HS Code:
Cellulose and its chemical derivatives, not elsewhere specified or included, in primary forms (HS Code: 3912) encompass a range of products derived from cellulose, a natural polymer found in plant cell walls. This category includes cellulose ethers (like carboxymethyl cellulose), cellulose esters (like cellulose acetate), and other modified cellulose products used in industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, textiles, and construction. These materials are valued for their versatility as thickeners, stabilizers, binders, and film-forming agents. Global trade in this category is driven by demand for sustainable and biodegradable materials, as well as industrial applications in emerging economies.
Total Trade Volume
USD 8.5 billion
Data from 2022
Source
United Nations Comtrade Database
Average Rate
5.2%
Highest Rate
12% (applied by certain developing countries)
Lowest Rate
0% (under free trade agreements like EU-Japan EPA)
Rising demand for eco-friendly materials
Increased adoption of cellulose derivatives in biodegradable packaging and sustainable textiles, driving trade growth by 8% annually since 2020.
2022
Growth in pharmaceutical applications
Cellulose derivatives like microcrystalline cellulose are increasingly used in drug formulations, boosting demand in North America and Europe by 6% year-on-year.
2022
Shift towards Asia-Pacific production
Lower production costs and growing industrial capacity in China and India have shifted export shares, with Asia-Pacific now accounting for 35% of global exports.
2021
The EU's Green Deal policies have introduced stricter regulations on non-biodegradable materials, increasing demand for cellulose-based alternatives.
January 2023
Expected to boost EU imports of cellulose derivatives by 10% over the next five years.
A new phase of the US-China trade agreement reduced tariffs on certain chemical derivatives, including cellulose products, from 7.5% to 5%.
March 2023
Likely to increase bilateral trade volume by USD 200 million annually.
A major German manufacturer announced a breakthrough in low-cost, high-purity cellulose ether production, targeting food and pharmaceutical industries.
September 2022
Could lower global prices by 3-5%, making products more competitive in price-sensitive markets.