Anionic Surface-Active Agents (excl. Soap) Market

The article highlights the growth trends in the global market for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) from 2012 to 2022 and projections up to 2030. It discusses the consumption, production, import, and export patterns of these agents, with a focus on key countries such as China, the United States, and South Korea. The market is forecasted to see gradual growth in the coming years, with China leading in both consumption and production. The article provides insights into average prices, growth rates, and key factors influencing the market dynamics.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 14M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +3.6% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $26.7B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Global anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption expanded notably to 12M tons in 2022, growing by 5.9% compared with the previous year's figure. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.5% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, global consumption hit record highs in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

The revenue of the market for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) worldwide stood at $20.2B in 2022, leveling off at the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed in certain years. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is likely to see gradual growth in years to come.

Consumption By Country

China (2.9M tons) remains the largest anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consuming country worldwide, accounting for 25% of total volume. Moreover, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (1.2M tons), twofold. The United States (1.2M tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with a 10% share.

In China, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% over the period from 2012-2022. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+6.0% per year) and the United States (+0.8% per year).

In value terms, Japan ($5.1B), China ($3.7B) and the United States ($1.9B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 53% share of the global market. India, Germany, Pakistan, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, South Korea, Iran, France and the UK lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 26%.

Germany, with a CAGR of +9.0%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to market size in terms of the main consuming countries over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) per capita consumption in 2022 were Germany (6.5 kg per person), Italy (5.8 kg per person) and France (4.4 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of consumption, amongst the main consuming countries, was attained by Germany (with a CAGR of +6.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, approx. 12M tons of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) were produced worldwide; standing approx. at the year before. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.2% from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when the production volume increased by 6.4%. Global production peaked at 12M tons in 2020; however, from 2021 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production declined to $19.5B in 2022 estimated in export price. In general, production showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2017 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, global production reached the maximum level at $19.9B in 2021, and then dropped in the following year.

Production By Country

China (2.9M tons) remains the largest anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) producing country worldwide, accounting for 25% of total volume. Moreover, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (1.2M tons), twofold. The United States (1.2M tons) ranked third in terms of total production with a 10% share.

In China, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: India (+4.9% per year) and the United States (+0.1% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), when their volume decreased by -70.1% to 660K tons. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a deep contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 7.9%. As a result, imports attained the peak of 2.2M tons, and then reduced sharply in the following year.

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports fell significantly to $1.1B in 2022. Overall, imports saw a abrupt descent. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 when imports increased by 24% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $3.7B, and then dropped dramatically in the following year.

Imports By Country

The purchases of the twelve major importers of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), namely Japan, the Philippines, South Korea, India, Pakistan, Algeria, Argentina, Iraq, Ghana, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia and Morocco, represented more than half of total import. The Dominican Republic (16K tons) held a relatively small share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Iraq (with a CAGR of +36.1%), while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, Japan ($87M), South Korea ($81M) and the Philippines ($63M) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2022, together comprising 21% of global imports. India, Argentina, Pakistan, Algeria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Iraq and Ghana lagged somewhat behind, together accounting for a further 33%.

Iraq, with a CAGR of +32.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

The average import price for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $1,706 per ton in 2022, approximately reflecting the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 an increase of 15%. Global import price peaked at $1,738 per ton in 2012; afterwards, it flattened through to 2022.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($2,225 per ton), while Ghana ($914 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+1.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, overseas shipments of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) decreased by -83.6% to 406K tons for the first time since 2015, thus ending a six-year rising trend. In general, exports showed a drastic downturn. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 with an increase of 12%. Over the period under review, the global exports reached the peak figure at 2.5M tons in 2021, and then shrank remarkably in the following year.

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports contracted notably to $684M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports saw a abrupt slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 when exports increased by 27%. As a result, the exports attained the peak of $4.1B, and then declined significantly in the following year.

Exports By Country

South Korea represented the key exporting country with an export of around 162K tons, which accounted for 40% of total exports. Indonesia (72K tons) held the second position in the ranking, distantly followed by Norway (35K tons), the Philippines (24K tons), Argentina (20K tons) and India (18K tons). All these countries together held near 42% share of total exports. Taiwan (Chinese) (16K tons) held a minor share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, average annual rates of growth with regard to anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from South Korea stood at +4.5%. At the same time, Argentina (+14.3%), Indonesia (+8.6%) and Norway (+2.0%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Argentina emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in the world, with a CAGR of +14.3% from 2012-2022. The Philippines experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, Taiwan (Chinese) (-3.4%) and India (-14.9%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. South Korea (+34 p.p.), Indonesia (+16 p.p.), Norway (+6.9 p.p.), Argentina (+4.5 p.p.), the Philippines (+4.5 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+2.6 p.p.) significantly strengthened its position in terms of the global exports, while the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, South Korea ($239M), Indonesia ($123M) and Norway ($78M) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, with a combined 64% share of global exports. The Philippines, Argentina, India and Taiwan (Chinese) lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 22%.

Argentina, with a CAGR of +13.1%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $1,686 per ton, rising by 2.7% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 16% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $1,806 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Norway ($2,261 per ton), while South Korea ($1,477 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+3.2%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform