Narrow Range Ethoxylates Market

Market Overview

The global narrow-range ethoxylates market size was valued at USD 4.77 billion in 2022. It is estimated to reach USD 9.94 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.5% during the forecast period (2023–2031). The rising demand in the surface disinfectant market and growing usage in the industrial cleaning market stimulate market growth.

In chemistry, "narrow-range ethoxylates" (NREs) are well-known nonionic surfactants that are fatty alcohol polyglycol ethers with a narrow homolog distribution. Narrow-range ethoxylates are non-toxic and biodegradable. For instance, adding ethylene oxide to fatty alcohols in the presence of suitable catalysts (layer compounds that have been calcined or hydrophobized with fatty acids) can be manufactured industrially. By altering the catalyst's characteristics, this procedure can be carried out on various other hydrophobes and with various alkylating substances (such as propylene oxide and butylene oxide).

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

Rising Demand in the Surface Disinfectant Market

The increased need for cleanliness in many end-user applications drives demand for surface disinfectants. Because they have a low odor and are effective at low alcohol concentrations, narrow-range ethoxylates are employed in surface disinfectants. They are regarded as environmentally friendly, making them a viable option for consumers. Narrow-range ethoxylates are widely employed in surface disinfectants due to their advantageous properties, such as low alcohol concentration, minimal odor, and elimination of the requirement for toxic solvents. Surface disinfectants are expected to increase demand from various sectors, including industrial, institutional, commercial, and residential, as the world's dread of illnesses, particularly COVID-19, grows.

Surface disinfectants are primarily used in transportation, food, and beverage processing facilities, manufacturing units, cleaning companies, the automotive industry, the hospitality and restaurant industry, building service contractors, retail (supermarkets), municipalities, provincial governments, and hospitals. The increasing adoption of novel and advanced technologies by manufacturers for generating surface disinfectants with higher effectiveness, combined with a shift in preference for bio-based solutions, is likely to propel the surface disinfectant market forward. The factors above are projected to boost the growth of the narrow-range ethoxylate market.

Growing Usage in the Industrial Cleaning Market

Narrow-range ethoxylates are utilized for various industrial cleaning tasks, such as engine, vehicle, laundry, and metal degreasing. Growing public awareness of health and hygiene across areas drives demand for industrial and institutional cleaning solutions. To effectively clean and degrease metal, narrow-range ethoxylates have a precise amount of ethylene oxide (EO). They are employed at very low concentrations to improve the degreasing performance. Over the anticipated term, such factors would positively affect the market for narrow-range ethoxylates.

Market Restraint

Increasing Demand for Ethylene Oxide in Other Industries

One of the main raw materials utilized in the manufacturing of narrow-range ethoxylates is ethylene oxide, which lowers the interfacial tension against paraffin oil and improves the cleaning capabilities of surfactants. The need for narrow-range ethoxylates for cleaning applications is anticipated to be hampered by the increased demand for ethylene oxide in other end-use industries, including textile and automotive. Additionally, it is anticipated that fluctuations in crude oil prices will harm the demand for ethylene oxide. Prices for ethylene oxide have increased in all applications due to the rise in demand. The production of narrow-range ethoxylates is anticipated to be hampered during the projected period.

Market Opportunities

Growing Demand in Various Fields

The market is anticipated to expand due to the rising demand for narrow-range ethoxylates in the housekeeping, hospitality, healthcare, institutional buildings, food service, automotive, and engine cleaning industries. Over the projected period, makers of narrow-range ethoxylates will likely see increased product demand in developed regions like Europe and North America despite rising pricing. Manufacturers of narrow-range ethoxylates concentrate on growing their product lines and production capabilities. The supply chain has significantly improved since the advent of the Internet and e-commerce, resulting in higher manufacturer profit margins. Companies are interested in choosing new distribution channels for their goods, enabling them to better understand consumer purchasing patterns and aid in product positioning.

Regional Analysis

Based on region, the global narrow-range ethoxylates market is bifurcated into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa.

North America's narrow-range ethoxylates market share is estimated to exhibit a CAGR of 7% over the forecast period. Due to the increased demand for commercial machines and dishwashers for various purposes, the market for narrow-range ethoxylates is expanding significantly in the North American region. The equipment used for commercial Cleaning differs from that used for household cleaning, affecting the product's need and size. Businesses also heavily invest in R&D operations to meet customer demand and create a new variety of narrow-range ethoxylates. For instance, in 2015, the North American division of Sasol patented the NOVEL narrow-range ethoxylation catalyst technology. For various alcohol feedstocks, several ethoxylates of exceptional quality can be synthesized. As a result, it is projected that a rise in research and development activities in the area will spur the market expansion of narrow-range ethoxylates in the upcoming years.

