Industry Insights
The Japan alcohol ethoxylates market size is expected to expand at a CAGR of 5.3% over the forecast period on account of rising use of the product in detergents and cleaners. High demand from the pharmaceutical industry owing to applications in ointments, creams, and lotions is expected to further drive the market over the forecast period.
Japan alcohol ethoxylates market, by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)
Alcohol ethoxylates are extensively used in production of low foam detergents on account of their superior defoaming action. High usage of alcohol-based ethoxylates as surfactants in industrial and institutional sectors is likely to emerge as the primary market driver. However, high toxicity is anticipated to restrain product demand over the forecast period. Rising concerns regarding high Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) contents are expected to further restrain market expansion in near future.
The market for fatty alcohol ethoxylates is driven by ready availability of raw materials such as ethylene oxide and fatty alcohol. In addition, demand from pharmaceutical and agrochemical production is expected to act as a key growth driver over the forecast period. Adoption of lauryl alcohol ethoxylates for cleaning purposes in industrial and institutional and household detergents is expected to impel market growth over the forecast period.
Industry players distribute products through a combination of direct and third party distribution channels. However, a large proportion of product distribution is realized by direct distribution. The companies in this market are generally large players with established distribution network. They employ their own distribution networks, thereby minimizing logistics cost.
Segmentation by Product
• Fatty
• Lauryl
• Linear
• Others
Fatty alcohol ethoxylates is expected to continue leading over the forecast period due to extensive industrial cleaning applications on account of low levels of toxicity.
Rising demand for low foam and low rinse products is expected to result in an increase in the demand for lauryl alcohol over the forecast period. In addition, biodegradability is expected to drive product demand over the next eight years. Rise in applications in metalworking systems is expected to emerge as one of the primary growth drivers for the market.
Linear alcohol ethoxylates exhibit superior properties such as low foam forming. Moreover, rising application in perfumed detergent formulations, and low to negligible toxicity level of the product are expected to drive adoption during the forecast period.
Segmentation by Application
• Emulsifier
• Dispersing Agent
• Wetting Agent
• Others
Demand from emulsifiers used in paints and coatings and personal care industries is expected to drive market growth over the forecast period. High stabilizing characteristics of oil-water emulsions exhibited by ethoxylates is anticipated to further propel demand in near future.
Applications such as dispersing agents for the formulation of pharmaceuticals and cosmetic products is anticipated to boost market growth over the next eight years. High demand for branched secondary alcohol ethoxylates driven by applications as hard surface wetting agent is expected to propel growth over the forecast period.
Segmentation by End Use
• Cleaning
• Metal Working
• Textile Processing
• Paper Processing
• Agrochemicals
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others
Cleaning is one of the major application segments owing to superior cleaning properties of alcohol ethoxylates for both industrial and household cleaners. Demand for ethoxylate-based products such as floor cleaners, laundry detergents, and auto dish detergents and cleaners is expected to drive growth over the forecast period.
High stability of ethoxylates-based emulsion leads to an ease in performing various metal surface operations. This is anticipated to drive adoption from metal industry. Superior performance and emulsification properties exhibited by alcohol ethoxylates are expected to lead to an increased demand from agrochemical and pharmaceutical sectors over the forecast period.
Competitive Landscape
The Japan alcohol ethoxylates market is highly competitive due to the presence of many multinational companies such as Stepan Company, BASF SE, Arkema, AkzoNobel N.V., Clariant AG, Dow Chemical, and E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company. Companies such as The Dow Chemical Company and Nippon Shokubai Co. Ltd. are integrated from raw material production to manufacturing and direct distribution of the product.
Companies such as New Japan Chemicals and Kao Chemicals are focusing on domestic market by restricting exports on a regional and international level. Highly customized solutions is helping companies to gain a notable market share. The companies are resorting to introduction of new and advanced products to capitalize on high demand for detergents and cleaners. They are offering multiple products in the same product category in a bid to attract more customers.
