In-Depth Analysis of the Ethoxylates Market: Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunities

Ethoxylates Industry Overview

The global ethoxylates market size was valued at USD 13.2 billion in 2019 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.0% from 2020 to 2027. The market is anticipated to be driven by the consumption of ethoxylates across various industries, including personal care, pharmaceutical, industrial, and household cleaning. The product is widely being used as a foaming and wetting agent in detergent and cosmetic product formulations.

Gather more insights about the market drivers, restrains and growth of the Ethoxylates Market

Commercially, ethoxylates are obtained by reacting raw materials, such as amines or alcohols, with ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst. Some of the commonly used catalysts are potassium hydroxide and zirconium dodecanoxide sulfate. However, market players such as Stepan Company and Royal Dutch Shell Plc. use hydrotalcite/magnesium/aluminum and rare earth as a catalyst in its ethoxylation process.

The majority of the market players involved in ethoxylates manufacturing are backward integrated and focused towards sustainable sourcing of ethylene oxide, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost as the major cost incurred in the production process is that of the raw material. In addition, demand for ethylene oxide is higher among other industries, including automobile, agriculture, food, paints, and plastics, which may result in an uninterrupted supply of raw material, thereby proving to be a major market restraint.

The market exhibits the presence of stringent regulations employed by authorities, such as the European Commission and U.S. EPA. In addition, the restrictions imposed on the demand for ethoxylates are expected to hamper the market growth over the forecast period. Growing consumer inclination towards environmentally friendly as well as naturally sourced products, coupled with consumer willingness to spend on premium and high-end products, is expected to act as a beneficial factor in product consumption.

However, demand for ethoxylates is expected to be restrained by concerns regarding the toxicity of the products. The surfactants used in coatings, detergents, and cleaners are based on ethoxylates. The ethoxylate products such as alcohol ethoxylates pose a threat to the sediment organisms and sewage treatment plant organisms, thereby posing a threat to the environment. In addition, products such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs) have been found to cause damage to human health and consequently been banned by several governing agencies, such as the European Union and the government of Canada.

Browse through Grand View Research's Organic Chemicals Industry Research Reports.

• The global isobutyric acid market size was estimated at USD 182.4 million in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% from 2024 to 2030. This growth is attributed to its versatile applications across various industries. It is an important raw material in the manufacturing of fragrances, flavors, and various chemicals, including paints, plastics, and coatings.

• The global isophorone market was estimated at USD 1.36 billion in 2023 and is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.1% from 2024 to 2030 owing to its rising demand in the formulation of adhesives. In adhesive formulations, the product serves as a hardening agent. Adhesives are employed in various end-user applications, such as polyvinyl chloride, plastics, polystyrene, etc.

Ethoxylates Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global ethoxylates market on the basis of product, application, end use, and region:

Ethoxylates Product Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

• Alcohol

• Fatty Amine

• Fatty Acid

• Ethyl Ester

• Glyceride

• Others

Ethoxylates Application Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

• Household & Personal Care

• Institutional & Industrial Cleaning

• Pharmaceutical

• Agrochemicals

• Oilfield Chemicals

• Others

Ethoxylates End-use Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

• Detergents

• Personal Care

• Ointments & Emulsions

• Herbicides

• Insecticides

• Foam Control & Wetting Agents

• Lubricants and Emulsifiers

• Others

Ethoxylates Regional Outlook (Volume, Kilotons; Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2027)

• North America

o U.S.

o Canada

o Mexico

• Europe

o Germany

o U.K.

o France

• Asia Pacific

o China

o India

o Japan

o South Korea

• Central & South Americao Brazil

o Argentina

• Middle East & Africa

o South Africa

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Key Companies profiled:

• Stepan Company

• BASF SE

• Huntsman International LLC

• Nouryon

• Dow

• Arkema SA

• Clariant AG

• E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company

• Evonik Industries AG