Global Low Foam Surfactants Market - 2022-2029

Global Low Foam Surfactants Market - 2022-2029

Market Overview

Low foam surfactants market size was worth US$ XX million in 2021 and is estimated to reach US$ XX million by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 5.9% during the forecast period (2022-2029).

Surfactants are substances that are used to lower the surface tension between two fluids or between a fluid and a solid. The word surfactant is a short form for the surface-active agent. Surfactants mainly act as detergents, emulsifiers, foaming agents or dispersants. Surfactants are mainly composed of organic compounds that contain hydrophobic and hydrophilic groups.

Low foaming surfactants have modified alkyl chains which reduces the foaming capacity. Low foam surfactants are available in a liquid form either as a 100% solution or as a water-diluted solution. Low foam surfactants are used for cleaning in various commercial and industrial applications.

Market Dynamics

The low foam surfactants demand is mainly driven by the increasing global industrialization and automation. The volatility in prices for raw materials used in producing low foam surfactants is a key factor in limiting the growth of this market.

Increasing global industrialization and automation

Rapid population growth, economic progress and technological advancement over the last few decades have completely changed the face of the global manufacturing industry. As more and more of the global population moves into the middle class, the demand for mass-produced finished goods has increased considerably.

The food processing and dairy industry has witnessed tremendous growth due to growing consumer demand for cheap processed food and various dairy products such as cheese, milk powder, cream and ice cream. Similarly, industrial production makes textiles and fabrics increasingly affordable for many of the global population.

With growing demand, industries increasingly rely on technological advances to increase production output. The adoption of automation has seen fast-paced growth in the last decade. Automation increases production output, reduces production costs, eliminates human error and increases overall quality. By adopting automation, manufacturing industries can satisfy large-scale demand while keeping prices affordable for most consumers. Low foam surfactants are used to clean industrial equipment and machinery, metal surfaces, food and dairy production equipment, pulp and paper, and textile manufacturing. Growing industrialization and automation will be key drivers for the growth of the global low foam surfactants market.

Volatility in supply and prices of raw materials used in low foam surfactants

Several precursor materials are required for the production of low foam surfactants. The materials are sourced from distributors and manufacturers globally through a complex supply chain. Factors such as low production and logistical delays greatly affect raw materials prices.

It, in turn, affects the prices of low foam surfactants. Due to disruptions in the global supply chain, the supply of raw materials may be temporarily hampered, thereby causing a drop in surfactant production. Global events such as the COVID-19 pandemic have greatly affected global supply chains. The disruptions hamper the expansion of the global low foam surfactants market and present a key challenge for its growth.

COVID-19 impact analysis

The global low foam surfactants market was unevenly impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Food processing, textiles, pulp and paper applications saw relative declines since the pandemic period movement restrictions and lockdowns restricted manufacturing and industrial activity globally.

However, the sale of detergents and household cleaning agents increased during the pandemic. The increase was mainly because of heightened attention to personal and household cleanliness brought on by the pandemic. Another major increase was in healthcare, especially hospitals and clinics, which were overwhelmed due to the pandemic.

The global demand from industrial verticals showed signs of improvement in late 2020 when countries in Asia-Pacific cautiously started lifting the lockdown restrictions and industries started increasing production. However, most of North America and Europe were still swamped with pandemic cases. Asia-Pacific was also hit with the second wave of the pandemic in early to mid-2021 and lockdown restrictions were reimposed. Global demand is expected to recover to pre-pandemic levels by 2022 completely.

Given the supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic, there has been a shortage of essential chemicals for producing low foam surfactants. It has hampered the surfactants' production and forced manufacturers to raise prices, thereby creating inflationary pressure on end-users. Despite these challenges, the market has an overall long-term positive outlook. The demand for low foam surfactants remains strong and is expected to grow gradually in the coming years.

Segment Analysis

The global low foam surfactants market is segmented into type, application, end-user and region. The low foam surfactants market by application is further segmented into detergents and cleaning agents, pulp and paper, metal cleaning, metal working fluids, oilfield chemicals, food and dairy process cleaners, agrochemicals and others. Detergents and cleaning agents are leading within this segmentation since it is the most widely used application of low foam surfactants. Low foam surfactants are primarily used in detergents since they impart strong cleaning action and reduce foaming during washing.

Geographical Analysis

Asia-Pacific is expected to have the largest market share of the global low foam surfactants. The region has been experiencing rapid industrialization and high economic growth over the past few decades, making it a prime global manufacturing hub. Due to the industrialization across various sectors, the use of industrial machinery and equipment has increased considerably. Low foam surfactants are widely utilized in various high-strength metal cleaning fluids.

Low foam surfactants are used to produce detergents, household cleaning agents and dishwashing liquids. Due to its large population size of nearly 4.6 billion, Asia-Pacific is a major consumer market for household cleaning products. Many national and international companies are active in this sector. The region also has a well-developed food and dairy industry, with India, China, Japan, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia among the major players. Food and dairy industry equipment is cleaned using solutions containing low foam surfactants.

Low foam surfactants are also widely used in the pulp, paper and textile industries. China, Japan, South Korea and Indonesia are leading pulp and paper producers. Similarly, Bangladesh, China, India and Vietnam are leading producers of fabrics and textiles. Asia-Pacific will retain the largest market share in the global low foam surfactants market in the coming years.

Competitive Landscape

The global low foam surfactants market is competitive due to the availability of various low foam surfactant formulations utilized for different applications by end-users. Some of the major market players contributing to growth in the market are Akzo Nobel N.V., BASF SE, Clariant, Croda International Plc, Evonik Industries AG, Huntsman International LLC, Kao Corporation, Stepan Company, Oxiteno and Nufarm. The various market players adopt several growth strategies such as launching new products, tie-ups with end-users and joint ventures to grow the global industry.

Akzo Nobel N.V.

Overview: Akzo Nobel is a multinational company specializing in developing and producing performance coatings, paints, pigments and chemicals for commercial and industrial applications. The company has a presence in all major regions, including Europe, North America, South America, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa. The company was established in 1994 through the merger of Akzo and Nobel industries. It is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Product Portfolio:

Berol LFG 61 is Akzo Nobel's low foaming surfactant blend for various industrial applications. It is primarily composed of alcohol ethoxylate and alkyl glucoside. The solubility of the blend increases with the addition of alkaline, with the highest solubility achieved in 40% sodium hydroxide solution. Berol LFG 61 is mainly used for cleaning food and beverage machinery, machine dishwashing, metal cleaning, brewery equipment and other industrial cleaning applications.

Key Developments:

In April 2022, Akzo Nobel N.V. announced the complete suspension of its businesses in Russia due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. Most company business in the country is generated from aerospace coatings and surfactants production. The company will hand over its business to local partners for operations due to the sanctions imposed by the European Union.

Why Purchase the Report?
• Visualize the composition of the low foam surfactants market segmentation by the type, application, end-user and region, highlighting the critical commercial assets and players.
• Identify commercial opportunities in the low foam surfactants market by analyzing trends and co-development deals.
• Excel data sheet with thousands of global low foam surfactants market-level 4/5 segmentation
• on data points.
• PDF report with the most relevant analysis cogently put together after exhaustive qualitative interviews and in-depth market study.
• Product mapping in excel for the critical product of all major market players

The global low foam surfactants market report would provide approximately 58 market data tables, 65 figures and 220 pages.

Target Audience 2022
• Low foam surfactants manufacturers
• Manufacturing companies
• Food and beverage companies
• Oil and gas companies
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Education & Research Institutes
• Research Professionals