LINEAR ALKYLBENZENE SULFONATE (LAS) MARKET ANALYSIS

Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) is an anionic surfactant widely used in the formulation of all ranges of domestic detergents powder, cake and dish wash cleaners. This biodegradable and cost-effective substance offers high solubility, emulsifying, moistening, foaming, and dispersing properties with other additives. It also acts as an emulsifying, refining, coupling, and emulsifier in the rubber, textile, and agricultural herbicides industries, respectively. Moreover, it is used in emulsion polymerization and as an industrial wetting agent.

Global Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate Market was valued at US$ 7.45 Bn in 2021 in terms of revenue, exhibiting a CAGR of 5.18 % during the forecast period (2022 to 2030).

Drivers

Increasing demand for cleaning and sanitization products such as liquid dishwashing soaps and detergents, owing to the effective surfactant properties of LAS is the major factor driving the growth of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate market. Furthermore, rising demand for cleaning and janitorial services such as window cleaning and vacuuming in residential and commercial sectors is fuelling the growth of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate market.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia-Ukraine War Influence, the global market for Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate estimated at USD 7.45 Bn in the year 2021, is projected to reach a revised size of USD 11.72 Bn by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 5.18 % during the forecast period 2022-2030.

The global linear alkylbenzene sulfonate is mainly dominated by the Asia Pacific (APAC) region and is expected to boost the demand for linear alkylbenzene sulfonate over the forecast period, owing to increasing population coupled with growing lifestyle, increasing per capita expenditure, and increasing demand for personal care products. Rapid urbanization, industrial growth, and shifting consumer preference towards environment-friendly surfactants and detergents will help drive the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate market growth in APAC over the forecast period.

Figure 1. Global Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate) Market Value Share (%), By Region, 2021

Market Restraints

A thorough evaluation of the restraints included in the report portrays the contrast to drivers and gives room for strategic planning. Factors that overshadow the market growth are pivotal as they can be understood to devise different bends for getting hold of the lucrative opportunities that are present in the ever-growing market. Additionally, insights into market expert’s opinions have been taken to understand the market better.

Market Trends

Industrial Cleaners Application to Dominate the Market

• The most widely used categories of surfactants in industrial cleaning applications are Linear Alkylbenzene Sulphonates (LAS), Alkyl Phenol Ethoxylates (APE), and Alkyl Ethoxylate (AE); together they account for more than 50% of the total share
• Industry cleaning activities generally include industrial manufacturing processes and heavy-duty soil removal process
• LAS surfactants in industry cleaning are used mainly as auxiliary cleaning agents, in which the majority of the cleaning is done by other parameters such as alkalinity, temperature, the pressure of water, and chemical cleaning agents
• LAS surfactants are included in industrial cleaning for other purposes such as foam control, bactericidal application, rinseability, and emulsification
• LAS surfactants are used in industrial cleaning primarily for hard surface cleaning and metal cleaning
• Industrial cleaning is the third-largest application segment for surfactants globally and is expected to witness a steady growth rate over the forecast period

Figure 2. Global Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate (LAS) Market value Share (%), By Application, 2021

Recent Developments

• In June 2019, Spanish petrochemicals producer CEPSA upgraded its chemical plant in Puente Mayorga (Cadiz, Spain), making it the first linear alkyl benzene (LAB) facility in the world to replace hydrofluoric (HF) technology with the Detal process
• April 28, 2022 - Transparency Market Research: Linear alkyl benzene (LAB) has been massively utilized in the production of LAS which finds extensive applications in laundry powders, industrial cleaners, and heavy-duty laundry liquids. A rise in the use of linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS) in light-duty laundry applications in consumer markets has been expanding the size of the global linear alkyl benzene (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate) market.

Competitive Section

Major players operating in the global linear alkylbenzene sulfonate  market include BASF SE, Clariant Corporation, Croda International Plc, DowDuPont Inc., Evonik Corporation, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Huntsman Corporation, Galaxy Surfactants Ltd., Stepan Company, and Solvay S.A.