Global Agricultural Surfactants Market, 2023-2028
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Market Overview
Agricultural surfactants are substances that reduce the surface tension of water and enhance the spreading, wetting, and penetration of spray droplets on plant surfaces. They are widely used in conjunction with pesticides, herbicides, fungicides, and fertilizers to improve their efficacy and reduce environmental impacts.
The main function of agricultural surfactants is to reduce the surface tension of water, which is the force that holds water molecules together. By reducing the surface tension, agricultural surfactants allow water to spread more easily over plant surfaces, creating a thin and uniform film of spray solution. This improves the coverage and contact of the active ingredients with the target pests or weeds. Moreover, agricultural surfactants can also reduce the contact angle between water and plant surfaces, which is the angle formed by a water droplet resting on a solid surface. By reducing the contact angle, agricultural surfactants increase the wetting and penetration of water into plant tissues, especially those that have waxy or hairy coatings. This enhances the absorption and translocation of the active ingredients within the plant cells.
By using agricultural surfactants, farmers can achieve better results with lower doses of pesticides and herbicides, as they increase their efficiency and reduce their wastage. This can also lower the environmental risks associated with pesticide and herbicide runoff, drift, leaching, and volatilization. Furthermore, agricultural surfactants can also improve the performance of fertilizers by increasing their solubility and uptake by plants. Therefore, agricultural surfactants are valuable tools for improving crop quality and yield.
Research Coverage
This research report aims to provide an overview of the global agricultural surfactants market, including its size, growth, drivers, challenges, opportunities, and key players. It also covers the segmentation of the market by product type, substrate, method of propagation, application, crop type, and region. The report is based on secondary data sources such as industry reports, publications, websites, and databases, as well as primary data sources such as interviews with experts and stakeholders.
The product type segment includes amphoteric surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, and nonionic surfactants, which differ in their chemical properties and interactions with other substances. The substrate type segment comprises bio-based surfactants and synthetic surfactants, which differ in their environmental impact and biodegradability. The method of propagation segment covers foliar spray, seed treatment, soil treatment, and others, which differ in their mode of application and effectiveness. The application segment encompasses fungicide, herbicide, insecticide, and others, which differ in their target pests and crops. The crop type segment consists of grains and cereals, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, turf and ornamental grass and others. The region segment includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA (Middle East and Africa), and Latin America.
According to product type, the market is classified into anionic, nonionic, cationic, and amphoteric surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants are the most widely used type of agricultural surfactants in the market. They have a neutral charge and can work well in both acidic and alkaline conditions. They also have good wetting and spreading properties, which help improve the coverage and penetration of pesticides on plant surfaces. Anionic surfactants are the second most common type of agricultural surfactants. They have a negative charge and can form stable emulsions with water. They are mainly used for herbicides and insecticides that require high water solubility.
The market can be categorized into two types of surfactants based on the origin of their raw materials: synthetic and bio-based. Synthetic surfactants are manufactured from petroleum or petrochemical feedstocks, whereas bio-based surfactants are produced from natural sources such as vegetable oils, sugars, or amino acids. Bio-based surfactants have a lower environmental impact and a higher biodegradability than synthetic surfactants, which makes them more attractive for the market. However, synthetic surfactants still dominate the market in terms of market share, as they have a lower cost and a higher availability than bio-based surfactants.
The market segmentation based on the method of propagation includes seed treatment, soil treatment, foliar spray, and other methods. Among these, foliar spray is the most prevalent method of applying agricultural surfactants. One of the most common types of adjuvants used in foliar spray formulations is surfactants. Non-ionic surfactants are preferred for this purpose because they do not interact with other polar components in the formulation. Surfactants enhance the performance of pesticides by lowering the surface tension and allowing better spreading, sticking and absorption of the spray. They also help in promoting plant growth and preventing root diseases. Non-ionic surfactants enable a uniform distribution of foliar spray on the leaf surface and provide effective disease control in hydroponic nutrient solution.
The market is divided into four segments based on application type: herbicide, fungicide, insecticide, and others. Herbicide is the largest segment, as it consumes most of the pesticides globally. Agricultural surfactants are crucial for herbicide formulations, as they enhance their adhesion and absorption on weed surfaces and reduce their runoff and drift. Fungicide and insecticide are also important segments, as they help control fungal and insect pests that affect crop yield and quality.
The market for agricultural surfactants can be segmented based on the type of crop that they are applied to. The major categories of crops are grains and cereals, oilseeds, fruits and vegetables, turf and ornamental grass and others. Among these categories, grains and cereals accounted for the largest share of the agricultural surfactant market in 2022, followed by fruits and vegetables. According to the OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2021-2030, global cereal production is projected to reach 3054 million tonnes by 2029, with maize, wheat and rice being the most important crops. Moreover, about 17% of cereal production is traded internationally, which implies a high demand for agricultural surfactants to enhance crop quality and yield. Fruits and vegetables are the second largest segment of the market, as they also require intensive use of surfactants to improve pest control and nutrient absorption.
Based on region, the market is analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, MEA (Middle East and Africa), and South America. Asia-Pacific was the leading regional market in 2022, accounting for 30.4% of the global market revenue share for crop protection products, followed by Europe and North America. The high demand for agricultural surfactants in this region is attributed to the large population and the growing need for food security that drives the adoption of crop protection products. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.5% from 2023 to 2028, owing to the increasing usage of biobased surfactants and the advancement of precision farming and protected cultivation.
