Pulp & Paper Chemicals Forecasts for 2011 & 2016
A significant volume of other chemicals, including pulping chemicals such as caustic soda, sizing agents such as starches, and bleaching agents such as sodium chlorate, are also utilized in pulp and paper operations. Best opportunities are expected in the large paper mills market, although improved prospects are also expected for paperboard mills, and to a lesser degree in pulp mills and deinking plants.
Specialty additives will be fastest growing category
Through 2011, specialty additives are expected to record the fastest growth. Among the specialty additives, products such as biocides and deposit control agents, and retention and drainage aids, should continue to experience the fastest gains. Growth will be based on the increasing use of recycled fibers and reuse of water, which put greater strain on machinery and equipment. Further supporting demand are ongoing efforts to reduce mill emissions as well as efforts to reduce production costs by using higher filler loading levels, which require the use of greater quantities of specialty additives.
Fillers, pigments to remain largest product segment
Fillers and coating pigments will continue to be the largest pulp and paper chemical segment, and although growth will remain strong in terms of volume of these chemicals used in pulp and paper mills, most consist of low-value commodity chemicals and market value growth will be meager. Over the last decade, calcium carbonates (especially precipitated varieties have taken significant market share from clays in paper and board fillers and coatings, so that they have now surpassed clays in this segment. This trend should continue, supported by greater demand for brighter printing and writing papers, which can be achieved with calcium carbonates at a lower cost than competing products, such as titanium dioxide or kaolin clay.
Paper markets to offer best growth opportunities
Paper mills, the largest end-user of pulp and paper chemicals, are expected to record the fastest growth in chemical demand through 2011. More specifically, the printing and writing papers, and tissue paper markets will provide the best opportunities. Demand for pulp and paper chemicals in these markets will result from increases in production of these paper grades, as well as stricter requirements, such as increased brightness and printability for printing and writing papers, and increased softness and wet strength for tissue paper. In addition, the use of recycled fibers and other environmental issues will encourage a shift in product mix to higher value chemicals.
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