites across six continents.

Innovation Focus:

  • Ultra-high molecular weight polymers for difficult solid-liquid separations
  • On-demand production capabilities near customer sites
  • Automated dosing systems integrated with polymer solutions

Download FREE Sample Report:
Global Cationic Acrylic Polymer Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Kemira Oyj

Headquarters: Helsinki, Finland
Key Offering: Superfloc® C-series cationic polymers

Kemira’s paper and water chemistry expertise translates into high-performance cationic polymers that enhance process efficiency while meeting stringent environmental standards in pulp/paper manufacturing.

Innovation Focus:

  • Charge-density-optimized polymers for specific water chemistries
  • Digital monitoring systems for precise polymer dosing
  • Low-carbon footprint production methods

6️⃣ 5. Solvay SA

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Cationic acrylamide copolymers for personal care

Solvay develops specialty cationic polymers that enhance the performance of hair conditioners, skin creams, and color cosmetics through superior film-forming and binding properties.

Innovation Focus:

  • ECO-TIC certified sustainable polymers
  • Multifunctional polymers combining conditioning and styling benefits
  • Asia-focused application labs supporting regional customers

5️⃣ 6. Ashland Global Holdings

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: AQUARISC™ water treatment polymers

Ashland serves the North American water treatment market with cationic polymers that deliver consistent performance across variable water conditions and seasonal changes.

Innovation Focus:

  • Anti-shear polymer formulations maintaining performance in high-flow systems
  • Multi-component polymer blends addressing complex treatment needs
  • Responsive supply chain with regional stock positions

4️⃣ 7. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Fennopol® K-series coagulants

Nouryon provides comprehensive polymer solutions for industrial wastewater treatment, particularly serving the food processing, chemical manufacturing, and power generation sectors.

Innovation Focus:

  • Biodegradable polymer alternatives under development
  • On-site technical audits optimizing polymer selection and usage
  • Closed-loop dosing systems minimizing waste

3️⃣ 8. The Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: UCARE™ cationic polymers for personal care

Dow’s materials science expertise creates innovative cationic polymers that enhance hair conditioning, skin feel, and formulation stability in prestige cosmetic products.

Innovation Focus:

  • Plant-derived cationic monomers reducing fossil fuel dependence
  • Polymer architectures enabling cold-process formulations
  • Global regulatory support for market access

2️⃣ 9. Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Diafloc coagulants for Asian markets

Mitsubishi Chemical leads in developing cationic polymers tailored to the unique water characteristics and industrial needs across Japan, China, and Southeast Asia.

Innovation Focus:

  • High-purity polymers for electronics manufacturing wastewater
  • Compact mobile polymer preparation units
  • Regional R&D centers adapting products to local requirements

1️⃣ 10. Shandong Shuiheng Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Shandong, China
Key Offering: Cost-competitive cationic polyacrylamides

This Chinese manufacturer supplies cationic polymers to domestic water treatment plants and export markets, with expanding capabilities in high-value specialty applications.

Innovation Focus:

  • Energy-efficient production processes
  • Customized products for Belt & Road infrastructure projects
  • Quality control systems meeting international standards

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


🌍 Market Outlook: Sustainable Solutions Driving Growth

The cationic acrylic polymer market continues its expansion across multiple industries, with innovation focused on meeting sustainability goals while maintaining performance requirements.

📈 Key Industry Trends:

  • Expanding municipal wastewater treatment infrastructure in emerging economies
  • Development of lower-VOC polymer alternatives for coatings applications
  • Integration of digital monitoring for optimized polymer dosing
  • Increasing demand for multifunctional personal care polymers
  • Strategic acquisitions expanding geographic and application reach

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

The companies profiled represent the technological and commercial leaders advancing cationic acrylic polymer solutions to address global water, industrial, and consumer product challenges.