Oleic Acid

Global Oleic Acid Market to Reach US$605.2 Million by 2030

The global market for Oleic Acid estimated at US$505.4 Million in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$605.2 Million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 3.0% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Personal Care & Cosmetics End-Use, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 3.5% CAGR and reach US$146.2 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Food & Beverages End-Use segment is estimated at 1.8% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$137.7 Million While China is Forecast to Grow at 5.8% CAGR

The Oleic Acid market in the U.S. is estimated at US$137.7 Million in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$119.0 Million by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 5.8% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.2% and 2.3% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 1.7% CAGR.

Global Oleic Acid Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Is Oleic Acid at the Forefront of Industrial and Consumer Product Formulations?

Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid primarily derived from natural sources such as vegetable oils (notably olive oil, sunflower oil, and canola oil), has established itself as a multifunctional ingredient across diverse industries. Its chemical versatility, biodegradability, and emollient properties make it a preferred choice in sectors including food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and industrial chemicals. In the personal care and cosmetics space, oleic acid acts as a skin-conditioning agent, penetration enhancer, and emulsifier in lotions, creams, soaps, and serums. Its compatibility with both oil and water phases enables it to serve as a stabilizing agent in a wide range of skincare formulations. In the food industry, it contributes to improved shelf life and heat stability, making it valuable in cooking oils and food additives. Additionally, oleic acid serves as a key intermediate in the manufacture of esters, lubricants, surfactants, and plasticizers in industrial applications. The rise in consumer demand for naturally derived, non-toxic, and biodegradable products is further elevating its appeal, especially in eco-conscious formulations. As oleic acid is derived from renewable feedstocks and exhibits a favorable safety and toxicological profile, its use is expanding in applications where sustainability and regulatory compliance are critical. Its multipurpose nature ensures continued demand across legacy and emerging product categories, solidifying its position as an essential fatty acid derivative in the global chemical value chain.

How Are Shifting Consumer Preferences and Green Chemistry Trends Impacting the Market?

Global shifts toward cleaner, greener, and health-conscious products are significantly influencing the demand for oleic acid, particularly in the personal care, food, and pharmaceutical sectors. In cosmetics, the rise of clean beauty and plant-based skincare has pushed formulators to seek naturally sourced emollients, with oleic acid emerging as a staple due to its skin-friendly profile and ability to enhance absorption of active ingredients. Similarly, in pharmaceuticals, oleic acid is increasingly being used as an excipient in topical and oral drug formulations due to its biocompatibility and solubilizing capabilities. In the food sector, health-conscious consumers are demanding oils rich in monounsaturated fats, spurring the use of high-oleic oils in packaged foods, cooking, and frying applications. The trend toward replacing trans fats and saturated fats in processed foods further reinforces this movement. Moreover, oleic acid’s role in green chemistry—particularly in the formulation of biodegradable lubricants, solvents, and surfactants—is aligning it with circular economy and zero-waste initiatives. Its plant-based origin allows manufacturers to meet demand for renewable and low-carbon raw materials without compromising performance. As global supply chains prioritize traceability, certifications like non-GMO, organic, and RSPO (for palm-based oleic acid) are becoming key purchasing criteria. These evolving consumer and industrial trends are positioning oleic acid as a strategic ingredient that delivers both functional benefits and alignment with sustainability-driven product development.

Is Technology Expanding the Applications and Quality of Oleic Acid?

Advancements in extraction, refining, and bioprocessing technologies are playing a crucial role in improving the purity, efficiency, and scalability of oleic acid production. Innovations in enzymatic processing and molecular distillation are enabling the production of high-purity oleic acid with minimal by-products and enhanced functional properties. This is particularly valuable for pharmaceutical and personal care applications, where consistency, odor neutrality, and microbiological stability are critical. Additionally, emerging bioengineering approaches are exploring microbial and algal synthesis routes as alternatives to traditional plant-based extraction, potentially reducing land use, seasonal dependency, and supply volatility. These biotech-based solutions can also yield customized oleic acid derivatives tailored to specific applications such as polymer additives, advanced coatings, or medical-grade formulations. In industrial sectors, oleic acid esters are gaining ground in metalworking fluids, corrosion inhibitors, and plasticizer markets, thanks to improved oxidative stability and environmental safety. Technology is also enabling better integration of oleic acid into complex formulations, supported by software-assisted formulation tools, AI-driven product testing, and real-time performance analytics. Additionally, packaging and logistics innovations are enhancing shelf life and transport efficiency for bulk buyers in cosmetics, food processing, and manufacturing. As oleic acid continues to evolve beyond its legacy uses, technology is broadening its functional scope and commercial viability, enabling companies to leverage it in high-value, high-performance formulations across sectors.

What’s Driving the Strong Growth Trajectory of the Oleic Acid Market Globally?

