Alkyl Polyglucoside Market

Alkyl Polyglucoside Market Outlook (2022-2032)

The global alkyl polyglucoside (APG) market is anticipated at US$ 1.3 billion in 2022 and is anticipated to expand briskly at a CAGR of 8% to reach US$ 2.9 billion by the end of 2032.

Skin contact with surfactants and related products is inevitable, and the surfactants used in personal & household care products need to have a low potential for irritation. Alkyl polyglucoside is non-toxic for humans and causes lower irritation as compared to other surfactants.

Sales of alkyl polyglucoside accounted for around 23% share of the global sugar-based surfactants market at the end of 2021.

Report Attributes	Details
Alkyl Polyglucoside Market Size (2021A)	US$ 1.2 Billion
Sugar-based Surfactants Industry	US$ 5.7 Billion
Estimated Market Value (2022E)	US$ 1.3 Billion
Forecasted Market Value (2032F)	US$ 2.9 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2022-2032)	8% CAGR
North America Market Share (2022)	~28.3%
Europe Market Growth Rate (2022-2032)	~7.2% CAGR
United States Market Growth Rate (2022-2032)	~4.6% CAGR
Market Share of Top 5 Companies	~32%
Key Companies Profiled	Croda International Plc. BASF SE Huntsman Corporation Dow Chemicals Co. SEPPIC S.A. LG Household & Health Care Ltd Galaxy Surfactants Akzo Nobel NV Pilot Chemical Company Shanghai Fine Chemical Co Ltd.

APG Sales Pattern Analysis (2017-2032)

APG sales are high for use across various application verticals such as laundry, surfactants, and others. It is made of sustainable and natural raw material, which makes it user- and environment-friendly. APG is an effective alternative to fuel-based surfactants.

Key companies involved in APG manufacturing are largely focusing on expanding their production capacities to cater to the growing demand across the globe. In addition, APG has replaced petroleum-based surfactants in several end-use applications, thus creating gaps in the supply and demand equation.

Market participants involved in its production are focusing on setting up production plants at strategic locations to enhance their sales output.

• Short-Term Projections: Cosmetics and personal care industry growth across emerging markets to reshape APG industry growth outlook across 2022-2025.
• Medium-Term Projections: With growing advancements and innovation in the field, a plethora of APG applications in several verticals will support market growth from 2025to 2028.
• Long-Term Projections: Ongoing R&D and favorable government regulations will offer immense growth opportunities in the market.

From 2017 to 2021, the global market for alkyl polyglucoside registered a CAGR of 5.9%. As per this latest study by Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider, APG sales are projected to surge ahead at 8% CAGR between 2022 and 2032.

Market share analysis of alkyl polyglucosides based on primary function and region. Under the primary function segment, emulsifying agents dominate with 24.2% market share in 2022.

What All in Majorly Shaping the Path of the Alkyl Polyglucoside Market?

“Sugar-based Surfactants - Revamping Market Growth Trajectory”

Alkyl polyglucoside, a non-ionic surfactant derived from vegetable oils and starch, is witnessing rising demand. This, in turn, fuels the active research and expanding commercialization of other sugar-based surfactants.

These products are replacing conventional petroleum-based surfactants and even those made from other natural oils. Particularly in mass-market product categories, including personal care, laundry detergents, and home care cleaning goods, natural surfactants are gaining popularity.

Sugar surfactants beat conventional surfactants such as SLES and SLS in terms of mildness, the capacity to clean at lower concentrations, and the solubility of essential oils, thereby driving market expansion.

“Application in Heavy Oil Recovery to Be High”

Alkyl polyglucoside, due to its properties, has a high adoption rate in the heavy oil recovery process. With the drop in customary oil reserves, the adequate development of heavy oil becomes increasingly necessary. However, the high viscosity of heavy oil makes it challenging to recover. It is necessary to consider non-thermal methods for the recovery of these oils.

Hence, non-thermal methods include chemical flooding, such as surfactant and polymer flooding. The major issue in heavy oil pools is inadequate cleaning due to the low mobility of the oil. Owing to this, ideal emulsions induced by the suitable interfacial action and emulsification properties of the surfactant play a principal role in increasing cleaning efficiency to improve viscous oil recovery.

Surfactants cannot function satisfactorily in high-salinity and high-temperature circumstances despite having sound interfacial activity and emulsification capabilities in a traditional reserve environment. Therefore, to improve heavy oil recovery, surfactants with a thermal-resistance and salt tolerance are required.

It is a bio-based surfactant developed by a mechanism called dehydration. Excellent emulsification and interfacial activity are its remarkable characteristics.

“Availability of Substitutes: A Major Challenge”

Alkyl polyglucoside, being a natural bio-based surfactant, is largely being used as a detergent, in industrial, skincare, and other applications. However, manufacturers have introduced alternative materials that can act as natural surfactants offering higher efficiency across various application areas.

These alternatives, typically from the glucamide plant family, are widely used in the cosmetics industry as they offer enhanced mildness and sustainability and are easily compatible with the skin. In addition, they also deliver higher foam forming and cleaning efficiency than palm oil-based surfactants and are in alignment with the Nordic and EU Ecolabel standards for environmental health.

