Top 10 Companies in the Bio-Based Surfactant Industry (2025): Leaders Driving Green Chemical Innovation

In Business Insights
November 27, 2025


The Global Bio-Based Surfactant Market was valued at USD 4.82 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 7.26 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 6.1% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This expansion is fueled by stringent environmental regulations, rising consumer demand for sustainable products, and the superior biodegradability and low toxicity of bio-based surfactants compared to their petrochemical counterparts.

As industries from personal care to agriculture pivot towards sustainable chemistry, the companies developing and manufacturing bio-based surfactants are at the forefront of this green transformation. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Bio-Based Surfactant Industry—a diverse group of chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and innovation leaders shaping a more sustainable future.

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2023-2030 Global and Regional Bio-Based Surfactant Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Plant-based alkyl polyglucosides, sophorolipids, and other green surfactants

BASF SE is a global leader in chemical production and a major force in the bio-based surfactant market. The company’s Care Creations® segment offers a wide portfolio of surfactants derived from renewable raw materials like coconut oil and sugar, serving the personal care, home care, and industrial cleaning sectors.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Committed to increasing the share of products with a particularly strong sustainability contribution to 50% by 2030

  • Investment in R&D for advanced bio-based feedstocks and fermentation technologies

  • Partnerships with agricultural suppliers to ensure sustainable sourcing


9️⃣ 2. Solvay SA

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Mirasoft®, Mirataine®, and Augeo® range of bio-based surfactants

Solvay is a key player in specialty chemicals, with a strong focus on developing sustainable solutions. Their Novecare business unit produces high-performance bio-based surfactants for applications in home and personal care, agrochemicals, and oil and gas.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Aiming for 65% of revenue from sustainable solutions by 2030

  • Development of surfactants with high renewable carbon index (RCI)

  • Active participation in circular economy initiatives and life cycle assessment studies


8️⃣ 3. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: REWOCARE® and TEGO® natural-based surfactants

Evonik’s Care Solutions business line specializes in high-performance, mild, and biodegradable surfactants. The company leverages its expertise in oleochemistry and biotechnology to create innovative products for the cosmetics, detergents, and industrial cleaning markets.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strategy to generate more than 50% of sales from next-generation solutions by 2030

  • Investment in rhamnolipid biosurfactants through its joint venture with Unilever

  • Focus on creating surfactants with improved environmental profiles and reduced carbon footprints

Download FREE Sample Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Bio-Based Surfactant Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


7️⃣ 4. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: GlucoTain®, Plantasens®, and Vita-based surfactants

Clariant is a focused specialty chemical company with a strong portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable surfactants. Its Care Chemicals business provides innovative solutions derived from renewable resources like sugar, coconut, and palm kernel oil for personal care and home care applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Target of 60% of sales from products with improved sustainability by 2030

  • EcoTain® label for products with outstanding sustainability profiles

  • Commitment to sustainable palm oil sourcing through RSPO certification


6️⃣ 5. Akzo Nobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Eka SC 100 and other sustainable surfactant solutions

AkzoNobel, through its Specialty Chemicals business (now part of Nouryon), has been a significant supplier of surfactants and other performance chemicals. The company focuses on developing sustainable solutions for a wide range of industrial applications, including pulp and paper, and agrochemicals.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on carbon-neutral manufacturing and sustainable product innovation

  • Development of bio-based alternatives for traditional chemical processes

  • Partnerships with customers to create customized sustainable solutions


5️⃣ 6. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Crodapearl, Incromine, and Ecolife® bio-based surfactants

Croda is a global specialty chemicals company that prides itself on using smart science to create high-performance ingredients from natural, renewable sources. Their bio-based surfactants are renowned for their mildness and efficacy in personal care and home care formulations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Target of 75% of raw materials from bio-based or recycled sources by 2030

  • Commitment to be Climate, Land, and People Positive by 2030

  • Innovation in biotechnology for next-generation biosurfactants


4️⃣ 7. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Bio-based anionic, nonionic, and cationic surfactants

Stepan Company is a leading manufacturer of surfactants with a growing portfolio of bio-based products. The company serves diverse markets including household, institutional, and industrial cleaning, personal care, and agricultural industries with its sustainable surfactant solutions.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to increase the use of renewable raw materials in product formulations

  • Development of biodegradable and low-VOC surfactant technologies

  • Investment in green chemistry principles across manufacturing processes


3️⃣ 8. Kao Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Sophora-based and other plant-derived surfactants

Kao Corporation is a major consumer goods company with strong capabilities in surfactant technology. The company develops and manufactures bio-based surfactants for its own product lines as well as for B2B customers, focusing on mildness and environmental compatibility.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Kirei Lifestyle Plan with commitments to reduce environmental impact

  • Development of highly biodegradable surfactants with low aquatic toxicity

  • Research into surfactant recycling and circular economy applications


2️⃣ 9. Huntsman Corporation

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Bio-based nonionic surfactants and amine oxides

Huntsman’s Performance Products segment includes a range of surfactants and specialty chemicals. The company has been expanding its portfolio of bio-based surfactants, particularly for the agrochemicals, coatings, and cleaning industries.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on developing sustainable solutions for key end markets

  • Investment in technologies that enable the use of renewable feedstocks

  • Commitment to reducing the environmental footprint of surfactant production


1️⃣ 10. GlycoSurf, LLC

Headquarters: Salt Lake City, Utah, USA
Key Offering: Glyco- and sophorolipid-based specialty biosurfactants

GlycoSurf is an emerging leader in the development and commercialization of novel glycolipid biosurfactants. The company specializes in high-performance, fully biodegradable surfactants produced through fermentation processes, targeting premium personal care and specialty industrial applications.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on 100% bio-based and biodegradable surfactant technologies

  • Development of surfactants with unique properties from renewable sugars and oils

  • Partnerships with academic institutions for advanced biosurfactant research

Read Full Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Bio-Based Surfactant Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Bio-Based Surfactants Is Sustainable and High-Performance

The bio-based surfactant market is experiencing a paradigm shift as environmental concerns and regulatory pressures drive innovation. While traditional surfactants still dominate market volume, investment in green chemistry and biotechnology is accelerating the development of high-performance, sustainable alternatives.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing consumer preference for natural and eco-friendly products

  • Regulatory support for biodegradable and low-toxicity surfactants

  • Advancements in fermentation technology for biosurfactant production

  • Increasing R&D investment in novel bio-based feedstock utilization

The companies profiled above are not only leading the bio-based surfactant market—they are driving the sustainable transformation of the global chemical industry.

Read Full Report:
2023-2030 Global and Regional Bio-Based Surfactant Industry Status and Prospects Professional Market – View in Detailed Research Report