Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Market Report by Purity Level (Highly Purified, Technical Grade, Industrial Grade), Property (Thickening Agent, Stabilizer, Binder, Anti-Repository Agent, Lubricator, Emulsifier, Excipient), Application (Food and Beverages, O

The global carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) market size reached USD 1.94 Billion in 2024. Looking forward, IMARC Group expects the market to reach USD 2.64 Billion by 2033, exhibiting a growth rate (CAGR) of 3.32% during 2025-2033. The market is propelled by the increasing product demand in the food and beverage (F&B) industry as a thickener and stabilizer, its rising importance as a binder and disintegrant in the pharmaceutical sector, and the widespread application in personal care products for improved texture and viscosity.

Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), or cellulose gum, refers to the sodium salt derivative of cellulose. It is physiologically inert, chemically stable, odorless, tasteless and white in color. CMC is manufactured using plant-based cellulose, caustic soda and monochloroacetic acid. It is produced by processing alkali cellulose with monochloroacetic acid (MCA) in the presence of a catalyst. CMC exhibits various advantageous thickening and emulsifying properties and is used as an adhesive agent in paper boxes and mosquito coils. It is also utilized as a thickener, stabilizer, binder and dispersant in cosmetics, medicinal drugs, oil drilling fluids and detergents. As a result, it finds extensive applications across various industries, including food and beverage, mining, chemical, oil and gas and paper.

Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) Market Trends:

Significant growth in the cosmetics industry across the globe is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. CMC is widely used in cosmetic formulations of creams, lotions, shampoos, face creams and moisturizers as a binding, thickening and stabilizing agent. It is also added to toothpaste to impart a smooth texture and enhance salt tolerance and acid resistance. Moreover, the increasing product adoption in the food and beverage industry is providing a thrust to the market growth. CMC is utilized in the manufacturing of ready-to-eat (RTE), processed and bakery products and reducing fat levels from gluten-free products and frozen desserts. Additionally, the increasing demand of CMC for the manufacturing of oral, injectable, ophthalmic and topical pharmaceutical formulations is also contributing to the growth of the market. Other factors, including the rising consumer preference for natural and organically sourced personal care products, along with the widespread product adoption for separating and concentrating ores in mineral processing, are anticipated to drive the market growth.

Key Market Segmentation:

IMARC Group provides an analysis of the key trends in each segment of the market, along with forecasts at the global, regional, and country levels for 2025-2033. Our report has categorized the market based on purity level, property, and application.

Breakup by Purity Level:

• Highly Purified
• Technical Grade
• Industrial Grade

Breakup by Property:

• Thickening Agent
• Stabilizer
• Binder
• Anti-Repository Agent
• Lubricator
• Emulsifier
• Excipient

Breakup by Application:

• Food and Beverages
• Oil and Refining
• Pharmaceutical
• Paint and Textile
• Cosmetics and Personal Care
• Paper Coating and Household Care
• Others

Breakup by Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Asia-Pacific
• China
• Japan
• India
• South Korea
• Australia
• Indonesia
• Others
• Europe
• Germany
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Spain
• Russia
• Others
• Latin America
• Brazil
• Mexico
• Others
• Middle East and Africa

Competitive Landscape:

The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined along with the profiles of the key players being Ashland Global Specialty Chemicals Inc, Cellulose Solution Private Limited, Chongqing Lihong Fine Chemicals Co. Ltd., Daicel Corporation, DKS Co. Ltd, J.M. Huber Corporation, Lamberti S.p.A., Madhu Hydrocolloids Private Limited, Mikro-Technik GmbH & Company KG, Nippon Paper Industries Co. Ltd., Qingdao Sinocmc Chemical Co. Ltd., TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd. and Zibo Hailan Chemical Co. Ltd.

Key Questions Answered in This Report

1.What was the size of the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market in 2024?

2.What is the expected growth rate of the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market during 2025-2033?

3.What are the key factors driving the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market?

4.What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market?

5.What is the breakup of the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market based on the purity level?

6.What is the breakup of the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market based on the property?

7.What is the breakup of the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market based on the application?

8.What are the key regions in the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market?

9.Who are the key players/companies in the global Carboxymethyl Cellulose (CMC) market?