Methyl Ester Sulfonate Market Report 2026

The methyl ester sulfonate market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.51 billion in 2025 to $1.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in detergent and laundry markets, availability of natural fatty acid feedstocks, rising awareness of biodegradable surfactants, replacement of las in cleaning formulations, expansion of household cleaning consumption.

The methyl ester sulfonate market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing sustainability regulations, rising demand for green household products, growth in personal care formulations, innovation in surfactant processing technologies, expanding industrial and institutional cleaning sectors. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of bio based surfactants in detergents, rising adoption of mes in eco friendly cleaning products, growing demand for high performance anionic surfactants, expansion of mes usage in personal care applications, higher preference for biodegradable cleaning ingredients.

The rising demand for personal care products is expected to propel the growth of the methyl ester sulfonate market going forward. Personal care products are items used for hygiene and grooming, encompassing a wide range of products designed to maintain and improve physical appearance and cleanliness. A growing emphasis on health and wellness is increasing spending on personal care products that enhance appearance, hygiene, and overall well-being. Methyl ester sulfonate is used in personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, and skincare formulations. Its mildness and ability to generate stable foams help create a positive user experience. For instance, in December 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US-based government agency, the average annual expenditure on personal care products and services increased from $866 per consumer unit in 2022 to $950 per consumer unit in 2023. Therefore, rising demand for personal care products is driving the methyl ester sulfonate market.

Major companies operating in the methyl ester sulfonate market are focusing on developing innovations such as microbial fermentation facilities for large-scale production of eco-friendly surfactants to address the growing need for biodegradable and sustainable ingredients in personal care and cleaning products. A microbial fermentation facility uses controlled bioreactors to grow microorganisms that naturally generate surfactants, enabling consistent, high-purity production while minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis. For instance, in May 2024, Evonik Industries, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched its Rhamnolipid Biosurfactants Facility in Slovakia. The plant manufactures glycolipid biosurfactants at commercial scale for use in shampoos, body washes, and detergents, supporting fully biodegradable, skin-friendly, and renewable-resource-based formulations that align with both performance and sustainability objectives in consumer products.

In January 2024, Kerfoot Group Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of natural and organic oils, merged with Oleon N.V. for an undisclosed amount. The merger is a natural evolution for Kerfoot's business. It will enable the UK team to work with Oleon as an industry innovator and build long-lasting relationships with all their partners. Oleon N.V. is a Belgium-based manufacturer specializing in oleochemical products, including methyl esters.

Major companies operating in the methyl ester sulfonate market are Wilmar International Ltd., Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd, KLK OLEO Group, Godrej Industries Limited, Emery Oleochemicals, Oleon NV, Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc., Fenchem Inc., BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Nouryon, Solvay S.A., Croda International Plc, Pilot Chemical Company, Kao Corporation, Lion Corporation, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Berg+Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG, P&G Chemicals.

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

The methyl ester sulfonate market consists of sales of laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, household cleaners, shampoos and conditioners, body washes and liquid soaps, pesticide formulations, drilling fluids, emulsifiers, agricultural adjuvants, and cosmetic products. 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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