Silicone Surfactants – Ultimate Solution for Multiple End-User Industries

The global silicone surfactants market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 4.94%. Over the forecast period, this market is estimated to increase at a rapid pace and is anticipated to reach US$2,330.536 million in 2027 from US$1,662.669 million in 2020.

Silicone surfactants are chemical compounds that reduce surface tension at various interfaces. They are utilised as emulsifiers, solubilizers, foaming agents, wetting agents, softeners, detergents and dispersants in a variety of industries. They are also known to give coating compositions levelling, slide, and resistant qualities. The global market for silicone surfactants is categorised into various segments which include – the application, the end-user industry vertical and the geographical region.

High demand for silicone surfactants from multiple end-user industries will foster growth for the global silicone surfactants market during the analysis period.

Silicone surfactants have applications in a wide range of end-user industry verticals. Silicone surfactants are used as an emulsifier and wetting agents in skincare and grooming product formulations such as shaving cream, hair shampoos, conditioners, lotions, soaps etc. When used as an additive in personal care products they improve the shine, and softness of the skin and help in conditioning and detangling hair. In order to increase stability, silicone surfactants as emulsifiers are added to creams and sun care products.

In the production of fabrics, silicone surfactants serve a number of functions, including moisturising and facilitating the dispersion of soluble liquids and are also used as a sewing and circular materials. They are used in the production of tablets, ointments and capsules for pharmaceutical companies.

Silicone surfactants are used in paints, ink coatings and varnishes as a levelling agent. It provides improved slip and mar resistance as well as imparts a smooth, glossy, satin-like finish to the surface. Silicone surfactants are effective at a low concentration which makes them cost-effective.

In the agricultural sector, silicone surfactants act as an ideal wetting agent. It increases the effectiveness of herbicides and insecticides by significantly lowering the product’s surface tension, which leads to improved herbicide dispersion and penetration on the targeted leaves. This increased effectiveness reduces the amount of chemicals required.

Other industries that use silicone surfactants include the paper and pulp industry, automotive, leather, oil and gas sector and building and construction industry. The high application and increasing demand for silicone surfactants from emerging as well as established industries are driving growth for the global market during the forecast period.

According to the research and analysis, out of all the industry verticals, the cosmetics and personal care sector is expected to substantial market proportion, during the anticipated period.

Based on the end-user industry vertical the market for silicone surfactants is categorized into textile, personal care and cosmetics, agriculture, building and construction and others. Out of all these mentioned above personal care and cosmetics sector are anticipated to account for a major share of the global market during the analysis period.

One of the main end-use sectors for silicone surfactants is personal care and cosmetics. Silicone surfactants are used as a foaming agent, solubilizing agent, dispersant, emulsifier and wetting agents in a variety of skincare and grooming products like shampoos, shower gel, lotions, creams, conditioners, sunscreen etc. As a result, the expansion and growing sales of skincare, and haircare products product will augment the growth of this segment.

Due to rising awareness of the significance of personal cleanliness and grooming especially among the younger generation, the personal care and cosmetics business is expanding significantly on a global scale. For instance, The United States beauty and personal care market is one of the most profitable industries worldwide, according to the MPOC. The total retail sales of cosmetic and beauty goods in Europe for the year 2021 were estimated by Cosmetics Europe to reach EURO 80 billion. According to the data from the financial reports of Persil and Schwarzkopf, in 2020 sales of hand soap rose by over 60 per cent in the United States. Due to this, silicone surfactant demand will increase in the future as the personal care and cosmetics industry grows.

During the analysis period, unstable prices of raw materials are anticipated to restrict the growth of the global silicone surfactant market.

The materials that are used in the production of silicone surfactants include palm oil, primary coconut oil, benzene, ethylene and other petrochemical and oleochemical raw materials. These compounds and materials are subject to price volatility. This makes it difficult for consumers to control the cost of the production of their products. The unstable prices of raw materials pose a major challenge for the players in this space.  For instance, the palm oil board of Malaysia issued a warning predicting a challenging 2023 for the palm oil industry due to the continued global weather, and economic and geopolitical uncertainty. The market for palm oils has struggled with volatility brought on by recessionary concerns.

Moreover, stringent rules and regulations imposed by various governments and non-government organisations, the negative impact of silicone surfactants on the environment along with the availability of substitutes are some of the factors hindering the growth of the global silicone surfactant market.

During the analysis period, out of all the geographical regions the market is segmented into the Asia Pacific region is likely to account for a rapid growth rate in the global silicone surfactants market.  

The global silicone surfactants market has been divided into five regions: North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and Asia Pacific. The Asia-Pacific region has a well-established market for silicone surfactants and is anticipated to grow significantly during the aforementioned period The market for cosmetics and textiles items in the Asia-Pacific area is primarily driven by a growing awareness of the need of preserving one’s look and a significant rise in disposable incomes, which in turn drives up demand for silicone surfactants in this region. This region is also the hub for manufacturing textiles and clothing products. Asia-Pacific comes second in terms of producing fat and oil globally and serves as the primary source of raw materials for silicone surfactant compounds. As a result, Asia-Pacific as a consumer has stronger control over oleochemical manufacturing and distribution. The market for silicone surfactants in the area is anticipated to expand considerably throughout the research period as a result of the aforementioned causes. Prime markets in the Asia Pacific region include India, China, Japan, South Korea, Indonesia, Thailand and Taiwan.