Asia: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2024

Market Size for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Asia

In 2021, the Asian market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) was finally on the rise to reach $X after two years of decline. Overall, consumption, however, showed a slight decrease. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 8.4%. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a lower figure.

Production of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in Asia

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production dropped modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production saw a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 7.7%. As a result, production attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in Asia

In 2021, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports in Asia rose notably to X tons, surging by 5.5% against the previous year. In general, exports saw a buoyant expansion. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 106%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports continue to indicate a noticeable expansion. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2019 when exports increased by 59% against the previous year. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the largest exporter of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), making up 71% of total exports. It was distantly followed by South Korea (X tons) and Thailand (X tons), together creating a 16% share of total exports. Indonesia (X tons), Japan (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons) took a relatively small share of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from China stood at +6.5%. At the same time, Indonesia (+36.9%), Thailand (+28.3%), South Korea (+8.0%) and Japan (+5.9%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Indonesia emerged as the fastest-growing exporter exported in Asia, with a CAGR of +36.9% from 2012-2021. Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. By contrast, the Philippines (-4.6%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. From 2012 to 2021, the share of Thailand and Indonesia increased by +4.4 and +3.6 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplier in Asia, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by South Korea ($X), with a 16% share of total exports. It was followed by Japan, with a 7% share.

In China, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports expanded at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012-2021. In the other countries, the average annual rates were as follows: South Korea (+12.4% per year) and Japan (+1.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the export price in Asia amounted to $X per ton, growing by 9.6% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, saw a noticeable slump. Over the period under review, the export prices hit record highs at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably country of origin: the country with the highest price was Japan ($X per ton), while Indonesia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by South Korea (+4.0%), while the other leaders experienced a decline in the export price figures.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in Asia

In 2021, purchases abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 13% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Total imports indicated buoyant growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +5.0% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +74.7% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 with an increase of 17% against the previous year. The volume of import peaked in 2021 and is likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports surged to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports reached the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Indonesia (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) represented roughly 34% of total imports in 2021. India (X tons) held the next position in the ranking, followed by Turkey (X tons), China (X tons), Vietnam (X tons), the Philippines (X tons) and Thailand (X tons). All these countries together held near 43% share of total imports. The following importers - Japan (X tons), South Korea (X tons), Pakistan (X tons), Saudi Arabia (X tons) and Sri Lanka (X tons) - together made up 12% of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by Sri Lanka (with a CAGR of +33.4%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Bangladesh ($X) and Indonesia ($X) appeared to be the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 37% of total imports. India, Vietnam, the Philippines, Turkey, Thailand, Japan, South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan and Sri Lanka lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 50%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +23.4%, recorded the highest rates of growth with regard to the value of imports, over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The import price in Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 11% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, showed a slight reduction. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major importing countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was China ($X per ton), while Sri Lanka ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Vietnam (+6.0%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the import price figures.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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