The anionic surfactant is fatty methyl ester sulfonate, which is made by sulfonating saturated fatty acid methyl esters from natural fats and oils. In comparison to other surfactants, it is much safer and more biodegradable. The physicochemical properties of fatty methyl ester Sulfonate make it useful in various applications. Rising demand for its use in commercial and domestic cleaning services is the primary factor propelling sales of fatty methyl ester. Making methyl ester sulfonate from palm oil begins with the sulfonation of methyl ester with air/sulfur trioxide, followed by bleaching, digestion, and neutralization.
The surfactant market is expected to grow because the personal care industry is growing quickly, and people are spending money on more profitable products. Also, the retail sector in developing countries like Brazil, India, and China is getting more organized. It is expected to help the personal care, and cosmetics industry grows, increasing the use of FMES for making surfactants. In the personal care and cosmetics market, FMES-based surfactants were primarily used in shampoos and soaps in the past. The market is driven by the rising popularity of products incorporating surfactants, such as lotions and cold creams. The FMES market is expected to benefit from the growing interest among major end-use manufacturers in "green chemistry" in response to rising consumer demand for environmentally friendly products.
Fatty acid methyl esters are derived from renewable resources like vegetable oils and rendered animal fat, combined to create biodiesel. Unlike regular diesel, they are biodegradable and non-toxic, which is their defining feature. There has been a dramatic increase in the demand for fuels containing biodiesel due to the alarming rise in air pollution worldwide. Due to its lower ignition temperature, it is a less risky option than petroleum diesel. In Europe, manufacturers are actively gauging the efficiency of biodiesel-powered vehicles. As biodiesel usage rises, the demand for fatty methyl ester sulfonate is expected to increase sharply in the coming years.
Europe is the most significant shareholder in the global fatty methyl ester sulfonate market and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.76% during the forecast period. Europe is the biggest market for detergents in the world, making up almost 20% of the total demand. Germany is the primary market in Europe, driving demand for fatty methyl ester sulfonate. The primary consumer of this substance is the detergent industry, but the personal care industry is also seeing rapid growth, fueling demand. Fatty methyl ester Sulfonate demand in the UK is anticipated to rise over the forecast period as a result of the growing fashion trend toward clean clothing and the attendant high demand for personal care products such as cleanliness and hygiene among the native population.
Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 13.38% during the forecast period. Rising incomes in fast-growing Asian economies like India and China are fueling a surge in domestic consumption and making these countries essential production centers for many global brands, portending well for the future of laundry detergents. In the Asia-Pacific region, India is an important market for cosmetics, toiletries, and other forms of personal care. Personal care products are a rapidly expanding sector of the consumer goods market in the country. Market demand for fatty methyl ester sulfonate is expected to be driven in the coming years by the rising demand for hand care, color cosmetics, and face care products in the country.
Soaps and detergents, two of the most common uses of surfactants, are produced in large quantities in North America. Government bodies in developed countries across the region have established numerous regulations restricting the use of synthetic ingredients due to various environmental concerns. In Mexico, FMES are typically used to create disinfectants and other cleaning products for the home and workplace. Over the forecast period, the market in the country is expected to be driven by rising FMES consumption in personal care products, industrial cleaners, and allied applications.
The global fatty methyl ester sulfonate market’s major key players are KLK Oleo, Zanyu Technology Group Co., Ltd., Surface Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., KPL International Limited, Jinchang Chemicals, PEMEX Chemicals, Sun Products, Stepan Company Lion Corporation, Chemithon, Fenchem, and Emery Oleochemicals.