The Global Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market was valued at USD 16.52 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 22.27 Billion by 2032, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.5% during the forecast period (2025–2032). This steady expansion is propelled by increasing industrialization, stringent global hygiene standards, and the accelerating adoption of sustainable and bio-based formulations across manufacturing, food processing, and healthcare sectors.

As industries worldwide prioritize operational efficiency and environmental responsibility, the focus shifts to the key chemical manufacturers and solution providers driving innovation in cleaning technology. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Industry—a mix of global chemical giants, specialty manufacturers, and sustainability pioneers shaping the future of industrial maintenance and sanitation.

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🔟 1. Ecolab Inc.

Headquarters: St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Comprehensive cleaning and sanitation solutions, water treatment chemicals, digital cleaning management platforms

Ecolab stands as the undisputed global leader in the industrial cleaning chemicals market, holding an approximately 8% market share. The company provides integrated solutions for a vast range of industries, including food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. Its Nalco Water division is a critical component, offering water treatment and process chemicals that complement its cleaning portfolio. Ecolab’s strength lies in its global service network and its pivot towards data-driven cleaning management systems, which help clients optimize chemical usage and reduce environmental impact.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Committed to positive water impact by restoring more water than it withdraws

• Developing concentrated and solvent-free formulations to reduce packaging and transportation emissions

• Expanding portfolio of third-party certified green chemicals for sensitive applications

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9️⃣ 2. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Surfactants, specialty intermediates, customized formulating solutions

As one of the world’s largest chemical producers, BASF exerts significant influence on the industrial cleaning chemicals market through its extensive portfolio of surfactants and performance chemicals. The company’s products are essential ingredients in many industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning formulations. BASF invests heavily in research and development, focusing on creating high-performance, biodegradable surfactants that meet evolving regulatory demands. Its global production footprint ensures a reliable supply chain for manufacturers worldwide.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering bio-based surfactants derived from renewable raw materials

• Developing low-temperature cleaning agents to reduce energy consumption

• Committed to circular economy principles across its product lifecycles

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8️⃣ 3. Solvay SA

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty surfactants, soda ash, hydrogen peroxide, peroxide-based cleaners

Solvay is a leading global supplier of advanced materials and specialty chemicals, with a strong portfolio tailored for industrial cleaning applications. The company’s peroxide and soda ash products are fundamental to many cleaning and disinfecting processes. Solvay’s Rhodia Novecare division specializes in high-performance surfactants for challenging industrial environments, including metal processing and food & beverage sanitation. The company’s technical expertise in formulating for specific industrial challenges gives it a competitive edge.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Ambitious sustainability roadmap (Solvay One Planet) with clear environmental targets

• Investment in green hydrogen peroxide production technologies

• Development of eco-profile tools to help customers assess environmental impact

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7️⃣ 4. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Specialty surfactants, bleaching chemicals, chelating agents, expandable microspheres

Formerly the specialty chemicals business of AkzoNobel, Nouryon has established itself as a key player in the industrial cleaning chemicals space. The company’s expertise in organic peroxides, chelates, and surfactants makes it a critical supplier to formulators serving the industrial and institutional markets. Nouryon’s strategic acquisitions, such as that of China’s Tangshan SunFar, have strengthened its position in high-growth markets. The company focuses on developing innovative solutions for tough cleaning challenges, such as mineral scale removal and biofilm eradication.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of biodegradable chelating agents as alternatives to phosphates

• Implementation of responsible care initiatives across manufacturing operations

• Partnerships focused on circular economy solutions for chemical production

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6️⃣ 5. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: Ethylene oxide derivatives, specialty surfactants, glycol ethers, amines

Dow’s massive production capacity for ethylene oxide and its derivatives makes it a fundamental supplier to the industrial cleaning chemicals industry. The company’s performance silicones and building blocks are essential components in many formulated cleaning products. Dow has been actively expanding its sustainable product portfolio, including bio-based and lower-carbon footprint alternatives. Its global scale and integration with upstream raw materials provide a significant competitive advantage in terms of cost and supply reliability.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to circular economy with targets for recycled and renewable feedstocks

• Development of ECOFAST™ Pure sustainable textile treatment reducing water and chemical use

• Investment in carbon-neutral manufacturing processes

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5️⃣ 6. Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Headquarters: Düsseldorf, Germany
Key Offering: Industrial detergents, metal pretreatment chemicals, institutional cleaners, adhesives

