The Global Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market was valued at USD 11.34 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 16.61 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5.7% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This robust growth is primarily driven by increasingly stringent environmental regulations, the expansion of manufacturing and metal fabrication industries globally, and a decisive shift towards safer and more sustainable industrial cleaning solutions.

As industries worldwide prioritize environmental compliance and operational efficiency, the role of advanced metal cleaning chemistries has never been more critical. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Industry—a group of chemical innovators and industry specialists who are setting new standards for performance, safety, and sustainability in industrial maintenance and manufacturing.

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🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Comprehensive portfolio of alkaline, acidic, and neutral aqueous cleaners, including specialized formulations for automotive and aerospace applications.

BASF SE stands as a global leader in the chemical industry, with a formidable presence in the aqueous metal cleaners segment. The company leverages its deep expertise in surfactant technology and material science to develop high-performance cleaners that effectively remove oils, greases, and particulate soils while minimizing environmental impact. Their products are engineered for use across diverse industries, from heavy machinery manufacturing to precision electronics.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Commitment to developing bio-based and biodegradable surfactant platforms.

• Investment in R&D for low-temperature cleaning technologies to reduce energy consumption.

• Active participation in industry consortia to standardize green chemistry protocols for metal cleaning.

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9️⃣ 2. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: DOWFAX™ surfactants and tailored aqueous cleaner formulations for immersion, spray, and ultrasonic cleaning systems.

Dow is a powerhouse in specialty chemicals, offering advanced aqueous cleaning solutions that address the most challenging industrial cleaning requirements. Their products are known for their efficacy in tough applications, such as removing drawing compounds, machining coolants, and抛光 compounds from metal surfaces. Dow’s global supply chain ensures reliable product availability for manufacturers worldwide.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Focus on creating phosphate-free and low-VOC formulations to meet stringent regulatory standards.

• Development of multi-metal compatible cleaners to simplify inventory and processes for customers.

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8️⃣ 3. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Customized surfactant systems and finished aqueous cleaner concentrates for a wide range of metals and soils.

Stepan Company is a leading manufacturer of surfactants, which are the fundamental building blocks of effective aqueous cleaners. The company provides both standard and tailor-made solutions, working closely with customers to develop cleaners that meet specific performance criteria for their unique applications, from aluminum extrusions to steel stampings.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Pioneering the use of renewable raw materials in surfactant production.

• Offering concentrates that reduce shipping volume and packaging waste.

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7️⃣ 4. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: High-performance specialty surfactants and formulated metal cleaning products under brands like TEGO®.

Evonik Industries AG brings a strong focus on innovation to the aqueous cleaners market. Their products are designed for high efficiency, often allowing for lower use concentrations and reduced operating temperatures, which translates to cost savings and a smaller environmental footprint for their industrial clients.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• R&D into novel surfactant molecules that offer superior cleaning with improved biodegradability.

• Development of products that integrate cleaning and corrosion inhibition in a single step.

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6️⃣ 5. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Solvent-assisted aqueous cleaners and specialty co-solvents that enhance the cleaning power of water-based systems.

Eastman Chemical Company provides innovative solutions that bridge the gap between traditional solvents and pure aqueous systems. Their products are particularly effective for removing stubborn, polymerized oils and greases that can be challenging for standard aqueous cleaners, offering a more sustainable alternative to halogenated solvents.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Utilizing co-solvents with favorable environmental and toxicological profiles.

• Focus on creating products that are readily treatable in standard wastewater systems.

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5️⃣ 6. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: A broad range of chelating agents, surfactants, and formulated cleaners for industrial and institutional cleaning.

Nouryon, formerly the specialty chemicals business of AkzoNobel, is a key global supplier of ingredients and formulations for aqueous metal cleaning. Their expertise in chelation technology is crucial for developing effective acidic cleaners that remove rust and scale without excessively attacking the base metal.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Leadership in developing biodegradable chelating agents like L-Glutamate Diacetate (GLDA).

• Commitment to sustainable sourcing and manufacturing practices across its operations.

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4️⃣ 7. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Specialty surfactants and additive packages for metal cleaning, including emulsifiers, wetting agents, and corrosion inhibitors.

Clariant AG is a focused and innovative specialty chemical company that provides critical components for high-performance aqueous cleaners. Their products enable formulators to create solutions that are effective on a wide variety of metals and alloys, including sensitive substrates like aluminum and copper.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Offering a growing portfolio of bio-based and ECO-TAG® certified products.

• Development of additive technologies that extend cleaner bath life and reduce waste.

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3️⃣ 8. The Chemours Company

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: High-purity fluorosurfactants that dramatically reduce the surface tension of water, enhancing cleaning penetration.

The Chemours Company provides niche, high-value chemistries that significantly boost the performance of aqueous cleaning systems. Their fluorosurfactants are used in small quantities to improve the wetting and soil removal capabilities of cleaners, especially on complex geometries and low-energy surfaces.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Investment in the development of fluorosurfactants with improved environmental profiles.

• Focus on product stewardship and responsible management of PFAS-related chemistries.

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2️⃣ 9. Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited

Headquarters: Bangkok, Thailand
Key Offering: Integrated supply of key intermediates like ethylene oxide and derivatives used in surfactant manufacturing.

Indorama Ventures is a global chemical producer with a significant role in the aqueous cleaners value chain. As a major manufacturer of ethylene oxide and glycol ethers, the company supplies essential raw materials to formulators of industrial cleaners, supporting the亚太地区 ‘s rapidly growing market.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Expanding production capacity for ethylene oxide derivatives to meet rising Asian demand.

• Implementing energy efficiency and emission reduction programs in its manufacturing plants.

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1️⃣ 10. Ashland Global Holdings

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Specialty additives and formulated aqueous cleaners for demanding applications in aerospace, automotive, and metalworking.

Ashland Global Holdings specializes in providing high-value, application-specific solutions. Their aqueous cleaners are designed to meet the stringent requirements of industries where component reliability is paramount, such as aerospace and medical device manufacturing, offering excellent cleaning without compromising material integrity.

Sustainability and Innovation Initiatives:

• Development of readily biodegradable polymers and surfactants.

• Formulating products that operate effectively at lower temperatures to conserve energy.

Get Full Report Here: Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Metal Cleaning is Aqueous, Smart, and Sustainable

The aqueous based metal cleaners market is undergoing a significant transformation. While performance and cost remain critical, the driving forces are increasingly centered on sustainability, regulatory compliance, and operational intelligence. The industry is moving beyond simply replacing solvents to creating sophisticated cleaning systems that contribute to broader corporate environmental and social governance (ESG) goals.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated Regulatory Push: Global regulations like the EU’s REACH and the US EPA’s VOC rules are becoming more stringent, accelerating the mandatory shift from solvent-based to aqueous systems.

• Rise of Bio-based Formulations: Growing demand for cleaners derived from renewable resources is spurring innovation in plant-based surfactants and additives.

• Integration of Industry 4.0: The adoption of IoT sensors and data analytics in cleaning equipment allows for real-time monitoring of chemical concentration and bath life, optimizing chemical usage and reducing waste.

• Demand for Multi-functional Products: There is a strong trend towards cleaners that offer additional functions, such as corrosion protection, reducing the number of process steps required.

Get Full Report Here: Aqueous based Metal Cleaners Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not just supplying chemicals; they are essential partners in enabling cleaner, safer, and more sustainable industrial operations across the globe.