Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By Form (Liquid Cetanol, Waxy Solid Cetanol), By Application (Emulsification, Conditioning Agent, Surfactant, Thickening Agent, Anti-oxidant, Emollient), By End-User (Food, Personal Care, Cosmetics, Skin Care, Hair Care, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

The Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.64%, reaching a market size of US$542.187 million in 2030 from US$453.231 million in 2025.

Cetanol, also known as Cetyl Alcohol, is an oil that can be sourced from vegetable materials like palm and coconut oil or even petroleum. The waxy white crystalline solid has a high application in cosmetics and skincare formulation as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener. Cetyl Alcohol helps in softening the skin, making it smooth, while also improving the texture of the formulations and stabilization of emulsions. It is extensively used in lotions, creams, conditioners, and other hair care products due to its moisturizing and thickening properties. The ingredient is alcohol, though it does not dry the skin and is safe for use in personal care products.

The need for cetanol is increasing owing to the rising demand for skincare and cosmetic products worldwide. For instance, according to Invest India, the Indian personal care and hygiene segment is expected to grow, owing to significant penetration of the country's e-commerce sector.

Additionally, the expanding e-commerce sector in tier 2 and tier 3 cities is expected to influence the market growth for cetanol products in the projected period. For instance, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), internet users in India crossed 800 million in 2023, and it was found that rural areas had more internet use compared to urban areas. In 2022, the number of internet users in rural areas of India was 399 million, which increased to 442 million in 2023. Contrary to that, the number of people accessing the internet in urban areas was 360 million in 2022, which grew to 378 million in 2023. Hence, the increasing internet-accessing population and increasing penetration of the e-commerce industry are expected to boost the cosmetic and personal care product market in the coming years. 

What are the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market drivers?

• The market for cetanol is expected to grow owing to the increasing demand for organic and chemical-free products for cosmetics and skincare. Additionally, its demand is anticipated to grow as it is used in various topical medicines for people with dermatitis. For instance, according to the Global Atopic Dermatitis Atlas (GADA), in 2022, about 223 million people were living with atopic dermatitis, of which around 43 million people were aged between 1 and 4, which indicates the high prevalence of dermatitis in young children’s. Moreover, according to the National Eczema Association, in the United States, 31.6 million people, or 10.1% of the population, are suffering from eczema. Hence, the increasing cases of skin conditions are anticipated to propel the market for cetanol in the forecasted period.
• Cetanol is used as a surfactant in shampoos, as a thickening agent, conditioner, and emulsifier. It helps in providing a creamy texture to the shampoo and makes it easier to spread and apply. Cetanol also helps in improving shampoos' moisturizing properties, leaving the hair smoother, and help locking in moisture in the hair. Even if it is alcohol, it is non-drying and safe for regular use on hair.  For instance, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), cetyl alcohol is a safe synthetic fatty acid in food and in synthetic food components under the condition that it should have 98% of total alcohols and not less than 94% of straight chain alcohols. Hence, the increasing use of cetanol in various end-use products is expected to propel the market growth in the coming years.
• Anti-aging creams and healthy skin care products are gaining traction from the maturing population in developed countries. The growing millennial and per capita income of people in developing countries are anticipated to influence the market for cetanol in the projected period. For instance, according to the Ministry of Statistics & Programme Implementation, India’s per capita Net National Income (NNI) increased from INR72,805 in 2014-15 to INR98,374 in 2022-23. Similarly, according to the World Bank, the GDP per capita was US$20,406.7 in 2021, which increased to US$22,499.4, and in 2023 the GDP per capita increased to US$24,557.6. Hence, the growing per capita income in the projected period is anticipated to propel the market for cetanol.

Segment analysis of the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market

• By form, the wax solid cetanol segment is expected to hold a significant share of the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market.

By form, the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market is segmented into liquid cetanol and wax solid cetanol. The wax solid cetanol is expected to hold a significant market share in the forecasted period, as it is commonly used in the skincare, hair care, and cosmetics sector, as it can thicken formulation, smoothen texture, and stabilizes emulsification. Additionally, the wax solid form of cetanol is versatile and more functional. Liquid cetanol has some specialized applications, in less mainstream applications in personal care products.

• By application, the conditioning agent and emollient segment are expected to hold a significant share of the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market.

The conditioning agent and emollient segment are anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years as the demand for products that can soften, moisturize, and protect their skin increases. Moreover, cetanol has properties such as locking moisture, hydrating, and nourishing. Additionally, the trend towards sustainable and natural ingredients in beauty products is expected to further fuel the market for cetanol as an emollient and conditioning agent.      

Geographical outlooks of the Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) market:         

• The European region is anticipated to hold a significant share in the coming years.

The European region is expected to dominate the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market in the coming year, owing to its increasing application in industries such as solvents and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the companies in the region are investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative products. Moreover, the increasing demand for cetanol in this region is owing to the rising per capita income and growing demand for organic and natural products.

The Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By Form:
  • Liquid Cetanol
  • Waxy Solid Cetanol
• By Application:
  • Emulsification
  • Conditioning Agent
  • Surfactant
  • Thickening Agent
  • Anti-oxidant
  • Emollient
• By End-User:
  • Food
  • Personal Care
  • Cosmetics
  • Skin Care
  • Hair Care
  • Others
• By Geography:
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Israel
    • Others
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key Benefits for the Stakeholders

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Process

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. Analyst View

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Supplier

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. The Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

5. CETANOL (CETYL ALCOHOL) MARKET BY FORM

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Liquid Cetanol

5.3. Waxy Solid Cetanol

6. CETANOL (CETYL ALCOHOL) MARKET BY APPLICATION

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Emulsification

6.3. Conditioning Agent

6.4. Surfactant

6.5. Thickening Agent

6.6. Anti-oxidant

6.7. Emollient

7. CETANOL (CETYL ALCOHOL) MARKET BY END-USER

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Food 

7.3. Personal Care

7.4. Cosmetics

7.5. Skin Care

7.6. Hair Care

7.7. Others

8. CETANOL (CETYL ALCOHOL) MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. USA

8.2.2. Canada

8.2.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. Brazil

8.3.2. Argentina

8.3.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. UK

8.4.2. Germany

8.4.3. France

8.4.4. Italy

8.4.5. Others

8.5. Middle East and Africa

8.5.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.2. Israel

8.5.3. Others 

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. Japan

8.6.2. China

8.6.3. India

8.6.4. South Korea

8.6.5. Indonesia

8.6.6. Thailand

8.6.7. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. Kao Corporation

10.2. Niram Chemicals

10.3. KOKYU ALCOHOL KOGYO CO., LTD.

10.4. Brenntag Ingredients (India) Pvt. Ltd.

10.5. WEGO CHEMICAL GROUP

10.6. Suriachem Sdn. Bhd.

10.7. Naturallythinking

10.8. KLK OLEO

10.9. Surfachem Group Ltd

10.10. ACME-HARDESTY

Kao Corporation 

Niram Chemicals 

KOKYU ALCOHOL KOGYO CO., LTD.

Brenntag Ingredients (India) Pvt. Ltd.

WEGO CHEMICAL GROUP 

Suriachem Sdn. Bhd.

Naturallythinking 

KLK OLEO 

Surfachem Group Ltd 

ACME-HARDESTY