India: Market for Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) 2025

Market Size for Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in India

The Indian market for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) fell to $X in 2021, waning by -4.8% against the previous year. Overall, consumption, however, recorded a relatively flat trend pattern. Over the period under review, the market reached the peak level at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap) in India

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production fell modestly to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. In general, production continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2016 with an increase of 24% against the previous year. Anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production peaked at $X in 2017; however, from 2018 to 2021, production failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports from India

In 2021, the amount of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exported from India surged to X tons, increasing by 50% on 2020 figures. In general, exports recorded a resilient expansion. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2019 when exports increased by 59%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to see steady growth in the near future.

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated a perceptible expansion from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +3.9% 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 +128.2% against 2016 indices. As a result, the exports attained the peak and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

Bangladesh (X tons) was the main destination for anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports from India, with a 19% share of total exports. Moreover, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports to Bangladesh exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, the United Arab Emirates (X tons), threefold. Sri Lanka (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of volume to Bangladesh stood at +22.4%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United Arab Emirates (+27.5% per year) and Sri Lanka (+23.9% per year).

In value terms, Bangladesh ($X) remains the key foreign market for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) exports from India, comprising 17% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by the United States ($X), with a 7.3% share of total exports. It was followed by the United Arab Emirates, with a 6.3% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual rate of growth in terms of value to Bangladesh totaled +13.2%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: the United States (-8.4% per year) and the United Arab Emirates (+17.7% per year).

Export Prices by Country

In 2021, the average export price for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) amounted to $X per ton, increasing by 7.1% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, recorded a noticeable decline. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2020 when the average export price increased by 11%. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the peak figure at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices failed to regain momentum.

Prices varied noticeably country of destination: the country with the highest price was the United States ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Nepal ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was recorded for supplies to Nepal (-1.5%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced a decline.

Imports of Anionic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports into India

In 2021, purchases abroad of anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 50% to X tons for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, imports continue to indicate mild growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 87% against the previous year. As a result, imports attained the peak of X tons. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a somewhat lower figure.

In value terms, anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports soared to $X in 2021. Overall, imports recorded a slight expansion. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 when imports increased by 57%. As a result, imports reached the peak of $X. From 2015 to 2021, the growth of imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Malaysia (X tons), China (X tons) and the United States (X tons) were the main suppliers of anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports to India, together comprising 43% of total imports. These countries were followed by the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Qatar, Germany, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, the Netherlands, the Philippines and Thailand, which together accounted for a further 46%.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of purchases, amongst the main suppliers, was attained by Qatar (with a CAGR of +137.7%), while imports for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the United States ($X), China ($X) and Malaysia ($X) were the largest anionic surface-active agents (excl. soap) suppliers to India, together comprising 39% of total imports. South Korea, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, Qatar, the Netherlands, Indonesia, the Philippines, Saudi Arabia and Thailand lagged somewhat behind, together comprising a further 39%.

Qatar, with a CAGR of +186.7%, saw the highest growth rate of the value of imports, among the main suppliers over the period under review, while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

Import Prices by Country

The average import price for anionic surface-active agents (excluding soap) stood at $X per ton in 2021, almost unchanged from the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, continues to indicate a relatively flat trend pattern. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 an increase of 18% against the previous year. As a result, import price reached the peak level of $X per ton, and then declined slightly in the following year.

There were significant differences in the average prices amongst the major supplying countries. In 2021, the country with the highest price was the Netherlands ($X per ton), while the price for Saudi Arabia ($X per ton) was amongst the lowest.

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by Qatar (+20.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced more modest paces of growth.

Source: IndexBox Platform

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