Natural Surfactants Market Report 2026

The natural surfactants market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $20.93 billion in 2025 to $22.52 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growing consumer preference for natural personal care products, increased use of plant-derived surfactants, expansion of green chemistry applications, rising awareness of biodegradable ingredients, availability of agricultural feedstocks.

The natural surfactants market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $29.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for sustainable detergents, expansion of eco-labeled personal care products, rising investments in bio-refining technologies, growing adoption in industrial cleaning applications, increasing regulatory support for bio-based chemicals. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of bio-based cleaning ingredients, rising demand for mild and skin-friendly surfactants, growing use of microbial fermentation processes, expansion of natural foaming agents in personal care, enhanced focus on renewable raw materials.

The rising demand for eco-friendly products is expected to propel the growth of the natural surfactants market going forward. Eco-friendly products refer to goods or items that are designed and manufactured in a way that minimizes their impact on the environment. Eco-friendly products use natural surfactants because they are more sustainable and environmentally friendly than synthetic surfactants and provide effective cleaning or foaming properties while minimizing the negative impact on the environment. For instance, in April 2024, according to the report by the National Association of Convenience Stores, a U.S.-based trade association, consumer concern about the environmental impact of products increased from 66% in 2022 to 68% in 2023, indicating a notable rise in awareness of sustainability issues. Therefore, the rising demand for eco-friendly products is driving the growth of the natural surfactants market.

Major companies operating in the natural surfactant market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as bio-based, low-carbon surfactant technologies, to meet the rising demand for environmentally responsible ingredients, reduced carbon emissions, and high-performance cleaning and personal care formulations. These innovations offer superior biodegradability and lower environmental impact compared to traditional petroleum-derived surfactants. For instance, in October 2023, BASF, a Germany-based chemical company, introduced its Glucopon 300 UP ECO portfolio - an advanced range of eco-friendly surfactants designed for personal care and household applications. Derived from renewable raw materials such as plant-based sugars and fatty alcohols, these surfactants provide strong foaming properties, effective cleaning performance, and excellent mildness. Their reduced carbon footprint supports manufacturers in meeting sustainability targets and responding to regulatory pressures for greener chemistries. The launch underscores the shift toward high-efficiency, bio-based surfactants that align environmental responsibility with superior functional performance.

In November 2025, Elementis plc, a UK-based provider of specialty additives and rheology modifiers for the cosmetics, skin care, and coatings industry, acquired Alchemy Ingredients Limited for US$22 million on a cash-free, debt-free basis. With this acquisition, Elementis aims to strengthen its core specialty additives capabilities, particularly to expand and enhance its natural cosmetics and skincare product range by leveraging Alchemy’s sustainable formulation technologies and global distribution network. Alchemy Ingredients is a UK-based provider of natural functional ingredients (rheology modifiers) used in personal care and cosmetic formulations, specializing in oil-gelling and water-gelling technologies that allow partial or full replacement of synthetic raw materials.

Major companies operating in the natural surfactants market are BASF SE, Croda International Plc, Clariant AG, Stepan Company, Kao Corporation, Evonik Industries AG, Solvay S.A., Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., Sasol Limited, India Glycols Limited, Kensing, LLC, Akzo Nobel N.V., Huntsman Corporation, Innospec Inc., Lankem Developments PLC, Dora Agri-Tech Ltd., Sanchi Organics Private Limited, Ecopol Chemicals Pvt. Ltd., Enaspol a.s., Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, Aarti Industries Limited.

Europe was the largest region in the natural surfactants market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the natural surfactants market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the natural surfactants market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The natural surfactants market consists of sales of coco glucoside, decyl glucoside, lauryl glucoside, sucrose cocoate, capryl glucoside, ammonium lauryl sulfate, sodium laureth sulfate, sodium lauryl sarcosinate, sodium myreth sulfate, sodium pareth sulfate, alcohol ethoxylates, nonyl phenoxy polyethylenoxy alcohols, alkylamidopropylamine N-oxide (APAO), alkyl dimethylamine N-oxide (AO), alkyl betaine (Bt) and alkylamidopropylbetaine (APB). 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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