Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market – Global Industry Analysis and Forecast (2023-2029)


Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market was valued at US$ 20.60 Bn in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 30.77 Bn by 2029 at a CAGR of 5.9 % during the forecast period.

The report includes an analysis of the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on the revenue of market leaders, followers, and disruptors. Since the lockdown was implemented differently in various regions and countries; the impact of the same is also seen differently by regions and segments. The report has covered the current short-term and long-term impact on the market, and it would help the decision-makers to prepare the outline and strategies for companies by region.Specialty Pulp And Paper Chemical MarketTo know about the Research Methodology:-Request Free Sample Report

Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market Dynamics:

The specialty pulp & paper chemicals market is projected to exhibit steady growth as a result of rising global demand for tissues and packaging grades. Herein, the rapid growth of e-commerce is augmenting the consumption of packaging grades and packing materials. Moreover, increasing concern over food safety in the food and beverages sector has propelled the need for a high-quality food service board and a liquid packaging board. Demand for specialty papers and chemicals is expected to witness high growth because of the rising demand for sterilizing paper in medical applications. Sterile bags produced from these papers provide an optimal and clean surface for rotogravure and flexo printing.

Growing demand for one-sided specialty (coated) papers is likely to be the major driver for growth. One-sided specialty (coated) papers, manufactured from specialty chemicals such as functional and process chemicals, find a product in labeling, release liners, envelopes, laminating, gift wrapping, posters, and thermal transfers among several others. In terms of volume, the global market size for one-sided specialty (coated) papers was more than 4,000 kilotons in 2022 and is expected to cross 5,000 kilotons in the next three years. More than one-third of the global consumption of these specialty papers was for labels which are finding increasing usage in industries as well as stationery purposes.

These papers also have a huge demand for flexible packaging in the packaging industry. The use of these chemicals such as defoamers, retention aids, flocculant polymers, and others in cleaning wastewater before disposal and reducing the biological oxygen demand, by helping in the recycling of fibers coagulated in primary clarification stages, is also expected to promote its global use and enhance its market demand. Hence, the improved process efficiency due to its use is also expected to drive the global specialty pulp and paper chemicals market in the forecast timespan.

However, environmental impact due to paper and pulp industry owing to a large amount of water, chemical and energy used for the manufacturing process would act as a restraint in the global market. Production of greenhouse gases like methane from waste papers is a major concern for the EPA. FDA regulations about the usage of bisphenol A in the production of thermal papers due to its effect on the human endocrine system are also expected to hinder the market growth in the forecast period.

Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market Regional Insights:

The market in Asia-Pacific was the largest in 2022 due to the flourishing packaging industry and the presence of a large number of end-use industries in developing nations such as India and China. The growth of print media, especially, in India is expected to further drive the demand for pulp and paper processing chemicals in the region. In addition, the flourishing e-commerce in the Asia-Pacific market is expected to further augment the demand during the forecast period.

North America is the second-largest market for pulp & paper chemicals owing to the increasing demand for paperboard in packaging applications. The European market for pulp & paper chemicals is expected to grow as a result of rising demand from the Eastern European countries and increasing the use of recycled paper. The market in Latin America and the Middle East & Africa are expected to exhibit considerable growth during the review period due to expanding paper industry in the regions.

The objective of the report is to present a comprehensive assessment of the market and contains thoughtful insights, facts, historical data, industry-validated market data, and projections with a suitable set of assumptions and methodology. The report also helps in understanding dynamics, structure by analyzing the market segments by solution type, end-user, and region and, projects the global market size. The report also provides a clear representation of competitive analysis of key players by product, price, financial position, product portfolio, growth strategies, and regional presence in the specialty pulp and paper chemical market.

Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market Scope: Inquire before buying






Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market




Report Coverage
Details




Base Year:
2022
Forecast Period:
2023-2029




Historical Data:
2018 to 2022
Market Size in 2022:
US $ 20.60 Bn.




Forecast Period 2023 to 2029 CAGR:
5.9%
Market Size in 2029:
US $ 30.77 Bn.