Henkel is a dominant force in both consumer and industrial cleaning sectors through its Laundry & Home Care and Adhesive Technologies business units. The company’s industrial division provides specialized cleaning and pretreatment solutions for metal processing, automotive, and aerospace industries. Henkel’s strong R&D capabilities have led to innovations in low-temperature cleaning, water-saving formulations, and corrosion prevention. The company’s global brand recognition and distribution network provide significant market penetration advantages.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Pioneering carbon-neutral production for several product categories

• Development of concentrated formulations to reduce packaging and transportation impact

• Commitment to 100% recyclable packaging by 2025

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4️⃣ 7. Eastman Chemical Company

Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
Key Offering: Solvents, plasticizers, cellulose esters, specialty resins

Eastman’s diverse chemical portfolio includes several products critical to industrial cleaning formulations, particularly solvents and specialty additives. The company’s expertise in acetate esters and glycol ethers makes it a key supplier to formulators creating degreasers and specialty cleaners. Eastman has been strategically shifting its portfolio toward more sustainable solutions, including bio-based and circular materials. Its molecular recycling technologies represent a significant innovation in creating sustainable chemical feedstocks.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Leadership in advanced circular recycling technologies (carbon renewal technology, polyester renewal technology)

• Development of safer solvent alternatives with improved environmental profiles

• Commitment to climate neutrality by 2050

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3️⃣ 8. Stepan Company

Headquarters: Northfield, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Surfactants, polyols, phthalic anhydride

As a leading global producer of surfactants, Stepan plays a crucial role in the industrial cleaning chemicals value chain. The company’s products are essential components in virtually all cleaning formulations, providing the surface-active properties necessary for effective soil removal. Stepan has built a reputation for innovation in surfactant chemistry, particularly in developing biodegradable and renewable alternatives. The company’s strategic focus on sustainability and customer-specific solutions has driven its steady growth in the industrial sector.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Expansion of bio-based surfactant portfolio using renewable feedstocks

• Investment in production capacity for green product lines

• Implementation of energy efficiency programs across manufacturing facilities

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2️⃣ 9. Diversey Holdings, Ltd.

Headquarters: Fort Mill, South Carolina, USA
Key Offering: Institutional and industrial cleaning solutions, dispensing equipment, hygiene services

Diversey specializes in providing comprehensive cleaning and hygiene solutions to the hospitality, healthcare, food service, and retail sectors. The company’s approach integrates chemicals, equipment, and services to deliver measurable outcomes for customers. Diversey’s strength lies in its service-oriented model and its focus on reducing total cost of ownership for clients through efficient chemical use and labor optimization. Recent innovations include connected dispensing systems that provide data on chemical usage and compliance.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Development of concentrated products that reduce water consumption during use

• Implementation of packaging take-back programs to promote circularity

• Introduction of carbon-neutral certified products across multiple categories

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1️⃣ 10. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, East Riding of Yorkshire, UK
Key Offering: Specialty surfactants, eco-friendly ingredients, lipid-based delivery systems

Croda has positioned itself as a leader in sustainable chemistry, supplying high-performance, bio-based ingredients to the industrial cleaning sector. The company’s focus on natural, renewable raw materials aligns with growing demand for environmentally preferable cleaning products. Croda’s expertise in green surfactant chemistry and preservation technologies makes it a preferred partner for formulators developing next-generation cleaning solutions. The company’s commitment to sustainability is integrated throughout its operations and product development processes.

Sustainability Initiatives:

• Commitment to becoming climate, land, and people positive by 2030

• Development of plant-based surfactants with superior environmental profiles

• Investment in green chemistry innovations that reduce environmental impact

Get Full Report Here: Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report

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🌍 Outlook: The Future of Industrial Cleaning Is Sustainable and Smart

The industrial cleaning chemicals market is undergoing a significant transformation. While conventional chemicals still dominate in volume, the industry is rapidly advancing toward greener formulations, digital integration, and circular economy principles. Sustainability has moved from a niche concern to a central business driver, influencing product development, manufacturing, and customer purchasing decisions across all industrial sectors.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

• Accelerated adoption of bio-based and biodegradable formulations driven by regulatory pressure and corporate sustainability goals

• Integration of IoT and smart dispensing systems for precise chemical dosing and waste reduction

• Development of multifunctional cleaners that combine cleaning, disinfecting, and protecting properties

• Growing emphasis on circular economy principles in packaging, manufacturing, and product lifecycle management

Get Full Report Here: Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies profiled above are not only supplying essential chemicals for industrial operations—they’re driving the sustainability transformation of global industry through innovation, efficiency, and cleaner chemistry pathways.