Stearic Acid Market Report 2026

The stearic acid market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $38.17 billion in 2025 to $41.28 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.1%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of rubber processing industry, expansion of candle manufacturing, demand from personal care sector, availability of animal based feedstocks, early adoption in lubricant production.

The stearic acid market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $54.63 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for plant based chemicals, growth of personal care industry, expansion of automotive production, increasing use in sustainable lubricants, advancements in oleochemical processing. Major trends in the forecast period include growing use in rubber and tire manufacturing, rising demand from personal care products, increasing adoption in lubricant formulations, expansion of candle manufacturing applications, higher focus on vegetable based feedstocks.

The increasing need for personal care products is attributed to rising consumer awareness about personal hygiene and grooming, higher disposable incomes, urbanization, and the influence of social media and beauty trends. Stearic acid plays a key role in cosmetics by improving product stability, texture, and performance. Its emulsifying, thickening, and conditioning properties make it essential in various skincare, haircare, and personal care formulations. For instance, in September 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), a US-based federal government agency, U.S. household spending on personal care products and services in 2023 increased by 9.7% compared with 2022. Therefore, the growing need for personal care products is driving the stearic acid market.

Major companies operating in the stearic acid market are focused on developing innovative products, such as non-ionic surfactants, to enhance the performance of personal care and cleaning products. Non-ionic surfactants derived from stearic acid offer excellent emulsifying, foaming, and cleansing properties, making them ideal for use in formulations of shampoos, soaps, detergents, and cosmetics. For instance, in January 2024, Ataman Kimya, a Turkey-based chemical manufacturing company, launched PEG-20 Stearate, a non-ionic surfactant used in cosmetics and personal care products for its emulsifying and solubilizing properties. It enhances the texture and stability of formulations, providing a smooth and consistent feel. PEG-20 Stearate is a reliable emulsifier that stabilizes water and oil blends in cosmetic formulations. Its utility extends notably to hand and body lotions and creams, and it is also featured in select cleansing products designed to cleanse the skin of impurities. PEG-20 Stearate finds application across a spectrum of cosmetic and personal care items, including moisturizing creams, lotions, sunscreens, and various skincare preparations.

In October 2024, OLEON NV, a Belgium-based provider of natural oleochemicals and fatty acid derivatives, acquired A. Azevedo Industria e Comercio de Oleos Ltda. for an undisclosed amount. Through this acquisition, Oleon aimed to strengthen its global presence and expand production capacity and raw material sourcing for fatty acids and related products, including stearic acid, to meet rising demand across personal care, plastics, and industrial markets. A. Azevedo Industria e Comercio de Oleos Ltda. is a Brazil-based oleochemical company specializing in castor bean and vegetable oil-derived fatty acids, including stearic acid and other oleochemicals used in lubricants, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

Major companies operating in the stearic acid market are Cargill Incorporated, BASF SE, Wilmar International Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Musim Mas Group, Stepan Company, Croda International Plc, KLK Oleo, Sinarmas Cepsa Pte. Ltd., Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Godrej Industries Limited, Oleon NV, Emery Oleochemicals, Stearinerie Dubois, Lascaray S.A., IOI Oleochemical, Ruixing Chemical Co. Ltd, Paras Polymer and Chemicals, Nimir Industrial Chemicals Ltd, 3F Industries Ltd, Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn Bhd, Kwantas Corporation.

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

The stearic acid market consists of sales of natural stearic acid, synthetic stearic acid. 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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