Oleochemicals Market

Oleochemicals Market Size, Share, Trends, Growth, and Industry Analysis, By Type (Fatty Acids, Fatty Alcohols, Glycerine, and Others), Form (Liquid, Solid), Application (Soaps and Detergents, Plastics, Paper, Lubricants, Rubber, Coatings and Resins, Personal Care Products, and Others), Feedstock (Palm, Soy, Rapeseed, Sunflower, Tallow, Palm Kernel, Coconut, and Others), Regional Analysis and Forecast 2032.

Chemical & Material | November 2024 | Report ID: EMR001095 | Pages: 251

Oleochemicals Market Trend

Global Oleochemicals Market size was USD 22.04 billion in 2023 and the market is projected to touch USD 41.62 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 8.27% during the forecast period.

 

Oleochemicals, including fatty acids, glycerol, and their derivatives, are also widely used in personal care, food, pharmaceuticals, and detergents industries. Compared with petrochemical-based products, oleochemical-based products have an easier way to be biodegradable and renewable.

Increasing demand for bio-based and sustainable products; more and more people in the world are becoming concerned about synthetic chemicals and their impact on the environment. It is witnessing increasing demands from the personal care and cosmetics industries, as oleochemicals continue to be consumed in a great many soaps, lotions, shampoos, and other related cosmetic products. Oleochemicals are also used by the food and beverage industry in preparing food products as well as in packaging materials. Added to this, the rising demand for eco-friendly substitutes in industrial applications such as lubricants, paints, and coatings supports the market. As consumers and industries keep continuing in a witch hunt for sustainability, steady growth is expected in the global oleochemicals market in future years due to innovations in renewable resources and new applications.

 

Oleochemicals Report Scope and Segmentation.

Report Attribute

Details

Estimated Market Value (2023)

USD 22.04 Billion

Projected Market Value (2032)

USD 41.62 Billion

Base Year

2023

Historical Year

2018-2022

Forecast Years

2024 – 2032

Scope of the Report

Historical and Forecast Trends, Industry Drivers and Constraints, Historical and Forecast Market Analysis by Segment- Based on By Form, By Type, By Application, By Feedstock & Region.

Segments Covered

By Form, By Type, By Application, By Feedstock, & By Region.

Forecast Units

Value (USD Million or Billion), and Volume (Units)

Quantitative Units

Revenue in USD million/billion and CAGR from 2024 to 2032.

Regions Covered

North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa.

Countries Covered

U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Spain, China, India, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Argentina, GCC Countries, and South Africa, among others.

Report Coverage

Market growth drivers, restraints, opportunities, Porter’s five forces analysis, PEST analysis, value chain analysis, regulatory landscape, market attractiveness analysis by segments and region, company market share analysis.

Delivery Format

Delivered as an attached PDF and Excel through email, according to the purchase option.

 

Dynamic Insights

Increased awareness among consumers and industries regarding being more environmentally conscious is fuelling the shift in preference from petrochemical products to oleochemical ones. Renewable sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats for oleochemicals are biodegradable, have less carbon emissions, and are hence increasingly applied in personal care, food processing, and cleaning products where green formulation is gaining ground.

Another critical variable is the alteration in the supply and price of raw material. The price and supply of vegetable oils, especially the price and supply of palm oil, are important variables that influence oleochemical production. Disruptions in supply chains, environmental issues surrounding the production of palm oil, and changes in agricultural approaches enhance volatility in price and market instability. Such improvements in the production process and substantial investment in research and development in terms of technology will help boost productivity and thereby growth in the oleochemicals market. New applications such as biodegradable plastics and green surfactants are opening up new avenues and expanding the scope of the market into other industries. However, regulatory limitation, such as deforestation or unsourced raw materials, could concern other developing markets and limit future growth.

