Agricultural Surfactants Market - 2023-2030

Overview

Global Agricultural Surfactants Market reached US$ 1.8 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$ 2.9 billion by 2030, growing with a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

As the world's population grows, so does food demand, requiring farmers all over the world to expand agricultural output. The increase in crop diseases and attacks by insects has created a need for the protection of crops. This has increased the demand for insecticides and pesticides. Agricultural surfactants are pesticide additives that boost the pesticide's action on crops while posing little or no harm.

Manufacturers are investing in research and development to innovate new surfactant formulations with enhanced properties such as improved wetting, spreading, and adhesion. In May 2021, Advanced BioCatalytics (ABC) announced the commercial launch of BioSS RL, a novel bio-based surfactant. Because of its superior wetting and foaming properties, BioSS RL is a perfect surfactant for different industries including agriculture. BioSS RL is bio-based and has no petrochemicals.

Non-ionic agricultural surfactants account for over half of the market share due to their versatility and compatibility with a wide range of agrochemicals. Similarly, Asia-Pacific dominates the agricultural surfactants market. According to the Press Information of the Bureau, Government of India, in 2021-2022, India produced a record 315.7 million tonnes of food grains. This growing agricultural production necessitates the use of surfactants to optimize the efficacy of agrochemicals and improve crop yields.

Dynamics

Rising Demand for Agrochemicals

As farmers strive to address weed, pest, and disease pressures to safeguard crop yields, the need for effective agrochemical solutions intensifies. According to Our World in Data, the total pesticide use in 2020 was 2,661,124 tonnes. Agricultural surfactants play a pivotal role in enhancing the performance of these agrochemicals by improving their spreading, wetting, and absorption capabilities.

By ensuring better coverage and penetration of active ingredients, surfactants contribute to maximizing the efficacy of agrochemical applications, ultimately leading to improved crop protection and higher yields. As a result, the increasing reliance on agrochemicals in modern agriculture fuels the demand for agricultural surfactants, driving market growth in response to the escalating needs of the farming community.

Need for Enhanced Crop Yields

According to FAO, to feed the 9.1 billion people by the year 2050, global food production must increase by around 70% between 2005/2007 and 2050. With this global population growth and increasing pressure on food production, farmers are seeking innovative solutions to maximize crop productivity. Agricultural surfactants play a crucial role by improving the efficacy of agrochemicals which are essential for protecting crops from weeds, pests, and diseases.

By facilitating better coverage, adhesion, and absorption of these agrochemicals onto plant surfaces, surfactants ensure more effective pest and weed control, leading to healthier crops and increased yields. As farmers strive to meet the growing demand for food, feed, and fiber, the adoption of agricultural surfactants as part of integrated crop management strategies becomes indispensable.

Stringent Regulations

Regulatory authorities may impose restrictions or bans on certain active ingredients used in surfactant formulations due to concerns about their environmental toxicity, persistence, or potential risks to human health. Such restrictions can limit the availability of key ingredients for formulating surfactants, forcing manufacturers to reformulate their products or seek alternative ingredients, which may be less effective or more costly.

In October 2022, The Ministry of Ecology and Environment released a draft of the List of Key new pollutants under Control (2022). Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and nonylphenol, two prevalent surfactants, are anticipated to have the most effects on agricultural businesses out of the 14 new pollutants of priority management on the list. This implies that pesticide uses will be completely prohibited because they are not covered by the exemption.

Segment Analysis

The global agricultural surfactants Market is segmented based on type, substrate type, crop type, application and region.

Low Toxicity and Versatility of Non-Ionic Surfactants

Non-ionic surfactants are highly versatile and compatible with a wide range of agrochemical formulations, including herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, and plant growth regulators. They exhibit excellent compatibility with both acidic and alkaline solutions, as well as with other surfactants and additives commonly used in agricultural formulations. This versatility makes non-ionic surfactants preferred by agrochemical manufacturers.

