Low Foaming Surfactants Market

Low Foaming Surfactants Market Forecast and Outlook 2026 to 2036

Valuation of the global low foaming surfactants market is projected to grow from USD 3.33 billion in 2026 to USD 5.03 billion by 2036, depicting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% between 2026 and 2036. This translates into a total growth of 51.1%, with the market forecast to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% between 2026 and 2036.

The nonionic EO/PO block surfactants segment is set to register 44.0% of the low foaming surfactants market in 2026.

Key Takeaways for Low Foaming Surfactants Market

• Low Foaming Surfactants Market Value (2026): USD 3.33 billion
• Low Foaming Surfactants Market Forecast Value (2036): USD 5.03 billion
• Low Foaming Surfactants Market Forecast CAGR: 4.2%
• Leading Chemistry Type in Low Foaming Surfactants Market: Nonionic EO/PO Block Surfactants (44.0%)
• Key Growth Regions in Low Foaming Surfactants Market: China, Brazil, Europe
• Key Players in Low Foaming Surfactants Market: BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Solvay SA

Nonionic EO/PO block surfactants enable industrial cleaning professionals to deliver superior foam control capabilities with enhanced cleaning efficiency and precise performance control across multiple operational environments, providing improved processing characteristics for food service applications and precision cleaning requirements. Industrial and institutional cleaning applications are projected to register 34.0% of the low foaming surfactants market in 2026. Low foaming surfactants in industrial cleaning applications enable enhanced operational efficiency, standardized cleaning protocols, and chemical processing methods that are essential for food processors, manufacturing operators, and facility managers.

Low Foaming Surfactants Market

Metric	Value
Estimated Value in (2026E)	USD 3.33 billion
Forecast Value in (2036F)	USD 5.03 billion
Forecast CAGR (2026 to 2036)	4.2%

Category

Category	Segments
Chemistry	Nonionic EO/PO Block Surfactants; Low-Foam Ethoxylates; Silicone-Modified Surfactants; Other Low-Foaming Systems
Application	Industrial & Institutional Cleaning; Food & Beverage CIP/COP; Metal Cleaning & Precision Cleaning; Other Applications
End-Use Sector	Food & Beverage Processing; Industrial Manufacturing; Healthcare & Institutional; Other Sectors
Formulation Type	Liquid Concentrates; Powder & Solid Formats; Other Forms
Region	United States; China; Europe; Japan; South Korea; Germany; United Kingdom; Brazil; Other Regions

By Chemistry, Which Segment Holds the Dominant Share in the Low Foaming Surfactants Market?

In terms of chemistry, the nonionic EO/PO block surfactants segment leads the market with 44% share. Industrial cleaning professionals and facility managers increasingly utilize nonionic EO/PO block surfactant formulations for their superior foam control properties and operational efficiency characteristics.

• Commercial investments in advanced cleaning technology and chemical engineering continue to strengthen adoption among performance-focused users.
• With industrial operators prioritizing cleaning infrastructure reliability and foam management, nonionic EO/PO block surfactants align with both operational objectives and performance requirements, making them the central component of comprehensive cleaning processing strategies.

By Application, Which Segment Registers the Highest Share in the Low Foaming Surfactants Market?

By application, industrial and institutional cleaning dominates with 34.0% share, underscoring its critical role as the primary application sector for performance-focused users seeking superior cleaning properties and enhanced operational credentials. Facility managers and industrial cleaning operators prefer these applications for their established chemical performance requirements.

• Industrial facility users are optimizing surfactant selections to support application-specific requirements and comprehensive cleaning strategies.
• As cleaning technology continues to advance and facilities seek efficient chemical processing methods, industrial and institutional cleaning applications will continue to drive market growth while supporting performance quality and operational optimization strategies.

What are the Drivers, Restraints, and Key Trends of the Low Foaming Surfactants Market?

• Drivers: Food processing industry expansion and precision cleaning initiatives drive mandatory adoption of high-performance surfactant solutions across cleaning infrastructure.
• Restraint: High procurement costs and technical complexity of integrating specialized surfactant chemistries into existing cleaning processes limit market penetration.
• Trend 1: Shift toward ready-to-use surfactant formulations that minimize preparation requirements and reduce technical handling for deployment.
• Trend 2: Development of specialized multifunctional surfactants supporting multiple cleaning types and equipment compatibility standards.

