Market Forecast for Global Surfactants

Report Overview

Global surfactants market to grow 3.6% annually to $50 billion in year 2027.

This Freedonia industry study analyzes the $41.9 billion global surfactants industry. It presents historical demand data (2017-2023) and forecasts (2027 and 2032) by surfactant type (anionic, non-ionic, cationic, amphoteric and other) and application (home care, personal care, industrial & institutional cleaning, textile, oilfield chemicals, agrochemicals, food & beverage, elastomers & plastics and other). In addition, the study evaluates company market share and competitive analysis for key industry competitors including Stepan Company, BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Dow Chemical Company, Nouryon B.V., Kao Corporation, Zanyu Technology Group, Clariant Ltd, Indorama Venture Holdings L.P. and Solvay S.A.

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This report describes and explains the surfactants market and covers 2017-2022, termed the historic period, and 2022-2027 termed the forecast period, along with further forecasts for the period 2027-2032. The report evaluates the market across each region and for the major economies within each region.

Surfactants are chemical compounds that decrease the surface tension or interfacial tension between two liquids, a liquid and a gas, or a liquid and a solid. They are amphiphilic molecules, meaning they contain both a water-soluble component and a water-insoluble component. The term surfactant comes from the words "surface-active agent". Surfactants are utilized in every industrial area, ranging from household detergents, drilling muds and food items to pharmaceuticals.

The surfactants market consists of sales of surfactants by entities (organizations, sole traders or partnerships) that manufacture surfactants which play an important role as cleaning, wetting, dispersing, emulsifying, foaming and anti-foaming agents in many practical applications and products, including detergents, fabric softeners, motor oils, emulsions, soaps, paints, adhesives, inks, anti-fogs, ski waxes, and snowboard wax.

The surfactants market is segmented by type into anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants and other surfactants types. The surfactants market is segmented by application into home care, personal care, industrial and institutional cleaning, textile, elastomers and plastics, oilfield chemicals, agrochemicals, food and beverage and other surfactants applications.

Major Trends Shaping The Surfactants Market

Bio-Based Surfactants To Offer Environmentally-Friendly Solutions

Major companies in the surfactants market are focusing on bio-based surfactants and plant-based surfactants to offer high biodegradability, lower toxicity, easy applicability and ease of raw material availability. For example, in December 2022, Evonik, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched the sustainable rhamnolipid REWOFERM RL 100. The new biosurfactant meets demand from the cleaning solutions market for low-emission, low-impact cleaning products that enable a circular economy. REWOFERM RL 100 is produced from locally sourced, renewable feedstocks and is fully biodegradable, while providing excellent cleaning performance.

In February 2023, Pangaea Biosciences Ltd, a UK-based agrochemical company, launched a new plant-based surfactant formulation technology to preserve soil health and biodiversity. It manages to significantly reduce the dose rate application, while bringing down chemical loading and limiting harmful surfactants, and also helps to improve the stickability of the product on the leaf and penetration into the plant, resulting in better rain fastness, while reducing the amount of less active ingredients reaching the soil.

Increasing Investments In Surfactants Production Capacities

Companies operating in the surfactants market are strategically increasing their investments to expand production capacities. For example, in January 2022, Evonik, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, invested a three-figure million-euro sum in the construction of a new production plant for bio-based and fully biodegradable rhamnolipids. The decision to build the plant follows a breakthrough in Evonik's research and development. Rhamnolipids are biosurfactants and serve as active ingredients in shower gels and detergents.

Strategic Partnerships and Acquisitions

Companies in the surfactants market are focusing on collaborations and acquisitions to improve their financial strength, product portfolio and geographical presence. For example, in January 2023, Holiferm Limited, a UK-based manufacturer of biosurfactants, and Sasol Chemicals, a US-based integrated chemicals and energy company, announced a collaboration to produce and market rhamnolipids and mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs). This collaboration expands the partnership between the two companies to develop and commercialize another biosurfactant product, sophorolipids. The partnership will use Holiferm’s proprietary technology to develop the fermentation-derived biosurfactants. Sasol and Holiferm will develop and commercialize formulations and applications for the new molecules.

In November 2022, Kensing LLC, a US-based manufacturer of natural vitamin E, plant sterols, specialty esters and high-purity anionic surfactants, acquired Hopewell, Virginia, who produces amphoteric surfactants and specialty esters manufacturing operations, from Evonik Corporation, a German manufacturer of specialty chemicals. This transaction expands Kensing’s existing surfactant and specialty esters product offerings.

Development Of Ethylene-Based Surfactants From Industrial Carbon Emissions

Surfactants manufacturers are focusing on ethylene-based surfactants to improve the dispersion of poly (ethylene-co-vinyl acetate)/cellulose composites. For example, in April 2021, Unilever, a UK-based Consumer packaged goods company, partnered with LanzaTech, a US-based chemical manufacturing company, and India Glycols, an India-based company that manufactures green technologies, to produce ethylene-based surfactant (specifically from ethylene oxide) made from industrial carbon emissions using LanzaTech’s technology. The process marks the first time a surfactant has been made using captured carbon emissions. The new surfactant will be used in an Omo (Persil) laundry capsule, which was launched in China.

Launch Of Performance Enhancing Technologies

Companies in the surfactants market are focusing on new technologies and developing technologically advanced solutions to strengthen their position in the market. For example, in June 2022, Solvay, a Belgium-based chemical company, introduced high-performance Tecnoflon peroxide curable fluoroelastomers (FKM), produced without the use of fluorosurfactants (a type of PFAS (Per-and polyfluoroalkyl substances) used as process aids). The proprietary new technology, called NFS (non-fluorosurfactant), marks a breakthrough in FKM polymerization and aligns with the company’s sustainability roadmap.

In June 2022, Christeyns, a Belgian chemical engineering company, launched their innovative detergency system, EPIC (Enzymatic Process Innovation by Christeyns), which is based on enzyme technology, enabling laundries to reduce their wastewater costs by 25%. The use of surfactants is reduced by 50% and is supplemented by biological enzymes. This reduces the wastewater load by 20% to 30%, providing substantial savings for laundries.

Focus On Polymerizable Surfactants To Improve Emulsion Performance

Surfactants manufacturers are focusing on investment and development of new polymerizable surfactants to strengthen their product portfolio. For example, in November 2022, Solvay, a Belgian chemical company, launched Reactsurf 2490, a new APE-free1 polymerizable surfactant designed as a primary emulsifier for acrylic, vinyl-acrylic and styrene-acrylic latex systems. Reactsurf 2490 improves emulsion performance to deliver superior functional and aesthetic benefits in exterior coatings and pressure sensitive adhesives (PSAs), compared to conventional surfactants, even at high temperatures.

Launch Of Natural Offerings For Personal Care Applications

Surfactants manufacturers are focusing on launching natural surfactants to be used in personal care applications. For instance, in August 2021, Galaxy Surfactants, an India-based chemical company, launched Galsoft SLL, a 100% natural offering for the personal care industry. Galsoft SLL, is a condensation product of lactic acid and lauric acid, a mild and multifunctional molecule. It provides an excellent foam profile, improved emollience, moisturization and sensorial properties, in both leave-on and rinse-off formulations – as well as being readily biodegradable. Galsoft SLL can be used in Skin Care, Hair Care and Baby Care products. Galsoft SLL can also be used to enhance the delivery of ingredients into personal care products such as creams, lotions, baby products, body cleansers, hair cleansers and more.