Asia-Pacific: Market for Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

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

In 2021, the Asia-Pacific market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Overall, consumption, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 when the market value increased by 9%. As a result, consumption attained the peak level of $X. From 2019 to 2021, the growth of the market remained at a somewhat lower figure.

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

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production stood at $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production, however, continues to indicate a mild reduction. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2018 with an increase of 8.3% against the previous year. The level of production peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in Asia-Pacific

For the sixth year in a row, Asia-Pacific recorded growth in shipments abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), which increased by 5.8% to X tons in 2021. Over the period under review, exports continue to indicate a strong increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 110% against the previous year. The volume of export peaked in 2021 and is expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports surged to $X in 2021. Overall, exports recorded a measured increase. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when exports increased by 61%. Over the period under review, the exports hit record highs in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the key exporter of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap), comprising 72% of total exports. South Korea (X tons) held an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total exports, which put it in second place, followed by Thailand (5.5%). The following exporters - Indonesia (X tons), Japan (X tons), Singapore (X tons) and the Philippines (X tons) - together made up 9.8% 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-Pacific, 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 +3.7 percentage points, respectively. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) remains the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplier in Asia-Pacific, comprising 62% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was held by South Korea ($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. The remaining exporting countries recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: South Korea (+12.4% per year) and Japan (+1.3% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 10% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a pronounced descent. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices stood at a somewhat lower figure.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major exporting countries. In 2021, 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-Pacific

In 2021, purchases abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 11% to X tons, rising for the fifth consecutive year after two years of decline. Total imports indicated resilient growth from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +6.3% 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 +84.4% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 20% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Total imports indicated a notable expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.7% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, imports increased by +78.8% against 2016 indices. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

Indonesia (X tons) and Bangladesh (X tons) represented the major importers of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in 2021, accounting for near 19% and 17% of total imports, respectively. Australia (X tons) took an 11% share (based on physical terms) of total imports, which put it in second place, followed by India (10%), China (8%), Vietnam (6.8%), the Philippines (6.5%) and Thailand (4.8%).

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the leading importing countries, was attained by India (with a CAGR of +31.0%), 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 comprising 40% of total imports. These countries were followed by India, Vietnam, Australia, the Philippines and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 40%.

Among the main importing countries, India, with a CAGR of +23.4%, saw the highest growth rate of 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-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, growing by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a perceptible slump. The level of import peaked at $X per ton in 2013; however, from 2014 to 2021, import prices stood at a somewhat 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 ($X per ton), while Indonesia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

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

Source: IndexBox Platform

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