Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market - Forecast(2023 - 2028)

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Overview

The Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market size is estimated to reach a value of US$284.6 million by the end of 2027 after growing at a CAGR of 3.6% from 2022 to 2027. Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is a non-ionic surfactants which is made of an alkyl chain with n methylene groups. It contains both, hydrophilic surfactants and hydrophobic surfactants components due to which it can repel and dissolve in water. Its combination with carboxylic acid makes it a highly versatile multi responsive surfactant having high industrial application. It is used as emulsifier, foaming agent, defoamer, as cleaning, dispersing, wetting agent and also in agrochemicals. Hence, as defoamer it is used in products, including detergents, fabric softeners, motor oils, emulsions, soaps, paints, adhesives, inks. The non-ionic surfactant has high applicability in sectors like automobile, cosmetics, agriculture, oil industry, paper and consumer goods. Factors like increase in crude oil production, increase in number of water treatment plants and growing production level of automotive is driving the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether market growth. However, the toxic nature of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether can cause health issues and environmental problems, which can hamper the growth of the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

COVID-19 Impact

Implementing of global lockdown in order to curb the COVID-19 effect, had a negative impact on the activities of major end-user of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether such as automotive, paper and oil sectors. Hence, due to restriction on workplace and halting of logistics decreased the productivity of these sectors which negatively impacted the usage of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether in them. For instance, according to International Organization of Motor Vehicles Manufacturer, in 2020, global automobile production was 77.7 million units compared to 92.1 million units in 2019, showing a decrease of 14.4 million units. Also, according to World Energy & Climate Statistics, in 2020, global crude oil production fell 6.1% due to COVID-19 pandemic. Further, according to the European Confederation of Paper Industries, in 2020, global paper and board production decreased by 5% compared to 2019. Non-ionic surfactant like polyoxyethylene alkyl ether is used as defoamer in automotive motor oils, paper manufacturing machines and in oil drilling machines. The decrease in the production level of these sectors led to a decrease in demand for polyoxyethylene alkyl ether to be used as an antifoaming agent. This negatively impacted growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Report Coverage

The report: “Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Report – Forecast (2022 – 2027)” by IndustryARC, covers an in-depth analysis of the following segments in the Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether industry.

By Form – Liquid, Solid and Paste.
By Application – Emulsifiers, Detergents, Wetting & Dispersion, Cleaning Agents, Agrochemicals, Foaming Agents, Defoamer and Others.
By End-use Industry – Paper Industry, Automotive (Passenger Vehicles, Light Commercial Vehicles, Heavy Commercial Vehicles and Others), Wood Industry, Paints & Coatings, Oil Industry, Agriculture, Cosmetics, Consumer Good (Soaps, Detergents and Fabric Softener) and Others.
By Geography - North America (USA, Canada, Mexico), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Netherland, Spain, Russia, Belgium, Rest of Europe), Asia-Pacific (China, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Malaysia, Rest of APAC), South America (Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Rest of South America), Rest of the World (Middle East, Africa).

Key Takeaways

• Asia-Pacific dominates the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry as the region consists of major economies like China, India and Japan that has major end-user of non-ionic surfactant like automotive, paper, cosmetics and wood.
• Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ethers are widely utilized in fast moving consumer goods such as detergents, soap, fabric softener and shampoos due to their detergency, wetting and foaming capabilities.
• Rapid increase in usage of agrochemicals like fertilizers and pesticides to be used in agriculture fields has provided growth opportunities to the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry in the agriculture sector.

Figure: Asia-Pacific Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Revenue, 2021-2027 (US$ Million)

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Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Segment Analysis – By Form

Liquid form held a significant share in the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether market in 2021, with a share of over 47%. Liquid form is used as emulsifier, defoamer, dispersing agent and in agrochemical formulation. Sectors such as automotive, agriculture, paper and cosmetics are major users of liquid polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. The rapid development in these sectors on account of growing advancement has increased their productivity level which has positively impacted the demand of liquid polyoxyethylene alkyl ether. For instance, according to European Automobile Manufacture Association, in 2021, commercial vehicle production was 2.1 million units, showing 1% increase. According to US Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2019, global pesticide usage increased by 36% to 4.2 million tonnes compared to 2000. Further, according to European Confederation of Paper Industries, in 2021, global paper and board production increased by 3%. Such increase in productivity of automotive, agrochemical and paper will create more usage of liquid polyoxyethylene alkyl ether, resulting a positive growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Segment Analysis – By End-use Industry 

Automobile sector held a significant share in the Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether market in 2021 with a share of over 21%. Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether has hydrophilic surfactant and hydrophobic surfactant components as antifoaming agent is added to lubricating & motor oil to reduce air entrainment and foam creation in fender and bumper. The growing demand for automotive on account of rapid urbanization has resulted an increase in production level of automotive. For instance, according to International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturer, in 2021, light commercial vehicle production increased by 2% and passenger vehicles production increased by 8%. Such increase in commercial and passenger vehicles production will lead to more usage of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether as antifoaming agent is ideal motor and lubricant oils of automotive. This will positively impact the growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Segment Analysis – By Geography

Asia-Pacific held the largest share in the polyoxyethylene alkyl ether market in 2021 with a share of over 35%. The region consists of major end-user of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether such as automotive, agrochemicals and paper in major economies like China, India and Japan. The economic development has increased the industrial productivity in Asia-Pacific region. For instance, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, in 2020, Asia with 46.7 million units held a 50% share of global vehicle production China produced 26 million units and India produced 4.39 million units. According to Food and Agriculture Organization, in 2019, Asia held 52% share in global usage of agrochemicals like pesticides. Further, according to National Bureau of Statistics, in first three quarters of 2021, China’s paper and board output reached 101.16 million metric tones, showing 10.4% increase compared to corresponding period of 2020. Non-ionic surfactants such as polyoxyethylene alkyl ether are used as a defoamer in automotive lubricant oils and in paper-making machines to prevent air entrainment and it is also used as an ingredient in forming agrochemicals like pesticide. The increase in production output of automotive, agrochemicals and paper will create more usage of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether resulting a positive growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Drivers

Increase in Crude Oil Production

Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether having hydrophobic surfactant and hydrophilic surfactant components is used as a defoamer for oil machines and is also used to mobilize oil in oil wells. The increase in crude oil production on account of rising demand for fuel energy like petroleum by major end-user countries has increased the production level of crude oil. For instance, according to US Energy Information Administration, in March 2020, US crude oil production was 12,816 barrels per day compared to 11,899 barrels in 2019 showing 7% increase. Such an increase in oil production will increase the usage of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether to be used as a defoamer. This will boost polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry growth.

Increase in Number of Water Treatment Plants

Polyoxyethylene alkyl ether mixed with carboxylic acid is used as defoamer in water treatment process to break down air bubbles forming in aqueous solutions, prevent debris formation and keep operations running efficiently. Setting up new water treatment plants in order to provide more amount of clean usable water has positively impacted the demand for polyoxyethylene alkyl ether as a defoamer. For instance, according to China’s National Bureau of Statistics, in 2020, 39,000 new wastewater treatment facilities were set up and also between 2015-2020, China had invested $81.6 billion in its municipal wastewater system, including new treatment facilities, rainwater-sewage diversion systems and sludge mitigation. The increase in number of new water treatment plants will create more demand for polyoxyethylene alkyl ether to be used as defoamer. This results in positive growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Market Challenge

High Toxic nature of Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether

Undiluted polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers can cause skin irritation and continuous exposure can lead to allergic skin reactions and severe eye damage. Moreover, it can cause substantial toxicity and a long-term harmful effect on aquatic invertebrates, fish and other aquatic organisms. Hence such negative effects of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether can limit its usage in certain applications like water treatment and in laundry detergents. This can hamper the growth of polyoxyethylene alkyl ether industry.

Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether Industry Outlook

The companies to develop a strong regional presence and strengthen their market position, continuously engage in mergers and acquisitions. The top 10 companies in the Polyoxyethylene Alkyl Ether industry are:

1. Kao Corporation
2. Taiwan Surfactant
3. Pan Asia Chemical Corporation
4. Sanyo Chemical Industries Ltd.
5. KPX Green Chemical
6. Jiangsu Kaiyuan Technology Co. Ltd
7. Nanjing Duly Biotech co. Ltd.
8. Suzhou Manson Biotech Co. Ltd.
9. Huntsman Corporation
10. Special Fine Chemical

Recent Developments

• In 2022, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited, a global sustainable chemical company acquired Oxiteno S.A. Indústria e Comércio and this acquisition makes Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited leading global supplier in high-value surfactant. 
• In 2021, chemical producer Verdant Specialty Solutions acquired Baze Chemical which is manufacturer of is a manufacturer of drilling fluid lubricants and this acquisition will expand Verdant Specialty Solution’s surfactant manufacturing capacity.
• In 2021, Unilever partnered with LanzaTech and India Glycols to produce a surfactant made from industrial carbon emissions instead of from fossil-fuels and new surfactant will be used in an OMO (Persil) laundry capsule.

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