Global Lauric Acid Supply, Demand and Key Producers, 2026-2032
Description
The global Lauric Acid market size is expected to reach $ 822 million by 2032, rising at a market growth of 2.3% CAGR during the forecast period (2026-2032).
Lauric acid, also properly known as dodecanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in coconut and palm oils, as well as in milk. Appearing as a white, powdery substance, its main use in manufacturing is as an ingredient in soaps and shampoos. Infants consume it during breastfeeding, and children, teens and adults ingest it by eating the fruits and oils that contain it. Research suggests it can have multiple health benefits because of its antimicrobial properties, but more studies are necessary to confirm initial results.In 2024, global Lauric Acid production reached approximately 307 K MT, with an average global market price of around US$ 2166 per MT.
Lauric acid market demand is primarily driven by its central role in surfactants, soaps, and detergents. As a C12 saturated fatty acid with good foaming and cleansing properties, it is a main building block for products like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), amides and betaines used in household detergents, shampoos, body washes, and industrial cleaners. Growth in global population, urbanization, and rising hygiene standards in emerging markets all push volumes upward, as more consumers use branded personal-care and home-care products more frequently. Additional drivers include the long-term shift from petroleum-based to bio-based surfactants, where lauric-acid–derived ingredients (from coconut and palm kernel oils) are marketed as more “natural” or renewable, and the steady use of lauric acid in food and feed additives, pharmaceuticals, metalworking fluids, lubricants, and plastic additives, which adds breadth beyond just the cleaning sector.
Upstream, lauric acid sits inside the lauric oil and oleochemical value chain. Its main feedstocks are coconut oil and palm kernel oil, produced from plantations and smallholders (largely in Southeast Asia but also in other tropical regions), which are crushed and refined into crude vegetable oils. These oils are then processed in oleochemical plants through splitting (hydrolysis) and fractionation to yield mixed fatty acids, which are further distilled into cuts enriched in C8, C10, C12 (lauric) and other fractions; integrated players may also produce glycerin and a range of downstream derivatives on the same sites. The lauric acid itself is sold to surfactant and specialty chemical producers, who convert it into sulfates, sulfonates, amides, esters, and other derivatives, which in turn go into home and personal care brands, industrial cleaners, food emulsifiers, and specialty esters for cosmetics and lubricants. Thus, downstream markets are dominated by large multinational and regional formulators in detergents, personal care, and food, whose formulations, branding, and regulatory requirements (biodegradability, toxicity, labeling, palm sustainability certifications) heavily influence lauric acid demand and acceptable price levels.
Overall, lauric acid producers typically operate with modest to moderate gross profit margins—commonly in the low-teens to around 20% range.
This report studies the global Lauric Acid production, demand, key manufacturers, and key regions.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the world market for Lauric Acid and provides market size (US$ million) and Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth, considering 2025 as the base year. This report explores demand trends and competition, as well as details the characteristics of Lauric Acid that contribute to its increasing demand across many markets.
Highlights and key features of the study
Global Lauric Acid total production and demand, 2021-2032, (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid total production value, 2021-2032, (USD Million)
Global Lauric Acid production by region & country, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT), (based on production site)
Global Lauric Acid consumption by region & country, CAGR, 2021-2032 & (K MT)
U.S. VS China: Lauric Acid domestic production, consumption, key domestic manufacturers and share
Global Lauric Acid production by manufacturer, production, price, value and market share 2021-2026, (USD Million) & (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid production by Type, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid production by Application, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT)
This report profiles key players in the global Lauric Acid market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Wilmar, KLK OLEO, IOI Oleochemicals, Musim Mas, Oleon, KAO, Permata Hijau, Pacific Oleochemicals, PT.Cisadane Raya, Emery, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the World Lauric Acid market
Detailed Segmentation:
Each section contains quantitative market data including market by value (US$ Millions), volume (production, consumption) & (K MT) and average price (USD/MT) by manufacturer, by Type, and by Application. Data is given for the years 2021-2032 by year with 2025 as the base year, 2026 as the estimate year, and 2027-2032 as the forecast year.
Global Lauric Acid Market, By Region:
United States
China
Europe
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
India
Rest of World
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Type:
≥99% Lauric Acid
98-99% Lauric Acid
70-75% Lauric Acid
Other Lauric Acid (92%, 85%, etc.)
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Feature:
Coconut Oil Source
Palm Kernel Source
Other
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Channel:
Direct Selling
Distribution
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Application:
Coating
Household Chemicals
Others
Companies Profiled:
Wilmar
KLK OLEO
IOI Oleochemicals
Musim Mas
Oleon
KAO
Permata Hijau
Pacific Oleochemicals
PT.Cisadane Raya
Emery
PT.SUMI ASIH
Bakrie
SOCI
Godrej Industries
AAK AB
VVF
Key Questions Answered:
1. How big is the global Lauric Acid market?
2. What is the demand of the global Lauric Acid market?
3. What is the year over year growth of the global Lauric Acid market?
4. What is the production and production value of the global Lauric Acid market?
5. Who are the key producers in the global Lauric Acid market?
6. What are the growth factors driving the market demand?
Lauric acid, also properly known as dodecanoic acid, is a saturated fatty acid commonly found in coconut and palm oils, as well as in milk. Appearing as a white, powdery substance, its main use in manufacturing is as an ingredient in soaps and shampoos. Infants consume it during breastfeeding, and children, teens and adults ingest it by eating the fruits and oils that contain it. Research suggests it can have multiple health benefits because of its antimicrobial properties, but more studies are necessary to confirm initial results.In 2024, global Lauric Acid production reached approximately 307 K MT, with an average global market price of around US$ 2166 per MT.
