Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate [SLES] Market Report 2026

The sodium lauryl ether sulfate [sles] market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.52 billion in 2025 to $1.62 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of personal care product consumption, expansion of household cleaning product usage, availability of petrochemical feedstocks, increasing industrial cleaning applications, rising pharmaceutical manufacturing activity.

The sodium lauryl ether sulfate [sles] market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.07 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for sulfate-based surfactants in emerging markets, increasing focus on sustainable surfactant production, expansion of agrochemical formulations, rising use in institutional cleaning products, increasing investments in specialty chemical manufacturing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for mild and skin-friendly surfactants, rising use in liquid detergent formulations, growing adoption in pharmaceutical excipients, expansion of high-foaming cleaning solutions, enhanced focus on biodegradable surfactants.

The increasing demand for liquid detergents is expected to drive the growth of the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market going forward. Liquid detergents are multipurpose cleaning agents that dissolve in liquid form and are widely used in both residential and commercial settings for general cleaning, dishwashing, and laundry. Sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) is a key surfactant in liquid detergent production, and consumer preference for liquid cleaning products makes SLES an effective ingredient for cleaning and foaming applications. For example, in December 2024, S&P Global Inc., a US-based publicly traded company, reported that global surfactant consumption in 2023 reached approximately 17.6 million metric tons (100% basis), with an estimated market value of $46.9 billion. Therefore, rising demand for liquid detergents is fueling the growth of the SLES market.

Major companies in the SLES market are focusing on strategic collaborations with leading manufacturers to strengthen their market position. Strategic collaborations enable companies to partner with firms that have the expertise to transform innovative concepts into tangible products. For instance, in September 2023, LanzaTech Global, Inc., a US-based carbon recycling company, collaborated with Dow, a US-based materials science company, to develop EcoSense 2470, a biodegradable surfactant for the home care market. Dow’s surfactant is produced using LanzaTech’s CarbonSmart technology, which utilizes recycled carbon materials to enhance sustainability while maintaining high performance and ensuring rapid market entry.

In August 2023, Apollo Global Management, Inc., a US-based asset management firm, completed the acquisition of Univar Solutions for $8.1 billion. This strategic move is intended to bolster Apollo's presence in the specialty chemicals sector and utilize operational expertise to foster growth and innovation. Univar Solutions, also based in the US, is a management services company that provides a wide range of surfactants, including sodium lauryl ether sulfate.

Major companies operating in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate [sles] market are Galaxy Surfactants Limited, Stepan Company, BASF SE (Badische Anilin- und Soda-Fabrik Societas Europaea), Kao Corporation, Clariant AG, Evonik Industries AG, Sasol Limited, Huntsman Corporation, Godrej Industries Limited, Wilmar International Limited, Oxiteno S.A., Aarti Industries Limited, Miwon Commercial Co., Ltd., Colonial Chemical, Inc., Enaspol a.s., Ho Tung Chemical Corp., Tanfac Industries Limited, KLK OLEO, Emery Oleochemicals, PCC Group.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market in 2025 and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate [sles] market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the sodium lauryl ether sulfate [sles] market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) market consists of sales of ammonium lauryl sulfate (ALS), and sodium pareth sulfate. 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.

This product will be delivered within 1-3 business days.