Top 10 Companies in the Liquid Detergent Chemicals Industry (2025): Market Leaders Driving Formulation Innovation

In Business Insights
December 16, 2025


The Global Liquid Detergent Chemicals Market was valued at USD 39.8 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 52.1 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.6% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This expansion is fueled by rising demand for convenient cleaning solutions, increasing hygiene awareness post-pandemic, and a pronounced shift towards sustainable, biodegradable ingredients in both household and industrial applications.

As consumer preferences evolve towards high-performance, environmentally friendly products, the companies supplying the advanced chemicals that make these detergents effective are more crucial than ever. This blog profiles the Top 10 Companies in the Liquid Detergent Chemicals Industry—a group of chemical giants and specialty innovators defining the future of cleaning formulations worldwide.


🔟 1. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Surfactants, Chelating Agents, Polymers, Enzymes

BASF is a global leader in the chemical industry and a premier supplier of ingredients for liquid detergents. Its comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance surfactants like Lutensol and Dehypon, which enhance cleaning power and foam control, along with biodegradable chelants such as Trilon M that improve efficiency in hard water.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Committed to a circular economy with bio-based and renewable raw materials

  • Development of cold-wash detergent technologies to reduce energy consumption

  • Water-saving formulations and products designed for shorter wash cycles

Download FREE Sample Report: Liquid Detergent Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: ECOBURST Surfactants, Acrylic Polymers, Solvents

Dow offers a wide array of performance chemicals critical for liquid detergent manufacturing. Its ECOBURST surfactant technology is renowned for accelerating surfactant solubility and enhancing cleaning efficacy at lower temperatures, contributing to significant energy savings for consumers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering biodegradable and plant-derived surfactants

  • Investment in green chemistry to reduce the environmental footprint of detergents


8️⃣ 3. Solvay SA

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Rhodia Nouryon Surfactants, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), Specialty Polymers

Solvay is a key player in specialty chemicals for home and personal care. Its product lines include high-foaming anionic surfactants and anti-redeposition agents that prevent soil from re-adhering to fabrics, which are essential for premium liquid laundry and dish detergents.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Expanding portfolio of bio-based and renewable carbon index products

  • Active participation in initiatives for sustainable sourcing and manufacturing


7️⃣ 4. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: GlucoTain Surfactants, Genamin Fabric Softeners, Hostapon Surfactants

Clariant specializes in high-value specialty chemicals, with a strong focus on sustainable solutions for the detergent industry. Its GlucoTain range includes mild, sugar-based surfactants ideal for sensitive skin applications, while its fabric care products enhance softness and fragrance longevity.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • EcoTain label for products offering superior sustainability benefits

  • Focus on developing readily biodegradable ingredients from renewable sources

Download FREE Sample Report: Liquid Detergent Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: REWOCARE Surfactants, TEGO Betaine, ISOLAN Esters

Evonik is a leading producer of specialty chemicals, particularly known for its mild and multifunctional surfactants. Its products are engineered for high performance in compact and concentrated liquid detergents, meeting the demand for reduced packaging and transportation costs.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of green surfactant platforms with a reduced carbon footprint

  • Innovations in resource efficiency for manufacturing processes


5️⃣ 6. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: STEPOSOL Methyl Ester Sulfonates (MES), BIO-TERGE Surfactants, Polymer Emulsions

Stepan is a major global manufacturer of surfactants, with a significant market share in liquid detergent applications. The company is a leading producer of Methyl Ester Sulfonates (MES), a cost-effective and bio-based anionic surfactant derived from palm and coconut oils.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Leadership in bio-derived surfactant technologies like MES

  • Commitment to sustainable palm oil sourcing through RSPO certification


4️⃣ 7. Huntsman Corporation

Headquarters: The Woodlands, Texas, USA
Key Offering: JEFFOL Polyols, SURBIO Surfactants, Performance Products

Huntsman provides a diverse range of performance chemicals used in formulating liquid detergents. Its products include surfactants for foam control and soil suspension, as well as ingredients that contribute to viscosity and stability in concentrated formulations.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in technologies that enable cold-water cleaning efficacy

  • Development of products supporting concentrated detergent formats to minimize waste


3️⃣ 8. Kao Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: High-Purity Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates, Quaternary Ammonium Compounds, Enzymes

Kao is a unique player as both a major consumer goods manufacturer and a leading chemical supplier. Its chemical division produces essential raw materials like high-purity surfactants and disinfectant actives, which are used in its own branded products and sold to other manufacturers.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering the “Yoki-Monozukuri” (superior manufacturing) philosophy with a focus on eco-efficiency

  • Extensive R&D into biodegradable and mild surfactant systems


2️⃣ 9. Nouryon (Formerly AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals)

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Berol Surfactants, Dissolvine Chelates, Levaform Bleach Catalysts

Nouryon is a global specialty chemicals leader with a strong position in the detergent ingredients market. Its Dissolvine chelating agents are critical for stabilizing bleaches and perfumes in liquid detergents, while its surfactants offer excellent cleaning performance across a wide pH range.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of next-generation, biodegradable chelating agents

  • Partnering with customers to create products with a lower environmental impact


1️⃣ 10. Novozymes A/S

Headquarters: Bagsværd, Denmark
Key Offering: Proteases, Amylases, Lipases, Cellulases (Enzymes)

Novozymes is the world leader in biological solutions, specializing in industrial enzymes that are vital components of modern liquid detergents. Its enzymes, such as proteases for breaking down protein-based stains and lipases for greasy stains, allow for effective low-temperature washing and reduced chemical usage.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Core business model centered on biological solutions that reduce reliance on harsh chemicals

  • Enabling significant energy savings in laundry through low-temperature washing efficacy

Get Full Report Here: Liquid Detergent Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🧼 Outlook: The Future of Liquid Detergent Chemicals Is Green and Smart

The liquid detergent chemicals market is experiencing a profound transformation. While performance remains paramount, the industry trajectory is firmly aligned with sustainability, product compactness, and smarter functionalities.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Accelerated shift towards bio-based and readily biodegradable surfactants

  • Growing demand for concentrated and ultra-concentrated liquid detergents to reduce plastic packaging

  • Increased incorporation of enzymes for efficient low-temperature washing and stain removal

  • Rise of multifunctional ingredients that combine cleaning, softening, and disinfecting properties

Get Full Report Here: Liquid Detergent Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying essential ingredients—they are actively pioneering the sustainable evolution of the global cleaning products industry.