These alternatives are estimated to exert a negative impact on the utilization of alkyl polyglucoside surfactants, thereby impeding the growth of the market.

“Patent Protection - A Big Obstacle”

Alkyl polyglucoside has been the subject matter of several patent protection applications during the last three decades. Its initial surge and related patents have thereafter been replaced, not only by a decline in the number of applications but also by the tendency to narrow the scope of their conservation. However, due to innovations that continue to occur with respect to it, new applications are expected.

These factors are potential threats to APG manufacturers’ growth prospects; however, they are coming up with robust solutions to overcome these restraints and make the most of the available opportunities.

Country-wise Insights

Will the Growing Cleaning Products Industry Drive Market Growth in the U.S.?

The United States APG market is currently estimated at US$ 313.5 million and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 4.6% through 2032.

The U.S. market is ruled by the homecare sector. Further, the cleaning industry in the country is witnessing high growth opportunities, especially post-pandemic. It is also expected to grow in the future due to initiatives taken by various associations such as ISSA, ARCSI, ACI, and others to increase awareness about cleaning products.

• As per data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Annual Consumer Expenditure Survey, the average American household spends approximately US$ 170 on laundry supplies yearly.

Hence, with increased spending on cleaning products, the U.S. market will offer healthy sales growth for market players.

Why is China Projecting High Revenue Growth Opportunities?

Chinese companies are increasingly stepping out of low-profit commodity segments and climbing up the technology ladder into more sophisticated sectors. In addition, China is enjoying many home-player advantages in the more competitive environment.

In common with many markets there, China has a tremendous overcapacity and a large number of local producers, often sub-scale. They are competing with several multinationals who are setting up a business, primarily to take part in the growing consumer market for surfactant-containing products such as laundry detergent, shampoo, and cosmetics.

Further, China has reliable suppliers for the raw material required for its production; hence, the presence of abundant supply and demand in the market is projecting high profitability across the Chinese market.

The China market for alkyl polyglucosides is valued at US$ 145.3 million in 2022 and is set to expand at a CAGR of 11.7% from 2022 to 2032.

Category-wise Insights

Which Type of Alkyl Polyglucoside is Estimated to Dominate the Market?

Coco polyglucoside is estimated to account for the highest CAGR of 11.7%. The segment was valued at US$ 241.5 million in 2021. Segment growth is attributed to its dynamic properties, such as it is a natural, non-ionic surfactant.

It is ultra-mild in nature and the gentlest of the cleansing agents, making it ideal for all foaming and cleansing products, especially those designed for fragile or sensitive skin. Coco polyglucoside works well as a surfactant, foaming agent, conditioner, and emulsifier. It helps increase the foaming capacity of a solution and is particularly useful in hair care products.

Why are APGs Widely Used as Emulsifying Agents?

Alkyl polyglucoside is widely used as an emulsifier and cleansing agent in household and personal products. There is a growing need for the development and use of natural-origin, biodegradable, and skin-friendly emulsifiers. This is due to continuous advancements in the designing of novel emulsifiers and the significant influence of ongoing green trends in the cosmetic industry, as well as global environmental concerns.

Competitive Analysis of Manufacturers and Their Key strategies

Prominent alkyl polyglucoside manufacturers are Croda International Plc., BASF SE, Huntsman Corporation, Dow Chemicals Co., SEPPIC S.A., LG Household & Health Care Ltd, Galaxy Surfactants, Akzo Nobel NV, Pilot Chemical Company, and Shanghai Fine Chemical Co Ltd.

Manufacturers are adopting various strategies to gain profits in both developed and developing markets. Companies are delivering sustainable eco-friendly solutions to reduce their carbon footprints. They are also investing in enhancing supplier and distributor networks to cover a wide catchment area.

With capacity expansion, a product launch is a prominent approach towards sales enhancement. In addition, companies are exploring digital platforms for improving their brand recognition and reaching more potential customers.

Fact.MR has provided detailed information about the price points of key manufacturers of alkyl polyglucoside positioned across regions, sales growth, production capacity, and speculative technological expansion, in the recently published report.

Segmentation of Alkyl Polyglucoside Industry Research

• By Product Type :

  • Coco Alkyl
  • Lauryl Alkyl
  • Decyl Alkyl
  • Capryl Alkyl
  • Others

• By Primary Function :

  • Cleansing Agents
  • Emulsifying Agents
  • Wetting Agents
  • Degreasing Agents
  • Solubilizing Agents
  • Hydrotope
  • Foaming Agents
  • Others

• By Application :

  • Homecare
    • Surface Cleaners
    • Dishwashing Detergents
    • Laundry Detergents
    • Other Homecare Products
  • Personal Care
    • Bath Products
    • Cleansers & Wipes
    • Oral Care
    • Other Personal Care Products
  • Industrial & Institutional Cleaners
  • Agricultural Chemicals
  • Oil Fields
  • Admixtures for Cement, Concrete & Plaster
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • East Asia
  • South Asia & Oceania
  • MEA