
Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
Market Size (2025) | USD 439.43 Million |
Market Size (2030) | USD 482.56 Million |
CAGR (2025 - 2030) | 1.89 % |
Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
Market Concentration | High |
Major Players![]() *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Polyethyleneimine Market Analysis
The Polyethyleneimine Market size is estimated at USD 439.43 million in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 482.56 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 1.89% during the forecast period (2025-2030).
The polyethyleneimine industry is experiencing significant transformation driven by expanding industrial applications and technological innovations. The personal care and cosmetics sector has emerged as a major growth engine, with the global beauty and personal care market reaching USD 564,438 million in 2022. This expansion is further supported by increasing investments in beauty sector deals, which reached USD 2.69 billion in 2021 across 252 projects. The industry's evolution is characterized by growing demand for eco-friendly formulations and enhanced performance characteristics, particularly in applications requiring strong adhesion and surface modification properties.
Water treatment applications continue to shape market dynamics, with industrial wastewater treatment becoming increasingly sophisticated. In leading markets like Germany, over 920 million cubic meters of industrial wastewater are treated annually, highlighting the scale of potential applications. The integration of advanced treatment technologies and growing emphasis on water recycling has led to increased adoption of polyethyleneimine-based solutions. This trend is particularly evident in regions facing water scarcity challenges, where efficient water treatment polymer solutions are becoming critical for industrial operations.
Technological advancements in composite materials are revolutionizing the industry landscape, particularly in environmental applications. The development of polyethyleneimine-nano silica composites represents a significant breakthrough in carbon capture technology, offering improved efficiency and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional methods. These innovations are driving new application possibilities across various industries, from environmental protection to advanced materials manufacturing, while simultaneously addressing growing sustainability concerns.
The global cleaning and hygiene products sector continues to evolve, with the laundry detergent market expected to reach USD 180 billion by 2026. This growth is driven by increasing consumer awareness of hygiene standards and the development of more sophisticated cleaning solutions. The industry is witnessing a shift toward more sustainable and biodegradable formulations, reflecting broader environmental concerns and regulatory pressures. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on developing innovative solutions that balance performance requirements with environmental responsibility, leading to new formulation approaches and application methods. The role of specialty polymers, such as cationic polymers, is becoming more prominent in these formulations, enhancing product performance and sustainability.
Polyethyleneimine Market Trends
INCREASING DEMAND FROM APPLICATIONS IN DETERGENTS AND WATER TREATMENT CHEMICALS
Polyethyleneimine plays a crucial role in detergent compositions, providing enhanced removal of organic stains, particularly polyphenolic stains such as morello juice, blueberry juice, red wine, tea, and coffee. The compound serves as an effective replacement for phosphonate chelants in laundry products, addressing growing environmental concerns regarding phosphorus-containing compounds in detergent formulations. This shift is particularly significant as governmental bodies worldwide have begun restricting phosphorus content in detergent compositions, necessitating the formulation of laundry detergents containing alternative chelants like polyethyleneimine. The global laundry detergent market is projected to reach approximately USD 181.39 billion by 2026, indicating substantial growth opportunities for polyethyleneimine applications in this sector.
In the water treatment sector, polyethyleneimines are increasingly utilized as clarifying aids and chelating agents for heavy metal ions, including copper, rhodium, mercury, and zinc. The demand is driven by critical global water scarcity issues, with approximately 4 billion people experiencing water scarcity for at least one month each year. This situation has led to significant investments in water treatment infrastructure worldwide. For instance, the European Investment Bank (EIB) has made approximately EUR 2 billion available for water management projects since 2020, while the United States Environmental Protection Agency allocated USD 1.871 billion for the Clean Water State Revolving Fund program in FY2022, representing a USD 232 million increase above the FY2021 level.
GROWING USAGE IN ADHESIVES AND SEALANTS APPLICATIONS
Polyethyleneimine has established itself as a versatile component in adhesive and sealant applications, particularly in coating and laminations as an adhesion promoter. Its effectiveness in water-based primers for packaging films, textiles, and metals has made it increasingly indispensable in the industry. The packaging sector, being the largest consumer of adhesives globally, continues to drive demand for polyethyleneimine-based adhesives, especially in the packaging of frozen food products. This trend is further reinforced by the expanding e-commerce sector and the subsequent increase in packaging requirements for various industries.
