Cationic Surface-Active Agents (excl. Soap) Market

The global market for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) is expected to see an increase in consumption over the next eight years, with a forecasted CAGR of +0.3% in volume and +2.2% in value by 2030. China leads in consumption and production, while India shows significant growth in market size. The article also highlights trends in imports and exports, with Indonesia being a major player in exports. Overall, the market data shows varying growth rates and price trends among key countries and regions.

Market Forecast

Driven by rising demand for cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) worldwide, the market is expected to start an upward consumption trend over the next eight years. The performance of the market is forecast to increase slightly, with an anticipated CAGR of +0.3% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market volume to 3.9M tons by the end of 2030.

In value terms, the market is forecast to increase with an anticipated CAGR of +2.2% for the period from 2022 to 2030, which is projected to bring the market value to $10.5B (in nominal prices) by the end of 2030.

Consumption

World Consumption of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

After five years of decline, consumption of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 4.3% to 3.8M tons in 2022. Over the period under review, consumption, however, showed a mild downturn. Global consumption peaked at 4.6M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

The revenue of the market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) worldwide amounted to $8.8B in 2022, remaining constant against the previous year. This figure reflects the total revenues of producers and importers (excluding logistics costs, retail marketing costs, and retailers' margins, which will be included in the final consumer price). Overall, consumption, however, saw a perceptible decline. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 when the market value increased by 2.2% against the previous year. Global consumption peaked at $11.8B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Consumption By Country

China (1.2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption, comprising approx. 30% of total volume. Moreover, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest consumer, India (373K tons), threefold. The United States (315K tons) ranked third in terms of total consumption with an 8.2% share.

In China, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) consumption expanded at an average annual rate of +1.2% over the period from 2012-2022. The remaining consuming countries recorded the following average annual rates of consumption growth: India (+1.3% per year) and the United States (-4.6% per year).

In value terms, China ($2.1B), the United States ($1.5B) and India ($880M) were the countries with the highest levels of market value in 2022, with a combined 51% share of the global market.

Among the main consuming countries, India, with a CAGR of +2.0%, saw the highest growth rate of market size over the period under review, while market for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

The countries with the highest levels of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) per capita consumption in 2022 were Spain (2,117 kg per 1000 persons), France (1,429 kg per 1000 persons) and South Korea (1,316 kg per 1000 persons).

From 2012 to 2022, the biggest increases were recorded for France (with a CAGR of +3.9%), while consumption for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Production

World Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, production of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) was finally on the rise to reach 3.8M tons after five years of decline. Over the period under review, production, however, recorded a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, global production attained the maximum volume at 4.6M tons in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production failed to regain momentum.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production contracted modestly to $8.6B in 2022 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, continues to indicate a pronounced contraction. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2016 when the production volume increased by 6.4%. Global production peaked at $12B in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, production remained at a lower figure.

Production By Country

China (1.2M tons) constituted the country with the largest volume of cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production, comprising approx. 31% of total volume. Moreover, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production in China exceeded the figures recorded by the second-largest producer, India (365K tons), threefold. The third position in this ranking was taken by the United States (315K tons), with an 8.3% share.

From 2012 to 2022, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume in China was relatively modest. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: India (+1.1% per year) and the United States (-5.0% per year).

Imports

World Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

In 2022, after two years of growth, there was significant decline in purchases abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), when their volume decreased by -75.3% to 74K tons. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate a abrupt slump. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 12%. As a result, imports reached the peak of 298K tons, and then shrank rapidly in the following year.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports reduced dramatically to $185M in 2022. In general, imports faced a deep setback. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2021 with an increase of 23% against the previous year. As a result, imports reached the peak of $727M, and then shrank sharply in the following year.

Imports By Country

In 2022, Indonesia (17K tons), distantly followed by India (8.9K tons), Vietnam (6.9K tons), the Philippines (5.2K tons) and Japan (3.8K tons) were the main importers of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), together making up 57% of total imports. The following importers - Pakistan (2.6K tons), Argentina (2.2K tons), Peru (1.9K tons), Iran (1.7K tons), Taiwan (Chinese) (1.6K tons), South Korea (1.6K tons), Singapore (1.6K tons) and Norway (1.5K tons) - together made up 20% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main importing countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +24.7%), while imports for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) importing markets worldwide were Indonesia ($24M), India ($20M) and Vietnam ($20M), together comprising 35% of global imports.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +18.0%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices By Country

In 2022, the average import price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $2,516 per ton, rising by 3.2% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2021 an increase of 10% against the previous year. Global import price peaked at $2,663 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, import prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2022, amid the top importers, the country with the highest price was Argentina ($4,651 per ton), while Indonesia ($1,414 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Norway (+3.3%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Exports

World Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

After two years of growth, shipments abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) decreased by -93.7% to 18K tons in 2022. Over the period under review, exports showed a precipitous contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2015 when exports increased by 7.4% against the previous year. As a result, the exports reached the peak of 285K tons. From 2016 to 2022, the growth of the global exports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports contracted dramatically to $26M in 2022. In general, exports faced a dramatic downturn. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2020 with an increase of 18%. The global exports peaked at $721M in 2021, and then contracted markedly in the following year.

Exports By Country

Indonesia prevails in exports structure, reaching 12K tons, which was approx. 68% of total exports in 2022. South Korea (1.7K tons) held a 9.5% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Argentina (5.2%) and the United Arab Emirates (4.9%). Taiwan (Chinese) (400 tons) held a minor share of total exports.

Indonesia was also the fastest-growing in terms of the cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exports, with a CAGR of +23.8% from 2012 to 2022. At the same time, the United Arab Emirates (+10.5%) displayed positive paces of growth. By contrast, Argentina (-2.1%), Taiwan (Chinese) (-11.7%) and South Korea (-15.2%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Indonesia (+68 p.p.), South Korea (+6.1 p.p.), the United Arab Emirates (+4.8 p.p.), Argentina (+4.7 p.p.) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.7 p.p.) increased significantly, the shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, Indonesia ($7.3M), South Korea ($6.7M) and Argentina ($3.2M) were the countries with the highest levels of exports in 2022, together accounting for 66% of global exports.

In terms of the main exporting countries, Indonesia, with a CAGR of +11.3%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, over the period under review, while shipments for the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices By Country

In 2022, the average export price for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $1,460 per ton, dropping by -42.6% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the export price continues to indicate a abrupt contraction. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average export price increased by 9.9% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the average export prices hit record highs at $2,700 per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2022, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of origin: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was South Korea ($3,942 per ton), while Indonesia ($595 per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2022, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+5.9%), while the other global leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Market Intelligence Platform