Lignin Market By Product Type (Lignosulfonate, Kraft Lignin); By Application (Concrete Admixture, Animal Feed Binders, Dye Stuff); ; By Region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, Middle East & Africa) - Global Market Analysis, Trends, Opportunity and Forecast, 2022-2032

Lignin Market Overview and Definition

The Global lignin market is expected to grow from USD 1.3 billion in 2022 to USD 2.3 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.8% during the forecast period 2022-2032.

The global lignin market is expected to rise at a CAGR of 3.2 percent during the forecast period 2022-2032. The rising demand for lignin in animal feed, agriculture, as well as natural products fuels growth of the lignin market.

Lignin is the abundant renewable biopolymer that is found in nature. It is a valuable renewable resource for the chemical industry and the primary byproduct of lignocellulosic bio-refineries. It is a complex compound with a cross-linked phenolic-type structure that does not break down easily. In addition, owing to its aromatic structure, it is more heat resistant and chemically stable than cellulose. Moreover, the lignin can reduce energy utilization and improve the biodegradability of the bioplastics by replacing the synthetic fibers. Furthermore, it can also be used as bio-based substitute to petroleum and other applications such as animal feed, coatings, micronutrients, agricultural chemicals, adhesives, resins, natural binders, and manufacturing of vanillin and textile dyes.

Lignin Market Drivers

The market growth is driven by upsurge in demand for lignin as a dispersant in various end-use applications such as laundry & cleaning detergent compounds, paint and coating, and agrochemicals. In addition to this, the emerging applications of lignin in industrial cleaners, industrial binders, water treatment, and battery propels growth of the market. Moreover, increasing awareness about the adverse effects of dust pollution such as respiratory disorders on human and animal health has obligated governments around the numerous countries to enforce policies and regulations to suppress emission levels of dust. This has led to the rise in demand for lignin due to its exceptional binding properties to control dust levels in parking areas and roads. Also, increasing use of lignin, as a main component of concrete and cement additives to boost their quality, further plays a significant role in market evolution.

However, the factors such as high cost of lignin; the lack of information among consumers about the lignin; construction of green buildings instead of using lignin as an additive; and the fluctuation in the prices of lignin may hamper growth of the market to some extent during forecast period. On the other hand, the surge in demand for lignin in industrial applications across the developing countries and increasing research and development activities creates lucrative growth opportunities for the market.

Furthermore, COVID-19 pandemic disrupting the global economy since its advent. Therefore, the lignin market is anticipated to be affected as lignin production has been halted during the pandemic. Hence, the global lignin market has witnessed a slight decline in the year 2020.

Throughout the forecast period, lignosulfonate will continue to hold a dominant share of the global market, on the basis of product type. This is due to upsurge in demand for lignosulfonate in concrete admixtures. In addition to this, lignisulfonates are rapidly being used in oil & gas sector to control mud viscosity during the deep oil well drilling. The aforementioned factors fuels demand for lignosulfonates lignin in the upcoming years. However, the Kraft lignin segment is anticipated to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period. This is attributed to high consumption of Kraft lignin in printing inks for high-speed rotary presses and as a foam in fire extinguishers.

According to the application, the concrete admixture segment is expected to hold a dominant global market share. This is due to upsurge in use of lignin as a dispersant in concrete additives for infrastructural development in developing and developed countries. Consequently, the segment is also projected to grow at highest growth rate, which in turn propels the lignin market in the upcoming years.

Lignin Market Segmentation

By Product Type

• Lignosulfonate
• Kraft Lignin
• Others

By Application:

• Concrete Admixture
• Animal Feed Binders
• Dye Stuff
• Others

By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa

Lignin Market Regional Insight

Europe is anticipated to dominate the global market in 2019, followed by North America, and is likely to be the most profitable region throughout forecast period. This is due to the stringent regulations about greenhouse gas emissions in countries such as France, Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands, which fuels demand for bio-based polymers. In addition, North America accounted for the second largest region for the lignin market due to enormous demand for dust controllers. Moreover, the announcement to provide monetary support for the promotion of the growth of biopolymers and bio-refinery by the U.S Environmental Protection Agency, further projected to fuel the market growth in the region.  

Further, Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth rate during the forecast period. This is attributed to the factors such as increasing demands for high-quality concrete mix and on-going trend of development of the infrastructure in China and India.

Lignin Market Key Players

• Borregaard LignoTech
• Domtar Corporation
• Aditya Birla Group
• Liquid Lignin Company LLC
• Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd.
• Metsa Group
• Other Key Players