Asia-Pacific’s paper industry is quietly undergoing a strength makeover — and dry strength agents are right at the centre of it. Dry strength agents (DSAs) are added during papermaking to boost tensile and burst strength without extra fibres, which keeps costs and weight down while improving performance. In Asia-Pacific, demand is being driven by rapid growth in packaging and tissue production, rising e-commerce volumes that need stronger corrugates and papers, and regulatory and brand pressure for lighter, more sustainable materials.

Bowse Full Report: https://www.wantstats.com/charts/asia-pacific-paper-dry-strength-agents-market-by-application-183162 

When we look at applications, the market divides cleanly into the usual end-use buckets: printing & writing, tissue, packaging paper (including corrugation and kraft), and specialty papers. Packaging paper — fuelled by e-commerce and consumer goods growth across China, India and Southeast Asia — is currently one of the fastest expanding application areas for DSAs because manufacturers need to increase board strength while optimising raw-material use. Tissue paper is another high-growth application thanks to higher per-capita hygiene product consumption and premiumisation (softer yet stronger towels and toilet papers). Printing & writing faces slower demand in many markets but still consumes DSAs for high-performance grades and recycled content runs.

Two technical trends to watch in APAC applications: (1) increased use of DSAs with recycled furnish, and (2) a shift toward starch-based and bio-derived chemistries. As recycling rates rise, retained fines and shorter fibres make internal bonding harder — DSAs become essential to restore wet and dry strength. At the same time, environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals are pushing mills to prefer bio-based starches and modified natural polymers over some synthetic resins, particularly in food-packaging and tissue segments. These shifts are already showing up in regional market reports and supplier roadmaps.

For suppliers and converters in APAC, the implication is clear: product portfolios need to be application-focused. Packaging customers want high-efficiency, low-dosage DSAs that work with recycled content and cold-set processes; tissue makers prioritise softness/strength balance and low runnability issues; specialty paper producers value tailor-made chemistries for coatings and print performance. Investing in localized technical support, trials on recycled furnishes, and greener chemistries will win deals as mills balance cost, strength and sustainability. Market forecasts also show steady growth for the region, underscoring long-term opportunity for innovators.