 

Drivers Insights

  • Rising Demand for Sustainable Products:

Increased consumer awareness regarding environmental issues and sustainability has been one of the major drivers for the oleochemicals market. Consumers are increasingly seeking eco-friendly alternatives to replace petrochemical-based products. This trend has made manufacturers engaged in personal care, food, and cleaning products opt for renewable, biodegradable alternatives such as oleochemicals. For example, in personal care, plant oil-extracted fatty acids are used for the production of soaps, lotions, and shampoos. All this pressure towards sustainable packaging and "green" consumerism means the company needs to market their products as responsible, green solutions. Furthermore, the more bio-based, environmentally friendly chemicals get adopted, the more oleochemicals will be needed in the product lines of companies. This trend will probably be augmented even further.

  • Government Regulations Supporting Bio-based Products:

Other major drivers for the oleochemicals market are initiatives and regulations by governments that encourage utilization of renewable resources and production by sustainable means. Strict environmental regulation is adopted by most regions by reducing carbon footprints and requiring a considerable percentage of renewable resources in industries. For example, European Union's green deal and sustainability plans across Asia pave ways for bio-based chemicals such as oleochemicals alternatives to petroleum-based products. The regulatory policies, supported by rewarding schemes on bio-based production, are facilitating oleochemicals to gain market space as they make it attractive for manufacturers to be environmentally friendly, due to compliance with environmental standards.

 

Restraints Insights

  • Raw Material Price Volatility:

Major constraints in the oleochemicals market include price fluctuations of raw materials, such as palm oil, soybean oil, and other vegetable oils, through which materials are used to produce fatty acids and glycerol that embody the core of oleochemical products. In fact, the pricing of these oils may vary, which will often bring turbulence into the marketplace and increase costs of production because of changing weather patterns, agricultural practices, or general demand. In the case of palm oil, the marketplace faces challenges of deforestation and sustainability, which drive the industry to higher prices and disruptions in the supply chain. This instability may affect the margins for profitability on the part of manufacturers as well as create uneconomic costs for the end-users, thus hampering their growth in terms of sales.

  • Environmental and Sustainability Concerns Regarding Raw Material Sourcing:

Sourcing raw materials such as palm oil has been under environmental and social concerns due to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and human rights issues. This means that regulations and public review on industries that used such raw materials are stiffer. For example, multinational consumer goods firms receive pressure to ensure sustainable sourcing of palm oil. These processes escalate the cost of production and integrate more complexity in supply chains, as in the case of Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO). Such challenges might hinder expansion of the oleochemicals market by raising operation challenges and limiting raw materials access for companies that fail to meet certification standards.

 

Opportunities Insights

  • Expansion into New Applications

One of the significant opportunities for the oleochemicals market would be entry into new and emerging applications. In fact, oleochemicals are gradually replacing traditional products in the production of biodegradable plastics, biopolymers, and bio-lubricants. For example, oleochemicals can replace traditional petro-based polyols to produce bio-based polyurethanes used in the automotive and construction industries. Utilization of oleochemicals in non-chemical applications like food packaging and biodegradable agricultural products will open up the way for growth in several industries. The increased demand for circular economy solutions will create another opportunity for oleochemical products to replace synthetic chemicals in a number of industrial processes.

 

Segment Analysis

  • By Type

The oleochemicals market is primarily segmented by type into fatty acids, fatty alcohols, glycerine, and others. Fatty acids, derived from natural oils, are among the most widely used oleochemicals, playing a key role in the production of soaps, detergents, lubricants, and cosmetics. These acids are essential in manufacturing surfactants and are utilized in various industrial applications. Fatty alcohols, which are produced through the reduction of fatty acids, are used in surfactants, emulsifiers, and lubricants. They are vital in industries such as personal care and home care. Glycerine, another important by-product of the oleochemical industry, is used primarily in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics sectors due to its humectant and moisturizing properties. Other oleochemicals, such as fatty esters, amides, and alcohol ethoxylates, serve niche applications in industries like plastics, paints, and coatings, contributing to the market’s diversity.

  • By Form:

Form-wise, the oleochemical market is distinguished between liquid and solid forms. Liquid oleochemicals are most commonly used because they can easily be integrated into any formulation. They are commonly used in soap and detergent formulations, lubricant applications, and personal care products requiring a smooth, workable consistency. Liquid oleochemicals are also used more predominantly in industrial applications, like surfactants, emulsifiers, and solvents. The oleochemicals in solid form play a critical role in applications where a stable solid consistency is required, such as in soaps, candles, plastics, and coatings. Often, the form of the oleochemical dictates its application and processing; liquids are easier to incorporate into formulations, whereas solids provide stability and structure to final products.