The growing sophistication of end-use industries has led to increased investments in adhesive manufacturing facilities worldwide. Major manufacturers are expanding their production capabilities to meet the rising demand. For instance, in 2023, tesa SE announced plans to construct a large adhesive tapes manufacturing plant in Haiphong, Vietnam, to strengthen its presence in the Asian market. Similarly, HB Fuller has made strategic investments to establish new facilities in Cairo to support increased customer demand in the fast-growing markets of Egypt, Turkey, the Middle East, and Africa. These developments are complemented by the rapid growth of the electronics industry, where adhesives are essential for various applications including conformal coatings, protecting terminal electrodes, and bonding of surface mount devices. The market for adhesion promoters is poised for significant growth as these trends continue.
Segment Analysis: TYPE
Branched Segment in Polyethyleneimine Market
The branched polyethyleneimine segment continues to dominate the global polyethyleneimine market, commanding approximately 69% of the total market share in 2024. This segment's prominence can be attributed to its versatile molecular structure containing primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups in varying ratios, typically around 25/50/25. Branched polyethyleneimine demonstrates superior performance characteristics in multiple applications, particularly as an adhesion promoter and crosslinker in coatings and adhesives. The segment's growth is primarily driven by its extensive use in water treatment applications, where it effectively functions as a flocculating agent for removing contaminants and heavy metals. Additionally, its strong performance in paper manufacturing operations, detergent formulations, and cosmetic applications has further cemented its position as the market leader. The segment is also experiencing the highest growth rate of around 2% through 2029, supported by increasing demand from applications in detergents and water treatment chemicals, as well as growing usage in adhesives and sealants applications.

Linear Segment in Polyethyleneimine Market
The linear polyethyleneimine segment of the polyethyleneimine market holds approximately 31% of the market share in 2024, serving as a crucial component in various industrial applications. Linear polyethyleneimine's unique molecular structure, containing only primary and secondary amines in the backbone, makes it particularly effective in specific applications where controlled molecular architecture is essential. This segment has established a strong presence in applications such as gene delivery reagents, where it demonstrates high transfection efficiency. The segment's value proposition is further enhanced by its cost-effectiveness, offering around a 40% reduction in total transfection costs compared to other options. Additionally, its ability to improve the appearance of negatively charged dyes by modulating their properties and enhancing surface adherence has secured its position in the market.
Segment Analysis: APPLICATION
Adhesives and Sealants Segment in Polyethyleneimine Market
The adhesives and sealants segment continues to dominate the global polyethyleneimine market, commanding approximately 31% of the total market share in 2024. This significant market position is driven by the extensive use of polyethyleneimine as an adhesion promoter and primer in various applications, particularly in packaging films, textiles, and metals. The segment's strength is further bolstered by growing demand from end-use industries such as automotive, construction, and packaging. The expansion of e-commerce and the subsequent increase in packaging requirements have particularly fueled the demand for adhesives and sealants containing polyethyleneimine. Additionally, the segment benefits from increasing investments in construction and infrastructure development projects across major economies, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.
Coatings, Inks and Dyes Segment in Polyethyleneimine Market
The coatings, inks, and dyes segment is emerging as the fastest-growing application area in the polyethyleneimine market, with an expected growth rate of approximately 2% during 2024-2029. This robust growth is primarily attributed to the increasing demand for water-based coatings with low VOC levels, driven by stringent environmental regulations and growing environmental consciousness. The segment is witnessing significant innovation in eco-friendly products derived from renewable sources, while maintaining superior performance standards. The adoption of water-based inks across various printing processes and materials has also contributed to the segment's growth, as manufacturers focus on reducing VOC emissions and eliminating hazardous chemicals from their formulations. The development of new printing processes and additives has further expanded the application scope of polyethyleneimine in this sector.
Remaining Segments in Application Segmentation
The polyethyleneimine market encompasses several other crucial application segments, including detergents, water treatment chemicals, paper, and cosmetics. The detergents segment maintains steady growth due to increasing focus on hygiene and cleanliness, while the water treatment chemicals segment benefits from growing environmental concerns and water scarcity issues. The paper industry utilizes polyethyleneimine as a wet strength agent and for surface modification polymer of cellulose fibers, while the cosmetics segment leverages its properties for enhanced retention of active ingredients on hair and skin. Each of these segments contributes uniquely to the market's dynamics, driven by specific industry trends and regulatory requirements that continue to shape their development and growth trajectories.
