Release Agents Market Report 2026

The release agents market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.11 billion in 2025 to $1.17 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of industrial baking, need for mold release efficiency, use in processed food production, expansion of packaged foods, demand for production consistency.

The release agents market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing processed food consumption, demand for sustainable processing aids, growth of automated food production, stricter food safety standards, expansion of convenience food manufacturing. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for food grade release agents, rising use in high speed manufacturing lines, shift toward bio-based release formulations, expansion in bakery and confectionery processing, focus on clean label processing aids.

The rise in the bakery and confectionery industries is expected to propel the growth of the release agents market going forward. The bakery and confectionery industries encompass the production and sale of baked goods, such as bread, pastries, cakes, candies, and other sweet treats. The expansion of the food service industry, including cafes, restaurants, and quick-service restaurants, has increased demand for bakery and confectionery products. Release agents are commonly employed in bakery operations to prevent baked goods from sticking to baking surfaces, facilitating easy removal and maintaining product integrity. For instance, in February 2024, according to the Government of Canada, a Canada-based body responsible for the federal administration, the retail sales of baked goods in the United States (U.S.) saw a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, reaching US$82.9 billion in 2022, with projections indicating a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2027, with an anticipated value of US$97.7 billion by 2026. Therefore, the rise in the bakery and confectionery industries is driving the growth of the release agents market.

Major companies operating in the release agent market are increasing their focus on developing innovative solutions, such as water-based mold release agent to meet growing environmental concerns and regulatory demands for safer, more sustainable products. Water-based mold release agents refer to non-toxic, environmentally friendly formulations used to prevent materials from sticking to molds during manufacturing processes. For instance, in May 2024, Kao Corporation, a Japan-based chemicals company, launched LUNAFLOW RA. LUNAFLOW RA is a water-based, solvent- and fluorine-free mold release agent utilizing cellulose nanofibers (CNF) for superior demolding performance and durability. It enhances manufacturing efficiency by preventing material adhesion and is environmentally friendly.

In October 2024, ChemPoint LLC, a United States-based distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, formed a partnership with PLZ Corp to collaboratively handle sales, marketing, and distribution of PLZ’s food release agent products throughout the Americas. Through this collaboration, ChemPoint sought to expand its specialty-ingredient portfolio and strengthen its distribution reach in the food-release agent category, while PLZ benefited from ChemPoint’s robust logistics capabilities and established customer network. PLZ Corp is a US-based manufacturer of food-grade and industrial food-processing release agents, aerosol coatings, and related specialty aerosol solutions.

Major companies operating in the release agents market are Chem-Trend L.P., Momentive Performance Materials, Michelman Inc., Stoner Inc., MÜNZING Chemie GmbH, Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc., Miller-Stephenson Chemical Co., McLube, Franklynn Industries Limited, Münch Chemie International GmbH, Cresset Chemical Co., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Wacker Chemie AG, Clariant AG, Evonik Industries AG, Croda International plc, Henkel AG, BASF SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc., AkzoNobel N.V., Marbocote Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd.

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

The release agents market consists of sales of composite materials, petroleum-based oils, silicone-based sprays, surfactants, and natural oils. 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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