Surfactants Market

Surfactants Market Size (2024 to 2029)

The Surfactants Market size was valued to be USD 44.24 billion in 2024 and is estimated to reach USD 63.66 billion by 2028, showing a CAGR of 7.55% between 2024 to 2029.

Surfactants also termed surface-active agents, are compounds added to lessen the interfacial tension that is also called surface tension among two liquids or solids and liquids. Surfactants are surface-active agents that decrease the surface tension of the liquid. It assists in escalating the wetting properties of the fluid. Surfactants are majorly employed to separate dirt, oil, and stains from different surfaces. They are major additives in soaps, detergents, cosmetics, personal care products, textile processing, industrial cleaning, and others. Surfactants, also known to be surface-active agents, are the natural compound of both the hydrophilic and hydrophobic groups. The amphoteric surfactant sector is forecasted to be the most rapidly advancing sector on account of its excellent properties like foam stabilization & foaming, biodegradability, and conditioning in others. The features of surfactants like detergency, froth/foam, stabilization, wettability, and dispersion have a great practical approach in so many businesses. 

MARKET DRIVERS

The development of the industry can be credited to the rising call from the personal care industry. Surfactants are more and more utilized for household and industrial applications. The surfactant market is projected to develop due to the escalating alertness for eco-friendly products. Low raw material costs, along with lower production expenses, are estimated to assist penetration in the foreseen period. Surfactants offer stability and viscosity to foam and emulsion. This is further determined to drive the call for the product from many end-user businesses in the next seven years. The rising population and changing lifestyle have created a requirement to suffice the food needs of individuals, and the food and beverage business is responding with innovative products. Presently, surfactants are employed as emulsifiers that are significant for the creation and stabilization of the structure in food. These reasons are together assisting in a rise in the demand for surfactants in the food & beverage business, and hence, there is a rise in the surfactants market size. 

Strict norms on environmental issues, the compulsion for the accomplishment of eco-friendly chemical procedures by the government, pollution control rules for production procedures, and escalating propensity toward environment-friendly products are the factors that could hinder the development of the surfactants industry. Strict government rules on surfactants are a reason which may impede the expansion of the worldwide surfactants industry. 

MARKET OPPORTUNITIES

With the increasing awareness about healthy food, individuals are preferring organic food which is resulting in a demand for bio-surfactants that have high biodegradability, lower toxicity, and activity at high temperatures.

MARKET CHALLENGES

Technological restraints leading to problems related to the commercial production of bio-surfactants is also estimated to hamper the expansion over the forecast period. In addition to that, fluctuating costs of raw materials is another reason that could impact the development of the global industry. Price changes due to increasing environmental worries relating to surfactant toxicity and degradability, along with changing crude oil prices are expected to hinder the market.

REPORT COVERAGE

DETAILED SEGMENTATION OF THE GLOBAL SURFACTANTS MARKET INCLUDED IN THIS REPORT

This research report on the global surfactants market has been segmented and sub-segmented based on substrate, type, application, and region.

Global Surfactants Market By Substrate

• Bio-Based
• Synthetic

The synthetic surfactants sector is presumed to be the rapidly developing sector owing to the large-scale employment in different commercial and industrial products like shampoos, detergents, cleaners, soaps, and others. Nevertheless, the bio-based surfactants sector is in demand owing to the increasing leaning toward products manufactured by natural raw materials customers. 

Global Surfactants Market By Type

• Amphoteric
• Non-Ionic
• Anionic
• Cationic

The non-ionic sector is classified into alkyl phenol ethoxylates, fatty Al ethoxylates, and others. The anionic industry is categorized into sulfosuccinates, linear FAI ether sulfates, alkylbenzene, FAI sulfates, and others. 

Global Surfactants Market By Application

• Food & Beverage
• Detergents
• Elastomers & Plastics
• Personal Care
• Crop Protection
• Textile

Global Surfactants Market By Region

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East & Africa

KEY PLAYERS IN THE GLOBAL SURFACTANTS MARKET

The major key players in the global surfactants market are Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Clariant AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Kao Corporation, Stepan Company, Solvay, Huntsman Corporation, and others.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET

On March 27, 2018, Stepan CDMX, S. de R.L. de C.V. finished the partnership of a portion of BASF's oleochemical surfactants market in Mexico from BASF Mexicana, S.A. de C.V. The Company had declared the acquisition of BASF's Mexican surfactant industry in June 2017. The Mexican surfactant business gained from BASF was a part of BASF's Care Chemicals unit. The deal involves a portion of BASF's associated surfactant business, including associated intellectual property, as well as the surfactant production facility in Ecatepec, Mexico. The surfactant production facility with a warehouse space of over 124,000 sq. Ft. has a production capacity of 50,000 metric tons, along with an ample laboratory office space is situated near Mexico City. Stepan will also absorb most of the present employees at this production facility on completion of the deal.