Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034

The global linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market attained a value of USD 8.83 Billion in 2024. The market is further expected to grow in the forecast period of 2025-2034 at a CAGR of 4.20%, to reach USD 13.32 Billion by 2034.

Linear Alkylbenzene and Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Trends

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) accounted for 97% of the linear alkylbenzene (LAB) industry share in 2016, which is further segmented by its end-use industries like laundry detergents, dishwashing, industrial cleaning, and household cleaning and contributes to the growth of the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market. The LAS demand, and in turn LAB demand, is being aided by the growing household and industrial cleaners industries in the Asia-Pacific.

Recent Developments in the Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market

As per the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market dynamics and trends, the global linear alkylbenzene (LAB) market demand reached a volume of nearly 4 million metric tons in the year 2020. The industry is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% between 2025 and 2034 to attain a volume of almost 4.8 million metric tons by 2026. The global linear alkylate sulfonate (LAS) market, on the other hand, reached a volume of almost 5.8 million metric tons in 2020. The industry for LAS is further expected to grow at a CAGR of 3% in the forecast period of 2025-2034 to reach a volume of almost 6.9 million metric tons by 2026.

Linear Alkylbenzene and Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Growth

The increasing population, along with the rising disposable incomes in emerging economies such as the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America due to rapid industrialization, is expected to increase the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate demand in the coming years. The rise in the demand for detergents, particularly in emerging nations like China, India, Latin America, and others, is predicted to drive the market for LAB and LAS. The demand from the home care sector has risen in the Asia-Pacific, further enhancing the industry growth. As a consequence of the improved economic activity in the emerging regions, demand for home and industrial cleaners are expected to improve, further enhancing the demand for LAB. LAS is a key derivative of LAB and the most frequently used surfactant in the production of these cleaners. The increasing demand for these cleaners is the major driver for industry growth.

The improved standard of living in emerging regions such as Africa, the Asia-Pacific, and Latin America is expected to invigorate the market for detergents, and in turn, the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market value. The low penetration of detergents in the above regions is expected to propel the industry growth for LAB and LAS further.

Industry Outlook

As per the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate industry analysis, linear alkyl benzene (LAB), with the formula C6H5CnH2n+1 and also known as detergent alkylate, serves as a cost-effective and biodegradable intermediate in the production of detergents and surfactants. Kerosene, which is the raw material for high-purity linear paraffin, is eventually converted to linear olefins through dehydrogenation. As per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, kerosene wholesale/resale prices by refiners in the U.S. have shown significant fluctuations from 2015 to 2020. In 2015, the price was $1.735 per gallon. The following year, 2016, saw a decline of approximately 20.3%, bringing the price down to $1.383 per gallon. In 2017, prices increased to $1.73 per gallon, reflecting a substantial growth of about 25.1%. This upward trend continued in 2018, with prices rising to $2.16 per gallon, an increase of approximately 24.9%. However, in 2019, there was a slight decrease to $2.017 per gallon. The most significant drop occurred in 2020, with prices falling to $1.31 per gallon, representing a steep decline of approximately 35.1%. Overall, while there were periods of growth, the general trend over these years highlights considerable volatility in kerosene prices.

Industrial cleaners are required in the manufacturing sector to maintain cleanliness and hygiene of the factories, which further boosts the growth of the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate industry. In 2023, the global manufacturing landscape was dominated by China, which accounted for 28.4% of the world's manufacturing output. The United States followed China with a 16.6% share of the global manufacturing output, reflecting its robust industrial sector, technological advancements, and significant investment in research and development.

Japan, with 7.5% of the global manufacturing output, maintained its position as a significant manufacturer, particularly in the automotive and electronics industries. Germany, with 5.8%, is renowned for its engineering excellence and strong automotive industry. India's share of 3.3% highlights its growing importance in the manufacturing sector, fueled by its large workforce and government initiatives to boost industrial growth. South Korea's 3.0% output is indicative of its strong electronics and automotive industries, which can aid the linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate industry revenue.

Italy and France, with 2.3% and 1.9% respectively, continue to be key players in the European manufacturing sector, with strengths in luxury goods, machinery, and automotive sectors. The United Kingdom, at 1.8%, demonstrates its capabilities in high-value manufacturing sectors such as aerospace and pharmaceuticals and boosts demand of linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market. Indonesia, with 1.4%, is emerging as a significant player in the global manufacturing arena, driven by its expanding industrial base and strategic initiatives to attract foreign investment.

Linear Alkylbenzene and Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Industry Segmentation

The report titled “Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Report and Forecast 2025-2034” offers a detailed analysis of the market based on the following segments:

Linear Alkylbenzene Market Breakup by Application:

• Linear Alkylate Sulfonate
• Others

Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Breakup by Application:

• Laundry Detergents
• Dishwashing Detergents
• Industrial Cleaners
• Household Cleaners
• Others

Market Breakup by Region:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

Linear Alkylbenzene and Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Share

There is a shift in consumer behaviour, who are increasingly opting for liquid detergents over powder detergents in countries such as North America, China, and Western Europe. Minimal quantity of HLAS is used in the production of liquid detergents, compared to powder, thus, the demand for HLAS, and as a result, LAB is expected to be influenced negatively in the laundry sector in the coming years. However, the demand for powder detergents is expected to be driven by regions such as Latin America, India, and Africa, which will support linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate demand growth. The oleochemical, methyl ester sulfonate (MES), LAB's essential alternative is not going to have any major impact on the LAB market in the forecast period, due to the low feedstock crude prices favouring the LAB market economics.

Competitive Landscape

The report gives a detailed analysis of the following key players in the global linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market, covering their competitive landscape, capacity, and latest developments like mergers, acquisitions, and investments, expansions of capacity, and plant turnarounds:

• Sasol Limited
• Cepsa Quimica S.A
• Jin Tung Petrochemical Corp Ltd
• PetroChina Company Limited
• Deten Quimica S.A
• Sinopec Jinling Petrochemical Co Ltd
• PT Unggul Indah Cahaya Tbk
• Farabi Petrochemicals Co.
• ISU Group
• PetroChina Company Limited
• Others

The comprehensive report provides an in-depth assessment of the industry based on Porter's five forces model, along with giving a SWOT analysis.

Linear Alkylbenzene and Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Regional Analysis

The Asia-Pacific is the most significant demand market for LAB. The global market is influenced by the rise in the detergents demand, owing to the increasing disposable income and the infrastructural growth in emerging economies such as China and India. The rising demand for powder detergents in these regions are especially expected to drive linear alkylbenzene and linear alkylate sulfonate market opportunities. The industry is expected to witness a slower growth in North America and Europe due to a rising preference for liquid detergents, which consumes lower amount of LAB. North America is, thus, a net exporter of LAB due to reduced domestic demand, while the Asia-Pacific is a net importer of the substance as no capacity addition has been announced within the region.

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Report Snapshots

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Size

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Growth

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Trends

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Share

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Companies

Linear Alkylbenzene And Linear Alkylate Sulfonate Market Regional Analysis