Current status and production capacity of the sodium dodecyl sulfate industry

Current status and production capacity of the sodium dodecyl sulfate industry

According to existing market research data, the current status and production capacity of the sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) industry are as follows:

Industry Status

Market Size and Growth

The global SLS market was valued at approximately US$590 million in 2020 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.8% from 2021 to 2027, reaching a market size of US$807 million by 2027.

Application Area Distribution

Household cleaners and detergents dominate, accounting for over 55% of the market share. Personal care products (shampoo, shower gel, toothpaste, etc.) account for approximately 35%. Other applications include industrial cleaners and agricultural chemicals.

Regional Market Structure

The Asia-Pacific region is the largest market globally, accounting for approximately 42% of the market share. North America and Europe follow closely behind. China, India, and the United States are the main consuming countries.

Development Drivers:

* Increased hygiene awareness, particularly a surge in demand for cleaning products in the post-pandemic era

* Urbanization and rising disposable income

* Upgrading of personal care product consumption

Challenges:

* Environmental pressures: Approximately 20% of market growth is limited by environmental regulations and biodegradability requirements

* Health concerns: Some consumers are turning to milder "sulfate-free" alternatives

* Insufficient awareness in emerging markets

Production Capacity

Based on search results, specific global and Chinese SLS production capacity data are not explicitly disclosed in publicly available information. However, the following relevant information is available:

Industry Scale Reference

In 2024, global SLES (sodium dodecyl ether sulfate, a substitute for SLS) production was approximately 2.39 million tons.

The total production capacity of the SLS/SLES/LAS surfactant market was approximately 7.6 million tons, with SLES accounting for approximately 33%.

Major Manufacturers

The global SLS market is highly concentrated, with major manufacturers including:

BASF

DowDuPont

Evonik

Huntsman

Solvay

Clariant

Kao Corporation

Stepan

and Chinese companies such as Xiamen Dia Chemical and Yinhe Surfactants

Industry Trends

Product Upgrades: Moving towards ultra-pure (≥99.5%), low-irritant, and biodegradable SLS

Capacity Optimization: Leading companies are expanding their market share through mergers and acquisitions, such as Indorama Ventures' acquisition of Oxiteno

Regional Shift: Capacity is concentrating in emerging markets such as the Asia-Pacific region.