In March 2020, Wilbur-Ellis Company, a recognized player in precision agriculture, crop protection, seed, and nutritional products, launched EMBRECE-EA, a special combination of surfactants intended to improve the wetting and spreading of spray materials and enhance the effectiveness of fungicides, insecticides, and miticides. EMBRECE-EA's proprietary blend of nonionic surfactants (NIS) enables growers to receive greater coverage and excellent wetting for their selected spray material.

Geographical Penetration

Asia-Pacific's Agricultural Dominance

Asia-Pacific is home to some of the world's largest agricultural economies, including China and India. The large use of pesticides made the Asia Pacific the largest market for agricultural surfactants. According to the Directorate of Plant Protection, Quarantine & Storage, Government of India, the total consumption of chemical pesticides in India was 52466.45 metric tons. This growth further fuels the demand for agricultural surfactants as essential ingredients in agrochemical formulations.

Precision farming is also becoming more popular in the region, with the usage of effective crop protection technologies like air-assisted chemical spraying, which is driving demand for high-performance adjuvants and driving market expansion in this area. The technological advancement in modern farming in Asia-Pacific has given a boost to the market.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

Covid had a severe negative impact on the surfactant market. Demand for chemicals has been suffering a severe shock across multiple application-use markets. This is mainly because Covid-19 has upset the supply chain. This affected the production and availability of agricultural surfactants, leading to temporary supply constraints and price fluctuations.

Globally lockdowns and movement restrictions imposed to curb the spread of the virus disrupted agricultural activities such as planting, harvesting, and pest control operations. This affected the overall demand for agricultural surfactants as farmers postponed or reduced their use of various chemicals in the agricultural field during periods of uncertainty.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The conflict in the region has disrupted supply chains for agricultural inputs, including surfactants. Disruptions in transportation and logistics have led to shortages of these raw materials, impacting the availability and pricing of agricultural surfactants globally. The conflict has also disrupted agricultural production in Ukraine, a major exporter of agricultural commodities. Reduced agricultural output in Ukraine led to lower demand for surfactants in the region, affecting market growth.

By Type

• Anionic Surfactants
• Cationic Surfactants
• Non-Ionic Surfactants
• Atmospheric Surfactants

By Substrate Type

• Synthetic
• Bio-based

By Crop Type

• Grains and Cereals
• Pulses and Oilseeds
• Fruits and Vegetables
• Turf and Ornamental Grass
• Others

By Application

• Herbicides
• Fungicides
• Insecticides
• Plant Growth Regulators
• Others

By Region

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

• In January 2024, Bionema Group, developer of sustainable biocontrol solutions for crop protection and plant health management, introduced Soil-Jet BSP100, a biodegradable surfactant for agrochemicals and agricultural biologicals. The unique Polyether-Modified Polysiloxane technology of the Soil-Jet BSP100 is poised to revolutionize fertigation and irrigation techniques globally.
• In February 2023, to maintain soil health and biodiversity, Pangaea Biosciences Ltd., a UK-based company focused on designing crop protection solutions, introduced a novel plant-based surfactant formulation technique to replace hazardous surfactants with natural plant-based components. These surfactants reduce soil fertility and health by killing bacteria and fungi in the soil when sprayed on crops.
• In August 2021, CHS Agronomy, a global agribusiness cooperative, announced the latest offerings in its line of high-performance adjuvants which includes Last Chance Pro, a non-ionic surfactant. Last Chance Pro provides superior weed control of numerous herbicides, including glyphosate and glufosinate, along with a low use rate and good handling qualities.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include ADAMA, Nufarm, Bayer AG, Loveland Products, Inc., Wilbur-Ellis Holdings, Inc., Evonik Industries AG, BASF SE, Corteva, Stepan Company, Innvictis Crop Care, LLC

Why Purchase the Report?

• To visualize the global agricultural surfactants market segmentation based on type, substrate type, crop type, application, and region as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
• Excel data sheet with numerous data points of agricultural surfactants market-level with all segments.
• PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
• Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global agricultural surfactants Market report would provide approximately 70 tables, 66 figures and 186 Pages.

Target Audience 2023

• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies