Top 10 Companies in the Demulsifying Agent Industry (2025): Market Leaders Separating Oil and Water

In Business Insights
December 22, 2025


The Global Demulsifying Agent Market was valued at USD 2.65 Billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 3.51 Billion by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.1% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This consistent growth is propelled by increasing crude oil production, stringent environmental regulations for effluent water treatment, and the rising demand for efficient oil-water separation processes across the petrochemical and lubricant manufacturing sectors.

As industries worldwide prioritize operational efficiency and environmental compliance, the critical role of demulsifying agents in breaking emulsions becomes increasingly significant. These specialty chemicals are essential for maximizing crude oil yield, treating produced water, and ensuring the quality of refined products. In this comprehensive analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Demulsifying Agent Industry—global chemical leaders and specialized formulators driving innovation in separation technology.


🔟 1. Baker Hughes Incorporated

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Broad spectrum of oilfield chemicals including demulsifiers for crude oil dehydration

Baker Hughes is a dominant force in the oilfield services sector, providing advanced chemical solutions for upstream oil and gas operations. Their demulsifier portfolio is engineered to handle challenging crude oil emulsions, enhancing separation efficiency and improving crude quality for refiners.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of high-performance, low-dosage demulsifiers

  • Digital solutions for optimized chemical injection and real-time monitoring

  • Focus on environmentally acceptable formulations for offshore applications

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


9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Comprehensive range of demulsifiers for crude oil processing and industrial applications

BASF leverages its extensive chemical expertise to offer innovative demulsifying solutions tailored for the energy sector. Their products are designed to effectively break both water-in-oil and oil-in-water emulsions, addressing complex separation challenges in refineries and production facilities.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Research into biodegradable and sustainable demulsifier chemistries

  • Custom formulations for specific crude oil characteristics and process conditions


8️⃣ 3. Clariant AG

Headquarters: Muttenz, Switzerland
Key Offering: Specialty chemicals including demulsifiers for oil & gas and industrial applications

Clariant’s Oil and Mining Services business provides high-performance demulsifiers that optimize separation processes. Their solutions help operators achieve faster and more complete phase separation, reducing operational costs and environmental impact.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Development of multi-functional chemicals that combine demulsification with corrosion inhibition

  • Expansion of product portfolio for challenging heavy oil and bitumen processing


7️⃣ 4. Schlumberger Limited

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA / Paris, France
Key Offering: Integrated demulsifier solutions through its Multiphase Production Management services

Schlumberger offers comprehensive production chemical technologies, including advanced demulsifiers that are critical for efficient oil-water separation in both offshore and onshore operations. Their solutions are backed by extensive field experience and technical support.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Proprietary demulsifier formulations for deepwater and subsea applications

  • Digital integration of chemical management with production optimization systems

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


6️⃣ 5. Halliburton

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Demulsifier solutions as part of its Multi-Chem production enhancement portfolio

Halliburton provides robust demulsification technologies that address the evolving challenges of modern oil production. Their chemical solutions are designed to perform effectively under varying conditions of temperature, pressure, and water cut.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Tailored demulsifier programs based on comprehensive fluid analysis

  • Development of products compatible with enhanced oil recovery methods


5️⃣ 6. DOW Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Demulsifiers and separation aids for industrial and oilfield applications

Dow’s expertise in polymer and surfactant chemistry enables the development of effective demulsifying agents for various industries. Their products help customers achieve cleaner phase separation, reducing processing time and improving product quality.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Advancement in surfactant technologies for improved emulsion breaking

  • Sustainable chemistry approaches to reduce environmental footprint


4️⃣ 7. Ecolab Inc.

Headquarters: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Demulsifiers and water treatment solutions for refineries and industrial plants

Through its Nalco Water business, Ecolab provides advanced separation chemicals that help refineries and petrochemical plants optimize their operations. Their demulsifier solutions contribute to improved water quality and reduced waste disposal costs.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Integrated approach combining demulsification with overall water management

  • Development of products that minimize sludge formation and equipment fouling


3️⃣ 8. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: High-performance demulsifiers based on specialty surfactants

Croda utilizes its deep knowledge of surfactant chemistry to create effective demulsifying agents for the oil and gas industry. Their innovative formulations are designed to work efficiently at low dosages, providing economic and environmental benefits.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Focus on bio-based and renewable raw materials for demulsifier production

  • Development of products with improved temperature and salinity tolerance


2️⃣ 9. Innospec Inc.

Headquarters: Englewood, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: Specialty chemicals including demulsifiers for oilfield applications

Innospec’s Oilfield Services division offers a range of performance chemicals, including tailored demulsifier solutions. Their products are developed to address specific customer challenges, particularly in mature fields with changing production characteristics.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Custom formulation capabilities for novel emulsion challenges

  • Continuous improvement of product efficacy and environmental profile


1️⃣ 10. AkzoNobel N.V.

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Demulsifiers and process chemicals for the oil and gas industry

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry provides innovative demulsifier solutions that enhance oil-water separation processes. Their technical expertise enables the development of products that deliver consistent performance across diverse operating conditions.

Innovation Initiatives:

  • Research into novel chemical structures for improved demulsification efficiency

  • Development of comprehensive chemical treatment programs

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


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Demulsifying Agents Is Smarter and Greener

The demulsifying agent market is evolving rapidly to meet the demands of more complex emulsions and stricter environmental standards. While traditional chemical demulsifiers continue to dominate, the industry is increasingly focused on sustainable formulations, digital optimization, and multifunctional products.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing adoption of bio-based and environmentally friendly demulsifiers

  • Integration of digital technologies for real-time monitoring and dosage optimization

  • Development of demulsifiers for challenging applications like heavy oil and enhanced oil recovery

  • Increasing demand from emerging economies with expanding oil and gas sectors

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

The companies profiled above are not only providing essential separation solutions—they’re driving the technological advancement of emulsion treatment worldwide.