  • By Application:

Oleochemicals have diverse applications in several industries. In the soap and detergent industries, oleochemicals find a place in surfactant manufacture that cleans by lowering the surface tension. Here, they have an important role in the formulation of cleaning agents that are efficient and yet environment-friendly. Oleochemicals in the plastic industry are used in biodegradable polymers and additives to improve the properties of plastics materials and increase the sustainability of these. Oleochemicals are also used in large quantities in the paper industry as emulsifiers and coatings for the improvement of quality and performance of paper products. In lubricants and rubber, oleochemicals improve the performance and industrial lubricant and rubber products' durability as well by reducing friction and wear in the mechanical systems. Oleochemicals also have many applications in coatings and resins for preparing bio-based coatings that are both environmentally friendly and of superior performance. The oleochemicals are largely used by the personal care industry for ingredients in skin and hair care products because of their moisturizing and emulsifying characteristics.

  • By Feedstock:

Oleochemicals are derived from various feedstocks, each having distinct characteristics, thereby also affecting the products. Palm oil is the most extensive feedstock for yield and cost-effectiveness and is a major source for fatty acids and glycerine. Other sources, such as soybean oil, are important feedstocks for fatty acids and fatty alcohols, mainly in North America and Europe. Rapeseed oil is also an important feedstock, particularly in Europe, and for a broad array of oleochemical uses-from lubricants to biodiesel. Sunflower oil is somewhat less common but has niche usages, especially in personal care products, as it is mild in nature and possess friendly skin property. Tallow is utilized in traditional soap making and some other industrial operations, provided by animal fats. Palm kernel oil is the other valuable feedstock by product of palm oil production. It is used in specialty chemicals, such as esters, and surfactants. Coconut oil also finds an application in soaps, cosmetics, and personal care products due to its unique nature. Some feedstocks are employed in niche applications where the specialty chemical properties of each feedstock give an edge; for instance, castor oil and jatropha oil are used, together with other feeds, in some applications like those in the production of particular pharmaceuticals, coatings, and biofuels.

 

Regional Analysis

Asia-Pacific is the largest market in both production and consumption of oleochemicals. The region boasts an enormous agricultural base, particularly in Indonesia, Malaysia, and India, and all three countries are massive palm oil, soy, and other oil producing countries. This makes Asia-Pacific by far the most important supplier of raw materials in oleochemical production. The rising industrial and consumer demand for eco-friendly products in Asia-Pacific, especially the personal care, food, and detergent industries, has further aided this market increase. In addition, rapid urbanization and high disposable incomes in emerging economies in this region trigger oleochemical-based product demand for daily-use applications.

Expansion in North America is driven by the requirement for renewable, bio-based alternatives for personal care, lubricants, and industrial chemicals. Oleochemicals production is a significant business in the United States, particularly from soybean oil, with a growing interest in green chemistry and sustainable production patterns. Demand in Europe is for strict environmental regulations and movement towards sustainability. Oleochemicals are being emphasized for reductions in carbon footprints by countries such as Germany, France, and the UK for applications in biodegradable plastics, surfactants, and coatings. Emerging markets, the Middle East and Africa, have rising industrial activities in countries such as Saudi Arabia and South Africa. However, compared with Asia-Pacific and North America, the market is still nascent. Countries in Latin America, including Brazil and Argentina, increasingly serve as sources for feedstocks for palm oil and soy; and biofuels and renewable products have gained ever growing attention to grow the region's oleochemical market.

 

Competitive Landscape

The companies that dominate the market are Wilmar International, Cargill, BASF, Godrej Industries, and Emery Oleochemicals. They have established great supply chains and manufacturing facilities across key regions especially in Asia-Pacific, Europe, and North America. Their main strategy will be to diversify their product lines, expand production capacity, and use economies of scale to stay ahead in the game. Companies such as BASF and Cargill are also investing heavily in research and development for new oleochemical products along with process improvements, especially for bio-based and environment-friendly solutions.

