The Global Esters Market was valued at US$ 7,547.3 Million in 2022 and is projected to reach US$ 10,740 Million by 2029, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.2% during the forecast period (2023–2029). This significant growth is primarily driven by rising demand from the cosmetic and personal care industry, increasing applications in biodegradable lubricants and plastics, and the push for sustainable, bio-based ingredients across various sectors.

As industries worldwide pivot towards greener and more efficient chemical solutions, esters have become indispensable. These versatile compounds are the backbone of countless products, from luxurious skincare items and high-performance plastics to food emulsifiers and industrial lubricants. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Esters Market—a group of global chemical giants and specialized producers driving innovation and setting industry standards.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: A broad portfolio of esters including plasticizers, lubricant esters, and intermediates for cosmetics.

BASF is a world-leading chemical company and a major force in the esters market. Its extensive product range serves diverse industries such as plastics, coatings, and personal care. The company’s strength lies in its integrated value chains and strong R&D focus on sustainable solutions, including bio-based and readily biodegradable esters.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of bio-based plasticizers like Hexamoll® DINCH

• High-performance ester-based lubricants for demanding industrial applications

• Commitment to carbon neutrality goals through sustainable production pathways

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Esters Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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9️⃣ 2. KLK OLEO

Headquarters: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Key Offering: A wide array of oleochemicals, including glycerol esters, fatty acid esters, and specialty esters.

KLK OLEO is a global leader in oleochemicals, deriving its esters from sustainable palm and other vegetable oils. The company is a key supplier to the personal care, food, and pharmaceutical industries, known for its high-quality, natural-based ester products and vertically integrated operations from plantation to finished goods.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Extensive portfolio of RSPO-certified sustainable esters

• Focus on developing mild and eco-friendly esters for personal care applications

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8️⃣ 3. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Specialty esters for polymers, engineering plastics, and high-performance materials.

DuPont leverages its deep material science expertise to produce high-value esters used in advanced polymers, electronics, and automotive industries. Their products are critical for enhancing the performance, durability, and sustainability of end-use materials.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Development of esters for bio-based and recyclable polymers

• Specialty esters that improve the performance of engineering plastics

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7️⃣ 4. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Polyester polyols, phthalic anhydride, and specialty esters for surfactants and polymers.

Stepan is a leading manufacturer of specialty and intermediate chemicals, with a significant presence in the esters market through its polymer and surfactant divisions. Their polyester polyols are essential components in rigid foam insulation, contributing to energy efficiency.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Investment in bio-content and recycled content polyester polyols

• Expansion of ester production capacity to meet growing demand for sustainable materials

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6️⃣ 5. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: High-purity specialty esters for premium personal care, pharmaceutical, and healthcare markets.

Croda is renowned for its innovation in specialty chemicals, particularly esters that deliver enhanced sensory properties, stability, and efficacy in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. The company focuses on creating sustainable ingredients from natural raw materials.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Pioneering 100% bio-based and biodegradable ester technologies

• Strategic commitment to becoming Climate, Land, and People Positive by 2030

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Esters Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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5️⃣ 6. Wilmar International Limited

Headquarters: Singapore
Key Offering: Basic oleochemicals (fatty acids, glycerine) and derived esters for food, feed, and industrial use.

As one of the world’s largest agribusiness groups, Wilmar has a massive integrated operations footprint in oleochemicals. Its scale allows it to be a cost-effective supplier of a wide range of esters, catering to high-volume applications in biofuels, food emulsifiers, and soaps.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Major producer of biodiesel (fatty acid methyl esters – FAME)

• Focus on sustainable palm oil sourcing and traceability

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4️⃣ 7. Oleon NV

Headquarters: Ertvelde, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty oleochemicals including ester-based lubricants, plasticizers, and personal care ingredients.

Oleon, part of the Avril Group, is a European leader in oleochemistry. The company specializes in transforming natural fats and oils into a diverse range of ester-based products known for their biodegradability and performance, serving markets from lubricants to cosmetics.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Expertise in developing esters for environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs)

• Strong focus on green chemistry and circular economy principles

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3️⃣ 8. Corbion N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Biobased lactic acid and its derivatives, including lactic acid esters and polymer precursors.

Corbion is a frontrunner in sustainable chemistry, specializing in lactic acid, which serves as a building block for polylactic acid (PLA) bioplastics and various esters. These esters are valued as green solvents and ingredients in food, cosmetics, and industrial applications.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Leading producer of ingredients for compostable PLA bioplastics

• Development of high-performance, biobased solvents to replace petrochemical alternatives

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2️⃣ 9. KAO Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Specialty esters for consumer products, including surfactants, emulsifiers, and emollients for personal care and detergents.

KAO is a global consumer goods company with a strong in-house chemical division. It develops and manufactures high-quality esters that are critical to the performance of its renowned cosmetic, skincare, and household products, emphasizing mildness and skin compatibility.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Proprietary ester technologies for superior sensory attributes in skincare

• Commitment to the Kirei Lifestyle Plan, focusing on sustainable and clean products

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1️⃣ 10. Riken Vitamin Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Food-grade emulsifiers (glycerol esters, sorbitan esters) and functional ingredients.

Riken Vitamin is a specialist in food additives and functional ingredients, with a strong focus on ester-based emulsifiers. These products are essential for texture, stability, and shelf-life in a wide range of food products, from baked goods to dairy alternatives.

Innovation and Sustainability Focus:

• Expertise in mono- and diglycerides and other food emulsifiers

• Development of clean-label and naturally derived ester solutions for the food industry

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Esters Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of the Esters Market is Sustainable and High-Performance

The esters market is experiencing a fundamental transformation. While traditional petrochemical-derived esters still hold a significant share, the industry is rapidly advancing towards bio-based, biodegradable, and high-performance alternatives driven by regulatory pressures and consumer demand for sustainability.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated shift to bio-based and natural feedstocks, particularly in Europe and North America

• Growing demand for esters in green lubricants and bioplastics to reduce environmental impact

• Innovation in ester chemistry for enhanced functionality in personal care and cosmetics

• Expansion of production capacities in Asia, particularly China, to serve global demand

Get Full Report Here:
Esters Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying chemicals; they are enabling the transition to a more sustainable and technologically advanced future across countless industries.