Release Agents Market Report 2025

This Release Agents market report provides a comprehensive analysis of the market’s characteristics, size, and growth, including segmentation, regional and country-level breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends, and strategies. It also tracks historical and forecasted market growth across various geographies.

The release agents market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.06 billion in 2024 to $1.12 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to automotive industry growth, construction boom, food processing industry expansion, advancements in chemical formulations, industrial automation and efficiency, and environmental regulations.

The release agents market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.38 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.4%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to pharmaceutical industry growth, biotechnology advancements, regulatory changes, aging population, chronic disease prevalence, and patent expirations. Major trends in the forecast period include increased demand for natural ingredients, growing emphasis on health and wellness, the rise of clean-label products, technological advancements in formulations, and a focus on convenience and efficiency.

The growth of the release agents market is expected to be fueled by the expansion of the bakery and confectionery industries. These sectors involve the production and distribution of various baked goods and sweet treats, including bread, pastries, cakes, and candies. The increasing demand for bakery and confectionery products is driven by the growth of the food service industry, encompassing cafes, restaurants, and quick-service establishments. Release agents play a vital role in bakery operations by preventing baked goods from sticking to baking surfaces, ensuring easy removal and preserving product quality. For example, the Government of Canada reported that retail sales of baked goods in the United States (U.S.) reached US$82.9 billion in 2022, with projections indicating further growth to US$97.7 billion by 2026. Hence, the expansion of the bakery and confectionery industries is driving the release agents market.

Leading companies in the release agent market are increasingly focused on developing innovative solutions like water-based mold release agents to address rising environmental concerns and regulatory demands for safer, more sustainable products. Water-based mold release agents are non-toxic and environmentally friendly formulations designed to prevent materials from adhering to molds in manufacturing processes. For example, in May 2024, Kao Corporation, a Japan-based chemicals company, introduced LUNAFLOW RA, a water-based, solvent- and fluorine-free mold release agent that incorporates cellulose nanofibers (CNF) for enhanced demolding performance and durability. This product boosts manufacturing efficiency by preventing material adhesion while being environmentally sustainable.

In November 2022, Chem-Trend acquired the Surface Enhancer 360° and Resin Tack product lines from Mold in Graphic Systems (MIGS), enhancing its offerings in the rotational molding industry. This acquisition strengthens Chem-Trend's position by providing a comprehensive suite of process aids, including Mono-Coat release agents, which improve production efficiency and quality. Mold in Graphic Systems (MIGS) is a U.S.-based company specializing in providing release agents.

Major companies operating in the release agents market are BASF SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Daikin Industries, Henkel AG, Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, AkzoNobel N.V., Wacker Chemie AG, Clariant AG, Croda International plc, Lord Corporation, Momentive Performance Materials, Michelman Inc., Chem-Trend L.P., Stoner Inc., AFT Fluorotec Ltd, MÜNZING Chemie GmbH, Rexco, Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc., Miller-Stephenson Chemical Co., McLube, Franklynn Industries Limited, Münch Chemie International GmbH, Marbo America Inc, Cresset Chemical Co.

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

Release agents are substances employed in industrial processes, particularly in molding and casting operations, to prevent materials from sticking to molds or equipment surfaces. They facilitate the smooth removal of finished products from molds, thereby improving production efficiency and preserving product integrity. These agents come in both solvent-based and water-based formulations and play a crucial role in optimizing production processes and ensuring product quality.

The primary types of release agents include emulsifiers, vegetable oils, antioxidants, wax, and wax esters. Emulsifiers aid in mixing two or more liquids that typically do not blend well, such as oil and water. These agents are available in liquid and solid forms and are distributed through various sales channels, including direct sales, wholesalers, independent grocery retailers, non-store retailers, and others. Their applications span across industries such as bakery, confectionery, processed meat, convenience food, and more.

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

The release agents market consists of sales of composite materials, petroleum-based oils, silicone-based sprays, surfactants, and natural oils. 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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