The global ethoxylates market size was valued at USD 12.1 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9% from 2024 to 2030. 

The factors driving the ethoxylates market are increasing applications across diverse industries, ranging from paints and coatings and textile processing to personal care, agriculture, and pulp and paper. There is also increasing demand for low-rinse detergents, surging demand for ethoxylates in the healthcare industry, and increasing demand for eco-friendly products such as alcohol ethoxylates in cosmetics.

Ethoxylates are chemicals made by combining epoxides or ethylene oxide (EO) with substances such as alcohols, acids, amines, and vegetable oils at the preferred molar ratio. Their hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics allow them to dissolve in oil or water, depending on the specific ethoxylate utilized. Due to this, they reduce the surface tension between liquids of different types or between liquids and gases. In addition, they provide other characteristics, including being easily dissolved in water, effective formulation, ability to wet surfaces, and minimal harm to aquatic life.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Ethoxylates Market

Detailed Segmentation:

Product Insights

The alcohol segment dominated the market and accounted for a share of 49.7% in 2023. Alcohol ethoxylates are the largest-volume anionic surfactants. They are an alkyl chain that is reacted with subbing alcohol and then ethylene oxide. Other advantages of alcohol ethoxylates exist, such as modest foaming and good fiber surface cleaning, even in hard water. The increasing application area of domestic detergents, household and personal care products, and I&I cleaning products fosters the demand for alcohol ethoxylates.

Application Insights

Household and personal care held the largest revenue share of 32.9% in 2023. This category's increase is due to its widespread application in making a wide range of household cleaning items, including liquid and powder laundry detergents, dishwashing gels and detergents, fabric softeners, window cleaners, carpet cleaners, oven cleaners, air fresheners, and hard surface cleaners.

End Use Insights

Detergents led the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 33.4% in 2023 due to detergent manufacturers increasingly choosing naturally derived ethoxylates for their solubility and wetting properties. For instance, Shell Chemicals provides NEODOL ethoxylates, utilized in numerous popular consumer detergents. In addition, alcohol ethoxylate is utilized to manufacture sodium Lauryl ether sulfate, an essential component in multiple detergents.

Regional Insights

The Asia Pacific ethoxylates marketdominated the global market with a revenue share of 40.2% in 2023. The region's evolving fashion trends have led to a strong need for innovative textile materials. This will probably boost the use of items such as ethoxylates, which are utilized in lubricating, finishing, and dyeing textiles. The growth of the agricultural industry in the region is also contributing to the rising demand for ethoxylates in the Asia Pacific. The agrochemical sector within the ethoxylates market is demonstrating attractive opportunities as well.

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Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Some key ethoxylate market companies include BASF SE, Dow, Clariant, and others. Companies are implementing viable pricing strategies to increase yearly revenues. In addition, key players are attentive to evolving environmentally friendly products comprising minimal VOC content, which is expected to drive the market over the forecast period.

• Clariant specializes in chemicals and reports in three sectors: care chemicals, absorbents and additives, and catalysts. Care chemicals primarily focus on consumer-end markets such as personal and home care, with an additional industrial segment. Absorbents and additives cover Clariant’s coatings and adhesives, absorbents, and plastics segments. Manufacturers produce catalysts for petrochemical and syngas plants.

• Solvay produces and delivers unique polymers, necessary chemicals, and chemical materials, among other products. The company caters to clients in aerospace & automotive, environmental & natural resources, electronics & electrical, agrochemicals, food, consumer products, building & construction, healthcare, industrial sectors, and others.

Key Ethoxylates Companies:

The following are the leading companies in the ethoxylates market. These companies collectively hold the largest market share and dictate industry trends. 

• BASF SE

• Dow

• Clariant

• Sasol

• Huntsman International LLC.

• Nouryon

• Shell

• Solvay

• Stepan Company

• Evonik Indutsries

• Procter & Gamble

• Akzo Nobel N.V.

• Mitsui Chemicals India Pvt. Ltd

• Arkemag

Ethoxylates Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global ethoxylates market report based on product, application, end use, and region.

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Alcohols

• Fatty Amines

• Fatty Acids

• Ethyl Esters

• Glycerides

• Others

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Household & Personal Care

• I&I Cleaning

• Pharmaceutical

• Agrochemicals

• Oilfield Chemicals

• Others

• End Use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Detergents

• Personal Care

• Ointments & Emulsions

• Herbicides

• Insecticides

• Foam Control & Wetting Agents

• Lubricants & Emulsions

• Others

• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Germany

o UK

o France

o Italy

o Spain

• Asia Pacific

o China

o Japan

o India

o South Korea

• Latin America

o Brazil

o Argentina

o Colombia

• Middle East and Africa (MEA)

o Saudi Arabia

o UAE

o South Africa

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Recent Development

• In July 2024, Clariant and OMV declared their planned partnership to reduce ethylene's carbon emissions with a focus on sustainability. In reaction to growing consumer interest in sustainable choices, especially in Europe, this collaboration will assist both companies in reaching their sustainability goals and supporting their customers' carbon reduction initiatives.