Polyacrylamide Market
The market for Polyacrylamide was estimated at $4.6 billion in 2024; it is anticipated to increase to $7.3 billion by 2030, with projections indicating growth to around $10.8 billion by 2035.
Report Summary
Market Data
Methodology
Table of Contents
Global Polyacrylamide Market Outlook
Revenue, 2024
$4.6B
Forecast, 2034
$10.0B
CAGR, 2025 - 2034
8.1%
The Polyacrylamide (PAM) industry revenue is expected to be around $5.0 billion in 2025 and expected to showcase growth with 8.1% CAGR between 2025 and 2034. The Polyacrylamide market demonstrates strong growth because of multiple essential factors. The market expansion of Polyacrylamide is mainly driven by rising wastewater treatment requirements because of its exceptional flocculating capabilities. The market expansion is driven by the rising application of this polymer in enhanced oil recovery operations because of its high viscosity and water solubility properties. Polyacrylamide maintains its market importance because it remains relevant in multiple industrial applications while production technology continues to advance.
Polyacrylamide represents a synthetic polymer with high molecular weight that demonstrates superior water absorption properties while being non-toxic and easily accessible at an affordable price. PAM serves multiple industries through its applications in water treatment, oil & gas operations, paper manufacturing and mining activities. The agriculture sector along with other industries now demand PAM because of its environmentally friendly and sustainable nature for soil conditioning and irrigation purposes.
Market Key Insights
- The Polyacrylamide market is projected to grow from $4.6 billion in 2024 to $10.0 billion in 2034. This represents a CAGR of 8.1%, reflecting rising demand across Water Treatment, Soil Conditioner and Enhanced Oil Recovery.
- SNF Group, BASF, Kemira are among the leading players in this market, shaping its competitive landscape.
- U.S. and China are the top markets within the Polyacrylamide market and are expected to observe the growth CAGR of 5.9% to 8.5% between 2024 and 2030.
- Emerging markets including Brazil, South Africa and Indonesia are expected to observe highest growth with CAGR ranging between 7.8% to 10.1%.
- Transition like Increasing Environmental Concerns is expected to add $226 million to the Polyacrylamide market growth by 2030.
- The Polyacrylamide market is set to add $5.4 billion between 2024 and 2034, with manufacturer targeting Oil Recovery & Paper Making End-Users projected to gain a larger market share.
- With Rising demand in water treatment, and Increasing applications in enhanced oil recovery, Polyacrylamide market to expand 118% between 2024 and 2034.
Opportunities in the Polyacrylamide
The agricultural industry now uses PAM as a soil conditioning agent and erosion control material. The substance enhances soil structure while improving water retention properties which makes it a popular selection for agricultural use. The agricultural sector will also experience rising demand for PAM because of expanding requirements for sustainable farming methods.
Growth Opportunities in North America and Asia-Pacific
The North American market for Polyacrylamide is highly competitive, with numerous players vying for market share. The regions robust industrial sector, coupled with stringent environmental regulations, is driving the demand for Polyacrylamide, particularly in water treatment applications. The exploration of unconventional oil and gas reserves also presents significant opportunities for Polyacrylamide usage in enhanced oil recovery processes. However, the market faces challenges in the form of fluctuating raw material prices and the need for sustainable production methods.
The Polyacrylamide market in the Asia Pacific region experiences fast growth because China and India lead the market expansion. The regions wastewater treatment and papermaking and mining industries drive this market expansion. The Asia Pacific region has experienced rising Polyacrylamide demand because it focuses more on water conservation and pollution control. The market shows intense competition because it contains both international and domestic companies. The region presents a major growth potential because of increasing research efforts to develop bio based and environmentally friendly Polyacrylamide products.
Market Dynamics and Supply Chain
01
Driver: Rising Demand in Water Treatment and Enhanced Oil Recovery
The worldwide need for clean water has also increased the market demand for Polyacrylamide which also serves as a vital substance in water treatment operations. The high molecular weight polymer functions as a tool to combine suspended particles through coagulation and flocculation processes which enables water purification. The rising oil production activities have also created new market opportunities for Polyacrylamide in enhanced oil recovery processes. The market growth of this product is also driven by its ability to enhance viscosity which makes it suitable for improving oil recovery operations.
The development of PAM Gel Electrophoresis technology has also driven substantial changes in the PAM market. PAM also serves as the primary material for this technique which scientists use throughout biochemistry and molecular biology to separate proteins. PAGE technology advancements for better protein separation efficiency have also created rising market demand for high quality PAM which also drives market expansion.
02
Restraint: Regulatory Constraints Impacting Polyacrylamide Usage
The Polyacrylamide market faces major obstacles because of regulatory limitations. The environmental effects of Polyacrylamide have led numerous countries to establish strict rules about its application and waste management. The market growth faces restrictions because manufacturers need to fulfill multiple local and national and international regulations which create complex and expensive compliance requirements.