The growth in the oleic acid market is driven by several factors linked to rising demand for natural and multifunctional ingredients, expanding industrial applications, and supportive regulatory and sustainability frameworks. The increasing adoption of oleic acid in personal care and cosmetics is fueled by the global preference for clean-label, vegan, and skin-compatible ingredients, especially in moisturizers, anti-aging products, and organic soaps. In the food industry, growing awareness of the health benefits of monounsaturated fats is propelling demand for high-oleic oils and oleic acid-rich food products, particularly in North America and Europe. The pharmaceutical industry is another growth engine, leveraging oleic acid for drug delivery, emulsification, and solubilization in topical and oral medications. Industrial applications are expanding rapidly, particularly in the formulation of biodegradable lubricants, detergents, agrochemicals, and textile auxiliaries—driven by rising environmental regulations and the push for low-VOC, non-toxic alternatives. Moreover, the growth of oleochemical manufacturing in Asia-Pacific, especially in Malaysia, Indonesia, China, and India, is enhancing global supply capacity and lowering production costs. Regulatory approvals for food-grade and cosmetic-grade oleic acid, coupled with demand for certified sustainable and traceable raw materials, are further accelerating market penetration. As global industries continue to shift toward renewable, bio-based, and health-conscious ingredients, oleic acid is well-positioned to maintain its momentum, offering a rare combination of versatility, sustainability, and performance that aligns with the demands of a fast-changing global market.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Oleic Acid market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
End-Use (Personal Care & Cosmetics End-Use, Food & Beverages End-Use, Soaps & Detergents End-Use, Pharmaceutical End-Use, Textile End-Use, Lubricants End-Use, Other End-Uses)

Geographic Regions/Countries:
World; United States; Canada; Japan; China; Europe (France; Germany; Italy; United Kingdom; Spain; Russia; and Rest of Europe); Asia-Pacific (Australia; India; South Korea; and Rest of Asia-Pacific); Latin America (Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; and Rest of Latin America); Middle East (Iran; Israel; Saudi Arabia; United Arab Emirates; and Rest of Middle East); and Africa.

Select Competitors (Total 32 Featured) -

• Akzo Nobel N.V.
• Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
• BASF SE
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Croda International Plc
• Eastman Chemical Company
• Emery Oleochemicals
• Forchem Oyj
• Godrej Industries (Chemicals)
• Harima Chemicals Group, Inc.
• Ilim Group
• KLK Oleo Sdn. Bhd.
• Kraton Corporation
• Oleon NV
• PMC Biogenix
• Segezha Group
• The Dow Chemical Company
• Vantage Specialty Chemicals
• VVF L.L.C.
• Wilmar International Limited

TARIFF IMPACT FACTOR

Our new release incorporates impact of tariffs on geographical markets as we predict a shift in competitiveness of companies based on HQ country, manufacturing base, exports and imports (finished goods and OEM). This intricate and multifaceted market reality will impact competitors by artificially increasing the COGS, reducing profitability, reconfiguring supply chains, amongst other micro and macro market dynamics.

We are diligently following expert opinions of leading Chief Economists (14,949), Think Tanks (62), Trade & Industry bodies (171) worldwide, as they assess impact and address new market realities for their ecosystems. Experts and economists from every major country are tracked for their opinions on tariffs and how they will impact their countries.

We expect this chaos to play out over the next 2-3 months and a new world order is established with more clarity. We are tracking these developments on a real time basis.

As we release this report, U.S. Trade Representatives are pushing their counterparts in 183 countries for an early closure to bilateral tariff negotiations. Most of the major trading partners also have initiated trade agreements with other key trading nations, outside of those in the works with the United States. We are tracking such secondary fallouts as supply chains shift.

To our valued clients, we say, we have your back. We will present a simplified market reassessment by incorporating these changes!

APRIL 2025: NEGOTIATION PHASE

Our April release addresses the impact of tariffs on the overall global market and presents market adjustments by geography. Our trajectories are based on historic data and evolving market impacting factors.

JULY 2025 FINAL TARIFF RESET

Complimentary Update: Our clients will also receive a complimentary update in July after a final reset is announced between nations. The final updated version incorporates clearly defined Tariff Impact Analyses.

Reciprocal and Bilateral Trade & Tariff Impact Analyses:

USA
CHINA
MEXICO
CANADA
EU
JAPAN
INDIA
176 OTHER COUNTRIES.

Leading Economists - Our knowledge base tracks 14,949 economists including a select group of most influential Chief Economists of nations, think tanks, trade and industry bodies, big enterprises, and domain experts who are sharing views on the fallout of this unprecedented paradigm shift in the global econometric landscape. Most of our 16,491+ reports have incorporated this two-stage release schedule based on milestones.

Please note: Reports are sold as single-site single-user licenses. Electronic versions require 24-48 hours as each copy is customized to the client with digital controls and custom watermarks. The Publisher uses digital controls protecting against copying and printing is restricted to one full copy to be used at the same location.

The latest version of Adobe Acrobat Reader is required to view the report. Upon ordering an electronic version, the Publisher will provide a link to download the purchased report.

Prior to fulfillment of an order, the client will be required to sign a document detailing the purchase terms for a publication from this publisher.