Polyethyleneimine Market Geography Segment Analysis
Polyethyleneimine Market in Asia-Pacific
The Asia-Pacific region represents the largest and most dynamic PEI market for polyethyleneimine globally. The region's dominance is driven by robust growth in end-use industries, including adhesives, water treatment, and personal care products. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea form the backbone of the regional market, each contributing significantly through their diverse industrial applications. The presence of major manufacturers and increasing investments in research and development further strengthen the region's position in the global polyethyleneimine market.

Polyethyleneimine Market in China
China stands as the powerhouse of the Asia-Pacific polyethyleneimine market, commanding approximately 53% of the regional market share. The country's dominance is attributed to its massive industrial base, particularly in the adhesives and water treatment sectors. The robust growth in end-user industries such as packaging, automotive, construction, and electronics continues to drive demand. Major players and potential customers in the country include 3M, HB Fuller Company, Henkel AG & Co KGaA, and other global manufacturers who have established a strong manufacturing presence in the region.
Polyethyleneimine Market in India
India emerges as one of the fastest-growing markets in the Asia-Pacific region, with a projected growth rate of approximately 3% during 2024-2029. The country's growth trajectory is supported by rapid industrialization and increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure. The government's focus on improving wastewater management and increasing private investments in water treatment facilities is creating substantial opportunities. Additionally, the expanding personal care and cosmetics industry, coupled with rising demand for adhesives in various end-use sectors, is further accelerating market growth in the country.
Polyethyleneimine Market in North America
North America represents a mature and technologically advanced PEI market for polyethyleneimine, characterized by a strong presence in water treatment and industrial applications. The region benefits from well-established manufacturing infrastructure and continuous technological advancements. The United States, Canada, and Mexico form the key markets, each contributing through their specific industrial strengths and applications. The region's market is particularly driven by increasing demand from applications in detergents and water treatment chemicals.
Polyethyleneimine Market in United States
The United States dominates the North American PEI market, accounting for approximately 79% of the regional market share. As the largest economy in the region, it maintains its leadership through a strong presence in various end-use industries, including water treatment, personal care, and adhesives. The country's advanced water treatment infrastructure and growing emphasis on environmental protection continue to drive demand for polyethyleneimine in various applications.
Polyethyleneimine Market in Mexico
Mexico demonstrates the highest growth potential in North America, with an expected growth rate of approximately 2% during 2024-2029. The country's expanding industrial base and increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure are key growth drivers. The growing importance of healthier lifestyles and rising concerns about hygiene have led to increased per capita spending on household cleaning products, further driving market growth. Additionally, ongoing developments in the country's water treatment facilities and expanding manufacturing sector contribute to its rapid growth trajectory.
Polyethyleneimine Market in Europe
Europe represents a significant market for polyethyleneimine, characterized by stringent environmental regulations and high technological advancement. The region's market is well-established with a strong presence across Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France. The market is primarily driven by increasing demand from water treatment applications and a growing emphasis on sustainable solutions. The region's focus on environmental protection and efficient water treatment methods continues to shape market dynamics.
Polyethyleneimine Market in Germany
Germany maintains its position as the largest market for polyethyleneimine in Europe. The country's leadership is supported by its robust industrial base, particularly in the adhesives, water treatment, and personal care sectors. The presence of major manufacturers and continuous technological innovations further strengthen Germany's position in the regional market. The country's emphasis on environmental protection and efficient water treatment methods creates sustained demand for polyethyleneimine products.
Polyethyleneimine Market in Italy
Italy emerges as the fastest-growing market in the European region. The country's growth is driven by increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure and growing demand from various end-use industries. The government's focus on complying with EU water treatment directives and the expanding personal care and cosmetics industry contribute to market growth. The presence of major industry players and a growing emphasis on sustainable solutions further support market expansion.
Polyethyleneimine Market in South America
The South American PEI industry shows promising growth potential, with Brazil and Argentina emerging as key markets in the region. Brazil leads the regional market while Argentina demonstrates the fastest growth rate. The region's market is primarily driven by increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure and growing demand from the personal care and cosmetics industry. The expanding industrial base and rising awareness about water treatment across the region continue to create new opportunities for market growth.
