Natural (Bio-based) Surfactants Market, by Product Type (Anionic, Nonionic, Cationic, Amphoteric), Application (Detergents, Personal Care, Industrial and Institutional Cleaning, Oilfield Chemicals), and Regional (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa, South America) Forecast, 2021–2030

The Natural (Bio-Based) Surfactants Market is expected to value USD XX million in 2021 and is projected to reach USD XX million in 2030 at a CAGR of XX. Natural (bio-based) surfactants are derived from microorganisms including Bacillus sp, Acinetobacter sp., Candida antartica, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Natural (bio-based) surfactants provided some benefits like biodegradability, low toxicity, better surface, and interfacial activity. Biosurfactants have several applications in agriculture, industry, medicine, and the petroleum sectors.

Applications of natural (bio-based) surfactants in the oil and gas industry are growing due to increasing oil production due to the discovery of new underground oil reserves. Increasing application of natural (bio-based) surfactants can be due to recovery of residual crude oil by a process called microbial enhanced oil recovery using microorganisms (MEOR).

Manufacturers are keen on producing natural (bio-based) surfactants at the industrial level using renewable substrates as raw material and super-active microbial strains developed using genetic engineering. Although this process is being studied by the researchers and is in the nascent stage, it is expected to offer new avenues for the market over the next few years as it will be fully commercialized.

COVID-19 Impact on Natural (Bio-based) Surfactants Market

The COVID-19 outbreak led to high demand for alcohol-based hand sanitizers, recommended by the WHO for hand hygiene to prevent the spread of the disease. The potential of some natural detergents and sanitizing agents as eco-friendly alternatives to petrochemical-based soaps and alcohol-based hand rubs has led to high demand for natural (bio-based) surfactants in these personal care and hygiene products. Thus, the market is experiencing rapid growth due to increasing demand for natural (bio-based) surfactants in personal care and detergent products.

Natural (Bio-Based) Surfactants Market

Latest Trends

High Demand for Eco-Friendly Products

Increasing demand for eco-friendly products has led to the demand for naturally derived and high-performing cleaning solutions. Bio-based surfactants for home care formulations provide a combination of performance and sustainability. These ingredients have been incorporated for product innovation resulting in the production of more eco-friendly and efficient products in the personal care industry.

Driving Factors

High Demand for Surfactants in Agriculture, Detergents, and Cosmetics

In agriculture, natural (bio-based) surfactants are used for application in soils to achieve even distribution of fertilizer. They also prevent toxicants in pesticides and offer an eco-friendly alternative for control pesticide-resistant insects.

Natural (bio-based) surfactants are an important component used in commercial laundry detergents. These surfactants are chemically synthesized and exert toxicity to freshwater living organisms. Growing public awareness about the environmental hazards and risks associated with chemical surfactants has stimulated the use of eco-friendly natural substitutes of chemical surfactants in laundry detergents.

In the cosmetic industry, natural (bio-based) surfactants have replaced chemically synthesized surfactants. These surfactants are used as emulsifiers, foaming agents, solubilizers, wetting agents, cleansers, antimicrobial agents, mediators of enzyme action, in insect repellents, antacids, bath products, acne pads, anti-dandruff products, contact lens solutions, baby products, mascara, lipsticks, toothpaste, dentine cleansers to mention but a few. All these applications of natural (bio-based) surfactants in agriculture, personal care, cosmetic, and detergent industry is are expected to drive market growth during the forecast period.

Restraining Factors

Environmental Changes and Expanding Quantity Production

Natural (bio-based) surfactants may be affected by changes in temperature, pH, aeration, or agitation speed, and hence they must be produced in large quantities, which can be a challenge for the market. This limitation of maintaining the product quality and producing it in large quantities can hamper the market growth.

Segmentation Analysis

Natural (Bio-based) Surfactants Market, by Product Type

Anionic Segment to Account for the Largest Market Share

Based on product type, the natural (bio-based) surfactants market is divided into anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric. The anionic segment is expected to account for a major share during the forecast period. The growth can be attributed to the use of anionic surfactants in laundry and dishwashing detergents. Methyl ester sulfonate (MES) and alcohol ether sulfate (AES), anionic surfactants, are made from palm or coconut oil. In detergents and personal care products, both MES and AES contribute beneficial surfactant qualities. All these factors are expected to drive segment growth.