 Segments Covered:
by Type
Bleaching & RCF Chemical
Process Chemical
Functional Chemical
Coating Chemical
Pigment & Filler




by Application
Packaging
Labeling
Printing






Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market, by Region

North America (United States, Canada and Mexico)
Europe (UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Austria and Rest of Europe)
Asia Pacific (China, South Korea, Japan, India, Australia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Rest of APAC)
Middle East and Africa (South Africa, GCC, Egypt, Nigeria and Rest of ME&A)
South America (Brazil, Argentina Rest of South America)

Key Players

1. AkzoNobel N.V.
2. Ashland Inc
3. Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
4. BASF SE
5. Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
6. Kemira Oyj
7. SNF Floerger
8. The Dow Chemical Company
9. Evonik Industries AG
10. Nalco Holding Company
11. Shell Chemicals

Frequently Asked Questions:

1. Which region has the largest share in Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market?
Ans: Asia-Pacific region held the highest share in 2022.

2. What is the growth rate of Global Market?
Ans: The Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market is growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during forecasting period 2023-2029.

3. What is scope of the Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical market report?
Ans: Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market report helps with the PESTEL, PORTER, COVID-19 Impact analysis, Recommendations for Investors & Leaders, and market estimation of the forecast period.

4. Who are the key players in Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical market?
Ans: The important key players in the Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market are – AkzoNobel N.V., Ashland Inc, Buckman Laboratories International, Inc., BASF SE, Buckman Laboratories International, Inc., Kemira Oyj, SNF Floerger, The Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Nalco Holding Company, and Shell Chemicals

5. What is the study period of this market?
Ans: The Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market is studied from 2023 to 2029. 





Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market

1. Preface
1.1. Report Scope and Market Segmentation
1.2. Research Highlights
1.3. Research Objectives

2. Assumptions and Research Methodology
2.1. Report Assumptions
2.2. Abbreviations
2.3. Research Methodology
2.3.1. Secondary Research
2.3.1.1. Secondary data
2.3.1.2. Secondary Sources
2.3.2. Primary Research
2.3.2.1. Data from Primary Sources
2.3.2.2. Breakdown of Primary Sources

3. Executive Summary: Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Size, by Market Value (US$ Bn) and Market Volume (Units)

4. Market Overview
4.1. Introduction
4.2. Market Indicator
4.2.1. Drivers
4.2.2. Restraints
4.2.3. Opportunities
4.2.4. Challenges
4.3. Porter’s Analysis
4.4. Value Chain Analysis
4.5. Market Risk Analysis
4.6. SWOT Analysis
4.7. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market Industry Trends
4.8.Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Market Competitive Landscape

5. Supply Side and Demand Side Indicators

6. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis and Forecast
6.1. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Size & Y-o-Y Growth Analysis
6.1.1. North America
6.1.2. Europe
6.1.3. Asia Pacific
6.1.4. Middle East & Africa
6.1.5. South America

7. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis and Forecast, By Type
7.1. Introduction and Definition
7.2. Key Findings
7.3. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
7.4. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Size (US$ Bn) Forecast, By Type
7.5. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, By Type
7.6. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis, By Type

8. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis and Forecast, By Application
8.1. Introduction and Definition
8.2. Key Findings
8.3. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
8.4. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Size (US$ Bn) Forecast, By Application
8.5. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, By Application
8.6. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis, By Application

9. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, by Region
9.1. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, by Region
9.2. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Size (US$ Bn) Forecast, by Region
9.3. Global Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis, by Region

10. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis
10.1. Key Findings
10.2. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Overview
10.3. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
10.4. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
10.4.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
10.4.2. Process Chemical
10.4.3. Functional Chemical
10.4.4. Coating Chemical
10.4.5. Pigment & Filler
10.5. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
10.6. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
10.6.1. Packaging
10.6.2. Labeling
10.6.3. Printing
10.7. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, by Country
10.8. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, by Country
10.8.1. U.S.
10.8.2. Canada
10.9. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, by Country
10.10. U.S. Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
10.10.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
10.10.2. Process Chemical
10.10.3. Functional Chemical
10.10.4. Coating Chemical
10.10.5. Pigment & Filler
10.11. U.S. Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
10.11.1. Packaging
10.11.2. Labeling
10.11.3. Printing
10.12. Canada Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
10.12.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
10.12.2. Process Chemical
10.12.3. Functional Chemical
10.12.4. Coating Chemical
10.12.5. Pigment & Filler
10.13. Canada Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
10.13.1. Packaging
10.13.2. Labeling
10.13.3. Printing
10.14. North America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis
10.14.1. By Type
10.14.2. By Application
10.15. PEST Analysis
10.16. Key Trends
10.17. Key Development

11. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis
11.1. Key Findings
11.2. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Overview
11.3. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
11.4. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.4.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.4.2. Process Chemical
11.4.3. Functional Chemical
11.4.4. Coating Chemical
11.4.5. Pigment & Filler
11.5. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
11.6. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.6.1. Packaging
11.6.2. Labeling
11.6.3. Printing
11.7. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, by Country
11.7.1. Germany
11.7.2. U.K.
11.7.3. France
11.7.4. Italy
11.7.5. Spain
11.7.6. Rest of Europe
11.8. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, by Country
11.9. Germany Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.9.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.9.2. Process Chemical
11.9.3. Functional Chemical
11.9.4. Coating Chemical
11.9.5. Pigment & Filler
11.10. Germany Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.10.1. Packaging
11.10.2. Labeling
11.10.3. Printing
11.11. U.K. Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.11.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.11.2. Process Chemical
11.11.3. Functional Chemical
11.11.4. Coating Chemical
11.11.5. Pigment & Filler
11.12. U.K. Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.12.1. Packaging
11.12.2. Labeling
11.12.3. Printing
11.13. France Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.13.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.13.2. Process Chemical
11.13.3. Functional Chemical
11.13.4. Coating Chemical
11.13.5. Pigment & Filler
11.14. France Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.14.1. Packaging
11.14.2. Labeling
11.14.3. Printing
11.15. Italy Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.15.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.15.2. Process Chemical
11.15.3. Functional Chemical
11.15.4. Coating Chemical
11.15.5. Pigment & Filler
11.16. Italy Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.16.1. Packaging
11.16.2. Labeling
11.16.3. Printing
11.17. Spain Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.17.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.17.2. Process Chemical
11.17.3. Functional Chemical
11.17.4. Coating Chemical
11.17.5. Pigment & Filler
11.18. Spain Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.18.1. Packaging
11.18.2. Labeling
11.18.3. Printing
11.19. Rest of Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
11.19.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
11.19.2. Process Chemical
11.19.3. Functional Chemical
11.19.4. Coating Chemical
11.19.5. Pigment & Filler
11.20. Rest of Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
11.20.1. Packaging
11.20.2. Labeling
11.20.3. Printing
11.21. Europe Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis
11.21.1. By Type
11.21.2. By Application
11.22. PEST Analysis
11.23. Key Trend
11.24. Key Development

12. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis
12.1. Key Findings
12.2. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Overview
12.3. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
12.4. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.4.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.4.2. Process Chemical
12.4.3. Functional Chemical
12.4.4. Coating Chemical
12.4.5. Pigment & Filler
12.5. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
12.6. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.6.1. Packaging
12.6.2. Labeling
12.6.3. Printing
12.7. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, by Country
12.8. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, by Country
12.8.1. China
12.8.2. India
12.8.3. Japan
12.8.4. ASEAN
12.8.5. Rest of Asia Pacific
12.9. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, by Country
12.10. China Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.10.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.10.2. Process Chemical
12.10.3. Functional Chemical
12.10.4. Coating Chemical
12.10.5. Pigment & Filler
12.11. China Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.11.1. Packaging
12.11.2. Labeling
12.11.3. Printing
12.12. India Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.12.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.12.2. Process Chemical
12.12.3. Functional Chemical
12.12.4. Coating Chemical
12.12.5. Pigment & Filler
12.13. India Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.13.1. Packaging
12.13.2. Labeling
12.13.3. Printing
12.14. Japan Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.14.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.14.2. Process Chemical
12.14.3. Functional Chemical
12.14.4. Coating Chemical
12.14.5. Pigment & Filler
12.15. Japan Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.15.1. Packaging
12.15.2. Labeling
12.15.3. Printing
12.16. ASEAN Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.16.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.16.2. Process Chemical
12.16.3. Functional Chemical
12.16.4. Coating Chemical
12.16.5. Pigment & Filler
12.17. ASEAN Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.17.1. Packaging
12.17.2. Labeling
12.17.3. Printing
12.18. Rest of Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
12.18.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
12.18.2. Process Chemical
12.18.3. Functional Chemical
12.18.4. Coating Chemical
12.18.5. Pigment & Filler
12.19. Rest of Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
12.19.1. Packaging
12.19.2. Labeling
12.19.3. Printing
12.20. Asia Pacific Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis
12.20.1. By Type
12.20.2. By Application
12.21. PEST Analysis
12.22. Key Trend
12.23. Key Development

13. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis
13.1. Key Findings
13.2. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Overview
13.3. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
13.4. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
13.4.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
13.4.2. Process Chemical
13.4.3. Functional Chemical
13.4.4. Coating Chemical
13.4.5. Pigment & Filler
13.5. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
13.6. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
13.6.1. Packaging
13.6.2. Labeling
13.6.3. Printing
13.7. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, by Country
13.8. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, by Country
13.8.1. GCC
13.8.2. South Africa
13.8.3. Rest of Middle East & Africa
13.9. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis, by Country
13.10. GCC Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
13.10.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
13.10.2. Process Chemical
13.10.3. Functional Chemical
13.10.4. Coating Chemical
13.10.5. Pigment & Filler
13.11. GCC Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
13.11.1. Packaging
13.11.2. Labeling
13.11.3. Printing
13.12. South Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
13.12.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
13.12.2. Process Chemical
13.12.3. Functional Chemical
13.12.4. Coating Chemical
13.12.5. Pigment & Filler
13.13. South Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
13.13.1. Packaging
13.13.2. Labeling
13.13.3. Printing
13.14. Rest of Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
13.14.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
13.14.2. Process Chemical
13.14.3. Functional Chemical
13.14.4. Coating Chemical
13.14.5. Pigment & Filler
13.15. Rest of Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
13.15.1. Packaging
13.15.2. Labeling
13.15.3. Printing
13.16. Middle East & Africa Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis
13.16.1. By Type
13.16.2. By Application
13.17. PEST Analysis
13.18. Key Trend
13.19. Key Development

14. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Analysis
14.1. Key Findings
14.2. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Overview
14.3. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Type
14.4. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
14.4.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
14.4.2. Process Chemical
14.4.3. Functional Chemical
14.4.4. Coating Chemical
14.4.5. Pigment & Filler
14.5. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, By Application
14.6. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
14.6.1. Packaging
14.6.2. Labeling
14.6.3. Printing
14.7. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Value Share Analysis, by Country
14.8. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, by Country
14.8.1. Brazil
14.8.2. Mexico
14.8.3. Rest of South America
14.9. Brazil Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
14.9.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
14.9.2. Process Chemical
14.9.3. Functional Chemical
14.9.4. Coating Chemical
14.9.5. Pigment & Filler
14.10. Brazil Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
14.10.1. Packaging
14.10.2. Labeling
14.10.3. Printing
14.11. Mexico Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
14.11.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
14.11.2. Process Chemical
14.11.3. Functional Chemical
14.11.4. Coating Chemical
14.11.5. Pigment & Filler
14.12. Mexico Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
14.12.1. Packaging
14.12.2. Labeling
14.12.3. Printing
14.13. Rest of South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Type
14.13.1. Bleaching & RCF Chemical
14.13.2. Process Chemical
14.13.3. Functional Chemical
14.13.4. Coating Chemical
14.13.5. Pigment & Filler
14.14. Rest of South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Forecast, By Application
14.14.1. Packaging
14.14.2. Labeling
14.14.3. Printing
14.15. South America Specialty Pulp and Paper Chemical Attractiveness Analysis
14.15.1. By Type
14.15.2. By Application
14.16. PEST Analysis
14.17. Key Trend
14.18. Key Development

15. Company Profiles
15.1. Market Share Analysis, by Company
15.2. Competition Matrix
15.2.1. Competitive Benchmarking of key players by price, presence, market share, Applications and R&D investment
15.2.2. New Product Launches and Product Enhancements
15.2.3. Market Consolidation
15.2.3.1. M&A by Regions, Investment and Applications
15.2.3.2. M&A Key Players, Forward Integration and Backward
Integration
15.3. Company Profiles: Key Players
15.3.1. AkzoNobel N.V
15.3.1.1. Company Overview
15.3.1.2. Financial Overview
15.3.1.3. Product Portfolio
15.3.1.4. Business Strategy
15.3.1.5. Recent Developments
15.3.1.6. Manufacturing Footprint
15.3.2. Ashland Inc
15.3.3. Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
15.3.4. BASF SE
15.3.5. Buckman Laboratories International, Inc.
15.3.6. Kemira Oyj
15.3.7. SNF Floerger
15.3.8. The Dow Chemical Company
15.3.9. Evonik Industries AG
15.3.10. Nalco Holding Company
15.3.11. Shell Chemicals

16. Primary Key Insights
  • INQUIRE BEFORE BUYING