Analysis of the Low Foaming Surfactants Market by Key Country

Country	CAGR (2026-2036)
China	5.4%
Brazil	5.0%
U.S.	4.9%
U.K.	3.9%
Germany	3.8%
South Korea	3.4%
Japan	2.7%

The report covers an in-depth analysis of 40+ countries; top-performing countries are highlighted below.

What Opportunities Can Low Foaming Surfactants Manufacturers Expect in China?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants consumption and sales in China is projected to exhibit exceptional growth with a CAGR of 5.4% through 2036, driven by the country's rapidly expanding food processing sector, government policies promoting industrial cleaning standardization, and initiatives supporting professional chemical processing technologies across major manufacturing regions.

• Established food processing infrastructure and expanding industrial consciousness are driving demand for surfactant solutions across manufacturing facilities, commercial developments, and comprehensive cleaning systems throughout Chinese industrial markets.
• Strong infrastructure development and formulation initiatives are supporting the rapid adoption of premium surfactant systems among quality-focused institutions seeking to meet evolving industrial standards and processing requirements.

What is the Brazilian Low Foaming Surfactants Market Size?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in Brazil is projected to expand at a CAGR of 5.0%, supported by rising food processing industry investment, growing manufacturing consciousness, and expanding chemical distributor capabilities. The country's developing industrial infrastructure and increasing investment in professional cleaning technologies are driving demand for surfactant solutions across both traditional and modern food processing applications.

• Rising commercial development and expanding industrial capabilities are creating opportunities for surfactant adoption across food processing projects.
• Growing food industry awareness initiatives and manufacturing technology advancement are driving the adoption of specialized surfactant products and services among facility users.

What is the USA Low Foaming Surfactants Market Size?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in the USA is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.9% through 2036, supported by the country's commitment to manufacturing precision, food safety excellence, and advanced processing integration requiring efficient chemical solutions. American food processing users and manufacturing-focused establishments prioritize technical performance and operational precision, making specialized surfactant systems essential components for both traditional and modern industrial applications.

• Advanced precision food processing technology capabilities and growing technical manufacturing applications are driving demand for surfactant systems across specialty cleaning applications.
• Strong focus on technical precision and food safety excellence is supporting the adoption of advanced surfactant technologies among users seeking competitive manufacturing advantages and processing optimization.

What is the UK Low Foaming Surfactants Market Size?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in the UK is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.9% through 2036, supported by the country's commitment to advanced manufacturing technologies, established food processing research capabilities, and growing investment in industrial innovation. British food processing facilities and technology-focused manufacturers prioritize quality performance and technical reliability, creating consistent demand for premium surfactant solutions across traditional and emerging applications.

• Growing technology sector investment and expanding manufacturing capabilities are driving demand for specialized surfactant systems across food processing facilities and research institutions.
• Strong emphasis on innovation and technical excellence is supporting the adoption of advanced surfactant technologies among users seeking competitive manufacturing advantages and processing optimization.

What Challenges Do Low Foaming Surfactants Manufacturers Face in Germany?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in Germany is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% through 2036, supported by established industrial standards, expanding manufacturing markets, and emphasis on technical efficiency across food processing and industrial sectors. German industrial users and manufacturing professionals prioritize quality performance and technical consistency, creating steady demand for premium surfactant solutions.

• Established industrial markets and expanding manufacturing industry are driving demand for quality surfactant systems across food processing operations.
• Strong emphasis on quality standards and technical efficiency is supporting the adoption of premium surfactant varieties among users seeking proven performance.

What are the Opportunities for South Korean Low Foaming Surfactants Manufacturers?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in South Korea is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.4% through 2036, supported by the country's expanding industrial standards, established government regulations, and leadership in manufacturing technology implementation. South Korea's advanced industrial development standards and strong support for innovative chemical systems are creating steady demand for both traditional and advanced surfactant varieties.

• Advanced technology capabilities and established industry-focused markets are driving demand for premium surfactant systems across manufacturing facilities, processing operations, and others.
• Strong industrial culture and regulatory development are supporting the adoption of innovative chemical technology among users prioritizing manufacturing reliability and processing precision in industrial applications.

What Challenges Do Japanese Low Foaming Surfactants Manufacturers Face?

Revenue from low foaming surfactants products in Japan is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% through 2036, supported by the country's emphasis on industrial precision, technology excellence, and advanced manufacturing system integration requiring efficient chemical solutions. Japanese industrial users and technology-focused establishments prioritize precision performance and manufacturing control, making specialized surfactant systems essential components for both traditional and modern cleaning applications.

• Advanced precision technology capabilities and growing technical industrial applications are driving demand for surfactant systems across specialty manufacturing applications.
• Strong focus on technical precision and technology excellence is encouraging users and distributors to adopt surfactant solutions that support industrial objectives.

Competitive Landscape of the Low Foaming Surfactants Market

The low foaming surfactants market is characterized by competition among established chemical companies, specialized materials manufacturers, and integrated cleaning solution providers. Companies are investing in advanced chemical technologies, specialized surfactant platforms, product innovation capabilities, and comprehensive distribution networks to deliver consistent, high-quality, and reliable surfactant systems.

Market players include BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, and others, offering institutional and commercial systems with emphasis on performance excellence and chemical heritage. BASF SE provides integrated chemical automation with a focus on industrial market applications and precision surfactant networks.

Key Players in the Low Foaming Surfactants Market

• BASF SE
• Dow Chemical Company
• Evonik Industries AG
• Clariant AG
• Solvay SA
• Croda International Plc
• Stepan Company
• Nouryon
• Huntsman Corporation
• Kao Corporation

Scope of the Report

Items	Values
Quantitative Units (2026)	USD 3.33 Billion
Chemistry	Nonionic EO/PO Block Surfactants, Low-Foam Ethoxylates, Silicone-Modified Surfactants, Other Low-Foaming Systems
Application	Industrial & Institutional Cleaning, Food & Beverage CIP/COP, Metal Cleaning & Precision Cleaning, Other Applications
End-Use Sector	Food & Beverage Processing, Industrial Manufacturing, Healthcare & Institutional, Other Sectors
Formulation Type	Liquid Concentrates, Powder & Solid Formats, Other Forms
Regions Covered	United States, China, Europe, Japan, South Korea, Germany, United Kingdom, Brazil, Other Regions
Countries Covered	China, Brazil, Europe, U.S., U.K., Germany, South Korea, Japan, and other countries
Key Companies Profiled	BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Solvay SA, and other leading surfactant companies
Additional Attributes	Dollar sales by chemistry, application, end-use sector, formulation type, and region; regional demand trends, competitive landscape, technological advancements in chemical engineering, formulation performance optimization initiatives, manufacturing enhancement programs, and premium product development strategies

Low Foaming Surfactants Market by Segments

• Chemistry :

  • Nonionic EO/PO Block Surfactants
  • Low-Foam Ethoxylates
  • Silicone-Modified Surfactants
  • Other Low-Foaming Systems

• Application :

  • Industrial & Institutional Cleaning
  • Food & Beverage CIP/COP
  • Metal Cleaning & Precision Cleaning
  • Other Applications

• End-Use Sector :

  • Food & Beverage Processing
  • Industrial Manufacturing
  • Healthcare & Institutional
  • Other Sectors

• Formulation Type :

  • Liquid Concentrates
  • Powder & Solid Formats
  • Other Forms

• Region :

  • North America

    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany
    • UK
    • France
    • Italy
    • Spain
    • Nordic Countries
    • BENELUX
    • Rest of Europe

  • Asia Pacific

    • China
    • Japan
    • South Korea
    • India
    • Australia
    • Rest of Asia Pacific

  • Latin America

    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Rest of Latin America

  • Middle East & Africa

    • Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
    • United Arab Emirates
    • South Africa
    • Rest of Middle East & Africa

  • Other Regions

    • Oceania
    • Central Asia
    • Other Markets