Top 10 Companies in the Plant Oleic Acid Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Global Green Chemistry

In Business Insights
June 04, 2025

The Global Plant Oleic Acid Market was valued at USD 234.5 million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 312.7 million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.9% during the forecast period (2024-2030). This growth is driven by increasing demand from food reformulation, sustainable cosmetics, and bio-based industrial applications across key global markets.

As consumer preferences shift toward plant-derived ingredients and regulatory pressures mount against petrochemicals, oleic acid suppliers are innovating to meet rigorous purity and sustainability standards. This analysis profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Plant Oleic Acid Industry—oleochemical specialists and diversified chemical firms shaping the market’s future.


🔟 1. Wilmar International

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: High-purity oleic acid (85%-90% grades) from palm and sunflower

As Asia’s largest agribusiness, Wilmar operates fully integrated oleochemical facilities producing 3.2 million MT annually of fatty acids. Their pharmaceutical-grade oleic acid meets USP standards for critical applications in drug formulations and medical devices.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 100% traceable palm oil through proprietary blockchain system

  • Zero discharge water treatment across all refineries

  • $150M investment in enzymatic hydrolysis plants (2024-26)

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Plant Oleic Acid Market – View Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. KLK Oleo

Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key Offering: KLK OLÉA™ series (70%-92% C18:1 content)

This Malaysian market leader operates the world’s largest integrated oleochemical complex in Port Klang, supplying consistent-quality oleic acid to 1,200+ customers in 75 countries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • First producer achieving RSPO NEXT certification (2023)

  • 40% reduction in GHG emissions since 2018


8️⃣ 3. IOI Oleochemicals

Headquarters: Selangor, Malaysia
Key Offering: IOI PRECISA™ fractionated oleic acid

IOI’s molecular distillation expertise enables production of ultra-pure (≥90%) oleic acid variants for precision applications in medical devices and high-end cosmetics.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Circular economy model utilizing palm waste streams

  • SA 8000 certified social accountability standards


7️⃣ 4. Musim Mas Group

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: Musimax™ UV-stable oleic acid grades

This vertically integrated producer specializes in light-stable oleic acid for suncare formulations, controlling production from plantation to final distillation.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 50,000+ smallholder farmers in sustainability programs

  • 100% renewable energy in European operations

Download FREE Sample Report: Global Plant Oleic Acid Market – View Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Oleon NV (Avril Group)

Headquarters: Ertvelde, Belgium
Key Offering: European rapeseed-derived oleic acid

As Europe’s leader in bio-based chemistry, Oleon provides identity-preserved oleic acid fully traceable to non-GMO rapeseed farms in France and Germany.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneer in enzymatic biodiesel byproduct upcycling

  • 50% lower carbon footprint vs. Asian palm alternatives


5️⃣ 6. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Custom oleic acid esters and derivatives

Eastman’s specialty chemical capabilities produce high-value oleic acid esters for premium lubricants and cosmetic actives, with extensive IP protection.

Innovation Focus:

  • 17 patents in oleochemical processing (2020-24)

  • FDA-approved food contact materials


4️⃣ 7. VVF LLC

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: Cost-optimized oleochemical blends

India’s largest oleochemical producer leverages domestic castor and palm supplies to serve price-sensitive markets in Africa and Southeast Asia.

Market Strategy:

  • 450,000 MT annual fatty acid capacity

  • Just-in-time production for industrial users


3️⃣ 8. Emery Oleochemicals

Headquarters: Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: EMERY® E Grade (Pharma/Food)

With 180+ years of fatty acid expertise, Emery supplies USP/NF/FCC grade oleic acid to regulated industries from nine global production sites.

Quality Assurance:

  • 21 CFR 117/507 compliant food safety systems

  • GMP manufacturing for injectable-grade materials


2️⃣ 9. Godrej Industries

Headquarters: Mumbai, India
Key Offering: GILFINE™ oleic acid for textiles/plastics

This diversified conglomerate is expanding its oleochemical footprint with new capacity targeting India’s growing polymer and textile industries.

Growth Strategy:

  • Toll manufacturing partnerships

  • R&D focus on oleic acid-PLA composites


1️⃣ 10. Pacific Oleochemicals

Headquarters: Johor, Malaysia
Key Offering: Bulk industrial-grade oleic acid

Specializing in large-volume supply, Pacific serves rubber, metalworking, and plasticizer manufacturers with consistent-quality C18:1 acid at competitive prices.

Operational Strengths:

  • 600,000 MT/year nameplate capacity

  • ISO 9001:2015 certified quality systems

Get Full Report Here: Global Plant Oleic Acid Market – View Detailed Research Report


🌍 Market Outlook: The Green Chemistry Revolution

The plant oleic acid market is undergoing a fundamental transformation as industries adopt circular economy principles. Beyond traditional soap and detergent applications, high-growth segments in biopolymers, green lubricants, and sustainable packaging are driving premiumization.

📈 Critical Market Trends:

  • Food industry reformulation replacing trans and saturated fats

  • Cosmetic brands reformulating with RSPO-certified oleochemicals

  • Industrial shift toward bio-based lubricants and plasticizers

  • Advancements in green chemistry processing technologies

Get Full Report Here: Global Plant Oleic Acid Market – View Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are at the forefront of transitioning multiple industries toward renewable, low-carbon ingredient solutions, supported by vertically integrated supply chains and continuous process innovation.

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