Europe Oleochemicals Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Specialty Esters, Fatty Amines), By Application (Personal Care, Consumer Goods, Healthcare), By Country, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Europe Oleochemicals Market Size & Trends

The Europe oleochemicals market size was estimated at USD 6.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2024 to 2030. Some of the key market growth driving factors include the inclination towards developing sustainable and biodegradable products, growing concerns regarding the influence of petrochemicals on the environment, and rising demand for bio-based lubricants.

The Europe oleochemicals market held a share of 65.6% of the global oleochemicals market revenue in 2023. Oleochemicals are chemical compounds derived from natural sources of oils and fats, such as animals and plants. To derive these, various processes are followed where triglycerides are split into fatty acids and glycerol. Some significant sources of oleochemicals include palm, soybean, coconut, sunflower seed, olive, fish and poultry fats, lard, and other organic materials. Oleochemicals are majorly utilized in manufacturing various consumer goods, such as soaps, moisturizing lotions, and toothpaste. In recent years, demand for these products has been growing rapidly as brands have been concentrating on aspects, such as enhancing brand visibility and offering a diverse range of products to attract a greater number of customers.

A growing number of companies entering the booming personal care & cosmetics industry also influences the oleochemicals market. According to the Cosmetic, Toiletry & Perfumery Association (CTPA), the European cosmetics industry employed 740,191 life sciences students and 30,040 scientists in 2022. This shares an overview of growth experienced by the cosmetics industry in the region with the increasing participation of skilled professionals and scientists. The significant expansion of the personal care & cosmetic industry is expected to fuel the growth of the oleochemicals market.

Product Insights

The glycerol esters segment held the largest revenue share of 34.1% in 2023 due to the high consumption of food & beverages where food-grade glycerol is adopted as one of the key ingredients in the production process. Such products include ice creams, chewing gums, and flavored beverages. One of the elements from glycerol esters is also utilized as an emulsifier in making confectionery and exotic foods to develop and maintain the texture.

The fatty acid methyl ester segment will experience a CAGR of 8.9% from 2024 to 2030. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) is formed through waste cooking oils, vegetable oils, animal fats, and methanol while adding sodium hydroxide or sodium methoxide as a catalyst. This product is comprehensively used in the production of biodiesel. Due to regulatory initiatives in the region, such as “Fit for 55”, where countries aim to reduce EU greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 55% by 2030, renewable sources, such as biodiesel, are expected to experience rapid growth. This is expected to influence market growth significantly in the coming years.

Application Insights

The personal care & cosmetics segment held the largest revenue share of 20.6% in 2023. The increasing inclusion of oleochemicals in the development, formulation, and production of personal care & cosmetic products is driving industry growth. Oleochemicals offer moisturizing characteristics to the product and improve its texture. The growing use of cosmetics & personal care products for skin & hair care, men’s grooming, and acne treatments is projected to fuel market growth in the region.

The industrial application segment is expected to register a CAGR of 7.5% from 2024 to 2030. This is mainly due to the growing use of products, such as ethoxy sulfates and germicidal disinfectants, such as fatty amines, quaternary ammonium salts, and amine oxide. Increased utilization of oleochemicals in industries, such as pulp & paper, construction, lubricant additives, water management, rubber processing, and agrochemicals, is expected to propel segment growth.

Country Insights

Germany Oleochemicals Market Trends

The oleochemicals market in Germany held the largest market share of 17.8 % in 2023. The market growth is primarily driven by the increasing application of oleochemicals in various industries in the region, such as soap, cleaning products, cosmetics & personal care. The German Cosmetic, Toiletry, Perfumery and Detergent Association (IKW) Industrial Association for Hygiene and Surface Protection for industrial and institutional applications are established to manage the balance between consumer trends and manufacturer's procedures adopted in maintaining the cleanliness in industrial sectors, which is the major driver for product demand in the detergent sector in Germany.

UK Oleochemicals Market Trends

The UK Oleochemicals market is expected to experience a CAGR of 6.8% from 2024 to 2030. This is mainly due to increased demand for bio-based products utilized in the production of detergents and personal care products. The Cleaning Products Industry Association is the key factor for the increased use of industrial detergents in the region, further fueling market growth.

Key Europe Oleochemicals Company Insights

Some of the key and emerging companies in the Europe oleochemicals market include Evonik Industries AG, Oleon NV, Corbion, Kao Chemicals Europe, S.L.U., Emery Oleochemicals GmbH and others. As the use of oleochemicals has been increasing rapidly across various industries, top market participants have adopted strategies, such as expansions, collaborations, investments in R&D, and innovation, to gain a competitive edge.

• Evonik Industries AG, one of the key market players headquartered in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, mainly operates in six different business areas, such as advanced intermediates, consumer specialties, coatings & additives, inorganic materials, health & nutrition, and performance polymers. The company is engaged in the production and supply of oleochemicals derived from vegetable oils and fats while focusing on using renewable resources and consciously reducing its environmental footprint

• Oleon NV, a major producer of oleochemicals made from renewable resources, offers products, such as high-performance oleochemicals,polysorbates, medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), and other fatty acid esters. The company uses renewable sources for product development, such as sunflower oil, animal fats, palm kernel oil, and rapeseed oil

Recent Developments

• In January 2024, a Yorkshire-based company operating in the production of sustainable refined natural oils and organic oils, Kerfoot Group, completed its transition to Oleon NV, a key company in the market

Europe Oleochemicals Market Report Scope

Europe Oleochemicals Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at a region and country level and provides an analysis of the latest industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research has segmented the Europe oleochemicals market report based on application, product, and country:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Glycerol Esters

  • Specialty Esters

  • Alkoxylates

  • Fatty Amines

  • Other Products

  • Fatty Acid Methyl Ester

• Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Personal Care & Cosmetics

  • Industrial

  • Food Processing

  • Paints & Inks

  • Consumer Goods

  • Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals

  • Textiles

  • Polymer & Plastic Additives

  • Other Applications

• Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

  • Germany

  • UK

  • France

  • Italy

  • Russia

  • Spain

  • The Netherlands

  • Switzerland

  • Sweden

  • Poland