Surfactant Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Surfactant Market is segmented By Type (Anionic Surfactants, Amphoteric Surfactants, Non-Ionic Surfactants), By Substrate (Bio-Based Surfactants, Synthetic Surfactants), By Application (Detergents, Oilfield Chemicals, Emulsifiers, Foaming Agents, Industrial, and Institutional Cleaning, Crop Protection, Personal care, Textiles, Food & Beverages, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Surfactant Market Overview

Surfactant Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5% during the forecast period 2024-2031

Surfactant is a compound with lower surface tension between two liquids, between a gas and a liquid, or between a liquid and a solid, acting as a wetting agent in several applications. Surfactant is used to form detergents, foaming agents, emulsifiers, dispersants, and surface cleaning products. A further surfactant such as a detergent combined with a liquid is used in the textile industry's dying to disperse the insoluble dyes and perfumes' suspension due to its spreading and wetting properties.

Surfactant is substantially used in end-user industries such as personal care, food, and beverages, agriculture, industrial, healthcare, textiles, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, etc.

Surfactant Market Summary

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Surfactant Market Dynamics

The global surfactants market is driven by the rising prevalence of coronavirus infection with increasing Covid-19 cases worldwide. As surfactants are applied for cleaning surfaces to avoid infection from the open surfaces coronavirus, they have propelled this market's growth. Further rising demand in the food and beverages, industrial sector, healthcare, and personal care products have propelled the surfactant market.

The rising prevalence of Covid-19 infection cases with the surge in healthcare awareness to avoid infections of the coronavirus worldwide has propelled this market's growth.

The increasing prevalence of Covid-19 cases has propelled the demand for cleaning products around the globe. For instance, as of 28th November 2020, the Covid-19 infected number of cases reached around 61,036,793 and around 1,433,316 number of registered deaths. Ascoronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) infection is increasing rapidly; hence to avoid the infection, growing people's awareness of hygiene and cleaning demand for the surfactant has increased astoundingly.

Growing awareness for cleaning products such as detergents, and cleaning chemicals required in the industries, institutions, various corporate and government offices

Surfactants act as emulsifiers, foaming agents, wetting agents, and dispersants to form detergents for cleaning homes or workplaces. It is also found in most bathroom cabinets, cosmetics, personal care products, pharmaceuticals, and several industrial applications. The further growing demand for personal care and cosmetics products demand has propelled the surfactant market's demand—the surfactant in the industrial sectors to facilitate hygiene and cleaning against bacteria and viruses.

The launch of bio-based and other synthetic surfactants and cleaning products may create a huge opportunity for this market's growth.

The launch of new cleaning products due to the surge in demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic may create a huge opportunity for this market's growth. For instance, on 8th March 2019, BASF SE launched a new LF RA-P rinse aid surfactant for plastic surfaces and plastic dishware produced in North America. Further on 11th Feb 2018, Croda International launched New 100% Bio-Based Surfactants with the certification of its ECO range of bio-based surfactants; It has ingredients designed to meet increasing market demand for sustainable, high-performance ingredients options. 

COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Surfactant Market Growth

The global surfactant market has shown immense growth due to the Covad-19pandemic, as several countries have demanded cleaning and hygienic products. For instance, the cleaning products sale boosted due to the Covid-19 pandemic. For instance, the United States-based company Stepan's third quarter’s operating income through the surfactants segment increased by more than doubled due to rising demand for cleaning, disinfection, and personal wash products during the coronavirus pandemic.

However, the demand for surfactants increases in developing countries due to growing awareness and government initiatives for cleaning and maintaining public places' Hygenic environments during the Covid-19 pandemic. The surfactant's leading manufacturers focused on cleaning products that can clean surfaces from unwanted bacteria and viruses.

Surfactant Market Segmentation

The global surfactants are segmented on coating type, substrate, application, and region.

Rising demand in the automotive sector with the surge in passenger vehicles' global sales has propelled the market's polyurethane resins.

The global surfactant market is bifurcated into anionic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, and non-ionic surfactants in terms of product. Among these, anionic surfactants have the highest market share in 2019, owing to the rising demand for personal care and hygiene products with increasing consumer awareness towards health, cleanliness, and hygiene.

Similarly, amphoteric surfactants and nonionic surfactants segments are also growing faster due to the surge in launching the new biobased renewable surfactant by the leading players. For instance, on 17th October 2017, Croda International Plc launched an investment for producing 100% renewable, 100% bio-based non-iconic surfactant at its Atlas Point manufacturing site in New Castle, Delaware, United States. The new plant of this type in the United States can produce 100% renewable, 100% bio-based non-ionic surfactants, and active emulsifying agents used in a broad range of consumer products.

