Detergent Chemicals Market Report 2025

The detergent chemicals market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $68.39 billion in 2024 to $74.29 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to population growth and urbanization, rising hygiene awareness, industrial development, economic expansion, shift in consumer lifestyles.

The detergent chemicals market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $110.65 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to pandemic impact and hygiene practices, competitive strategies and brand loyalty, consumer education and awareness, affordability and price sensitivity, health and hygiene awareness campaigns, supply chain optimization. Major trends in the forecast period include eco-friendly formulations, biodegradable ingredients, plant-based and natural products, concentrated and efficient formulations, smart packaging and dispensing.

The expansion of the textile industry is expected to drive the growth of the detergent chemicals market in the future. The textile industry encompasses companies involved in the research, design, development, production, and distribution of textiles, fabrics, and clothing. Textile detergents are used for scouring, removing sizing materials and oil from fabrics, and washing textile materials. Additionally, rapid urbanization, coupled with rising consumer disposable income, has increased demand for detergent chemicals by raising awareness of personal hygiene. For example, in November 2023, a report by the UK Fashion and Textile Association (UKFT), a UK-based organization, highlighted that the UK fashion and textile industry contributed $81 billion (£62 billion) to the UK GDP in 2023. It also supported 1.3 million jobs across the country and generated over $30 billion (£23 billion) in tax revenues. Thus, the growth of the textile industry is fueling the detergent chemicals market.

The growing penetration of e-commerce is anticipated to drive the expansion of the detergent chemicals market in the future. E-commerce involves the exchange of goods and services or the transfer of money or data over an electronic network, primarily the internet. E-commerce platforms provide a convenient and accessible method for consumers to purchase cleaning products, including detergents. For example, in August 2024, the United States Census Bureau, a US-based government agency, reported that in Q2 2024, U.S. retail e-commerce sales, adjusted for seasonal variations, reached $291.6 billion, marking a 1.3% increase from Q1 2024. Total retail sales were estimated at $1.82 trillion, reflecting a 0.5% rise from the previous quarter. E-commerce sales increased by 6.7% year-over-year, while total retail sales grew by 2.1%. E-commerce accounted for 16% of total sales. On an unadjusted basis, e-commerce sales for Q2 2024 were $282.3 billion, representing 15.2% of total sales. Consequently, the increasing penetration of e-commerce is driving the growth of the detergent chemicals market.

Bio-based surfactants are emerging as a key trend in the detergent chemicals market, aligning with the demand for environmentally friendly cleaning solutions. These surfactants, derived from plant-based enzymes, offer green cleaning alternatives without chemical compounds. Major companies, such as Clariant, are contributing to this trend. In February 2022, Clariant launched Vita 100% bio-based surfactant and polyethylene glycol, addressing climate change concerns with reduced carbon footprints. The use of bio-based feedstocks emphasizes sustainability, and such surfactants have the potential to significantly reduce CO2 emissions, making them a popular trend in the detergent chemicals market.

Sustainable and advanced additives are gaining traction in the detergent chemicals market, driven by a focus on environmental responsibility. Companies are introducing innovative solutions like BioNat Performance Detergent Additives. Launched by Barentz in March 2023, these additives are designed for use in liquid laundry detergents, pre-spotters, and manual dish formulations. They represent a sustainable choice, being entirely biodegradable and derived from renewable raw materials. BioNat Performance Detergent Additives offer improved stability, formulation flexibility, fabric care, and stain-fighting capabilities. The market shift towards sustainable additives reflects a commitment to environmental considerations and provides companies with a competitive edge.

In September 2022, Stepan Company, a leading US-based manufacturer of specialty chemicals, successfully acquired the surfactant business and associated assets of PerformanX Specialty Chemicals LLC. The financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Through this acquisition, Stepan Company gains access to intellectual property, commercial relationships, and existing inventory. The strategic move is specifically aimed at obtaining alkoxylates, a core surfactant technology that holds significant importance for Stepan's presence in various end-user markets, including agriculture, oilfield, construction, and household applications. PerformanX Specialty Chemicals, the acquired entity, is a US-based manufacturer specializing in surfactant and detergent chemicals. The acquisition underscores Stepan Company's commitment to expanding its capabilities and product offerings in key markets.

Major companies operating in the detergent chemicals market are BASF SE, The Dow Chemical Company, Huntsman International LLC, Croda International PLC, Solvay Société Anonyme, Clariant AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., Nouryon Industrial Chemicals, Unilever PLC, Evonik Industries AG, The Procter & Gamble Company, Stepan Company, Novozymes A/S, International Detergent Chemicals Ltd., E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Galaxy Surfactants Pvt Ltd., Godrej Industries Limited, Kao Corporation, Lion Corporation, Sasol Limited, Vinayak Ingredients Pvt. Ltd., Chemithon Enterprises Inc., Enaspol Inc., Nease Co. LLC, Pilot Chemical Company, 3V Sigma USA Inc., Ultra Group of Companies, Zanyu Technology Group Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the detergent chemicals market in 2024. The regions covered in the detergent chemicals market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the detergent chemicals market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Detergent chemicals are amphipathic compounds characterized by polar or charged hydrophilic groups attached to the ends of lipophilic hydrocarbon groups. These chemicals have the ability to align at both aqueous and non-aqueous interfaces, leading to lower surface tension, increased miscibility, and stabilization of emulsions.

The main products within the category of detergent chemicals include surfactants, builders & fillers, enzymes, fragrances, and bleaching agents. Surfactants, or surface-active agents, consist of a hydrophobic tail and a hydrophilic head. They enhance activity on the surface being cleaned, effectively trapping and removing dirt. Surfactants are available in various forms, including solid and liquid detergents, and find application in laundry cleaning products, household and commercial cleaning products, personal cleaning products, dishwashing products, fuel additives, as well as biological reagents.

The detergent chemicals market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides detergent chemicals market statistics, including detergent chemicals industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a detergent chemicals market share, detailed detergent chemicals market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the detergent chemicals industry. These detergent chemicals 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 detergent chemicals market consists of sales of sodium dodecyl sulfate, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, polyoxyethylene moieties, dodecyldimethyldiamine oxide, and amidosulphobetaines. 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.

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