From a product-type viewpoint, Dispersing Agents are being designed for different substrate systems, including water-based, solvent-based and UV-curable. The shift toward water-based systems has boosted demand for dispersants that are compatible with aqueous environments, resistant to coalescence, and able to deliver high pigment loading without settling. Formulators now look for dispersing agents that meet a complex set of criteria: rheology control, stability, colour consistency and environmental compliance.

Meanwhile, segmentations such as anionic, non-ionic and amphoteric dispersants remain important, with certain formulations preferred in specific end-uses (for instance, low-foaming dispersants in inks or coatings). As materials science evolves, the requirement for specialised dispersing agents for niche applications (such as high-speed coatings, recycled-content plastics, or hybrid substrates) is growing — which elevates the market beyond commodity additives toward higher-margin speciality chemicals.