Asia Pacific Pine Chemicals Market

Market Overview

The Asia Pacific pine chemicals market share witnessed significant growth in the past and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.5% during the forecast period (2022-2030).

Chemicals from pine trees (genus Pinus) are called "pine chemicals." These trees originated in the northern hemisphere but have since spread worldwide. Carbonization of the wood or distillation of the oleoresin are two methods used to obtain the compounds found in pine. Dead pine stumps and logs, tree byproducts, and sulphate pulping are the three main places to find them. Industrial applications for these chemicals include but are not limited to, the production of resins, soaps, detergents, plasticizers, aroma compounds, and surface coatings.

Market Dynamics

Asia Pacific Pine Chemicals Market Drivers

The Utilization of Bio-Based Materials Drives the Growth of Pine Chemical Manufacturing

The adhesives, coatings, and sealants sub-categories are crucial in driving the growing pine chemical industry demand, accounting for a 40% market share. This expansion is mainly propelled by the thriving construction and development sector. The demand for coatings and adhesives has surged due to increased renovation and retrofitting projects in residential and commercial infrastructure. The Adhesives and Sealants Industry (ASI) forecasts a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5% for the pine chemicals market, projecting a market value of approximately USD 19 billion. This growth is primarily stimulated by regulations and guidelines that encourage using environmentally friendly and bio-based products, including disinfectants, coatings, and adhesives.

Growing Rosin Segment Propels Pine Chemicals Market Forward

Gum rosin, a highly sought-after chemical used in printing, adhesives, and lubricants, is in great demand. The requirement for environmentally friendly and non-hazardous chemicals, as mandated by regulatory guidelines, has further intensified the need for such substances. Consequently, the rosin segment has become a major driving force within the pine chemical industry, accounting for 50% of the market share. The increasing demand for rosin can be attributed to the growth of small-scale businesses. The pandemic has witnessed the emergence of numerous small enterprises that utilize rosin products to produce items such as soaps, ink, tile coatings, furniture, and more. As a result, there has been a significant surge in market demand for rosin.

Asia Pacific Pine Chemicals Market Restraint

Availability of Alternatives Dampens Pine Chemicals Market Growth

The pine chemicals market encounters a significant challenge due to the presence of readily available substitutes for pine-based products. These alternatives offer cost advantages to consumers, and despite the increasing importance of environmentally friendly products, their availability and affordability often overshadow the environmental factors. Substitutes like acrylic resin, alkyl succinic acid, and vegetable oil (especially soybean-food grade) divert consumer focus away from various pine-derived chemicals. Consequently, this has a substantial impact on the pine chemicals market and other industries such as printing, painting, adhesives, oil, and gas, among others.

Asia Pacific Pine Chemicals Market Opportunities

Pine-Based Material Revolutionizes Packaging Industry with Sustainable Alternatives

The food and beverage packaging industry has the largest market share, representing 92% of the total retail packaging volume, corresponding to around 3.4 trillion units in the food sector alone. The significant amount of packaging has raised concerns about its environmental impact. Consequently, industry regulations and standards drive rising demand for sustainable packaging. To meet this demand and tackle global climate challenges, market players such as producers and suppliers are shifting their focus to incorporate packaging solutions that are compostable, renewable, recyclable, and reusable. Pine chemicals, derived from plant sources, offer a promising alternative as they can be processed and transformed into sustainable ingredients for packaging materials.

Lucrative Opportunities Abound in the Realm of Organic Materials

The coatings and adhesives sector has a significant opportunity to meet the growing demand for sustainable materials by offering renewable and reusable alternatives. Industry producers prioritize the supply of materials that foster economic growth and drive both demand and supply.

Various factors, including climate change, have a noteworthy impact on the industry, highlighting the significance of sustainable and organic materials. Within this context, the pine chemicals market emerges as a prominent supplier of raw materials. These materials, derived from living trees, deceased pine logs, and pulping stumps, are sourced and processed in a safe, bio-based, and non-hazardous.

Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific pine chemicals market is segmented by country: China, India, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, and the Rest of Asia-Pacific. Germany dominated the market with a CAGR of 7.1% during the forecast period.

The Asia-Pacific region holds a significant share of the pine chemicals market. The growth is attributed to increasing industrialization, expanding construction and infrastructure projects, and the rising demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products. Countries like China, India, and Japan are key contributors to the market expansion in this region.

Segmental Analysis

The Asia Pacific pine chemicals market is segmented into product type, application, and source.

It is further segmented by product type into tall oil, rosin, turpentine, and others.

Tall Oil dominated the market and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.3% over the forecast period. Tall oil, a dark, pungent liquid byproduct of the sulfate (kraft) process of paper production, is refined and used to produce coatings, paper sizing, paint, varnish, linoleum, drying oils, emulsions, lubricants, and detergents. Tall oil primarily comprises resin acids, such as abietic, fatty, oleic, linoleic, sterols, and other compounds. It is produced by chemically treating the cooking fluid produced during papermaking. The tall oil is a component of adhesives, rubbers, and inks. The pitch is utilized as a cement binder and asphalt emulsifier.

Based on application, it is further segmented into paints and coatings, solvents and disinfectants, printing ink, synthetic fiber, and flavors and fragrances.

Paints and Coatings dominated the market and is expected to register a CAGR of 7.6% over the forecast period. Coloring and protecting surfaces like homes, cars, road markings, and even subterranean storage tanks are common uses for paints and coatings. Rosin is frequently used as a varnish ingredient in producing paints and coatings. It promotes speedy drying and results in shiny paintings. The most common solvents in paint production are mineral turpentine and white spirit.

Based on the source, it is further segmented into pine trunks, aged pine stumps, and kraft pulp.

Pine Trunks dominated the market and are expected to register a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period. Pine oils are typically sourced through the time-honored and extensively used extraction method from pine trunks. This is the standard method for producing pine oil all around the world.

Recent Developments

• March 2021 – Eastman and GP Cellulose worked with the Longleaf Alliance (LLA) to provide 60,000 longleaf pine seedlings to Torreya State Park in Northwest Florida. This collaboration is intended to protect forest ecosystems, support delicate wildlife communities, and help repair the planet for future generations.
• September 2021 – Kraton Corporation signed an agreement with DL Holdings Co, Ltd. As per the agreement, Kraton Corporation stockholders will receive USD 46.50 in cash for each share of Kraton common stock they own.