Global Market Size, Forecast, and Trend Highlights Over 2025–2037
Detergent Chemicals Market size was over USD 60.93 billion in 2024 and is poised to exceed USD 106.64 billion by 2037, growing at over 4.4% CAGR during the forecast period i.e., between 2025-2037. In the year 2025, the industry size of detergent chemicals is evaluated at USD 63.07 billion.
The growth of the market is a result of hygiene awareness and the increasing urban population in developed and underdeveloped countries. Urbanization is on the path of expansion as World Bank studies have suggested that by 2050, 7 out of 10 people will choose to live in urban areas due to the quality of life available.

Detergent Chemicals Sector: Growth Drivers and Challenges
Growth Drivers
- Application of detergent materials in fabric softeners - Customers prefer multifunctional products when it comes to cleaning and utility due to the time and cost-saving benefits. Fabric softeners are necessary for the upkeep of the clothes. But when detergents themselves come equipped with their own fabric softening abilities, it attracts customers who wish to invest only in multitasking products and get the output they desire. The clothing market currently stands at an enormous USD 1.7 trillion, which only highlights the customers’ interest in spending on improving their appearance. The upkeep of these clothes is also crucial and it is dependent upon good-quality detergents, with lifestyles focusing on the external presentation, the quality of the clothes one wears takes the front seat, and this aspect is expected to be the driving factor behind the scaling up of the detergent chemicals market.
- Extensive institutional application of detergent chemicals - Detergent chemicals find their crucial use in hospitals, food and beverage industries, hospitality, that is exceedingly focused on maintaining hygiene, wherein lack of hygiene does not just affect one individual, but a large number of people in whole. These places also require specialized formulations including detergent and industrial cleaning chemicals, to provide a more intensive cleaning action. This includes personal hygiene as well as the hygiene of the surroundings which encompasses clothes, regularly touched surfaces, and the like. Even for the at-home patients, maintaining a sanitized environment is critical. As per UNICEF study in 2022, 4.6 billion people have access to hygiene and proper sanitation. This number has been steadily on an uptick due to various government initiatives putting the spotlight on the perils of being unhygienic. This aspect is another growth driver of the detergent chemicals market.
- Growth in personal care products – Personal care products like body washes, soaps, shampoos, etc also employ detergent chemicals to get rid of dirt, and surface bacteria, and encourage personal hygiene. Most of the well-performing products in the market contain a certain amount of detergent chemicals. It is estimated to be a USD 646.2 billion market. It ascertains the growth of detergent chemicals due to the high demand for personal care products as a result of various celebrity endorsements and social media influence to try new personal care products for a fresher experience.
Challenges
- Possible health hazards – Prolonged exposure to detergent chemicals may cause detrimental effects on our health. It may lead to skin, eye, or respiratory issues, which might pose a major problem, especially for children. Detergent chemicals have also been associated with environmental disruptions by becoming a threat to the ecosystem. The action of detergent chemicals is to lower the surface water tension. This becomes a problem as this activity facilitates the entry of organic chemicals which can disrupt aquatic life.
- Environmental awareness - An increased inclination has been observed towards the use of eco-friendly, natural and sustainable detergent options in the market as a result of the rising consumer awareness. Customers are on the lookout for safer alternatives and choose biodegradable options that also efficiency perform the task.
Detergent Chemicals Market: Key Insights
Base Year |
2024 |
Forecast Year |
2025-2037 |
CAGR |
17.3% |
Base Year Market Size (2024) |
USD 5.75 billion |
Forecast Year Market Size (2037) |
USD 45.77 billion |
Regional Scope |
|
Detergent Chemicals Segmentation
Product (Surfactants, Enzymes, Builders, Bleaches)
Surfactants segment is predicted to account for around 37% detergent chemicals market share by 2037. The segment growth can be ascribed to the use of surfactants in households to even pharmaceuticals. Depending upon the type of surfactants, which are, anionic, cationic, nonionic, and zwitterionic, they find their specific applications in various departments. They are used in the manufacture of laundry detergents, beauty products, textile softeners, etc. They are even put to use as a wetting agent. The word surfactant is short for surface-acting agent which is self-explanatory. It enables an action on the surface of the material one is trying to clean. Laundry and dishwashing detergents contain the highest amount of surfactant, as they provide a superior lathering and cleaning action to clear out various contaminants, and also preserve and amplify the appearance of the objects. The global laundry detergent market is anticipated to surpass USD 150 billion. This fact focuses on the prospects of growth of surfactants as a raw material in this industry. The surfactants used in the machine washing products have comparatively lower surfactant levels so as to not affect the efficiency of the equipment.
