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

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

The Southeast Asian market for cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) reduced to $X in 2021, declining by -5.3% against the previous year. In general, consumption saw a pronounced downturn. As a result, consumption reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, the growth of the market failed to regain momentum.

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

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) production declined to $X in 2021 estimated in export price. Over the period under review, production showed a noticeable setback. The pace of growth was the most pronounced in 2013 with an increase of 21% against the previous year. As a result, production reached the peak level of $X. From 2014 to 2021, production growth failed to regain momentum.

Exports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Exports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, shipments abroad of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) increased by 24% to X tons, rising for the third consecutive year after four years of decline. Over the period under review, exports enjoyed a buoyant increase. The growth pace was the most rapid in 2020 with an increase of 62%. Over the period under review, the exports reached the maximum in 2021 and are expected to retain growth in the near future.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) exports soared to $X in 2021. In general, exports recorded prominent growth. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2014 with an increase of 61%. The level of export peaked in 2021 and is likely to see gradual growth in the near future.

Exports by Country

Thailand (X tons) and Indonesia (X tons) were the main exporters of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in 2021, recording near 40% and 30% of total exports, respectively. Singapore (X tons) took the next position in the ranking, followed by the Philippines (X tons). All these countries together took approx. 24% share of total exports. The following exporters - Malaysia (X tons) and Vietnam (X tons) - together made up 5.9% of total exports.

From 2012 to 2021, the biggest increases were recorded for Indonesia (with a CAGR of +36.9%), while shipments for the other leaders experienced more modest paces of growth.

In value terms, the largest cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) supplying countries in South-Eastern Asia were Thailand ($X), Indonesia ($X) and Singapore ($X), with a combined 80% share of total exports. These countries were followed by the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, which together accounted for a further 20%.

Vietnam, with a CAGR of +42.2%, 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 South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 12% against the previous year. In general, the export price, however, saw a pronounced reduction. Over the period under review, the export prices reached the peak figure 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 Vietnam ($X per ton), while Indonesia ($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 (+10.2%), while the other leaders experienced mixed trends in the export price figures.

Imports of Cationic Surface-Active Agents (Excluding Soap)

Imports in South-Eastern Asia

In 2021, approx. X tons of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) were imported in South-Eastern Asia; growing by 4.1% on the previous year's figure. Total imports indicated a mild increase from 2012 to 2021: its volume increased at an average annual rate of +1.6% 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 +73.5% against 2016 indices. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 with an increase of 32% against the previous year. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure in 2021 and are likely to continue growth in the near future.

In value terms, cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports expanded significantly to $X in 2021. Over the period under review, imports, however, showed a relatively flat trend pattern. The most prominent rate of growth was recorded in 2019 when imports increased by 15%. Over the period under review, imports attained the peak figure at $X in 2012; however, from 2013 to 2021, imports remained at a lower figure.

Imports by Country

Indonesia was the main importer of cationic surface-active agents (excluding soap) in South-Eastern Asia, with the volume of imports accounting for X tons, which was approx. 46% of total imports in 2021. Vietnam (X tons) ranks second in terms of the total imports with a 16% share, followed by the Philippines (16%) and Thailand (12%). The following importers - Singapore (X tons) and Malaysia (X tons) - each amounted to a 7.7% share of total imports.

From 2012 to 2021, average annual rates of growth with regard to cationic surface-active agents (excl. soap) imports into Indonesia stood at +6.9%. At the same time, the Philippines (+19.8%) and Malaysia (+7.6%) displayed positive paces of growth. Moreover, the Philippines emerged as the fastest-growing importer imported in South-Eastern Asia, with a CAGR of +19.8% from 2012-2021. By contrast, Singapore (-3.6%), Vietnam (-4.5%) and Thailand (-8.1%) illustrated a downward trend over the same period. While the share of Indonesia (+17 p.p.), the Philippines (+12 p.p.) and Malaysia (+1.5 p.p.) increased significantly in terms of the total imports from 2012-2021, the share of Singapore (-2.4 p.p.), Vietnam (-12.3 p.p.) and Thailand (-17.1 p.p.) displayed negative dynamics.

In value terms, Indonesia ($X), Vietnam ($X) and the Philippines ($X) constituted the countries with the highest levels of imports in 2021, together accounting for 75% of total imports.

In terms of the main importing countries, the Philippines, with a CAGR of +17.4%, recorded 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 South-Eastern Asia stood at $X per ton in 2021, rising by 9.5% against the previous year. Overall, the import price, however, saw a noticeable descent. 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 Vietnam ($X per ton), while Indonesia ($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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