Surfactants Market Expected to Reach $59.5 Billion by 2032—Allied Market Research

According to a new report published by Allied Market Research, titled, “Surfactants Market," The surfactants market was valued at $37.7 billion in 2022, and is estimated to reach $59.5 billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% from 2023 to 2032.

Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, are organic chemicals with a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic end that when added to a liquid, change its properties. Surfactants can be classified, either based on the nature of their charge on individual polar functional groups or based on their molecular weights.

Depending on the nature of hydrophilic moiety ensuring the water affinity of the molecule, surfactants are majorly classified into anionic, cationic, non-ionic, and amphoteric surfactants. Anionic surfactants are majorly derived from carboxylation, sulfation, and condensation of fatty acids and phosphoric acid derivatives. Cationic surfactants are obtained by the reaction of tertiary amines with classical alkylating agents, whereas alkylation processes of betaines and true amphoteric surfactants produce amphoteric surfactants.

The shift away from solvent-based products to water-based formulations, driven by environmental and regulatory concerns, has increased the use of surfactants in various industries. Moreover, in the food industry, the clean-label trend has led to the use of natural and recognizable surfactants in food processing. Thus, contributing to the market growth.

However, strict environmental and safety regulations govern the use of surfactants in various applications. Compliance with these regulations can be complex and costly, which may limit product development and hamper the market growth.

On the contrary, adoption of green chemistry principles encourages the development of surfactants with reduced environmental impact. This includes the use of safer chemicals, energy-efficient processes, and waste reduction, aligning with sustainable and regulatory requirements.

The surfactants market is segmented on the basis of feedstock, type, ed use, and region. By feedstock, the market is segregated into bio-based surfactants, biosurfactants, synthetic surfactants, and others. The synthetic surfactants segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2022. Synthetic surfactants are integral components of many cleaning products, including laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, surface cleaners, and personal care items like shampoos and body washes. As household and personal hygiene practices continue to evolve and expand, the demand for such products rises.

Moreover, the industrial and institutional cleaning sector, including cleaning services, healthcare facilities, and food processing industries, relies heavily on synthetic surfactants to maintain cleanliness and hygiene. The growth of these sectors contributes to increase in demand for surfactants. In addition, synthetic surfactants are used in agriculture to improve the effectiveness of pesticides, herbicides, and other agricultural chemicals. As global agricultural production increases to meet growing food demands, so does the use of surfactants in these applications. These factors altogether may increase the sales of synthetic surfactants among various end use sectors; thus, fueling the market growth.

By type, the market is divided into cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, and amphoteric surfactants. The anionic surfactants segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2022 with 45.1% share in the global market. Anionic surfactants are essential ingredients in many cleaning products, including laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, and household cleaners.

As consumers and industries prioritize cleanliness and hygiene, the demand for effective cleaning agents is on the rise. Moreover, anionic surfactants are widely used in personal care products such as shampoos, body washes, and toothpaste. The personal care industry is continuously growing, with an emphasis on product innovation and performance, contributing to the demand for surfactants.

Furthermore, anionic surfactants play a crucial role in emulsifying and stabilizing food products, especially in the food and beverage industry. They are used in various food applications to create stable emulsions, dressings, and spreads, which are in demand due to consumers' diverse food preferences. These factors altogether may lead the surfactants market for anionic surfactants to witness a significant growth.

By end use, the market is divided into household detergents, personal care, institutional and industrial cleaners, food processing, oilfield chemicals, textiles, plastics, paints and coatings, adhesives, and others. The household detergents segment dominated the global market, in terms of revenue in 2022 with 53.2% share in the global market. There is a growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning products. Many consumers are seeking household detergents with biodegradable ingredients, reduced packaging waste, and cruelty-free testing practices.

Moreover, consumers are increasingly concerned about the ingredients used in household detergents, with a focus on avoiding harsh chemicals and allergens. This has led to rise in demand for milder and hypoallergenic formulations. In addition, consumers are concerned about sanitizing and disinfecting their homes to prevent the spread of germs and viruses. These factors lead to the surfactants market growth for household detergents.

Region-wise, the surfactants market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA. The Asia-Pacific surfactants market size is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period, and accounted for a major market share in 2022. The Asia-Pacific region is a major hub for the surfactants market, with significant growth potential. Growing population, urbanization, and industrialization contribute to increase in demand for surfactants across various sectors in the region. Furthermore, rapid industrialization and urbanization have resulted in a growing need for cleaning products, personal care items, and industrial chemicals, all of which rely on surfactants.

Key players operating in the global surfactants market include Clariant AG., Evonik Industries AG, Huntsman International LLC, Nouryon, Stepan Company, Lonza Group AG, BASF SE, Croda International Plc, Kao Corporation, and Dow Inc.

COVID-19 analysis

The novel coronavirus was an incomparable global pandemic that spread to over 180 countries and caused huge losses of lives and the economy around the globe. The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on the surfactants market, affecting various aspects of the industry. The pandemic heightened awareness of hygiene, leading to surge in demand for cleaning and personal care products. Surfactants are essential ingredients in cleaning and personal care products, such as hand sanitizers, disinfectants, soaps, and detergents. This resulted in increased demand for surfactants in the cleaning and personal care sector.

Moreover, lockdowns, restrictions, and disruptions in transportation and logistics impacted the global supply chain. Availability of raw materials for surfactant production was affected, leading to production delays and increased costs.

However, the heightened awareness of hygiene and sanitization practices that emerged during the pandemic is likely to persist. This ongoing emphasis will sustain demand for surfactants used in cleaning and personal care products, including hand sanitizers and disinfectants. Furthermore, consumer preferences for eco-friendly and sustainable products are expected to rise.

The demand for green and bio-based surfactants is expected to grow as consumers prioritize products with minimal environmental impact. In addition, the pandemic has accelerated R&D activities in the pharmaceutical industry, which is expected to result in increased demand for surfactants in drug delivery systems. These factors may lead the surfactants market to witness a significant growth post COVID-19 period.

Key Findings Of The Study:

• By feedstock, the synthetic surfactants segment is estimated to attain the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 4.6% from 2023 to 2032.
• By type, the anionic surfactants segment is estimated to attain the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue from 2023 to 2032.
• By end use, the household detergents segment is estimated to attain the highest growth rate, in terms of revenue, registering a CAGR of 4.8% from 2023 to 2032.
• Asia-Pacific garnered the highest share  in 2022, in terms of revenue, growing at a CAGR of 5.1%.