Application (Dishwashing, Household Cleaning, Laundry Cleaning, Soaps)
By the end of 2037, laundry cleaning segment is estimated to capture around 30% detergent chemicals market share. The segment growth can be attributed to the high global population and their preference not only to maintain personal hygiene via the use of laundry detergents but also to preserve the health of the clothes to not damage them in the long run. There are detergents in the market that have evolved to handle different kinds of stains and provide precise cleaning action. They contain a combination of enzymes, surfactants, and other chemicals to gently remove the stains and not destroy the fabric. In recent times, different laundry cleaning agents are designed as per the hardness of water. Determined by the solid or liquid form of detergent, different additives are employed to employ different cleaning actions. Liquid detergents are usually more expensive than solid ones due to their pre-dissolved property. The laundry care market is witnessing steady growth at a CAGR of 3.14% which translates into a larger space for the proliferation of the detergent chemicals market.
Our in-depth analysis of the global market includes the following segments:
Product |
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Application |
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Customize this ReportDetergent Chemicals Industry - Regional Synopsis
North America Market Statistics
The North America industry is poised to account for largest revenue share of 48% by 2037. The market growth in the region is also expected on account of expansion in the market of more eco-friendly detergent chemicals to maintain the ecological balance of nature, and not experience the adverse effects of the chemicals.
In the U.S., major market players are investing heavily in R&D to produce more skin-friendly and allergy-friendly detergent chemicals to safeguard the health of the customers. The multifarious application of detergent chemicals is another aspect that has kept their demand on an upward trajectory for many years in the past and even in the future. This market is also expected to grow in the region owing to the rising attention to developing child-safe products, from detergent to skincare. The U.S., being a developed country, has customers aware of the importance of hygiene and the steps to take to make daily living safer and disease-free. The growing population requires further cleaning solutions. With an annual revenue of USD 15.84 billion in the department of laundry agents in this region, the scope for broadening the market is high. The latest innovations in the different personal care and hygiene products, with specified benefits, are the market drivers of detergent chemicals for Canada.
APAC Market Analysis
By 2037, APAC region in detergent chemicals market is predicted to capture over 29% revenue share due to the region being highly populated and urgent requirement of detergent chemicals to meet the increasing hygiene demands of the mushrooming population.
China, alongside witnessing a population explosion, is also undertaking various initiatives backed by governments and not-for-profits, to promote hygiene awareness in the rural areas. This calls for an increased supply of various laundry cleaning agents and personal care products to meet the multiplying demands. Personal care product use is also witnessing a jump in this country due to the vast promotions of these products. There is also limelight on the initiatives to provide eco-friendly products that do not harm aquatic life and provide a similar end result. The increase in disposable income in the region also plays a key role in customer’s demands to experience the best laundry and personal care products in the market per their particular requirement. Even the rural population is well-acquainted with the technology of the washing machine, which makes way for the further demand for laundry detergents created specifically for the machines. As of 2023, disposable income has gone up by 6.3%, which is only expected to swell further in the coming decade, and allow for the growth of the detergent chemicals market due to their superior sanitary qualities.

Companies Dominating the Detergent Chemicals Landscape
- Unilever
- Company Overview
- Business Strategy
- Key Product Offerings
- Financial Performance
- Key Performance Indicators
- Risk Analysis
- Recent Development
- Regional Presence
- SWOT Analysis
- Colgate
- BASF
- Procter & Gamble
- Solvay
- Dupont
- Stepan Company
- Evonik Industries
- INEOS
- Shell Chemicals
Industry leaders are focused on tackling climate change and developing technologies to make daily living as eco-friendly as possible. Many R&Ds are underway to further make detergent chemicals not only safer for the environment but also negate the potential risks to the users.
In the News
- Colgate – Colgate-Palmolive is leaning on AI to quicken production and simultaneously conduct quality checks. It employs sensors and other digital tools to facilitate increased focus of the employees in the other operational aspects of the business.
- Unilever – Unilever and Google Cloud have joined hands to develop an app for employees called ‘My Unilever’. It enables Unilever employees all over the globe to access digital resources from any device.
Author Credits: Rajrani Baghel
- Report ID: 6250
- Published Date: Nov 27, 2024
- Report Format: PDF, PPT