Polyethyleneimine Market in Middle East & Africa
The Middle East & Africa region presents a growing PEI industry, with Saudi Arabia and South Africa as key contributing countries. Saudi Arabia leads the regional market while South Africa shows the fastest growth potential. The region's market is primarily driven by increasing investments in water treatment infrastructure, particularly in Saudi Arabia, and growing demand from various end-use industries. The expansion of the personal care and cosmetics industry, coupled with rising awareness about water treatment, continues to create new opportunities for market growth.
Polyethyleneimine Industry Overview
Top Companies in Polyethyleneimine Market
The polyethyleneimine market is characterized by continuous innovation in production processes and formulation technologies to meet evolving customer requirements across various applications. Companies are focusing on developing environmentally friendly products to address growing sustainability concerns, particularly in developed economies. Strategic partnerships and acquisitions remain key growth drivers, with major players leveraging these to expand their geographical presence and strengthen their product portfolios. Operational excellence initiatives are being implemented to optimize production costs and enhance supply chain efficiency. Market leaders are investing significantly in research and development to create differentiated products for specific end-use applications, particularly in the adhesives, water treatment, and cosmetics sectors. Distribution network expansion and customer relationship management have emerged as critical focus areas for maintaining a competitive advantage in the PEI market.
Consolidated Market with Strong Global Leaders
The global polyethyleneimine market exhibits a highly consolidated structure dominated by multinational chemical conglomerates with integrated operations. These major players possess substantial manufacturing capabilities, established brand recognition, and extensive distribution networks spanning multiple continents. The market's high entry barriers, including significant capital requirements, technical expertise needs, and stringent regulatory compliance, have contributed to maintaining the concentrated nature of competition. Vertical integration strategies adopted by leading companies have further strengthened their market positions by ensuring raw material security and enabling better cost control.
Merger and acquisition activities in the market have been selective and strategic, primarily focused on technology acquisition and geographical expansion. Major players have been particularly interested in acquiring specialized manufacturers with unique formulation capabilities or a strong regional presence. The trend of consolidation has been more pronounced in developed markets, while emerging markets have seen the gradual emergence of regional players focusing on specific application segments. Joint ventures and strategic alliances have become increasingly common, especially for entering new geographical markets and sharing technological expertise.
Innovation and Sustainability Drive Future Success
Success in the PEI industry increasingly depends on companies' ability to develop innovative products that meet stringent environmental regulations while maintaining performance standards. Market leaders are investing in sustainable production processes and eco-friendly formulations to maintain their competitive edge. Building strong relationships with end-users through technical support and customized solutions has become crucial for maintaining market share. Companies are also focusing on developing specialized grades for high-growth applications such as cosmetics and water treatment to capture emerging opportunities.
For new entrants and smaller players, success lies in identifying and focusing on niche applications where they can build specialized expertise. The development of alternative distribution channels and strategic partnerships with regional players can help in gaining market access. Companies need to carefully manage the risk of substitution by investing in product differentiation and value-added services. Regulatory compliance capabilities and sustainability credentials are becoming increasingly important factors for long-term success. Building strong research and development capabilities while maintaining cost competitiveness through operational efficiency will be crucial for sustainable growth in the specialty polymer market.
Polyethyleneimine Market Leaders
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BASF SE
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Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd
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Dow
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FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

Polyethyleneimine Market News
- Recent developments pertaining to the major players in the market are covered in the complete report.
Polyethyleneimine Market Report - Table of Contents
1. Introduction
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. Research Methodology
3. Executive Summary
4. Market Dynamics
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4.1 Drivers
- 4.1.1 Increasing Demand from Applications in Detergents and Water Treatment Chemicals
- 4.1.2 Growing Usage in Adhesive and Sealant Applications
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4.2 Restraints
- 4.2.1 Stringent Environment Regulations
- 4.2.2 Other Restraints
- 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
- 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services
- 4.4.5 Degree of Competition
5. Market Segmentation (Market Size in Revenue)
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5.1 Type
- 5.1.1 Linear
- 5.1.2 Branched
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5.2 Application
- 5.2.1 Detergents
- 5.2.2 Adhesives and Sealants
- 5.2.3 Water Treatment Chemicals
- 5.2.4 Cosmetics
- 5.2.5 Paper
- 5.2.6 Coatings, Inks, and Dyes
- 5.2.7 Other Applications
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5.3 Geography
- 5.3.1 Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.1.1 China
- 5.3.1.2 India
- 5.3.1.3 Japan
- 5.3.1.4 South Korea
- 5.3.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.2 North America
- 5.3.2.1 United States
- 5.3.2.2 Canada
- 5.3.2.3 Mexico
- 5.3.3 Europe
- 5.3.3.1 Germany
- 5.3.3.2 United Kingdom
- 5.3.3.3 Italy
- 5.3.3.4 France
- 5.3.3.5 Rest of Europe
- 5.3.4 South America
- 5.3.4.1 Brazil
- 5.3.4.2 Argentina
- 5.3.4.3 Rest of South America
- 5.3.5 Middle-East and Africa
- 5.3.5.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.3.5.2 South Africa
- 5.3.5.3 Rest of Middle-East and Africa
6. Competitive Landscape
- 6.1 Market Ranking Analysis
- 6.2 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
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6.3 Company Profiles
- 6.3.1 BASF SE
- 6.3.2 Dow
- 6.3.3 FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation
- 6.3.4 Gongbike New Material Technology (Shanghai) Co. Ltd
- 6.3.5 NIPPON SHOKUBAI Co. Ltd
- 6.3.6 Polysciences, Inc.
