Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Duty Cleaner Industry (2025): Market Leaders Powering Industrial and Commercial Cleaning

In Business Insights
August 19, 2025

The Global Heavy Duty Cleaner Market was valued at USD 18.7 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 26.3 Billion by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.8% during the forecast period (2024-2029). This growth is being driven by increasing industrialization, stringent hygiene regulations, and rising demand for eco-friendly cleaning solutions across manufacturing, automotive, and food processing sectors.

As industries worldwide prioritize cleanliness, safety, and sustainability, the spotlight is on leading chemical manufacturers and cleaning specialists developing high-performance formulations. In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Heavy Duty Cleaner Industry—a mix of chemical giants, specialty brands, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of industrial cleaning.


🔟 1. Zep Inc.

Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Key Offering: Heavy duty degreasers, industrial cleaners, sanitation solutions

Zep Inc. delivers professional-grade cleaning chemicals to over 50,000 customers across industrial, institutional, and commercial sectors. Their product portfolio includes high-performance alkaline cleaners, solvent-based degreasers, and EPA-registered disinfectants.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Patented bio-enzyme cleaners for food processing

  • Water-based formula development reducing VOC emissions

  • Smart dispensing systems for chemical efficiency

Download FREE Sample Report: Heavy Duty Cleaner Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. WD-40 Company

Headquarters: San Diego, California, USA
Key Offering: Specialist degreasers, industrial maintenance products

Beyond its iconic lubricant, WD-40 Company manufactures heavy-duty cleaners like the Industrial-Strength Cleaner & Degreaser, used in factories, workshops, and mechanical applications worldwide. Their products are formulated to remove tough grease, oil, and adhesives.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Bio-based formulations in development

  • High-efficiency aerosol delivery systems


8️⃣ 3. The Clorox Company

Headquarters: Oakland, California, USA
Key Offering: Commercial & industrial disinfectants, cleaners

Clorox Professional markets heavy-duty cleaning systems for healthcare, foodservice, and industrial applications. Their portfolio includes Clorox® Commercial Solutions® heavy duty cleaners and EPA-registered disinfectants that kill resistant pathogens.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Electrostatic sprayer-compatible formulations

  • Sustainable chemistry initiatives reducing phosphates


7️⃣ 4. 3M Company

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Specialty cleaners for manufacturing, transportation

3M’s Industrial Adhesives and Tapes Division produces heavy-duty cleaners engineered for aerospace, automotive, and electronics manufacturing. Their products remove tough contaminants without damaging sensitive surfaces.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Precision cleaning formulations for aerospace

  • Waterless cleaning technology reducing waste

Download FREE Sample Report: Heavy Duty Cleaner Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Ecolab Inc.

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Industrial cleaning & sanitation systems

Ecolab provides comprehensive cleaning programs for food & beverage plants, manufacturing facilities, and healthcare institutions. Their heavy-duty cleaners incorporate antimicrobial protection and meet stringent food safety standards.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Connected dispensing systems with IoT monitoring

  • Closed-loop cleaning systems reducing water use


5️⃣ 6. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Industrial cleaning chemicals, formulation components

BASF develops raw materials and complete formulations for heavy-duty cleaners used in metal processing, surface treatment, and industrial maintenance applications. Their expertise in surfactant chemistry drives cleaner performance.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Bio-based surfactants from renewable raw materials

  • High-performance blends for cold water cleaning


4️⃣ 7. Diversey Holdings, Ltd.

Headquarters: Charlotte, North Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Institutional & industrial cleaning products

Diversey’s heavy-duty cleaning solutions serve food processing plants, commercial kitchens, and industrial facilities. Their Oxivir® line combines cleaning and disinfection with accelerated hydrogen peroxide technology.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Concentrated formulas reducing packaging waste

  • Blockchain-enabled product authentication


3️⃣ 8. Kao Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Industrial alkali cleaners, degreasers

Kao’s Chemical Division manufactures professional cleaning products for Asian and global markets. Their heavy-duty alkaline cleaners effectively remove oils, fats, and proteins in food processing environments.

Innovation Highlights:

  • Enzyme-enhanced cleaning technology

  • Low-temperature efficacy innovations


2️⃣ 9. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Metal pretreatment cleaners, industrial maintenance products

Henkel’s industrial cleaning solutions include Bonderite® metal pretreatment cleaners and Teroson® industrial maintenance products formulated for automotive, aerospace, and general manufacturing applications.

Innovation Highlights:

  • VOC-compliant formulations meeting global regulations

  • Automated dispensing solutions for precision cleaning


1️⃣ 10. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Sustainable surfactant solutions for heavy duty cleaners

Croda develops bio-based ingredients and complete formulations for eco-friendly heavy-duty cleaning products. Their plant-derived surfactants offer high performance with reduced environmental impact.

Innovation Highlights:

  • 100% renewable carbon surfactants

  • Biodegradable cleaning formulations

Get Full Report Here: Heavy Duty Cleaner Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Heavy Duty Cleaning Is Smarter and More Sustainable

The heavy duty cleaner market is evolving rapidly. While traditional chemical formulations still dominate, the industry is shifting toward sustainable chemistry, smart dispensing technologies, and regulatory-compliant solutions.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Bio-based and biodegradable formulation development

  • Digital cleaning management systems optimizing chemical use

  • Tightening regulations on VOC emissions and chemical safety

  • Growing demand for EPA-certified disinfectant cleaners

Get Full Report Here: Heavy Duty Cleaner Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only cleaning industrial facilities—they’re driving innovations that make heavy-duty cleaning safer, smarter, and more sustainable.