03
Opportunity: Growth in Oil and Gas Sector and Expanding Use of Polyacrylamide in Water Treatment Industries
The oil and gas sector is witnessing a growing use of Polyacrylamide for enhanced oil recovery. Its superior properties such as viscosity index improver and friction reducer make it an ideal choice for drilling applications. With the escalating exploration and production activities worldwide, the demand for Polyacrylamide in the oil and gas industry is expected to rise.
The worldwide need for clean water has caused Polyacrylamide usage to rise significantly in water treatment facilities. The high molecular weight polymer serves multiple purposes in water treatment operations including solid liquid separation and sludge dewatering and water clarification. The combination of environmental worries and strict government rules will drive PAM market expansion in this sector.
04
Challenge: High Production Costs Associated with PAM
The manufacturing process of PAM requires advanced technologies together with premium raw materials which results in elevated production expenses. The high production expenses create entry barriers for new companies while affecting current market participants pricing methods which could decrease market demand.
Supply Chain Landscape
1
Raw Material Suppliers
BASF SEDow Chemical Company
2
Producers
SNF GroupKemira
3
Distributors Traders Wholesalers
Ashland Inc.Solenis LLC
4
End Users
Water TreatmentOil & GasPaper Making
1
Raw Material Suppliers
BASF SEDow Chemical Company
2
Producers
SNF GroupKemira
3
Distributors Traders Wholesalers
Ashland Inc.Solenis LLC
4
End Users
Water TreatmentOil & GasPaper Making
Use Cases of Polyacrylamide in Water Treatment & Soil Conditioner
Water Treatment : Polyacrylamide, particularly its anionic form, is widely used in water treatment processes, where it acts as a flocculant by aggregating suspended solids for easy removal. Depending on the specific water treatment requirements, cationic polyacrylamide is also applied, especially in cases where positively charged contaminants need to be addressed. These applications are crucial in industries such as municipal water treatment and industrial wastewater management. Prominent players in this sector include BASF and SNF Group, both renowned for their high-quality polyacrylamide products and extensive market reach.
Enhanced Oil Recovery : The oil and gas industry applies partially hydrolyzed PAM for enhanced oil recovery operations. The viscosity of water used in oil reservoir injection increases through PHPA which leads to better oil displacement and recovery rates. Schlumberger and Halliburton lead the market through their innovative PAM solutions which boost oil recovery efficiency.
Soil Conditioner : The agricultural industry employs PAM mainly through its cross linked form as a soil conditioner. The substance improves water retention while decreasing soil erosion which leads to improved crop development. The market leaders Kemira and Nalco produce exceptional PAM based soil conditioners which help achieve sustainable agricultural practices.
Recent Developments
Polyacrylamide functions as a synthetic resin which serves mainly for water treatment and enhanced oil recovery operations while showing substantial market growth during recent years. The industry expands because of rising market demand for efficient wastewater treatment solutions that serve industrial and municipal sectors. PAM adoption has increased because of environmental concerns and government regulations that require strict wastewater treatment standards.
December 2024 : BASF SE announced the expansion of its polyacrylamide production facilities in Europe, aiming to meet the increasing demand in the wastewater treatment sector.
October 2024 : The SNF Group introduced a new polyacrylamide series which serves as an enhanced oil recovery solution for the energy industry.
July 2024 : The papermaking process received a new polyacrylamide based solution from Kemira Oyj which targets both operational efficiency and sustainability improvements in the pulp and paper industry.
Impact of Industry Transitions on the Polyacrylamide Market
As a core segment of the Specialty Chemicals industry,
the Polyacrylamide market develops in line with broader industry shifts.
Over recent years, transitions such as Increasing Environmental Concerns and Technological Advancements in Production have redefined priorities
across the Specialty Chemicals sector,
influencing how the Polyacrylamide market evolves in terms of demand, applications and competitive dynamics.
These transitions highlight the structural changes shaping long-term growth opportunities.
01
Increasing Environmental Concerns
The PAM industry has experienced substantial changes because of rising environmental sustainability awareness. PAM has become more popular in water treatment applications because it proves effective for waste water management. The market trend emerges from both strict environmental regulations and worldwide efforts to adopt sustainable practices. The textile and paper industries which produce substantial waste water now use PAM treatment solutions to decrease their environmental footprint while meeting regulatory requirements.
02
Technological Advancements in Production
The PAM industry has also been influenced by technological advancements in production processes. The development of new manufacturing technologies has resulted in the creation of more efficient and cost effective methods for producing PAM. The introduction of microbial fermentation technology has transformed the production process by decreasing dependence on non renewable resources and decreasing production expenses. The improved profitability of PAM manufacturers has resulted in increased product availability for various industries.