Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market Outlook 2025–2031

The global Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market size is estimated at US$ 1,240 million in 2025 and is projected to reach approximately US$ 1,820 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.6% during 2025–2031.

Rising demand for non-ionic surfactants across personal care, home care, and industrial formulations is supporting consistent market expansion worldwide.

Market Historical Performance

The Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market has demonstrated stable and resilient growth over the past five years, supported by steady consumption in detergents, shampoos, metalworking fluids, and agrochemical formulations. Between 2020 and 2022, the market grew from nearly US$ 1,020 million to US$ 1,140 million, registering a historical CAGR of around 5.6%, despite temporary supply chain disruptions caused by the pandemic.

From 2023 to 2024, recovery in manufacturing output and normalization of raw material supply—particularly fatty acids derived from palm oil and coconut oil—accelerated growth. Increasing substitution of soap-based formulations with synthetic and semi-synthetic surfactants further strengthened demand, especially in emerging Asian economies.

Market Overview & Key Statistics

• Market Size (2025): US$ 1.24 Billion
• Forecast Market Value (2031): US$ 1.82 Billion
• CAGR (2025–2031): 6.6%
• Historical CAGR (2020–2024): ~5.7%
• Major End Users: Personal care, home care detergents, industrial cleaners, agrochemicals
• Fastest-Growing Region: Asia-Pacific

Fatty acid alkanolamides are valued for their foam-boosting, emulsifying, and viscosity-enhancing properties, making them critical additives in surfactant-based formulations across multiple industries.

What Is Driving the Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market?

Fatty acid alkanolamides are non-ionic surfactants produced by reacting fatty acids with alkanolamines. Their ability to stabilize foam, improve cleaning efficiency, and enhance product texture has made them indispensable in modern formulations.

The shift toward high-performance detergents, premium personal care products, and specialized industrial cleaners is increasing the use of these compounds. Additionally, regulatory pressure to reduce phosphates and harsh surfactants is indirectly favoring alkanolamides as functional formulation aids.

Key Market Drivers

• Rising Demand from Personal Care and Cosmetics
  Shampoos, body washes, and facial cleansers increasingly use alkanolamides to improve foam quality and product consistency, supporting steady volume growth.
• Expansion of Home Care and Detergent Manufacturing
  Urbanization and hygiene awareness are driving detergent consumption, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Africa, boosting demand for foam stabilizers.
• Growth in Industrial and Institutional Cleaning
  Food processing, healthcare, and hospitality sectors rely on high-performance cleaning agents, increasing industrial-grade alkanolamide usage.
• Improving Formulation Efficiency
  Manufacturers prefer alkanolamides due to their multifunctional role, reducing the need for multiple additives and lowering overall formulation costs.
• Emerging Applications in Agrochemicals and Metalworking Fluids
  Their emulsification and lubrication properties are expanding use in pesticide formulations and industrial processing fluids.

Market Restraints & Challenges

• Volatility in raw material prices, particularly palm oil–derived fatty acids
• Regulatory scrutiny over diethanolamine (DEA)-based alkanolamides in certain regions
• Availability of alternative surfactants and foam boosters
• Environmental concerns related to biodegradability and sourcing sustainability
• Margin pressure for small and mid-sized manufacturers

Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market Segment Analysis

By Product / Technology / Type

Cocamide DEA remains the dominant product type, accounting for nearly 38% of total market revenue in 2025, due to its widespread use in shampoos and liquid detergents. Cocamide MEA is gaining traction, growing at a CAGR of approximately 7.2%, as manufacturers seek lower-toxicity alternatives. Lauramide DEA and specialty alkanolamides are increasingly adopted in industrial and institutional formulations requiring enhanced stability.

By Application / End-User

Personal care products represent the largest application segment, contributing around 42% of the Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market revenue. Home care and detergents follow closely with a 34% share, supported by rising laundry and dishwashing product consumption. Industrial applications—including metalworking fluids, textile processing, and agrochemicals—account for nearly 18% and are projected to grow faster than the overall market due to industrialization in developing economies.

By Region / Geography

Asia-Pacific dominates the market with an estimated 41% revenue share in 2025, driven by large-scale detergent and personal care manufacturing in China, India, and Southeast Asia. Europe holds approximately 27% share, supported by established chemical industries and regulatory-driven product reformulation. North America accounts for nearly 22%, with stable demand from premium personal care and industrial cleaning sectors. Latin America and the Middle East & Africa collectively represent emerging growth markets with rising local production capacity.

Emerging Trends in the Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market

• Gradual shift toward MEA-based and low-DEA formulations
• Increased focus on sustainably sourced fatty acids
• Growing demand for high-purity grades in premium cosmetics
• Custom alkanolamide blends for industrial applications
• Regional manufacturing expansion to reduce import dependency

Investment Opportunities

High-growth opportunities exist in Asia-Pacific, where expanding detergent manufacturing capacity and domestic consumption support long-term demand. Investments in specialty and low-toxicity alkanolamides offer attractive margins, particularly for personal care and pharmaceutical-grade applications. Vertical integration into fatty acid sourcing can improve cost control and profitability, while R&D investment in biodegradable surfactant systems enhances long-term competitiveness.

Key Companies in the Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market

• BASF SE
• Kao Corporation
• Croda International
• Stepan Company
• Nouryon
• KLK OLEO
• Lonza Group
• Galaxy Surfactants
• Evonik Industries

Future Outlook

The Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market is expected to maintain steady growth through 2031, supported by rising surfactant consumption, formulation innovation, and expanding industrial use cases. Regulatory pressure will continue to shape product development, encouraging safer and more sustainable alternatives while preserving demand for high-performance additives.

Conclusion

The Fatty Acid Alkanolamides Market plays a strategic role in the global surfactants value chain, supporting diverse applications from personal care to industrial processing. With stable demand fundamentals, regional expansion, and ongoing product innovation, the market presents sustained growth potential for manufacturers and investors alike.

This analysis aligns with broader market insights published on Smartech Media Ventures.