Viscosity Reducing Agents

Global Viscosity Reducing Agents Market to Reach US$7.5 Billion by 2030

The global market for Viscosity Reducing Agents estimated at US$5.6 Billion in the year 2024, is expected to reach US$7.5 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 4.9% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Polymeric Additives, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is expected to record a 6.5% CAGR and reach US$3.3 Billion by the end of the analysis period. Growth in the Surfactants segment is estimated at 3.3% CAGR over the analysis period.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at US$1.5 Billion While China is Forecast to Grow at 8.1% CAGR

The Viscosity Reducing Agents market in the U.S. is estimated at US$1.5 Billion in the year 2024. China, the world`s second largest economy, is forecast to reach a projected market size of US$1.5 Billion by the year 2030 trailing a CAGR of 8.1% over the analysis period 2024-2030. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at a CAGR of 2.2% and 5.0% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.2% CAGR.

Global Viscosity Reducing Agents Market - Key Trends & Drivers Summarized

Why Are Viscosity Reducing Agents Becoming Indispensable in Heavy Crude and Bitumen Handling?
The increasing reliance on heavy crude oil and bitumen in global energy production has amplified the importance of viscosity reducing agents (VRAs) across upstream and midstream oil and gas operations. These chemical additives play a crucial role in improving the flow characteristics of viscous hydrocarbons, enabling more efficient transportation through pipelines, tankers, and wellbores. Without VRAs, high-viscosity fluids would pose severe bottlenecks in flow assurance, increasing energy consumption for pumping and requiring expensive thermal or mechanical solutions. With many reservoirs now producing heavier grades of oil, especially in Canada, Venezuela, and parts of the Middle East, the use of VRAs has transitioned from optional to essential.

Moreover, pipeline operators are increasingly adopting drag-reducing agents (DRAs)-a category of VRAs-to optimize throughput without physical expansion of pipeline infrastructure. This is particularly relevant for mature pipeline networks where capacity upgrades are difficult due to regulatory, environmental, or land use constraints. VRA adoption is also rising in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) projects, where lowering interfacial tension and viscosity improves displacement efficiency. As energy majors push for cost-effective and scalable solutions for difficult-to-move hydrocarbons, VRAs are seeing higher demand across both conventional and unconventional production environments.

How Are Innovations in VRA Formulations Addressing Application Challenges?
Advanced R&D is leading to the development of more stable, environment-friendly, and temperature-resilient VRA formulations. Polymeric VRAs, for example, are gaining traction for their ability to provide long-lasting drag reduction with low dosage rates. New-generation agents exhibit high shear stability, allowing them to maintain performance under extreme pipeline conditions involving high turbulence and variable flow regimes. Additionally, researchers are focusing on oil-soluble and water-dispersible VRAs to address compatibility challenges with multiphase fluid systems, ensuring minimal emulsion formation and sludge buildup.

Biodegradable VRAs are another innovation area, driven by environmental mandates and operator ESG commitments. These formulations break down into non-toxic components, reducing ecological risks in case of leaks or disposal. Nanotechnology-based VRAs are also in exploratory phases, with potential to improve dispersion, reduce settling, and enhance molecular alignment for optimal flow reduction. Furthermore, digital monitoring systems are being integrated with pipeline SCADA systems to dynamically adjust VRA dosing in real-time, based on flow rate, pressure, and viscosity readings-pushing the market toward intelligent chemical injection systems.

Which End-Use Sectors and Geographies Are Spearheading Market Demand?
The oil and gas sector remains the dominant end-user of viscosity reducing agents, especially in upstream production, midstream pipeline transport, and refinery feedstock optimization. Heavy oil-producing regions such as Alberta’s oil sands, Venezuela’s Orinoco Belt, and Russian Arctic fields represent major consumption hubs due to the inherent viscosity challenges in these geologies. In the U.S., Permian Basin operators are also using VRAs to improve pipeline efficiency for condensate and heavier fractions as infrastructure lags behind production growth.

Beyond oil and gas, the mining industry is increasingly deploying VRAs to facilitate the transport of highly viscous slurries and tailings. In pulp and paper manufacturing, VRAs are used to improve fluid dynamics in slurry pipelines, reducing energy requirements and wear on mechanical systems. China and India, with expanding industrial infrastructure and energy demands, are emerging as major consumers. Meanwhile, regulatory support for pipeline decongestion and efficiency improvements in Europe and North America is incentivizing broader VRA adoption. In offshore operations, compact VRA systems are enabling subsea-to-surface transport over long tiebacks, improving field economics.

What Factors Are Accelerating the Global Growth of the Viscosity Reducing Agents Market?
The growth in the viscosity reducing agents market is driven by several factors, including increasing production of heavy crude oil, aging pipeline infrastructure, and growing demand for cost-effective flow assurance solutions. As oil companies look to extract more from mature and unconventional fields, VRAs are becoming critical enablers of viable project economics. Rising EOR activities, particularly polymer and surfactant flooding, are also fueling demand for specialty viscosity modifiers that enhance mobility and sweep efficiency.

Stringent environmental regulations are spurring the shift toward low-toxicity and biodegradable additives, opening up innovation avenues for sustainable VRA solutions. Simultaneously, the rising need to optimize existing pipeline networks without incurring large capital expenditure is prompting both NOCs and IOCs to increase VRA utilization. Strategic partnerships between chemical suppliers and oilfield service companies are accelerating custom formulation development and bundling of injection and monitoring services. As the energy transition unfolds, even biofuel and renewable fuel processors are exploring viscosity control technologies for feedstock homogenization and handling-widening the scope of the VRA market beyond hydrocarbons.

SCOPE OF STUDY:

The report analyzes the Viscosity Reducing Agents market in terms of units by the following Segments, and Geographic Regions/Countries:

Segments:
Product (Polymeric Additives, Surfactants, Dispersants, Other Products); End-User (Petrochemical End-User, Automotive End-User, Healthcare End-User, Food Processing End-User, Other End-Users)

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 42 Featured) -

• Akzo Nobel N.V.
• Arkema Group
• Ashland Global Holdings
• Baker Hughes Company
• BASF SE
• BYK-Chemie GmbH
• Chevron Phillips Chemical Company
• Clariant AG
• ConocoPhillips Company
• Croda International Plc
• Dow Chemical Company
• Ecolab
• Evonik Industries AG
• Halliburton
• Huntsman Corporation
• Innospec Inc.
• Kemira Oyj
• LiquidPower Specialty Products Inc.
• Schlumberger
• SNF Floerger

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