Lauric acid market demand is primarily driven by its central role in surfactants, soaps, and detergents. As a C12 saturated fatty acid with good foaming and cleansing properties, it is a main building block for products like sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES), amides and betaines used in household detergents, shampoos, body washes, and industrial cleaners. Growth in global population, urbanization, and rising hygiene standards in emerging markets all push volumes upward, as more consumers use branded personal-care and home-care products more frequently. Additional drivers include the long-term shift from petroleum-based to bio-based surfactants, where lauric-acid–derived ingredients (from coconut and palm kernel oils) are marketed as more “natural” or renewable, and the steady use of lauric acid in food and feed additives, pharmaceuticals, metalworking fluids, lubricants, and plastic additives, which adds breadth beyond just the cleaning sector.
Upstream, lauric acid sits inside the lauric oil and oleochemical value chain. Its main feedstocks are coconut oil and palm kernel oil, produced from plantations and smallholders (largely in Southeast Asia but also in other tropical regions), which are crushed and refined into crude vegetable oils. These oils are then processed in oleochemical plants through splitting (hydrolysis) and fractionation to yield mixed fatty acids, which are further distilled into cuts enriched in C8, C10, C12 (lauric) and other fractions; integrated players may also produce glycerin and a range of downstream derivatives on the same sites. The lauric acid itself is sold to surfactant and specialty chemical producers, who convert it into sulfates, sulfonates, amides, esters, and other derivatives, which in turn go into home and personal care brands, industrial cleaners, food emulsifiers, and specialty esters for cosmetics and lubricants. Thus, downstream markets are dominated by large multinational and regional formulators in detergents, personal care, and food, whose formulations, branding, and regulatory requirements (biodegradability, toxicity, labeling, palm sustainability certifications) heavily influence lauric acid demand and acceptable price levels.
Overall, lauric acid producers typically operate with modest to moderate gross profit margins—commonly in the low-teens to around 20% range.
This report studies the global Lauric Acid production, demand, key manufacturers, and key regions.
This report is a detailed and comprehensive analysis of the world market for Lauric Acid and provides market size (US$ million) and Year-over-Year (YoY) Growth, considering 2025 as the base year. This report explores demand trends and competition, as well as details the characteristics of Lauric Acid that contribute to its increasing demand across many markets.
Highlights and key features of the study
Global Lauric Acid total production and demand, 2021-2032, (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid total production value, 2021-2032, (USD Million)
Global Lauric Acid production by region & country, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT), (based on production site)
Global Lauric Acid consumption by region & country, CAGR, 2021-2032 & (K MT)
U.S. VS China: Lauric Acid domestic production, consumption, key domestic manufacturers and share
Global Lauric Acid production by manufacturer, production, price, value and market share 2021-2026, (USD Million) & (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid production by Type, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT)
Global Lauric Acid production by Application, production, value, CAGR, 2021-2032, (USD Million) & (K MT)
This report profiles key players in the global Lauric Acid market based on the following parameters - company overview, production, value, price, gross margin, product portfolio, geographical presence, and key developments. Key companies covered as a part of this study include Wilmar, KLK OLEO, IOI Oleochemicals, Musim Mas, Oleon, KAO, Permata Hijau, Pacific Oleochemicals, PT.Cisadane Raya, Emery, etc.
This report also provides key insights about market drivers, restraints, opportunities, new product launches or approvals.
Stakeholders would have ease in decision-making through various strategy matrices used in analyzing the World Lauric Acid market
Detailed Segmentation:
Each section contains quantitative market data including market by value (US$ Millions), volume (production, consumption) & (K MT) and average price (USD/MT) by manufacturer, by Type, and by Application. Data is given for the years 2021-2032 by year with 2025 as the base year, 2026 as the estimate year, and 2027-2032 as the forecast year.
Global Lauric Acid Market, By Region:
United States
China
Europe
Japan
South Korea
ASEAN
India
Rest of World
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Type:
≥99% Lauric Acid
98-99% Lauric Acid
70-75% Lauric Acid
Other Lauric Acid (92%, 85%, etc.)
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Feature:
Coconut Oil Source
Palm Kernel Source
Other
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Channel:
Direct Selling
Distribution
Global Lauric Acid Market, Segmentation by Application:
Coating
Household Chemicals
Others
Companies Profiled:
Wilmar
KLK OLEO
IOI Oleochemicals
Musim Mas
Oleon
KAO
Permata Hijau
Pacific Oleochemicals
PT.Cisadane Raya
Emery
PT.SUMI ASIH
Bakrie
SOCI
Godrej Industries
AAK AB
VVF
Key Questions Answered:
1. How big is the global Lauric Acid market?
2. What is the demand of the global Lauric Acid market?
3. What is the year over year growth of the global Lauric Acid market?
4. What is the production and production value of the global Lauric Acid market?
5. Who are the key producers in the global Lauric Acid market?
6. What are the growth factors driving the market demand?
Table of Contents
148 Pages
- 1 Supply Summary
- 2 Demand Summary
- 3 World Manufacturers Competitive Analysis
- 4 United States VS China VS Rest of the World
- 5 Market Analysis by Type
- 6 Market Analysis by Application
- 7 Company Profiles
- 8 Industry Chain Analysis
- 9 Research Findings and Conclusion
- 10 Appendix
Pricing
Currency Rates
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