Malaysia: Market for Organic Surface Active Agents 2025

Market Size for Organic Surface Active Agents in Malaysia

In 2021, the Malaysian organic surface active agent market was finally on the rise to reach $X for the first time since 2018, thus ending a two-year declining trend. Over the period under review, consumption, however, continues to indicate a pronounced downturn. Organic surface active agent consumption peaked at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Production of Organic Surface Active Agents in Malaysia

In value terms, organic surface active agent production skyrocketed to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Overall, production, however, showed a slight downturn. The pace of growth appeared the most rapid in 2018 when the production volume increased by 39%. Over the period under review, production reached the maximum level at $X in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, production stood at a somewhat lower figure.

Exports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Exports from Malaysia

In 2021, the amount of organic surface active agents exported from Malaysia skyrocketed to X tons, picking up by 19% compared with the previous year's figure. In general, total exports indicated a resilient increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +7.9% over the last nine-year period. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. Based on 2021 figures, exports decreased by -7.4% against 2019 indices. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 when exports increased by 61% against the previous year. The exports peaked at X tons in 2019; however, from 2020 to 2021, the exports remained at a lower figure.

In value terms, organic surface active agent exports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, total exports indicated prominent growth from 2012 to 2021: its value increased at an average annual rate of +5.9% over the last nine years. The trend pattern, however, indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded throughout the analyzed period. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2018 with an increase of 57%. The exports peaked in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the immediate term.

Exports by Country

China (X tons) was the main destination for organic surface active agent exports from Malaysia, accounting for a 36% share of total exports. Moreover, organic surface active agent exports to China exceeded the volume sent to the second major destination, Vietnam (X tons), fourfold. Indonesia (X tons) ranked third in terms of total exports with a 6.6% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of volume to China totaled +8.7%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+9.6% per year) and Indonesia (+12.3% per year).

In value terms, China ($X) remains the key foreign market for organic surface active agents exports from Malaysia, comprising 33% of total exports. The second position in the ranking was taken by Vietnam ($X), with a 12% share of total exports. It was followed by Thailand, with a 6.7% share.

From 2012 to 2021, the average annual growth rate of value to China totaled +5.3%. Exports to the other major destinations recorded the following average annual rates of exports growth: Vietnam (+11.7% per year) and Thailand (+4.1% per year).

Export Prices by Country

The average organic surface active agent export price stood at $X per ton in 2021, picking up by 30% against the previous year. Overall, the export price, however, continues to indicate a mild contraction. Over the period under review, the average export prices reached the maximum at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, the export prices remained at a lower figure.

Prices varied noticeably by country of destination: amid the top suppliers, the country with the highest price was Vietnam ($X per ton), while the average price for exports to Australia ($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 Vietnam (+1.9%), while the prices for the other major destinations experienced more modest paces of growth.

Imports of Organic Surface Active Agents

Imports into Malaysia

In 2021, overseas purchases of organic surface active agents increased by 19% to X tons, rising for the second year in a row after two years of decline. The total import volume increased at an average annual rate of +4.3% from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2015 with an increase of 22% against the previous year. Imports peaked in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

In value terms, organic surface active agent imports skyrocketed to $X in 2021. The total import value increased at an average annual rate of +2.7% over the period from 2012 to 2021; however, the trend pattern remained relatively stable, with only minor fluctuations throughout the analyzed period. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2017 when imports increased by 23%. Over the period under review, imports attained the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in years to come.

Imports by Country

Thailand (X tons), Indonesia (X tons) and China (X tons) were the main suppliers of organic surface active agent imports to Malaysia, together comprising 53% of total imports. These countries were followed by South Korea, Vietnam, the United States, Singapore, Taiwan (Chinese), India, Japan, Australia and Saudi Arabia, which together accounted for a further 40%.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Vietnam (with a CAGR of +16.1%), while purchases for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, China ($X), Thailand ($X) and South Korea ($X) appeared to be the largest organic surface active agent suppliers to Malaysia, together accounting for 43% of total imports.

South Korea, with a CAGR of +13.8%, recorded 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 organic surface active agent import price stood at $X per ton in 2021, increasing by 2.4% against the previous year. Over the period under review, the import price, however, showed a mild slump. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2020 when the average import price increased by 6.2%. The import price peaked at $X per ton in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, import prices remained at a lower figure.

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

From 2012 to 2021, the most notable rate of growth in terms of prices was attained by China (-0.7%), while the prices for the other major suppliers experienced a decline.

Source: IndexBox Platform