- 6.3.7 SERVA Electrophoresis GmbH
- 6.3.8 Shanghai Holdenchem Co.
- 6.3.9 WUHAN BRIGHT CHEMICAL Co. Ltd
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. Market Opportunities and Future Trends
- 7.1 Development of Polyethyleneimine-nano Silica Composites
- 7.2 Rapidly Expanding Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry
Polyethyleneimine Industry Segmentation
Polyethyleneimines (PEIs) are highly basic and positively charged aliphatic polymers that contain primary, secondary, and tertiary amino groups. The market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into linear and branched. By application, the market is segmented into detergents, adhesives and sealants, water treatment chemicals, cosmetics, paper, coatings, inks and dyes, and other applications. The report covers the market size and forecast for the polyethyleneimine market in 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecast have been done based on revenue (USD million).
Type | Linear | ||
Branched | |||
Application | Detergents | ||
Adhesives and Sealants | |||
Water Treatment Chemicals | |||
Cosmetics | |||
Paper | |||
Coatings, Inks, and Dyes | |||
Other Applications | |||
Geography | Asia-Pacific | China | |
India | |||
Japan | |||
South Korea | |||
Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
North America | United States | ||
Canada | |||
Mexico | |||
Europe | Germany | ||
United Kingdom | |||
Italy | |||
France | |||
Rest of Europe | |||
South America | Brazil | ||
Argentina | |||
Rest of South America | |||
Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
South Africa | |||
Rest of Middle-East and Africa |
Polyethyleneimine Market Research FAQs
How big is the Polyethyleneimine Market?
The Polyethyleneimine Market size is expected to reach USD 439.43 million in 2025 and grow at a CAGR of 1.89% to reach USD 482.56 million by 2030.
What is the current Polyethyleneimine Market size?
In 2025, the Polyethyleneimine Market size is expected to reach USD 439.43 million.
Who are the key players in Polyethyleneimine Market?
BASF SE, Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd, Dow and FUJIFILM Wako Pure Chemical Corporation are the major companies operating in the Polyethyleneimine Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Polyethyleneimine Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Polyethyleneimine Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Polyethyleneimine Market.
What years does this Polyethyleneimine Market cover, and what was the market size in 2024?
In 2024, the Polyethyleneimine Market size was estimated at USD 431.12 million. The report covers the Polyethyleneimine Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Polyethyleneimine Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
Our Best Selling Reports
Polyethyleneimine Market Research
Mordor Intelligence provides a comprehensive analysis of the polyethyleneimine market, utilizing our extensive expertise in specialty polymer research. Our detailed examination covers PEI (Polyethyleneimine) applications across various sectors. This includes its use as a cationic polymer and adhesion promoter in multiple industries. The report thoroughly analyzes both branched polyethyleneimine and linear polyethyleneimine variants. We explore their roles as industrial polymer solutions in water treatment polymer applications and the textile chemical industry.
Stakeholders benefit from our in-depth coverage of PEI industry applications. These range from paper making chemical processes to advanced DNA transfection reagent developments. The analysis encompasses polyamine characteristics and cationic polyelectrolyte properties. These are particularly relevant for wastewater treatment polymer applications and pharmaceutical polymer developments. Our report, available as an easy-to-download PDF, provides valuable insights into the textile chemical market, surface modification polymer applications, and the evolving adhesion promoter industry. This enables informed decision-making for industry participants.