Global Surface Sizing Agents Market: Introduction
Surface sizing agents are amphiphilic molecules with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic ends. They adhere to substrate fibers, with the hydrophilic tail facing the fiber and the hydrophobic tail facing outward, resulting in a smooth finish that tends to be water-repellent. Surface sizing agents are used to influence essential properties of the finished product in paper and paperboard production.
A surface sizing agent is employed to improve surface strength, printability, and water resistance of the paper or material to which it is applied. A well-balanced surface sizing system helps in reducing the need for other processing chemicals such as optical brightening agents (OBAs) and coating colors. Surface sizing agents also enhance dusting, toner adhesion, smoothness, and air permeability of paper and paper products.
Global Surface Sizing Agents Market: Trends & Developments
The newly developed anionic surface sizing agents are highly compatible with other anionic additives. Also, they do not tend to form foam. They are insensitive to pH. Anionic surface sizing agents offer a cost-efficient option for use in the paper packaging industry.
Global Surface Sizing Agents Market: Segmentation
Based on application, the global surface sizing agents market can be segmented into paper & paperboard, textile & fibers, and others. Surface sizing agents are used in the paper & paperboard industry to reduce the tendency of paper to absorb liquid on drying, while allowing inks and paints to dry on the paper surface, rather than be absorbed into the paper. Widespread use of surface sizing agents in order to improve finish, printability, smoothness, and surface bond strength and decrease the surface porosity and fuzzing is expected to drive the global surface sizing agents market during the forecast period.
Though surface sizing agents are intended to make paper more suitable for printing, they also make printing paper less durable. This ill-effect of using surface sizing agents is likely to hamper the market during the forecast period. In the textile industry, surface sizing agents are employed to improve strength and abrasion resistance of yarn. Surface sizing agents improve the weave-ability of warp yarn, making it more resistant to absorption, friction, and tension.
Global Surface Sizing Agents Market: Regional Outlook
In terms of region, the global surface sizing agents market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific dominates the global surface sizing agents market, in terms of consumption as well as revenue. Presence of a large number of manufacturers of textiles, paper, and pulp in the Asia Pacific region makes it a lucrative market for chemical intermediates and raw materials such as surface sizing agents, which are required in the production of paper and textiles.
China and India have traditionally been the key textile-exporting countries and they are expected to be promising markets for surface sizing agents in the next few years. China is the leading consumer and exporter of surface sizing agents in Asia Pacific. The market in the country is expected to expand at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.
Global Surface Sizing Agents Market: Key Players
Key players operating in the global surface sizing agents market include Solvay SA, FMC Corporation, Ashland, Imerys, Archroma, Synthomer Plc, BASF SE, Kemira Oyj, Buckman, ERCO Worldwide, Georgia-Pacific Chemicals LLC, Evonik Industries AG, AkzoNobel N.V., Nalco Holding Company, and Omya AG.
