Agricultural Surfactants Market Report 2025

The agricultural surfactants market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.75 billion in 2024 to $1.88 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to shift towards eco-friendly solutions, growing emphasis on crop protection, adoption of precision agriculture, increasing agriculture sector.

The agricultural surfactants market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.49 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to expansion of horticulture and floriculture sectors, growth in organic farming, environmental concerns and sustainable solutions, rise in precision agriculture practices, increasing demand for agrochemicals, increasing demand for food. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in formulations, adoption of non-ionic surfactants, regulatory compliance and safety, focus on crop yield enhancement, development of adjuvant technologies, environmentally friendly formulations.

The increasing adoption of precision farming is projected to propel the growth of the agricultural surfactants market in the coming years. Precision farming involves monitoring, analyzing, and responding to a variety of inter- and intra-field variables in modern agriculture. Agricultural surfactants play a crucial role in precision farming by reducing pesticide usage and enhancing functionality. For example, in June 2024, the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs reported that 27% of farms in the UK utilized these techniques during the 2020/21 period, up from 24% the previous year. Additionally, according to the UK government, the global value of precision farming is anticipated to reach £170 billion by 2050. Therefore, the rise in precision farming adoption is expected to drive the growth of the agricultural surfactants market.

The anticipated growth of the construction industry is expected to drive the agricultural surfactant market in the coming years. The construction industry involves the planning, creation, and maintenance of physical structures and infrastructure, utilizing labor, materials, and equipment. Agricultural surfactants are employed in construction to improve the effectiveness of soil stabilizers and dust control agents. For example, in July 2024, the US Census Bureau reported that the value of construction activities increased from $2.01 trillion in May 2023 to $2.14 trillion in May 2024. Thus, the rising demand for construction is fueling the growth of the agricultural surfactant market.

Innovative strides in the agricultural surfactants sector manifest in the production of biodegradable anionic surfactants, aligning with an environmentally conscious approach. These surfactants break down into benign substances through natural biological processes, significantly reducing environmental impact. Major industry players are concentrating efforts on developing and introducing such biodegradable anionic surfactants. For instance, BASF SE unveiled Plantapon Soy in April 2022, a soy-based, biodegradable anionic surfactant derived from non-GMO European soybeans. This product not only complies with vegan composition and natural cosmetic standards but also aligns completely with the ISO 16128 standard due to its natural origins.

Key players in the agricultural surfactants sector are dedicatedly innovating, introducing surfactants sourced from renewable feedstocks to combat climate change directly. Renewable feedstocks encompass sustainable, replenishable sources like plants, crops, or organic waste used in producing energy, fuels, chemicals, or other products. Clariant, in February 2022, unveiled Vita, a novel line comprising 100% bio-based surfactants and polyethylene glycols (PEGs). Vita's ingredients derive from renewable feedstocks, specifically 100% bio-ethanol sourced from sugar cane or corn, boasting a commendable Renewable Carbon Index (RCI) of at least 98%. This product range underscores Clariant's unwavering commitment to furnishing sustainable, low carbon footprint solutions across diverse industries including coatings, personal care, home care, industrial, and agricultural applications.

In a development, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), a notable sustainable chemical enterprise based in Thailand, completed the acquisition of Oxiteno in April 2022, for an undisclosed sum. This strategic acquisition marks IVL's expansion into promising markets in Latin America and the U.S., solidifying its position as a premier surfactants producer in the Americas while paving the way for potential growth in Europe and Asia. Oxiteno, based in Brazil, boasts an extensive portfolio encompassing surfactants and specialty chemicals tailored for varied applications spanning crop solutions, home care, personal care, and coatings. This acquisition significantly bolsters IVL's global market presence and augments its offerings across key sectors.

Major companies operating in the agricultural surfactants market are Nufarm Limited, Croda International PLC, Stepan Company, Loveland Products Inc., DowDuPont Inc., BASF SE, AkzoNobel N.V, Evonik Industries AG, Solvay SA, Lamberti SPA, Brandt Consolidated Inc., Garrco Products Inc., Kao Corporation, Nouryon Company, Syngenta Group Co. Ltd., Adama Ltd., Corteva Inc., Huntsman Container Corporation, Clariant AG, Helena Agri-Enterprises LLC, Innospec Inc., Oxiteno S A Industria e Comercio, Gowan Company, Vive Crop Protection Inc., Société d'exploitation pour les produits de l'industrie chimique, Wilbur-Ellis Holdings, Performance Nutrition, Nutrien Ltd., Precision Laboratories LLC, Willowood USA LLC., Verdesian Life Sciences.

North America was the largest region in the agricultural surfactants market share in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the agricultural surfactants market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the agricultural surfactants market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Agricultural surfactants are adjuvants employed in conjunction with pesticides and other agricultural liquids to emulsify, distribute, spread, moisten, or exhibit other surface-modifying properties. Their purpose is to lower surface tension, facilitating the easier entry of liquid into surfaces.

The primary types of agricultural surfactants covered in this report include non-ionic, anionic, cationic, and amphoteric, which can be either synthetic or bio-based. Non-ionic surfactants, known for their stability and plant-friendly properties, lack a charge in solution and effectively reduce the surface tension of water. They find applications in row crops, horticulture crops, vegetables, and plantation crops, and are utilized in various applications such as insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, and others.

The agricultural surfactants market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides agricultural surfactants market statistics, including agricultural surfactants industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with an agricultural surfactants market share, detailed agricultural surfactants market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the agricultural surfactants industry. This agricultural surfactant market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The agricultural surfactants market consists of the sales of wetting agent solutions, dispersants, and emulsifiers. 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.

This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.