Sizing Agents Market Report Scope & Overview:

The Sizing Agents Market size was valued at USD 3.95 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 5.81 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.95% over the forecast period of 2025-2032.

The sizing agents market witnesses robust momentum on the back of the sustainability-led trend, coupled with advancements in internal sizing agents for paper and textiles. Prominent players in the sizing agents market are making use of bio-origin alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) to improve performance and to be in line with eco-regulation. The market for sizing and thickening agents is likewise changing, driven by digital printing and fibre modifications. Kemira has previously announced an acquisition of the global AKD emulsion business of BASF, which will add to its internal sizes in paper making.

According to the American Forest & Paper Association, U.S. packaging paper capacity increased by 4.6% in 2024, with boxboard capacity down by 3.3%. In 2023, U.S. paper and paperboard capacity was 79.7 million tons, 1.6% less than in 2022. These trends and the impact of sizing agents on the sizing agents market size/sizing agents market growth/sizing agents market share have been discussed in the latest sizing agents market analysis and have the potential to affect the sizing agents market size globally.

Sizing Agents Market Drivers:

• Rising Adoption of Sustainable Internal Sizing Agents Accelerates Sizing Agents Market Growth

The increasing focus on environmental pollution control is driving the sizing agents industry to develop and utilize sustainable internal sizing agents, including bio-based alkyl ketene dimer (AKD). They are improving water resistance and printability, and lessening their impact on the environment. For instance, the American Forest & Paper Association notes growing demand for green paper products that is fueling investment in sustainable chemistries. This transformation is likely to have a favorable effect on the sizing agents market size and share, which in turn is likely to reinforce the sizing and thickening agents market, adhering to worldwide eco-regulations.

• Increasing Use of Digital Printing Drives Innovation in Sizing Agents Market

Advanced sizing agents are being used due to their need in digital printing technology, which demands control over the fiber surface properties. The inkjet trend, in turn, urges the sizing agents producers to design formulations that result in better ink anchorage and minimize the number of defects. According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, digital textile printing in the 2000s created innovations in the printing textile that require new chemistries of sizing in a manner that is driving the sizing agents industry size while promoting research into the sizing and thickening agents market.

Sizing Agents Market Restraints:

• Fluctuations in Raw Material Supply Disrupt the Sizing Agents Market Dynamics

Volatility in the supply of raw materials such as fatty acids and starch derivatives impacts the sizing and thickening agents market stability. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, inconsistent agricultural yields create raw material shortages, leading to price fluctuations and production delays. This instability hinders the sizing agents market growth and constrains product availability, forcing manufacturers to seek alternative chemistries, which complicates internal sizing paper-making processes and impacts sizing agents market trends.

Sizing Agents Market Segmentation Analysis:

By Type

Synthetic sizing agents dominated the sizing agents market with a 54.5% share in 2024, driven by wide adoption in high-speed papermaking and packaging. Alkyl ketene dimer (AKD), a key synthetic, offers strong water resistance and machine compatibility. The Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI) notes extensive AKD use in kraft paper mills due to efficiency and durability, contributing significantly to the sizing agents market share and strengthening the internal sizing paper-making process.

The natural segment is projected to grow at the fastest CAGR of 5.15% from 2025 to 2032, driven by increasing global focus on sustainability and regulatory support. Starch- and cellulose-based sizing agents, derived from corn and potato sources, are gaining prominence in food-contact applications. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s BioPreferred Program supports starch-based materials, catalyzing demand across the paper and textile industries. This trend is reshaping the sizing agents market growth through innovations in bio-derived sizing and thickening agents.

By Form

Liquid sizing agents dominated the sizing agents market with a 57.8% share in 2024 due to their ease of application, better dispersion, and efficiency in continuous production lines. Liquid AKD emulsions are widely adopted in automated paper mills across the U.S. and Europe. TAPPI highlighted the surge in AKD liquid systems for lightweight coated papers in 2023. Their high compatibility and uniformity contribute to significant advancements in sizing agents market analysis and operational cost optimization.

Solid sizing agents are expected to be the fastest-growing segment with a CAGR of 5.11% from 2025 to 2032, driven by lower transportation costs and enhanced shelf life. These agents are especially favored in regions with limited storage infrastructure or high humidity. Government-funded R&D into solid-state starch-based sizing by the U.S. Department of Energy has encouraged eco-friendly development in the sector. This trend highlights shifting dynamics in the sizing and thickening agents market toward logistical efficiency and sustainability.

By Application

Textile & fiber application held a dominant 44.1% share in the sizing agents market in 2024, owing to increasing demand from the apparel and industrial fabrics sectors. Sizing agents improve yarn strength and abrasion resistance during weaving. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) reported strong AKD and modified starch usage in warp sizing across the U.S. in 2023. This preference fuels demand for both synthetic and natural sizing agents, reinforcing the sizing agents companies’ footprint in textile processing.

Paper & paperboard is the fastest-growing segment, with a projected CAGR of 5.26% from 2025 to 2032, driven by increased demand for sustainable packaging. According to the American Forest & Paper Association (AF&PA), the shift toward recyclable and biodegradable packaging has accelerated the need for AKD-based internal sizing. Brands adopting sustainable packaging, like Amazon and Walmart, are pushing mills toward paperboard products with higher wet-strength and eco-label compliance, further energizing the sizing agents market growth in this vertical.

Sizing Agents Market Regional Outlook:

Asia Pacific dominates the sizing agents market with a 41.0% share and is the fastest-growing region, spurred by rapid industrialization and growing demand in the textile and paperboard industries. China’s government-led Green Packaging Initiative encourages the use of alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) and bio-based internal sizing paper-making agents, pushing sustainable growth. India’s Ministry of Textiles promotes fabric quality improvements via efficient sizing agents. This proactive government support and expanding manufacturing base position Asia Pacific as the leading force in shaping the agents market trends.

China is the powerhouse of the Asia Pacific sizing agents market, fueled by governmental policies like the National Green Development Plan, which emphasizes sustainable manufacturing. Leading companies such as Sinopec have launched environmentally friendly sizing agents aligned with these policies. The China Paper Association promotes the use of AKD-based internal sizing, enhancing paperboard quality while reducing environmental impact. These initiatives, combined with China’s vast textile export market, establish it as the dominant country driving the sizing agents market growth in the region.

North America ranked as the second-dominant region in the Sizing Agents Market in 2024, holding a 23.5% market share. The region’s growth is driven by advanced industrial infrastructure and the growing demand for eco-friendly sizing and thickening agents in the paper and textile sectors. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) promotes sustainable packaging practices, which encourage manufacturers to adopt alkyl ketene dimer (AKD) and bio-based internal sizing agents. These regulations support innovation and expansion within the sizing agents companies, reinforcing North America’s significant position in the market.

The United States is the leading country in North America’s sizing agents market, with a market size of USD 621.9 million and is projected to reach a value of USD 885.99 million in 2032, with a market share of about 67% in 2024. The growth is supported by robust industrial output and sustainability initiatives. The EPA’s Safer Choice Program highlights manufacturers that use environmentally safer sizing agents, boosting market demand. Additionally, companies like Ashland and Nouryon actively develop green sizing solutions, as seen in their press releases promoting eco-friendly internal sizing paper-making products. The U.S. textile and paperboard industries’ emphasis on quality and compliance further solidifies their dominance within the region, driving sustained sizing agents market growth.

Sizing Agents Market Companies are:

The major sizing agents market competitors include BASF SE, Kemira Oyj, Solenis, Evonik Industries AG, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Clariant AG, Dow Inc., AkzoNobel N.V., Huntsman Corporation, and Arkema S.A.

Recent Developments:

• In September 2024, Kemira expanded its ASA sizing agents production in Nanjing, China, to meet rising Asia-Pacific demand, enhance supply security, and support sustainable paper and board manufacturing processes.

• In January 2024, Lathia Industries launched a new textile sizing compound in India, enhancing adhesion and reducing consumption, offering sustainable, cost-efficient solutions tested under real industrial conditions for warp yarn applications.