Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (excl. Soap) Market

The global market for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) is projected to grow both in volume and value terms from 2022 to 2030. China leads in both consumption and production of these agents, while Japan and Argentina are major importers. India, South Korea, and Taiwan are key exporters in this market. Import and export prices vary amongst the major importing and exporting countries, with fluctuations noted over the period from 2012 to 2022.

Market Forecast

Driven by increasing demand for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) worldwide, the market is expected to continue an upward consumption trend over the next eight-year period. Market performance is forecast to retain its current trend pattern, expanding with an anticipated CAGR of +2.4% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 11M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +4.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $32.2B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, approx. 9M tons of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) were consumed worldwide; growing by 2.1% against 2021 figures. The total consumption volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.6% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. Global consumption peaked in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the near future.

The value of the market for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) worldwide dropped to $23.1B in 2022, declining by -5.6% against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). The market value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $24.5B, and then fell in the following year.

Consumption By Country

China (2.1M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption, accounting for 23% of total volume. Moreover, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, the United States (1M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (763K tons), with an 8.4% share.

In China, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +3.9% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: the United States (+3.4% per year) and India (+4.9% per year).

In value terms, China ($3.7B), the United States ($3.6B) and Japan ($2.5B) constituted the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, together accounting for 43% of the global market. India, Germany, Pakistan, Russia, Mexico, the Netherlands, Indonesia, Italy and Malaysia lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 28%.

Among the main consuming countries, the Netherlands, with a CAGR of +15.3%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) per capita consumption in 2022 were Belgium (19 kg per person), the Netherlands (12 kg per person) and Malaysia (4.8 kg per person).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for the Netherlands (with a CAGR of +16.1%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, after five years of growth, there was decline in production of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), when its volume decreased by -0.4% to 9M tons. The total output volume increased at an average annual rate of +2.4% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained consistent, with only minor fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 7%. Over the period under review, global production hit record highs at 9M tons in 2021, and then shrank in the following year.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production dropped to $23.1B in 2022 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +2.1% over the period from 2012 to 2022; the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with somewhat noticeable fluctuations being observed throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 12%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $23.8B, and then reduced in the following year.

Production By Country

China (2.1M tons) remains the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) producing country worldwide, comprising approx. 24% of total volume. Moreover, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, the United States (1M tons), twofold. The third position in this ranking was taken by India (826K tons), with a 9.2% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China stood at +4.6%. The remaining producing countries recorded the following average annual rates of production growth: the United States (+1.2% per year) and India (+5.4% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, after six years of growth, there was significant decline in overseas purchases of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), when their volume decreased by -89.7% to 220K tons. In general, imports saw a abrupt decrease. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 6.2%. Over the period under review, global imports attained the maximum at 2.1M tons in 2021, and then fell significantly in the following year.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports dropped sharply to $647M in 2022. Over the period under review, imports showed a deep downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of $5.9B, and then reduced notably in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Japan (37K tons) and Argentina (29K tons) were the largest importers of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap)around the world, together generating 30% of total imports. It was distantly followed by Pakistan (19K tons), Colombia (16K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (11K tons), together creating a 21% share of total imports. The following importers - Jordan (8.6K tons), Norway (7.2K tons), Iran (6.7K tons), the Philippines (5.6K tons), Ukraine (5.1K tons), Algeria (4.7K tons), Morocco (3.9K tons) and Vietnam (3.5K tons) - together made up 21% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Jordan (with a CAGR of +21.2%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) importing markets worldwide were Argentina ($125M), Japan ($87M) and Colombia ($50M), with a combined 40% share of global imports. Taiwan (Chinese), Pakistan, Norway, Iran, Jordan, Ukraine, the Philippines, Algeria, Vietnam and Morocco lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 33%.

Jordan, with a CAGR of +17.8%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main importing countries over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $2,946 per ton, picking up by 5.8% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 when the average import price increased by 15% against the previous year. Over the period under review, average import prices reached the peak figure in 2022 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Taiwan (Chinese) ($4,369 per ton), while Morocco ($2,008 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by the Philippines (+11.7%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

After three years of growth, shipments abroad of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) decreased by -92.4% to 176K tons in 2022. Overall, exports showed a sharp contraction. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when exports increased by 10% against the previous year. The global exports peaked at 2.3M tons in 2021, and then dropped rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports fell rapidly to $419M in 2022. Over the period under review, exports faced a sharp setback. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2021 with an increase of 25% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of $6.2B, and then shrank notably in the following year.

Exports By Country

India (63K tons), South Korea (55K tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (43K tons) represented roughly 91% of total exports in 2022. Saudi Arabia (4.8K tons) took a little share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for Saudi Arabia (with a CAGR of +29.7%), while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplying countries worldwide were India ($143M), South Korea ($123M) and Taiwan (Chinese) ($104M), with a combined 88% share of global exports. Saudi Arabia lagged somewhat behind, comprising a further 1.9%.

Saudi Arabia, with a CAGR of +28.4%, saw the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $2,374 per ton, waning by -11.2% against the previous year. Overall, the export price saw a mild descent. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2021 an increase of 16%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $2,820 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Average prices varied somewhat amongst the major exporting countries. In 2022, major exporting countries recorded the following prices: in Taiwan (Chinese) ($2,457 per ton) and India ($2,246 per ton), while Saudi Arabia ($1,640 per ton) and South Korea ($2,244 per ton) were amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.2%), while the other global leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform