Detergent Alcohols Market To Reach $7.91 Billion By 2030

Detergent Alcohols Market Growth & Trends

The global detergent alcohols market size is anticipated to reach USD 7.91 billion by 2030 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 5.3% during the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is primarily driven by rising demand across home care, personal care, and industrial cleaning applications, supported by increasing urbanization, improved hygiene awareness, and expanding middle-class populations. The growing preference for biodegradable and sustainable ingredients is accelerating the shift toward bio-based detergent alcohols, particularly in developed economies. Moreover, advancements in oleochemical processing, coupled with regulatory pressures to reduce the environmental impact of chemical formulations, are prompting manufacturers to innovate and diversify their product offerings.

The synthetic segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 67.8% in 2024 due to its cost-efficiency, consistent product quality, and scalability in mass production. Synthetic detergent alcohols, derived primarily from petrochemical sources, are widely used in large-volume applications such as laundry detergents and industrial cleaners, where performance and price competitiveness are critical. The well-established global petrochemical infrastructure and reliable raw material availability further supported their dominance, especially in markets with mature industrial bases and high consumption of cleaning agents.

The laundry detergents segment accounted for the largest revenue share of 40.2% in the market due to its widespread and consistent demand across both residential and commercial sectors. Detergent alcohols play a critical role in the production of surfactants used in laundry formulations, offering effective emulsifying and foaming properties essential for removing dirt and stains. The growing emphasis on hygiene, rising global population, and increasing penetration of washing machines, particularly in emerging economies, further boost consumption. In addition, continuous product innovation in liquid and eco-friendly detergents supported steady growth within this segment.

Asia Pacific held the largest revenue share of 41.8% in 2024 due to its strong manufacturing base, abundant availability of natural feedstocks like palm and coconut oils, and high consumption of cleaning and personal care products. Rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and growing hygiene awareness across populous countries such as China, India, and Indonesia significantly contributed to regional demand. Moreover, the presence of key oleochemical producers and expanding industrial infrastructure further reinforced Asia Pacific’s dominant position in the market.

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Detergent Alcohols Market Report Highlights

• North America held the second largest revenue share in 2024 due to strong demand from well-established home care, personal care, and industrial cleaning sectors. The region's focus on high-performance formulations, coupled with stringent regulatory standards promoting the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly ingredients, drove sustained consumption.

• China held the largest revenue share in 2024 due to its vast consumer base, strong industrial output, and rapidly growing demand for cleaning and personal care products. The country’s large-scale manufacturing capabilities, supported by favorable government policies and infrastructure, enabled high-volume production of both synthetic and natural detergent alcohols.

• The natural segment is expected to grow at a higher CAGR of 5.6% during the forecast period due to rising consumer preference for sustainable, plant-based ingredients and increasing regulatory pressure to reduce reliance on petrochemical-derived products. Natural detergent alcohols, derived from renewable sources such as palm and coconut oils, are gaining traction in personal care, household, and institutional cleaning applications for their biodegradability and lower environmental impact.

Detergent Alcohols Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global detergent alcohols on the basis of source, application, and region:

Detergent Alcohols Source Outlook (Volume Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Natural

• Synthetic

Detergent Alcohols Application Outlook (Volume Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• Laundry Detergents

• Dishwashing Detergents

• Personal Care & Cosmetics

• Industrial Cleaners

• Other Applications

Detergent Alcohols Region Outlook (Volume Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

  • Mexico

• Europe

  • Germany

  • UK

  • France

  • Italy

  • Spain

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • India

  • Japan

  • South Korea

• Latin America

  • Brazil

  • Argentina

• Middle East & Africa

  • Saudi Arabia

  • South Africa

List of Key Players in the Detergent Alcohols Market

• Sasol Ltd.

• BASF SE

• KLK OLEO

• Wilmar International

• Godrej Industries

• Procter & Gamble Chemicals

• Emery Oleochemicals

• Ecogreen Oleochemicals

• Kao Corporation

• VVF Ltd.