Sugar-based Surfactants

Global Sugar-based Surfactants Market to Reach US$8.3 Billion by 2030

The global market for Sugar-based Surfactants estimated at US$6.4 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$8.3 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.4% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Alkyl Polyglycoside, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 5.6% CAGR and reach US$3.6 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Decyl Glucoside segment is estimated at 3.0% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.7 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.3% CAGR

The Sugar-based Surfactants market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.7 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.7 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 8.3% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 1.7% and 3.5% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 2.6% CAGR.

Global Sugar-Based Surfactants Market – Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Sugar-Based Surfactants Emerging as the Sustainable Choice in Formulation Science?

Sugar-based surfactants, also known as glycolipids or alkyl polyglucosides (APGs), are gaining widespread acceptance as the global demand for eco-friendly and biodegradable ingredients continues to accelerate. Derived from renewable resources such as glucose (from corn, wheat, or sugarcane) and fatty alcohols (often sourced from coconut or palm), these surfactants offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived or synthetic variants. With growing concerns about the environmental and health impacts of conventional surfactants—especially sulfates and ethoxylates—consumers and formulators alike are shifting toward greener solutions that minimize aquatic toxicity and are safer for skin contact. Sugar-based surfactants exhibit low toxicity, excellent dermatological compatibility, and robust biodegradability, making them particularly popular in personal care, baby care, and household cleaning products. Regulatory bodies and sustainability frameworks such as REACH, COSMOS, and the USDA BioPreferred Program are further propelling their adoption by certifying and promoting their use. As global consumer awareness around ingredient transparency and environmental responsibility grows, sugar-based surfactants are carving out a prominent niche in natural product formulations, influencing both legacy manufacturers and emerging clean-label brands to reformulate using naturally derived, high-performing alternatives.

How Are Consumer Trends and Industry Innovation Converging in This Market?

The sugar-based surfactants market is being shaped by the convergence of conscious consumerism and industry-driven innovation. Today`s consumers are more informed, demanding products that are not only effective but also ethically sourced, cruelty-free, and biodegradable. This shift has prompted companies across industries—cosmetics, detergents, pharmaceuticals, and agriculture—to rethink their ingredient portfolios and adopt sugar-derived surfactants as both a performance enhancer and a marketing differentiator. In response, manufacturers are investing in research to optimize these ingredients for multifunctionality: enhancing foaming, emulsification, and mild cleansing properties while maintaining skin and environmental safety. Major players are also expanding into specialized formats such as concentrated formulations, solid-state products (like bar shampoos and facial cleansers), and waterless technologies where sugar-based surfactants shine due to their stability and efficacy. Technological improvements in biocatalysis and fermentation are also making it more cost-effective to produce complex sugar surfactant molecules with improved performance across pH ranges and hard water tolerance. This alignment of consumer values with scalable industrial production is not just transforming how surfactants are manufactured, but also how entire categories of goods are marketed—from “natural” and “non-toxic” to “climate-conscious” and “zero-waste.”

Are Regulations and Global Standards Catalyzing Market Transformation?

Yes, evolving global regulations and industry standards are playing a pivotal role in accelerating the adoption of sugar-based surfactants. Governments and international regulatory bodies are increasingly implementing policies that promote the use of renewable raw materials, restrict hazardous substances, and reward eco-certifications. In the European Union, for instance, the REACH regulation has encouraged the replacement of synthetic surfactants with safer alternatives, driving innovation in sugar-derived products. Similarly, North America’s rising emphasis on clean-label products and ingredient transparency—particularly in California under Proposition 65—has made sugar-based surfactants a preferred option for manufacturers aiming to meet evolving compliance norms. The cosmetics industry is seeing the influence of the COSMOS and ECOCERT certifications, which prioritize natural origin and environmental impact, further bolstering demand. Additionally, the food-grade quality and GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) status of certain sugar surfactants make them suitable for pharmaceutical and food-related applications. These evolving regulations are not merely limitations—they are acting as catalysts for innovation, pushing companies to invest in greener technologies, partner with biotech firms, and seek supply chain transparency that aligns with ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) goals. In this regulatory-driven climate, sugar-based surfactants are no longer a niche option—they’re fast becoming a new industry benchmark.

What’s Fueling the Rapid Growth of This Market on a Global Scale?

The growth in the sugar-based surfactants market is driven by several factors tied to raw material accessibility, changing formulation needs, shifting consumer behavior, and industrial expansion. First and foremost, the abundance and renewability of feedstocks such as glucose and fatty alcohols make sugar surfactants an economically viable and sustainable option in the long term. Second, consumer demand for non-toxic, biodegradable, and plant-derived products is reshaping entire industries, from beauty and home care to industrial cleaning and agrochemicals. Sugar-based surfactants, due to their gentle cleansing properties and environmental compatibility, are ideal for sensitive-skin applications, child care, and sustainable formulations—segments that are growing rapidly across global markets. Third, the increasing adoption of green chemistry principles by both multinational corporations and indie startups is fostering innovation in production processes, leading to better cost-efficiency and wider application scopes. Furthermore, as supply chains globalize, developing regions like Asia-Pacific and Latin America are not only emerging as production hubs but also as high-growth consumer markets, aided by rising disposable incomes and environmental awareness. Collaborations between chemical companies and biotechnology firms are further enhancing product development, while investment in clean-label technologies continues to attract funding from both public and private sectors. Collectively, these dynamics are positioning sugar-based surfactants as a high-growth, high-impact segment within the broader surfactants and specialty chemicals market.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Sugar-based Surfactants market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Type (Alkyl Polyglycoside, Decyl Glucoside, Sucrose Cocoate, Others); Raw Material (Monomeric, Polymeric, Dimeric); Application (Biotechnology, Homecare & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture, Others)

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 36 Featured) -

• AGAE Technologies
• AkzoNobel N.V.
• Arkema
• BASF SE
• Cardolite Corporation
• Cargill, Incorporated
• Clariant AG
• Croda International Plc
• Dispersa
• Dow Inc.
• Evonik Industries AG
• Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.
• GlycoSurf
• Hansa Group AG
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
• Huntsman Corporation
• Kao Corporation
• LG Household & Health Care Ltd.
• Lonza Group AG
• NOVEL CHEM
• Pilot Chemical Company
• Seatex Corporation
• SEPPIC S.A.
• Shanghai Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.
• Solvay S.A.
• Stepan Company
• Tate & Lyle PLC
• Vijaya Enterprises
• VSM AGRO

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.

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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.

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INDIA
176 OTHER COUNTRIES.

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