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

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

The Asia-Pacific market for non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) dropped slightly to $X in 2021, declining by -4.3% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +3.1% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $X in 2020, and then contracted in the following year.

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

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production shrank to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. The total output value increased at an average annual rate of +3.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 12% against the previous year. Over the period under review, production reached the peak level at $X in 2020, and then fell modestly in the following year.

Exports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in Asia-Pacific

In 2021, overseas shipments of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 14% to X tons, rising for the fifth year in a row after two years of decline. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +80.3% against 2016 indices. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2013 when exports increased by 27%. Over the period under review, the exports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports soared to $X in 2021. Total exports indicated a buoyant expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +6.1% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports increased by +81.0% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons), distantly followed by Singapore (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Japan (X tons), India (X tons), South Korea (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) were the key exporters of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), together mixing up 94% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for China (with a CAGR of +19.8%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplying countries in Asia-Pacific were China ($X), Japan ($X) and Singapore ($X), with a combined 65% share of total exports.

China, with a CAGR of +19.8%, recorded the highest growth rate of the value of exports, in terms of the main exporting countries over the period under review, while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Export Prices by Country

The export price in Asia-Pacific stood at $X per ton in 2021, surging by 20% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, recorded a slight decrease. The level of export peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by India (+0.5%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Non-Ionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in Asia-Pacific

For the sixth consecutive year, Asia-Pacific recorded growth in supplies from abroad of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), which increased by 18% to X tons in 2021. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.6% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

In value terms, non-ionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +4.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. As a result, imports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Imports by Country

In 2021, China (X tons) represented the largest importer of non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap), constituting 34% of total imports. Vietnam (X tons) took the second position in the ranking, followed by Indonesia (X tons), Thailand (X tons), Japan (X tons), India (X tons) and South Korea (X tons). All these countries together took near 42% share of total imports. Pakistan (X tons), Singapore (X tons), Australia (X tons), Malaysia (X tons), Bangladesh (X tons) and Taiwan (Chinese) (X tons) followed a long way behind the leaders.

Imports into China increased at an average annual rate of +2.0% from 2012 to 2021. At the same time, Bangladesh (+23.0%), Vietnam (+17.9%), India (+11.8%), Pakistan (+10.3%), South Korea (+5.7%), Indonesia (+5.4%), Thailand (+5.0%), Japan (+4.8%), Malaysia (+4.6%), Australia (+1.1%) and Taiwan (Chinese) (+1.1%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, Bangladesh emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in Asia-Pacific, with a CAGR of +23.0% from 2012-2021. Singapore experienced a relatively flat trend pattern. While the share of Vietnam (+7.3 p.p.), India (+2.6 p.p.), Bangladesh (+2.3 p.p.) and Pakistan (+1.6 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Singapore (-1.7 p.p.) and China (-8.7 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics. The shares of the other countries remained relatively stable throughout the analyzed period.

In value terms, China ($X) constitutes the largest market for imported non-ionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in Asia-Pacific, comprising 35% of total imports. The second position in the ranking was held by Vietnam ($X), with a 9.1% share of total imports. It was followed by South Korea, with a 7.9% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value in China amounted to +3.0%. The remaining importing countries recorded the following average annual rates of imports growth: Vietnam (+18.3% per year) and South Korea (+5.5% per year).

Import Prices by Country

In 2021, the import price in Asia-Pacific amounted to $X per ton, growing by 13% against the previous year. Overall, the import price continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. As a result, import price attained the peak level and is likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was South Korea ($X per ton), while Pakistan ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Australia (+1.4%), while the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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