Surfactants Market Size
| Study Period | 2019 - 2029 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2023 |
| CAGR (2024 - 2029) | 3.30 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia-Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Surfactants Market Analysis
The Surfactants Market size is estimated at 18.25 Million tons in 2024, and is expected to reach 21.52 Million tons by 2029, growing at a CAGR of greater than 3.30% during the forecast period (2024-2029).
- Over the short term, the rising personal care and cosmetic industry and the growing usage in the manufacturing of detergents and cleaners are expected to drive the growth of the surfactant market.
- However, the increasing environmental awareness against the use of surfactants is expected to hinder the growth of the market.
- New inventions in the field of surfactants and the introduction of bio-based surfactants are likely to create more opportunities.
- Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market, and it is likely to witness the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Surfactants Market Trends
Anionic Surfactants are Expected to Dominate the Market
- Anionic surfactants belong to the class of surface-active reagents, in which the head of the surfactant macromolecule remains negatively charged. This allows it to bind to impurities and particles suspended in the liquid.
- Anionic surfactants account for approximately half of the total share of the surfactants market. A growing focus on environmental regulations is expected to increase the demand for anionic surfactants.
- Anionic surfactants are widely used for industrial and household cleaning and for pesticide formulations. Of the anionic surfactants, biodegradable linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) are the most common and can be found in wastewater systems and river water.
- Anionic surfactants work best to remove dirt, clay, and some oily stains. They work through ionization. When added to water, the anionic surfactants ionize and take a negative charge. The negatively charged surfactants bind to positively charged particles like clay. Anionic surfactants are effective in removing particulate soils.
- Some of the most used anionic surfactants are sulfonic acid salts, alcohol sulfates, phosphoric acid esters, alkylbenzene sulfonates, and carboxylic acid salts.
- The increasing demand for anionic surfactants in cosmetic products, such as skincare and hair care products in personal care applications, owing to their superior characteristics, such as foaming, cleansing, thickening, solubilizing, emulsifying, antimicrobial effects, penetration enhancement, and other special effects, is expected to boost the demand.
- The current market demand for environment-friendly alternatives has led to a boost in demand for bio-based anionic surfactants.
Asia-Pacific is Expected to Dominate the Market
- In Asia-Pacific, China is likely to dominate the market studied. In China, cosmetics and personal care are among the fastest-growing sectors. Continuous growth in population is another factor fuelling the demand for personal care, soaps, and detergents in the country, which augments the surfactants market.
- The output from the Chinese chemical industry is essential in various products, including soaps, detergents, cosmetics, etc. There are more than 60 manufacturers of washing, care, and cleaning agents in the country. However, the market studied is dominated by global players like BASF SE and Evonik Industries AG. China is also one of the largest exporters of soaps and detergent products.
- Moreover, India is one of the largest producers of soaps in the world. The per capita consumption of toilet/bathing soaps in the country is around 800 grams. Around 65% of the Indian population resides in rural areas, and the increasing disposable incomes and growth in rural markets make consumers shift to premium products. This shift is expected to drive the Indian surfactants market.
- According to the India Brand Equity Foundation, the beauty, cosmetic, and grooming market is expected to reach USD 20 billion by 2025.
- According to the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry (METI), Japan, in 2022, the total production of cationic surfactants in the country stood at 46.09 thousand metric tons, registering an increase of more than 3% compared to the previous year.
- The South Korean paint and coating market is the fourth-largest Asia-Pacific region. KCC, Samhwa Paints, Kangnam Jevisco (formerly Kunsul Chemical Industrial Company, popularly called KCI), Noroo Paints, and Chokwang Paints are the major paint and coating producers. They dominate the South Korean paint and coating market.
- Overall, the market for surfactants in the region is expected to witness steady growth during the forecast period.
Surfactants Industry Overview
The surfactants market is highly fragmented, with the top five companies accounting for a minimal share of the market. Some major players in the market (in no particular order) include Nouryon, Evonik Industries AG, Kao Corporation, BASF SE, and Stepan Company, among others.
Surfactants Market Leaders
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Nouryon
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Evonik Industries AG
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Kao Corporation
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BASF SE
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Stepan Company
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Surfactants Market News
- December 2023: Innospec announced the acquisition of QGP Química Geral (QGP), a leading specialty chemicals company based in Brazil. The company strengthened its Performance Chemicals segment by adding new surfactants to the portfolio through the acquisition.
- October 2023: Croda International PLC announced the acquisition of Enza Biotech AB to develop the next generation of renewable surfactants using carbohydrate-based chemistry. Through the acquisition, the company strengthened its surfactant product portfolio.