Sustainability is the new theme that has grown to be central in competition in the market. The greatest operators now reflect sustainability values, use renewable feedstocks, undertake greener modes of production, and meet the certificates as in RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil), especially in responding to the burgeoning consumer demand for products that are perceived as green. Such developments can be seen in companies such as Emery Oleochemicals, which promotes sustainability in their mode of production and use of renewable raw materials. Further mergers and acquisition partnerships are followed to access new markets and enter into new technologies or sources of raw materials. For example, partnerships between suppliers and manufacturers of raw materials in the bio-based chemicals sector assist firms to increase the size of their market share. There are now new regional players and start-ups emerging, most often on niche applications, who rely on innovation to challenge the bigger companies. Regional players tend to concentrate on supplying feedstocks extracted locally and on service of specific regional demand, which gives them a competitive advantage in selected markets.

 

List of Key Players:

  • Evonik Industries AG
  • JNJ Oleochemicals, Incorporated
  • KLK OLEO
  • Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc.
  • Oleon NV
  • Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd.
  • Cargill, Incorporated
  • Godrej Industries
  • Emery Oleochemicals
  • Corbion N.V
  • Wilmar International Ltd.
  • Kao Chemicals Global
  • Ecogreen Oleochemicals
  • IOI Corporation Berhad
  • Evyap    

 

Recent Developments:

  • In April 2024, Emery Oleochemicals, a leading provider of natural-based specialty chemicals, has enhanced its global product development capabilities with the opening of a cutting-edge application laboratory in Rayong, Thailand. Located within the PTT Technology and Innovation Center, this new facility benefits from a strategic collaboration with one of its key shareholders, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited (PTTGC), a major player in Thailand’s petrochemical and refining industry. 

 

Global Oleochemicals Report Segmentation:

ATTRIBUTE

DETAILS

By Type

  • Fatty Acids
  • Fatty Alcohols
  • Glycerine
  • Others

By Form

  • Liquid
  • Solid

By Application

  • Soaps and Detergents
  • Plastics
  • Paper
  • Lubricants
  • Rubber
  • Coatings and Resins
  • Personal Care Products
  • Others

By Feedstock

  • Palm
  • Soy
  • Rapeseed
  • Sunflower
  • Tallow
  • Palm Kernel
  • Coconut
  • Others

By Geography

  • North America (USA, and Canada)
  • Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia and Rest of Europe)
  • Asia Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, Southeast Asia and Rest of Asia Pacific)
  • Latin America (Brazil, Mexico, and Rest of Latin America)
  • Middle East & Africa (South Africa, GCC, and Rest of Middle East & Africa)

Customization Scope

  • Available upon request

Pricing

  • Available upon request

 

Objectives of the Study

The objectives of the study are summarized in 5 stages. They are as mentioned below:

  • Global Oleochemicals size and forecast: To identify and estimate the market size for global Oleochemicals market segmented By Form, By Type, By Application, By Feedstock, and by region. Also, to understand the consumption/ demand created by consumers between 2024 and 2032.
  • Market Landscape and Trends: To identify and infer the drivers, restraints, opportunities, and challenges for global Oleochemicals
  • Market Influencing Factors: To find out the factors which are affecting the market of global Oleochemicals among consumers.
  • Company Profiling:  To provide a detailed insight into the major companies operating in the market. The profiling will include the financial health of the company's past 2-3 years with segmental and regional revenue breakup, product offering, recent developments, SWOT analysis, and key strategies.

Request For Table of Content

Research Methodology

Our research methodology has always been the key differentiating reason which sets us apart in comparison from the competing organizations in the industry. Our organization believes in consistency along with quality and establishing a new level with every new report we generate; our methods are acclaimed and the data/information inside the report is coveted. Our research methodology involves a combination of primary and secondary research methods. Data procurement is one of the most extensive stages in our research process. Our organization helps in assisting the clients to find the opportunities by examining the market across the globe coupled with providing economic statistics for each and every region.  The reports generated and published are based on primary & secondary research. In secondary research, we gather data for global Market through white papers, case studies, blogs, reference customers, news, articles, press releases, white papers, and research studies. We also have our paid data applications which includes hoovers, Bloomberg business week, Avention, and others.