Europe is anticipated to exhibit a CAGR of 8.6% over the forecast period. The need for disinfectants has increased significantly due to the epidemic that has affected many European nations, which has led to a boom in the market for narrow-range ethoxylates in Europe. International players are growing their manufacturing operations to address narrow-range ethoxylate needs. Due to their excellent low-temperature cleaning capabilities, narrow-range ethoxylates are employed in the manufacturing of disinfectants.

Moreover, the market for narrow-range ethoxylates is projected to grow favorably due to the increased need for disinfectants. Healthcare facilities, where disinfectants and surfactants are a crucial component of maintaining health and hygiene, are the primary driver of the market for narrow-range ethoxylates in that nation. Surfactant producers use narrow-range ethoxylates for their advantageous qualities, such as superior cleaning capabilities. The significance of surface cleaning procedures in healthcare institutions has increased due to significant worries about hospital-acquired infections (HAI). This has undoubtedly increased the demand for narrow-range ethoxylates in the region for use in surfactants and other commercial cleaning applications.

Asia-Pacific has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions in the global market. The market for narrow-range ethoxylates in the Asia Pacific region is propelled by rising public awareness of health and hygiene issues and the adoption of rigorous cleaning and disinfection requirements in residential and commercial cleaning applications. Due to the increased demand for cleaning products due to the COVID-19 pandemic, narrow-range ethoxylate consumption in cleaning products, particularly surface disinfectants, greatly benefits. The manufacturing of narrow-range ethoxylates can use inexpensive active components like ethylene oxide, which is expected to speed up global and domestic market growth. Due to the widespread COVID-19 infection, China is anticipated to hold a significant proportion of the Asia-Pacific market over the projection period. Japan's tight hygienic regulations are projected to lead to market expansion. In addition, a large population and rising health and hygiene awareness are anticipated to fuel the Indian market.

In Latin America, the narrow-range ethoxylate market is anticipated to be primarily driven by health and hygiene due to the substantial use of these chemicals in cleaning products for commercial cleaning applications in the area. Rapid urbanization, an expanding population, and growing awareness of cleanliness and sanitization are the main factors boosting the market growth in the area. Production and consumption of narrow-range ethoxylate for cleaning purposes have increased due to the COVID-19 outbreak in Central and South America. Over the forecast period, it is predicted that the factors above will favorably impact the market growth in the commercial cleaning application sector.

The Middle East and Africa market has grown significantly due to the region's ample raw material supply and increased demand for surfactants with low alcohol content. Due to the rising need for cleaning formulations, particularly in the hotel industry, residential and commercial cleaning product growth is increasing in the region. Manufacturers of disinfectants and narrow-range ethoxylates are concentrating on various R&D initiatives to develop cutting-edge goods to benefit from lucrative growth potential.

Segmental Analysis

The global narrow-range ethoxylates market is bifurcated into applications.

Based on application, the global narrow-range ethoxylates market is bifurcated into household, commercial, and industrial cleaning.

The commercial cleaning segment owns the highest market share and is predicted to exhibit a CAGR of 6.9% over the forecast period. Since narrow-range ethoxylates may emulsify soil, aid in suspending particle soil, and be extensively used in multi-purpose cleaners for commercial cleaning formulations, their application in cleaning solutions is expanding. The significance of cleanliness and worker safety in business spaces is becoming more widely recognized. As a result, people are using more cleaning products, which boosts the demand for narrow-range ethoxylates.

The COVID-19 outbreak has significantly increased demand for commercial cleaning solutions across various end-use industries, including hospitality, food service, and healthcare. Because of consumer reluctance to choose such services because of safety concerns, manufacturers in these sectors have suffered significant losses because of the pandemic. Growing hygiene concerns have caused a rise in the consumption of cleaning agents, including surface disinfectants and surfactants. These industries are anticipated to grow over the predicted years thanks to the development of COVID-19 vaccinations and preventative measures adopted to stop the virus' transmission. This is anticipated to help commercial cleaning applications expand, raising the demand for narrow-range ethoxylates.

Recent Developments

• April 2021- Dow signed an MoU with Lucro Plastecycle, an Indian recycling company, to collect 1MMT of plastics for recycling by 2030. It also introduced a new line of consumer goods, PCR-based coalition shrink films.
• March 2021- Evonik Industries Inc. partnered with InnovationLab to introduce a new battery technology into the marketplace