Global Starch Glue Market's Steady Growth to Reach 1.7 Million Tons and $2.9 Billion

IndexBox has just published a new report: World - Glues Based On Starches, Dextrins Or Other Modified Starches - Market Analysis, Forecast, Size, Trends And Insights.

The article provides a comprehensive analysis of the global market for glues based on starches, dextrins, or other modified starches. It forecasts market growth to 2035, with volume expected to reach 1.7 million tons and value to reach $2.9 billion, albeit at a decelerating pace. The report details historical data from 2013-2024, showing steady growth in consumption and production, led by China, the United States, and India. It examines international trade flows, highlighting Germany as the leading exporter and the UK, France, and Poland as major importers. The analysis also covers per capita consumption, market values, and price trends for imports and exports.

Key Findings

• Global starch glue market is forecast to grow to 1.7 million tons in volume and $2.9 billion in value by 2035
• China is the world's largest consumer and producer, accounting for over 20% of global volume
• Italy has the highest per capita consumption at 1,862 kg per 1000 persons, far above the global average of 180 kg
• Germany is the dominant exporter, supplying 36% of global exports by volume in 2024
• Import prices averaged $1,360 per ton in 2024, while export prices fell significantly to $969 per ton

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next decade. Market performance is forecast to decelerate, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +1.2% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market volume to 1.7M tons by the end of 2035.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +1.8% for the period from 2024 to 2035, which is projected to bring the market value to $2.9B (in nominal wholesale prices) by the end of 2035.

Consumption

World's Consumption of Glues based on Starches, Dextrins or other Modified Starches

In 2024, approx. 1.5M tons of glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches were consumed worldwide; surging by 2.7% on 2023. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.3% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2022 with an increase of 6.2%. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2024 and is likely to see steady growth in the immediate term.

The global starch glue market size contracted to $2.4B in 2024, with a decrease of -5.1% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Global consumption peaked at $2.5B in 2023, and then shrank in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (320K tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of starch glue consumption, comprising approx. 22% of total volume. Moreover, starch glue consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (154K tons), twofold. India (133K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 9.1% share.

In China, starch glue consumption increased at an average annual rate of +2.9% over the period from 2013-2024. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+1.1% per year) and India (+3.1% per year).

In value terms, the largest starch glue markets worldwide were China ($505M), the United States ($387M) and South Korea ($165M), together comprising 45% of the global market. Japan, India, Italy, Brazil, Germany, Turkey and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 25%.

Among the main consuming countries, the UK, with a CAGR of +11.0%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In 2024, the highest levels of starch glue per capita consumption was registered in Italy (1,862 kg per 1000 persons), followed by Japan (613 kg per 1000 persons), Germany (611 kg per 1000 persons) and South Korea (527 kg per 1000 persons), while the world average per capita consumption of starch glue was estimated at 180 kg per 1000 persons.

In Italy, starch glue per capita consumption increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: Japan (+1.5% per year) and Germany (+0.6% per year).

Production

World's Production of Glues based on Starches, Dextrins or other Modified Starches

Global starch glue production rose rapidly to 1.5M tons in 2024, surging by 5.9% on the previous year. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.8% from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations in certain years. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2015 when the production volume increased by 6.1%. Global production peaked in 2024 and is expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, starch glue production fell to $2.4B in 2024 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the period from 2013 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 15%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at $2.5B in 2023, and then fell in the following year.

Production By Country

The country with the largest volume of starch glue production was China (341K tons), accounting for 23% of total volume. Moreover, starch glue production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (156K tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was held by Germany (147K tons), with a 9.7% share.

In China, starch glue production expanded at an average annual rate of +3.4% over the period from 2013-2024. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: the United States (+0.9% per year) and Germany (+3.5% per year).

Imports

World's Imports of Glues based on Starches, Dextrins or other Modified Starches

In 2024, supplies from abroad of glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches decreased by -4.9% to 225K tons, falling for the third year in a row after nine years of growth. Over the period under review, total imports indicated a pronounced increase from 2013 to 2024: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -17.0% against 2021 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 with an increase of 13% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of 271K tons. From 2022 to 2024, the growth of global imports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, starch glue imports dropped to $306M in 2024. Overall, total imports indicated a measured expansion from 2013 to 2024: its value increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% over the last eleven years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2024 figures, imports decreased by -16.9% against 2022 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 17%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at $368M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, imports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Imports By Country

The countries with the highest levels of starch glue imports in 2024 were the UK (24K tons), France (19K tons) and Poland (18K tons), together recording 27% of total import. It was followed by Sweden (11K tons), achieving a 5.1% share of total imports. The Czech Republic (7.9K tons), the Netherlands (7.4K tons), Kuwait (7K tons), Indonesia (6.7K tons), Germany (4.9K tons) and Italy (4.5K tons) held a minor share of total imports.

From 2013 to 2024, the biggest increases were recorded for Poland (with a CAGR of +13.0%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the UK ($21M), Poland ($20M) and France ($18M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2024, together accounting for 20% of global imports. Indonesia, Kuwait, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and the Czech Republic lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Kuwait, with a CAGR of +19.4%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2024, the average starch glue import price amounted to $1,360 per ton, shrinking by -6.7% against the previous year. In general, the import price recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2022 when the average import price increased by 21% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $1,494 per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2024, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2024, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Indonesia ($2,383 per ton), while the Czech Republic ($590 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Kuwait (+15.8%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World's Exports of Glues based on Starches, Dextrins or other Modified Starches

In 2024, after two years of decline, there was significant growth in overseas shipments of glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches, when their volume increased by 14% to 278K tons. In general, exports saw a strong increase. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when exports increased by 26%. Over the period under review, the global exports attained the peak figure at 294K tons in 2021; however, from 2022 to 2024, the exports stood at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, starch glue exports reduced to $270M in 2024. Overall, exports recorded a measured expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the global exports hit record highs at $307M in 2023, and then contracted in the following year.

Exports By Country

In 2024, Germany (101K tons) represented the major exporter of glues based on starches, dextrins or other modified starches, generating 36% of total exports. It was distantly followed by Saudi Arabia (59K tons), China (21K tons) and the Netherlands (14K tons), together comprising a 34% share of total exports. The following exporters - the Czech Republic (8.5K tons), Ukraine (5.9K tons), Sweden (5.7K tons), the UK (5.6K tons), Austria (5.5K tons) and Belgium (5.2K tons) - together made up 13% of total exports.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of shipments, amongst the leading exporting countries, was attained by the Czech Republic (with a CAGR of +44.6%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Germany ($89M) remains the largest starch glue supplier worldwide, comprising 33% of global exports. The second position in the ranking was held by China ($33M), with a 12% share of global exports. It was followed by Saudi Arabia, with a 7.7% share.

From 2013 to 2024, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in Germany stood at +3.9%. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: China (+28.0% per year) and Saudi Arabia (+15.6% per year).

Export Prices By Country

In 2024, the average starch glue export price amounted to $969 per ton, falling by -22.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price showed a perceptible shrinkage. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2023 when the average export price increased by 17%. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $1,415 per ton in 2014; however, from 2015 to 2024, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was the UK ($1,966 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($353 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2013 to 2024, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (+5.5%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.