Data Collection

Data collection is the process of gathering, measuring, and analyzing accurate and relevant data from a variety of sources to analyze market and forecast trends. Raw market data is obtained on a broad front. Data is continuously extracted and filtered to ensure only validated and authenticated sources are considered. Data is mined from a varied host of sources including secondary and primary sources.

Primary Research

After the secondary research process, we initiate the primary research phase in which we interact with companies operating within the market space. We interact with related industries to understand the factors that can drive or hamper a market. Exhaustive primary interviews are conducted. Various sources from both the supply and demand sides are interviewed to obtain qualitative and quantitative information for a report which includes suppliers, product providers, domain experts, CEOs, vice presidents, marketing & sales directors, Type & innovation directors, and related key executives from various key companies to ensure a holistic and unbiased picture of the market. 

Secondary Research

A secondary research process is conducted to identify and collect information useful for the extensive, technical, market-oriented, and comprehensive study of the market. Secondary sources include published market studies, competitive information, white papers, analyst reports, government agencies, industry and trade associations, media sources, chambers of commerce, newsletters, trade publications, magazines, Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Factiva, D&B, annual reports, company house documents, investor presentations, articles, journals, blogs, and SEC filings of companies, newspapers, and so on. We have assigned weights to these parameters and quantified their market impacts using the weighted average analysis to derive the expected market growth rate.

Top-Down Approach & Bottom-Up Approach

In the top – down approach, the Global Batteries for Solar Energy Storage Market was further divided into various segments on the basis of the percentage share of each segment. This approach helped in arriving at the market size of each segment globally. The segments market size was further broken down in the regional market size of each segment and sub-segments. The sub-segments were further broken down to country level market. The market size arrived using this approach was then crosschecked with the market size arrived by using bottom-up approach.

In the bottom-up approach, we arrived at the country market size by identifying the revenues and market shares of the key market players. The country market sizes then were added up to arrive at regional market size of the decorated apparel, which eventually added up to arrive at global market size.

This is one of the most reliable methods as the information is directly obtained from the key players in the market and is based on the primary interviews from the key opinion leaders associated with the firms considered in the research. Furthermore, the data obtained from the company sources and the primary respondents was validated through secondary sources including government publications and Bloomberg.

Market Analysis & size Estimation

Post the data mining stage, we gather our findings and analyze them, filtering out relevant insights. These are evaluated across research teams and industry experts. All this data is collected and evaluated by our analysts. The key players in the industry or markets are identified through extensive primary and secondary research. All percentage share splits, and breakdowns have been determined using secondary sources and verified through primary sources. The market size, in terms of value and volume, is determined through primary and secondary research processes, and forecasting models including the time series model, econometric model, judgmental forecasting model, the Delphi method, among Flywheel Energy Storage. Gathered information for market analysis, competitive landscape, growth trends, product development, and pricing trends is fed into the model and analyzed simultaneously.

Quality Checking & Final Review

The analysis done by the research team is further reviewed to check for the accuracy of the data provided to ensure the clients’ requirements. This approach provides essential checks and balances which facilitate the production of quality data. This Type of revision was done in two phases for the authenticity of the data and negligible errors in the report. After quality checking, the report is reviewed to look after the presentation, Type and to recheck if all the requirements of the clients were addressed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Global Oleochemicals forecast period is 2024 - 2032.
According to global Oleochemicals research, the market is expected to grow at a CAGR of ~ 8.27% over the next eight years.
The possible segments in global Oleochemicals are based on By Form, By Type, By Application, By Feedstock, & by region.
The expected market size for Global Oleochemicals is USD 41.62 billion in 2032.
The major players in the market are Evonik Industries AG, JNJ Oleochemicals, Incorporated, KLK OLEO, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, Inc., Oleon NV, Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd., Cargill, Incorporated, Godrej Industries, Emery Oleochemicals, Corbion N.V, Wilmar International Ltd., Kao Chemicals Global, Ecogreen Oleochemicals, IOI Corporation Berhad, and Evyap.
×

Avail PDF Sample Reports