- September 2023: Dow collaborated with LanzaTech to launch a readily bio-degradable cleaning solution that utilizes circular carbon capture. Furthermore, Dow launched its EcoSense 2470 Surfactant, developed in collaboration with LanzaTech Global Inc.
Surfactants Market Report - Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
- 1.1 Study Assumptions
- 1.2 Scope of the Study
2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
4. MARKET DYNAMICS
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4.1 Market Drivers
- 4.1.1 Growing Demand from the Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry Globally
- 4.1.2 Increasing Usage in Manufacturing of Detergents and cleaners
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4.2 Market Restraints
- 4.2.1 Environmental Concerns and Regulations
- 4.2.2 Other Restraints
- 4.3 Industry Value Chain Analysis
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4.4 Porter's Five Forces Analysis
- 4.4.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.4.2 Bargaining Power of Consumers
- 4.4.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.4.4 Threat of Substitute Products and Services
- 4.4.5 Degree of Competition
- 4.5 Price Analysis
5. MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size in Volume)
-
5.1 By Type
- 5.1.1 Anionic Surfactants
- 5.1.1.1 Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS or LABS)
- 5.1.1.2 Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfates (AES)
- 5.1.1.3 Alpha Olefin Sulfonates (AOS)
- 5.1.1.4 Secondary Alkane Sulfonate (SAS)
- 5.1.1.5 Methyl Ester Sulfonates (MES)
- 5.1.1.6 Sulfosuccinates
- 5.1.1.7 Other Types of Anionic Surfactants
- 5.1.2 Cationic Surfactants
- 5.1.2.1 Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
- 5.1.2.2 Other Types of Cationic Surfactants
- 5.1.3 Non-ionic Surfactants
- 5.1.3.1 Alcohol Ethoxylates
- 5.1.3.2 Ethoxylated Alkyl-phenols
- 5.1.3.3 Fatty Acid Esters
- 5.1.3.4 Other Non-ionic Surfactants
- 5.1.4 Amphoteric Surfactants
- 5.1.5 Silicone Surfactants
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5.2 By Application
- 5.2.1 Household Soaps and Detergents
- 5.2.2 Personal Care
- 5.2.3 Lubricants and Fuel Additives
- 5.2.4 Industry and Institutional Cleaning
- 5.2.5 Food Processing
- 5.2.6 Oilfield Chemicals
- 5.2.7 Agricultural Chemicals
- 5.2.8 Textile Processing
- 5.2.9 Emulsion Polymerization
- 5.2.10 Other Applications
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5.3 By Geography
- 5.3.1 Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.1.1 China
- 5.3.1.2 India
- 5.3.1.3 Japan
- 5.3.1.4 South Korea
- 5.3.1.5 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.3.2 North America
- 5.3.2.1 United States
- 5.3.2.2 Canada
- 5.3.2.3 Mexico
- 5.3.3 Europe
- 5.3.3.1 Germany
- 5.3.3.2 United Kingdom
- 5.3.3.3 Italy
- 5.3.3.4 France
- 5.3.3.5 Rest of Europe
- 5.3.4 South America
- 5.3.4.1 Brazil
- 5.3.4.2 Argentina
- 5.3.4.3 Rest of South America
- 5.3.5 Middle East and Africa
- 5.3.5.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.3.5.2 South Africa
- 5.3.5.3 Rest of Middle East and Africa
6. COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
- 6.1 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
- 6.2 Market Ranking Analysis
- 6.3 Strategies Adopted by Leading Players
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6.4 Company Profiles
- 6.4.1 3M
- 6.4.2 Arkema
- 6.4.3 Ashland
- 6.4.4 BASF SE
- 6.4.5 Bayer AG
- 6.4.6 Cepsa
- 6.4.7 Clariant
- 6.4.8 Croda International PLC
- 6.4.9 Dow Inc.
- 6.4.10 Emery Oleochemicals
- 6.4.11 Evonik Industries AG
- 6.4.12 Galaxy Surfactants
- 6.4.13 Geo Speciality Chemicals
- 6.4.14 Godrej Industries Limited
- 6.4.15 Huntsman International LLC
- 6.4.16 Innospec
- 6.4.17 Kao Corporation
- 6.4.18 KLK Oleo
- 6.4.19 Lankem
- 6.4.20 Lonza
- 6.4.21 Nouryon
- 6.4.22 Oxiteno
- 6.4.23 P&G Chemicals
- 6.4.24 Reliance Industries Ltd
- 6.4.25 Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd
- 6.4.26 Sasol
- 6.4.27 Sinopec (China Petrochemical Corporation)
- 6.4.28 Solvay
- 6.4.29 Stepan Company
- 6.4.30 Sulfatrade SA
- 6.4.31 Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd
- 6.4.32 Taiwan NJC Corporation Ltd
- 6.4.33 TENSAC
- 6.4.34 YPF SA
- *List Not Exhaustive
7. MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS
- 7.1 Expansion of Application Base For Bio-based Surfactants
- 7.2 Possible Innovations in the Application of Specialty Surfactants
Surfactants Industry Segmentation
Surfactant is a substance that, when added to a liquid, reduces its surface tension, thereby increasing its spreading and wetting properties. They are mainly used in household soap and detergent and personal care applications.