Competitive Landscape
The global market for agricultural surfactants is characterized by intense competition among industry players. Prominent participants in this market include Aquatrols Corp of America, BASF SE, Brandt Consolidated, Inc., China Sanjiang Fine Chemicals Company Limited, Clariant AG, Croda International plc, Dow, Inc., Elkem ASA, Evonik Industries AG, Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC, Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (Oxiteno S.A.), Ingevity Corporation, Innospec Inc., Jiahua Chemicals Inc., Kao Corporation, Lamberti S.p.A., Liaoyang Huaxing Chemical Co., Ltd., Loveland Products, Inc., Momentive Inc., Norac Concepts Inc., Nouryon Holding B.V., Nufarm Limited, Solvay S.A., Stepan Company, The Lubrizol Corporation, Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC, Zanyu Technology Group Co., Ltd., and Zhejiang Huangma Technology Co., Ltd. The competitive landscape of the global agricultural surfactants market is analyzed, with a focus on the leading companies.
Key Questions Answered
What is the projected global market size of agricultural surfactants by 2028
Which product segment exhibits dominant control and influence
Which substrate segment possesses the largest market share
Which method of propagation segment demonstrates the most significant dominance
In terms of market dominance, which application segment prevails in the agricultural surfactants market
Which crop type segment generates the highest revenue
In the agricultural surfactants market, which region segment attains the foremost position
Who are the key players with the largest market share in the agricultural surfactants market
What is the estimated global market size for the agricultural surfactants market in 2023
What are the main factors driving the growth of the agricultural surfactants market
What is the expected incremental growth of the agricultural surfactants market during the forecast period
1. Scope and Methodology
1.1 Introduction
1.2 Report Scope
1.3 Research Methodology
2. Executive Summary
3. Market Overview
4. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Product Analysis
4.1 Amphoteric surfactants
4.2 Anionic surfactants
4.3 Cationic surfactants
4.4 Nonionic surfactants
5. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Substrate Analysis
5.1 Bio-based surfactants
5.2 Synthetic surfactants
6. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Method Of Propagation Analysis
6.1 Foliar spray
6.2 Seed treatment
6.3 Soil treatment
6.4 Others
7. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Application Analysis
7.1 Fungicide
7.2 Herbicide
7.3 Insecticide
7.4 Others
8. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Crop Type Analysis
8.1 Fruits and vegetables
8.2 Grains and cereals
8.3 Oilseeds
8.4 Turf and ornamental grass
8.5 Others
9. Global Agricultural Surfactants Market - Region Analysis
9.1 North America
9.2 Europe
9.3 Asia-Pacific
9.4 MEA (Middle East and Africa)
9.5 South America
10. Patents Analysis
11. Competitive Landscape
11.1 Competitive Scenario
11.2 Market Positioning/Share Analysis
11.3 Mergers and Acquisitions, Joint Ventures, Collaborations, and Agreements
12. Company Profiles
12.1 Aquatrols Corp of America
12.2 BASF SE
12.3 Brandt Consolidated, Inc.
12.4 China Sanjiang Fine Chemicals Company Limited
12.5 Clariant AG
12.6 Croda International plc
12.7 Dow, Inc.
12.8 Elkem ASA
12.9 Evonik Industries AG
12.10 Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC
12.11 Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (Oxiteno S.A.)
12.12 Ingevity Corporation
12.13 Innospec Inc.
12.14 Jiahua Chemicals Inc.
12.15 Kao Corporation
12.16 Lamberti S.p.A.
12.17 Liaoyang Huaxing Chemical Co., Ltd.
12.18 Loveland Products, Inc.
12.19 Momentive Inc.
12.20 Norac Concepts Inc.
12.21 Nouryon Holding B.V.
12.22 Nufarm Limited
12.23 Solvay S.A.
12.24 Stepan Company
12.25 The Lubrizol Corporation
12.26 Wilbur-Ellis Company LLC
12.27 Zanyu Technology Group Co., Ltd.
12.28 Zhejiang Huangma Technology Co., Ltd.
APPENDIX
DISCLAIMER
Research Methodology:
Global Agricultural Surfactants Market Size Estimation
To estimate market size and trends, we use a combination of top-down and bottom-up methods. This allows us to evaluate the market from various perspectives—by company, region, product type, and end users.
Our estimates are based on actual sales data, excluding any discounts. Segment breakdowns and market shares are calculated using weighted averages based on usage rates and average prices. Regional insights are determined by how widely a product or service is adopted in each area.
Key companies are identified through secondary sources like industry reports and company filings. We then verify revenue estimates and other key data points through primary research, including interviews with industry experts, company executives, and decision-makers.
We take into account all relevant factors that could influence the market and validate our findings with real-world input. Our final insights combine both qualitative and quantitative data to provide a well-rounded view. Please note, these estimates do not account for unexpected changes such as inflation, economic downturns, or policy shifts.
Data Source
Secondary Sources
This study draws on a wide range of secondary sources, including press releases, annual reports, non-profit organizations, industry associations, government agencies, and customs data. We also referred to reputable databases and directories such as Bloomberg, Wind Info, Hoovers, Factiva, Trading Economics, Statista, and others. Additional references include investor presentations, company filings (e.g., SEC), economic data, and documents from regulatory and industry bodies.
These sources were used to gather technical and market-focused insights, identify key players, analyze market segmentation and classification, and track major trends and developments across industries.
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Primary Sources
As part of our primary research, we interviewed a variety of stakeholders from both the supply and demand sides to gather valuable qualitative and quantitative insights.
On the supply side, we spoke with product manufacturers, competitors, industry experts, research institutions, distributors, traders, and raw material suppliers. On the demand side, we engaged with business leaders, marketing and sales heads, technology and innovation directors, supply chain executives, and end users across key organizations.
These conversations helped us better understand market segmentation, pricing, applications, leading players, supply chains, demand trends, industry outlook, and key market dynamics—including risks, opportunities, barriers, and strategic developments.
Key Data Information from Primary Sources
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