PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1658766
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1658766
Alcohol ethoxylates are a type of nonionic surfactant characterized by the general structure R(OCH2CH2)nOH. They consist of a hydrophobic alkyl chain connected via an ether bond to a hydrophilic ethylene oxide (EO) chain. These surfactants are known for their excellent detergency, high and low foaming properties, and quick wetting of surfaces.
The main products in the category of alcohol ethoxylates include fatty alcohol ethoxylates, lauryl alcohol ethoxylates, linear alcohol ethoxylates, and others. Fatty alcohol ethoxylates, for instance, are non-ionic surfactants obtained by combining fatty alcohol (FA) from the oleochemical chain with ethylene oxide (EO) from the petrochemical chain. This combination results in a transparent liquid material. Fatty alcohol ethoxylates, derived from both natural and synthetic sources, find applications as emulsifiers, dispersing agents, wetting agents, and more across various industries. These include cleaning, metalworking, textile processing, paper processing, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and other end-user sectors.
The alcohol ethoxylates market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides alcohol ethoxylates market statistics, including alcohol ethoxylates industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an alcohol ethoxylates market share, detailed alcohol ethoxylates market segments, alcohol ethoxylates market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the alcohol ethoxylates industry. This alcohol ethoxylates market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The alcohol ethoxylates market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $6.65 billion in 2024 to $7 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing demand in cleaning products, surfactant applications, versatility in formulations, industrial & institutional cleaning, textile processing demand.
The alcohol ethoxylates market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $8.84 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand in cleaning products, diverse surfactant applications, versatile formulations, textile processing growth, agricultural sector demand. Major trends in the forecast period include health and safety awareness, customization and tailored solutions, cost-effectiveness and performance, preference for biodegradable solutions, global market expansion.
The rising demand from the oil and gas industry is anticipated to propel the growth of the alcohol ethoxylates market in the coming years. The oil and gas sector involves the exploration, extraction, refining, transportation, and marketing of petroleum products. A significant factor driving the demand for alcohol ethoxylates in this industry is their strong stabilizing capabilities for oil-water emulsions, which is expected to enhance the global market for alcohol ethoxylates. For example, in February 2022, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported that the United Arab Emirates was the seventh-largest producer of total liquid fuels worldwide and the third-largest among OPEC nations. At the beginning of 2023, the UAE announced approximately 111 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves, up from 107 billion barrels in the previous year. Therefore, the increasing demand from the oil and gas industry is fueling the growth of the alcohol ethoxylates market.
Projected growth in the alcohol ethoxylates market is attributed to the increased demand for personal care products. These products encompass skincare, haircare, and oral care items. Alcohol ethoxylates serve as effective surfactants in these products, facilitating stable emulsion formation in creams, lotions, shampoos, and functioning as foaming agents in various cleansing products. For instance, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average consumer spending on personal care products witnessed a 12.3% increase, reaching $866 in 2022, up from $771 in 2021. Hence, the escalating demand for personal care items significantly contributes to the growth of the alcohol ethoxylates market.
A burgeoning trend in the alcohol ethoxylates market is the development of eco-friendly products. Major industry players are dedicated to creating innovative biodegradable solutions to maintain their market stance. For example, Solvay S.A., a Belgium-based chemical manufacturer, introduced Mirasoft SL L60 and Mirasoft SL A60 in June 2022. These products, derived through a fermentation process from rapeseed oil and sugar, are biobased substances, offering biodegradable features. These glycolipid biosurfactants are utilized in various beauty care products like cleansers, shower gels, and shampoos, aiming to reduce the carbon footprint and present less harm compared to synthetic beauty products, aligning with the rising demand for eco-friendly solutions in the market.
Leading companies within the alcohol ethoxylates market are prioritizing product innovation, specifically focusing on bio-based surfactants to gain a competitive edge. Bio-based surfactants, derived from renewable sources like plants, animals, or microorganisms, present a more sustainable alternative compared to traditional surfactants derived from petroleum-based sources. For example, in February 2022, Clariant, a Swiss chemicals company, introduced Vita 100% bio-based surfactants and polyethylene glycols (PEGs). These are employed in various consumer products like detergents, hair and body shampoos, utilizing 100% bioethanol sourced from sugarcane or corn for ethylene oxide, forming the basis of these surfactants and PEGs.
In September 2022, Stepan Company, a specialty chemicals manufacturer based in the United States, successfully acquired PerformanX Specialty Chemicals LLC for a reported value of $245 million. This strategic acquisition has significantly bolstered Stepan Company's surfactant business by expanding its capabilities, establishing stronger commercial relationships, enhancing inventory management, and consolidating manufacturing capabilities. PerformanX Specialty Chemicals LLC, also based in the United States, specializes in the production of surfactants and related chemical products, making this acquisition a substantial advancement in Stepan's chemical business operations.
Major companies operating in the alcohol ethoxylates market are Shell PLC, Sasol Limited, Clariant AG, BASF SE, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Dow Chemical Company, Huntsman Corporation, India Glycols Limited, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Solvay SA, Stepan Company, ChemPoint.com Inc., Venus Ethoxyethers Pvt. Ltd., Oxiteno SA, Enaspol Inc., Helm AG, Nouryon BV, INEOS Group Limited, AkzoNobel N.V., Procter & Gamble Co., Kemipex, Saibaba Surfactants Pvt. Ltd., Geo Specialty Chemicals Inc., Kuala Lumpur Kepong Berhad group, Kao Corporation, Croda International PLC, Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., Unger Fabrikker AS, Lion Corporation, PCC Chemax Inc., Sasol Germany GmbH, Unilever plc
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the alcohol ethoxylates market in 2024, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the alcohol ethoxylates market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.
The countries covered in the alcohol ethoxylates market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The alcohol ethoxylates market consists of sales of cetostearyl alcohol ethoxylates, behenyl alcohol ethoxylates, and oleyl cetyl alcohol ethoxylates. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Alcohol Ethoxylates Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on alcohol ethoxylates market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for alcohol ethoxylates ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The alcohol ethoxylates market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.