Based on the product, the global surfactant market is divided into bio-based surfactants and synthetic surfactants. Among these synthetic surfactants has the highest market share due to rising demand in the industrial, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical applications with the surge in the global population.

Increasing eco-friendly products demand with the surge in growing awareness and rising launching of new cleaning products by the leading players have created a massive demand for the bio-based surfactant market.

Similarly, the bio-based surfactants segment had the highest market share in 2019. This is primarily due to increasing consumer awareness towards natural and eco-friendly products due to their several advantages. Several leading players are launching new bio-based products, which created a huge demand for this market's growth. For instance, on 13th September 2017, AkzoNobel and Itaconix collaborated and made a joint development agreement to develop innovative bio-based chelates for the consumer and industrial detergents and cleaners markets.

Industrialization and urbanization around the globe have propelled the industrial and cleaning segmental growth around the globe.

In terms of application, the global surfactant market is divided into detergents, oilfield chemicals, emulsifiers, foaming agents, industrial, institutional cleaning, crop protection, textile, food and beverages, and personal care products. Among this industrial and institutional. It is primarily due to increasing demand by the manufacturing facilities of electronics goods, chemical factories in developing countries, growing institutions, and commercial office demand due to the growing urban population worldwide.

For instance, as per our world data in 2018, the global urban population reached around 4.2 billion and is growing in rapidly space, which is projected to reach 6 billion by 2045. It created a huge demand for industrial and institutional requirements to keep industries and institutes clean in urban areas.

Global Surfactant Market Geographical Analysis

North American region holds the largest market share global surfactant market.

North America region is dominating the global surfactant market and accounted for the largest market share in 2019, due to growing consumer awareness regarding cleaning, the surge in pharmaceutical and personal care & cosmetics sector demand, and rising investment by the leading players in this region followed by Asia-Pacific and Europe.

For instance, as per the personal care organization report in 2019, the United States personal care market was valued at around US$ 48 billion in 2018, whereas global pharmaceutical production reached to around nearly US$ 1,430 billion in 2020. The United States has around 40% of the pharmaceutical industry market's global share as per the International Federation of Pharmaceutical Manufacturers & Associations(IFPMA).

Similarly, the Asia-Pacific region is also growing at a faster pace owing to a surge in demand by the manufacturing facilities, growing household cleaning demand with the presence of a huge population as surfactant in-home care cleaning products are used to remove dirt and unwanted particles from fabrics, dishes, and other surfaces.

Surfactant Companies and Competitive Landscape

The surfactant market is moderately competitive with the presence of local as well as global companies. Some of the key players which are contributing to the growth of the market include Bayer AG, Solvay S.A., Huntsman Corporation, Emery Oleochemicals, BASF SE, AkzoNobel, Stepan Company, Rhodia, Clariant, Evonik Industries, Croda International, Air Products and Chemicals, Zhejiang Zanyu Technology, SinoLight Corporation, Aarti Industries, Dow, Procter & Gamble, KOA Corporation, Lion Specialty Chemicals Co., Ltd, Elements, Galaxy Surfactants and among others.

The major players adopt several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, contributing to the surfactant market's growth globally. For instance, on 17th June 2019, Croda International launched Microban’s full portfolio of antimicrobial and odor control technologies, including Scentry, Scentry Revive, AEGIS, ZPTech, and SilverShield, to customers in India and Indonesia. The Company has planned to expand its manufacturing facilities in India and Indonesia.

Akzo Nobel N.V. (Nouryon):

Overview: Akzo Nobel N.V. is a Dutch multinational company that manufactures paints, cleaning products, surfactants, and performance coatings for both industry and consumers worldwide. The Company was founded in 1792 and headquartered in Amsterdam, Noord Holland, with more than 150 countries and employed approximately 46,000 people. Further, the company has two joint ventures in the Asia region for producing the cationic with Lion Akzo in Japan and the fatty acid producer Akzo Nobel Oleochemicals in Pasir Gudang, Malaysia.

Product Portfolio: The company has a product portfolio of the surfactant includes:

• Adsee 800: Itis a nonionic surfactant intended for use as an adjuvant in pesticide formulations.
  • Functions: Adjuvant, Wetting agent
  • Applications: Adjuvants in Can, Adjuvants Tank Mix

Key Development: On 23rd April 2018 -Akzo Nobel Industrial Chemicals B.V. collaborated with INEOS Nitriles to expand the production of biodegradable chelates used in detergents and other industries. It has strengthened AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals' business in the chelates business, supported customer growth, and improved both companies' sustainability profiles. Further on 21st Sept 2016, AkzoNobel NV launched an essential new ingredient for outdoor cleaning products designed to meet stringent US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) environmental standards without compromising performance.

For instance, on 9th October 2018, AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals was relaunched as Nouryon. The company has completed its acquisition by The Carlyle Group and GIC and became an independent, global specialty chemicals leader.