Superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) are a unique group of materials that can absorb over a hundred times their weight in liquids and do not easily release the absorbed fluids under pressure. Superabsorbents were first developed by the United States Department of Agriculture in the late 1960s. Early commercial versions first emerged in the United States in the early 1970s in the form of starch/acrylonitrile/acrylamide based polymers, with applications originally focused in the agriculture/horticulture markets where they were used as hydrogels to retain moisture in the surrounding soil during growing and transportation. Subsequently, cross-linked polyacrylates and modified cellulose ethers were also commercialized along with starch-grafted cross-linked polyacrylates. Superabsorbent polymer-filled diapers based on cross-linked polyacrylates that had high moisture absorption characteristics were introduced in the Japanese market in 1982.. By 1985, the worldwide use of SAPs was an estimated 12,000 metric tons, two thirds being used in Japan.

Today, a rapidly ageing population and growing health awareness among consumers comprise key macro economic factors contributing towards higher demand for Super Absorbent Polymers (SAP) products.
United States and Europe, with a combined share of 58% in 2007, represent the largest markets for SAPs. Market for super-absorbent polymers in USA alone is projected to reach 419,000 tons by 2010. Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Latin America represent the markets with enormous potential. Asia-Pacific market for super-absorbent polymers is projected to reach 207,000 metric tons for 2010. Disposable diapers continue to remain the largest end use market for SAP, accounting for over 76% of global SAP sales for 2007. Adult incontinence pads represent the second largest end use market. SAP market for adult incontinence pads is estimated to reach 155,000 tons by 2010. In United States, use of SAP in feminine hygiene products is estimated at 17,000 tons for 2007. Industrial applications for SAPs have been slow to develop, and account for a small proportion of total global demand. Industrial applications include cable wrap, packaging and liquid waste disposal. Agricultural uses for seed coatings/potting compounds and water retention in arid planting areas rely on SAP's hydrogel properties.

There are two primary types of superabsorbent polymers: starch-graft polymers and those based on cross-linked polyacrylates. Although starch-graft polymers were the first developed, these polymers suffer from the disadvantage of salt instability. Polyacrylate polymers initially had difficulty achieving high absorption under load (AUL) characteristics at moderate pressures, as the materials would dissolve partially. However, this problem was solved by partly cross-linking the polyacrylate to provide a networked structure. The sodium acrylate and starch-graft polymers account for virtually all of the commercial volume of super absorbent polymers. Although other chemistries, such as polyacrylamide, poly (ethylene oxide), poly (vinyl alcohol), polysuccinimides, and hydrolyzed polyacrylonitrile polymers have been explored, they have to gain widespread commercial acceptance. Thus, sodium acrylates are expected to remain the commercially preferred SAP material. While significantly lower cost is attained by the starch-graft SAPs, they are not preferred by end-users due to inferior performance characteristics.

As per another report by Nexant, worldwide SAP demand is forecast to exhibit growth of 3.6% pa, until 2013. This is a result of rising demand for disposable diapers, primarily in countries with rising disposable incomes and low current penetration rates of SAP's. Although smaller markets in comparison to diapers, strong growth is forecast to continue in feminine hygiene products and in incontinence products in developed regions, as a result of efforts to produce slimmer, more efficient products. Global demand for SAP totaled an estimated 1.05 mln tons in 2003; demand growth for 2003-2008 is forecast to average 3.6% pa. Baby diapers will be the lowest growth market as a result of the maturity of this application in developed regions. All other applications are forecast to have above-average growth. Globally, baby diapers account for an estimated 81% of SAP demand, Adult incontinence is the next largest sub-segment (8%), followed by other applications (6%) and then feminine hygiene (5%).

On a regional basis, rapid growth in developing regions will result in an increasing share of SAP demand. Biodegradable SAP is expected to have a profound impact on market growth in future. In Asia, China and India hold vast growth potential for the SAP business. China is currently a major SAP market, both in terms of existing growth rates, and future growth potential. Lured by the vast potential of the market, several foreign players are setting up production plants, or undertaking large-scale capacity expansions in China. Other regions displaying strong demand include South America and the Middle East. Technological advancements associated with SAP further facilitate expansion of end-use applications. Globally the market of SAP for technical applications is projected to cross 104,000 tons by 2010. Major players dominating the market comprise BASF, Degussa and Nippon Shokubai, accounting for over 80% of the global super absorbent polymers market. Other prominent players include Sumitomo Seika and San-Dia Polymer.