Global Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning Chemicals

Report Overview

Featuring 153 tables and 163 figures – now available in Excel and Powerpoint! Learn More

Global demand for industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning chemicals is expected to grow 3.9% yearly to $53.7 billion in 2026. Gains will be supported by:

• ongoing growth in manufacturing activity, most notably in food and beverage manufacturing, the single largest outlet for I&I cleaning chemicals
• increases in healthcare spending, boosted by aging populations in developed regions and the expanding access to healthcare in developing regions
• the ongoing application of stringent cleanliness and sanitation protocols in commercial, industrial, and institutional facilities
• increasing personal incomes, which will support demand in foodservice and hotels as consumers dine out more often and travel more frequently
• the continued transition toward better performing, higher value cleaning chemicals, especially in developing countries

Accelerating Commercial Market Drives Global Demand for I&I Cleaning Chemicals

The commercial market will account for the largest absolute gains of any I&I cleaning chemical market due to a rebound in foodservice applications, as revenues from restaurants and other foodservice establishments continue to grow following significant pandemic-related declines in 2020. The return of international tourism, which suffered significantly in 2020 and continued to be affected in 2021, will also spur cleaning chemical demand for hotels. Transportation, distribution, and storage applications will also see significant growth, as increased manufacturing of a variety of goods, coupled with rising e-commerce activity, spur demand for vehicle care and floor care products.

Disinfectants, Sanitizers, & Vehicle Care Products Will See Healthy Growth

Demand for disinfectants and sanitizers will grow at a healthy rate through 2026, primarily driven by food and beverage manufacturing. An increase in food and beverage production, notably for export markets, will support growth. Gains in healthcare spending will also boost growth. In addition, the continuation of stringent cleaning and sanitation protocols, most notably in foodservice, commercial, and institutional applications, will benefit demand.

Vehicle care products will also see above average gains, buoyed by increasing shipping and distribution activities, as well as increasing patronization of commercial car washes as average vehicle miles traveled returns to pre-pandemic levels.

Specialized Products Increasing Their Share of the I&I Cleaning Chemicals Market

General purpose cleaners will remain the most used cleaning chemical product due to their ease of use, which makes them amenable to nearly all applications. However, specialized products are steadily becoming more important, and are cumulatively reducing general purpose cleaners’ share of the market due to their better performance. In particular, disinfectants and sanitizers are gaining share, due to growth in food and beverage processing and efforts by processors to meet the stringent cleanliness regulations of their trade partners.

Manufacturing Outlook

Trends in manufacturing have a large impact on I&I cleaning chemical demand:

• Many products – including food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals – require sterile or near sterile conditions to prevent contamination and potential harm to consumers, supporting a high level of demand for I&I cleaning chemicals for use on equipment and in the facility.
• In addition, keeping manufacturing facilities clean, such as by wiping up spills on hard surfaces or floors, can reduce the amount of work-related injuries.
• Manufacturing facilities can also house a large number of workers, requiring extensive cleaning of spaces not necessarily used in manufacturing to prevent the spread of disease, such as what was seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Increases in manufacturing activity tend to support stronger growth in general purpose cleaners, floor cleaners, and disinfectants and sanitizers.

Global real (i.e. inflation-adjusted) manufacturing value added is forecast to grow 3.3% annually during the 2021-2026 period:

• The Asia/Pacific region will continue to grow at an above average rate.
• Manufacturing activity in Western Europe will accelerate.
• Central and South America will rebound from declines posted between 2016 and 2021.

Demographic Trends

As populations grow, demand for I&I cleaning chemicals rises:

• The increasing utilization of restaurants, bars, shopping centers, hotels, and other commercial facilities will drive demand for cleaning products.
• Growth in manufacturing to meet the needs of an increasing population for goods will also benefit I&I cleaning chemical demand.
• I&I cleaning chemical demand will benefit from rising needs for healthcare generated by rising birth rates or aging populations, as well as increasing foot traffic in schools, religious facilities, and other governmental and institutional buildings.

Through 2026, the global population is forecast to expand 1.0% per annum to 8.2 billion:

• The fastest growth will be seen in the Africa/Mideast region, which will expand 2.2% yearly.
• The population of Western Europe is expected to stagnate through 2026.
• Declines in population numbers are expected to continue in Eastern Europe.