The surfactants market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and silicone surfactants. By application, the market is segmented into household soaps and detergents, personal care, lubricants and fuel additives, industry and institutional cleaning, food processing, oilfield chemicals, agricultural chemicals, textile processing, emulsion polymerization, and other applications. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for the surfactants market in 15 countries across major regions. For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts are provided on the basis of volume (kilotons).
| By Type | Anionic Surfactants | Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS or LABS) |
| Alcohol Ethoxy Sulfates (AES) | ||
| Alpha Olefin Sulfonates (AOS) | ||
| Secondary Alkane Sulfonate (SAS) | ||
| Methyl Ester Sulfonates (MES) | ||
| Sulfosuccinates | ||
| Other Types of Anionic Surfactants | ||
| By Type | Cationic Surfactants | Quaternary Ammonium Compounds |
| Other Types of Cationic Surfactants | ||
| By Type | Non-ionic Surfactants | Alcohol Ethoxylates |
| Ethoxylated Alkyl-phenols | ||
| Fatty Acid Esters | ||
| Other Non-ionic Surfactants | ||
| By Type | Amphoteric Surfactants | |
| Silicone Surfactants | ||
| By Application | Household Soaps and Detergents | |
| Personal Care | ||
| Lubricants and Fuel Additives | ||
| Industry and Institutional Cleaning | ||
| Food Processing | ||
| Oilfield Chemicals | ||
| Agricultural Chemicals | ||
| Textile Processing | ||
| Emulsion Polymerization | ||
| Other Applications | ||
| By Geography | Asia-Pacific | China |
| India | ||
| Japan | ||
| South Korea | ||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | ||
| By Geography | North America | United States |
| Canada | ||
| Mexico | ||
| By Geography | Europe | Germany |
| United Kingdom | ||
| Italy | ||
| France | ||
| Rest of Europe | ||
| By Geography | South America | Brazil |
| Argentina | ||
| Rest of South America | ||
| By Geography | Middle East and Africa | Saudi Arabia |
| South Africa | ||
| Rest of Middle East and Africa |
Surfactants Market Research FAQs
How big is the Surfactants Market?
The Surfactants Market size is expected to reach 18.25 million tons in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of greater than 3.30% to reach 21.52 million tons by 2029.
What is the current Surfactants Market size?
In 2024, the Surfactants Market size is expected to reach 18.25 million tons.
Who are the key players in Surfactants Market?
Nouryon, Evonik Industries AG, Kao Corporation, BASF SE and Stepan Company are the major companies operating in the Surfactants Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Surfactants Market?
Asia-Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2024-2029).
Which region has the biggest share in Surfactants Market?
In 2024, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Surfactants Market.
What years does this Surfactants Market cover, and what was the market size in 2023?
In 2023, the Surfactants Market size was estimated at 17.65 million tons. The report covers the Surfactants Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The report also forecasts the Surfactants Market size for years: 2024, 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028 and 2029.
What are the latest trends driving the Surfactants Market?
The latest trends driving the Surfactants Market are a) Increasing demand for green and bio-based surfactant products b) Increasing demand from various applications such as home care, textiles, and food and beverage
Surfactants Industry Report
The surfactants market is experiencing significant growth, driven by increasing demand across various sectors including home care, personal care, and industrial cleaning applications. Anionic surfactants dominate due to their cost-effectiveness and wide-ranging applications in products like detergents and cleaners. The shift towards bio-derived and green surfactants is creating new opportunities, offering environmental benefits and meeting regulatory standards for low toxicity and biodegradability. Challenges include competition from alternative formulations and the environmental impact of certain surfactant types. Regionally, Asia Pacific leads in market share, fueled by rapid industrialization, rising standards of living, and the availability of raw materials. The market is poised for continued expansion, with innovations and sustainability playing key roles. This growth is supported by the development of polymeric surfactants, gaining traction due to their enhanced properties. For detailed statistics, market share, size, and revenue growth rate, access a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download from Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports.