Natural (Bio-based) Surfactants Market, by Application

Detergents Segment to Hold the Largest Market

Based on application, the natural (bio-based) surfactants market is divided into detergents, personal care, industrial and institutional cleaning, and oilfield chemicals. The detergents segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. The segment growth can be attributed to the use of bio-based surfactants in the detergent industry, particularly palm kernel oil as bio-based raw material. Palm kernel oil derivatives are used as surfactants in detergents to ensure an adequate cleaning functionality as they attack and remove the dirt.

Natural (Bio-based) Surfactants Market, by Region

Increasing Demand for Cleaning Solutions to Drive the Asia Pacific Market

Based on region, the market is segmented into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and South America.

Asia-Pacific is expected to account for the largest share in the natural (bio-based) surfactants market during the forecast period. The demand for industrial and institutional cleaners has led to use of bio-based surfactants in cleaning solutions in industrial and manufacturing sector. Growing demand for liquid detergents in Asia Pacific countries is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for bio-based surfactant manufacturers in the region.

Europe is projected to be the prominent market and it is expected to witness significant growth during the forecast period. Increasing regulations on the use of chemicals in the manufacturing of detergents has led to high demand for natural (bio-based) surfactants. For instance, the International Association for Soaps, Bio-Based Surfactants, and Maintenance Products established by the European Commission has set limitations regarding the extent to which phosphates and other phosphorus compounds can be used in laundry detergents and automatic dishwasher detergents.

Key Industry Players

Key players operational in the industry are entering into partnerships and collaborations to expand their market presence.

List of Players

  • BASF
  • Dowdupont
  • Air Products and Chemicals
  • Stepan Company
  • Clariant
  • Croda International
  • Kao Corporation
  • Sasol
  • India Glycols
  • Galaxy Surfactants
  • Akzonobel N.V.
  • Solvay
  • Enaspol A.S.

Key Industry Developments

  • March 2021 - BASF established a strategic alliance, including an equity stake, with Allied Carbon Solutions Co., Ltd (ACS) Japan, a commercial provider of surfactants from biomass to meet customer demands for sustainable, natural and bio-degradable ingredients and actives.
  • March 2021 - BASF entered a strategic technology cooperation with Holiferm Ltd, UK, to develop a state-of-the-art production process for biosurfactant products.
  • November 2019, BASF launched a surfactant by deploying RSPO certified renewable resources palm oil for usage in an extensive range of cosmetic products.

Market Segmentation

By Product Type:

  • Anionic
  • Nonionic
  • Cationic
  • Amphoteric

By Application:

  • Detergents
  • Personal Care
  • Industrial and Institutional Cleaning
  • Oilfield Chemicals

By Region:

North America

  • North America, by Country
    • US
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • North America, by Product Type
  • North America, by Application

Europe

  • Europe, by Country
    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Russia
    • Rest of Europe
  • Europe, by Product Type
  • Europe, by Application

Asia Pacific

  • Asia Pacific, by Country
    • China
    • India
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • Australia
    • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Asia Pacific, by Product Type
  • Asia Pacific, by Application

Middle East and Africa

  • Middle East and Africa, by Country
    • UAE
    • Arabia
    • Qatar
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East and Africa
  • Middle East and Africa, by Product Type
  • Middle East and Africa, by Application

South America

  • South America, by Country
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of South America
  • South America, by Product Type
  • South America, by Application

FAQs Answered in the Report

  • In the natural (bio-based) surfactants industry, what are the most important regional markets?
  • What is the market segmentation based on type?
  • What is the market segmentation dependent on end-user?
  • What are the different phases of the natural (bio-based) surfactants industry's value chain?
  • What are the major drivers and threats in the natural (bio-based) surfactants market?
  • Who are the main players in the natural (bio-based) surfactants industry?
  • What level of rivalry does the natural (bio-based) surfactants industry have?
  • What are the profit margins in the natural (bio-based) surfactants industry?

Objectives of this report:

  • To estimate market size for natural surfactants market on regional and global basis.
  • To identify major segments in natural surfactants market and evaluate their market shares and demand.
  • To provide a competitive scenario for the natural surfactants market with major developments observed by key companies in the historic years.
  • To evaluate key factors governing the dynamics of natural surfactants market with their potential gravity during the forecast period.

Reasons to Buy This Report:

  • Provides niche insights for decision about every possible segment helping in strategic decision making process.
  • Market size estimation of the natural surfactants market on a regional and global basis.
  • A unique research design for market size estimation and forecast.
  • Identification of major companies operating in the market with related developments
  • Exhaustive scope to cover all the possible segments helping every stakeholder in the natural surfactants

Customization:

This study is customized to meet your specific requirements:

  • By Segment
  • By Sub-segment
  • By Region/Country
  • Product Specific Competitive Analysis

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