The GCC specialty chemicals market size was estimated to be more than USD 36.71 billion in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.0% from 2025 and 2030. This growth is attributed to the expanding sectors such as oil and gas, construction, and automotive are significant contributors, with major projects such as NEOM boosting demand. In addition, government initiatives aimed at economic diversification from oil dependency are creating opportunities in personal care, textiles, and food additives. The increasing urbanization and population growth further enhance the demand for specialty chemicals across various applications, positioning the market for steady growth in the coming years.
Specialty chemicals, often referred to as performance chemicals, are essential components that enhance the properties of various commodity materials, including rubber, textiles, and polymers. Their applications span a wide range of industries, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, food additives, and water treatment. The increasing demand from end-user sectors such as construction, electronics, automotive, and packaging is significantly driving market growth. As these industries evolve and innovate, the need for specialty chemicals continues to rise. The automotive sector stands out as a major consumer, utilizing these chemicals in manufacturing processes to improve the durability and performance of components including coatings and adhesives.
In the Middle East, economic diversification strategies are creating promising opportunities for the specialty chemicals market. Governments are investing in infrastructure and various sectors such as construction, automotive, and pharmaceuticals, leading to a heightened demand for specialty chemicals across these industries. This trend is supported by initiatives aimed at industrial diversification and enhancing local manufacturing capabilities. The ongoing expansion of construction activities globally further fuels the growth of this market segment. Specialty chemicals play a crucial role in construction processes through their use in surface treatments and coatings.
Moreover, supply chain management and e-commerce advancements are fostering greater transparency and awareness among consumers regarding specialty chemical products. Many companies in this sector are focusing on developing innovative manufacturing facilities to meet the growing demand. Technological progress, such as new recovery techniques for natural gas production, is also anticipated to bolster regional market growth.
The CASE segment dominated the market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 39.8% in 2024. This growth is attributed to significant investments in construction and infrastructure projects, such as smart city initiatives such as NEOM. In addition, the increasing demand for high-performance coatings and adhesives in various applications, including automotive and industrial sectors, further fuels market expansion. Furthermore, innovations in product formulations aimed at sustainability and efficiency are enhancing the appeal of CASE products, positioning them for robust growth in the region.
The CASE segment is further categorized into Paints & Coatings and other segments. The paints and coatings segment led the CASE industry and accounted for a revenue share of 86.4% due to rapid expansion in the construction sector, fueled by large-scale projects such as smart cities, significantly boosting demand for high-quality coatings. Furthermore, increasing investments in tourism and infrastructure enhance the need for durable and aesthetically pleasing finishes. Moreover, the rising trend towards eco-friendly and bio-based coatings also contributes to market growth, aligning with global sustainability efforts and consumer preferences for greener products.
The institutional & industrial cleaners segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% over the forecast period, owing to rising awareness of hygiene and cleanliness across various sectors, including healthcare, hospitality, and food services. In addition, the expanding construction industry also drives demand for effective cleaning solutions in newly developed facilities. Furthermore, government regulations emphasizing sanitation standards are leading to increased adoption of industrial cleaners. The shift towards eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning products is another factor contributing to the growth of this segment in the GCC specialty chemicals market.
Institutional and industrial cleaners are further categorized into general-purpose cleaners, disinfectants and sanitizers, laundry care products, and vehicle wash products. Disinfectants and sanitizers dominated the segment and accounted for the largest revenue share in 2024, owing to heightened awareness of hygiene and sanitation, particularly following the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, increasing healthcare expenditures and stringent regulations regarding cleanliness in the healthcare and hospitality sectors further boost demand.
Saudi Arabia specialty chemicals market dominated the GCC market and accounted for the largest revenue share of 23.0% in 2024, primarily driven by significant investments in infrastructure and construction projects, such as NEOM and King Salman Park. In addition, the rising demand for performance chemicals across various sectors, including oil and gas, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals, further supports market expansion. Furthermore, the government's economic diversification efforts under Vision 2030 aim to reduce reliance on oil, creating opportunities for specialty chemicals in emerging industries. Moreover, the availability of diverse formulation chemicals also enhances market potential.
The specialty chemicals market in the UAE is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.3% over the forecast period, owing to rapid urbanization and a booming construction sector, supported by government initiatives to enhance infrastructure. In addition, the increasing focus on sustainability drives demand for eco-friendly and innovative chemical solutions across the automotive, personal care, and food processing industries. Furthermore, the influx of tourism and foreign investment stimulates growth in various sectors, leading to higher demand for specialty chemicals.
Kuwait specialty chemicals market is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period due to ongoing economic diversification efforts aimed at reducing oil dependency. In addition, the government’s focus on developing non-oil sectors, such as construction and manufacturing, drives demand for specialty chemicals in various applications. Furthermore, investments in infrastructure projects and a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability contribute to market growth. Moreover, the increasing need for high-performance chemicals in industries such as water treatment and agriculture also supports the expansion of the specialty chemicals market in Kuwait.
Key companies in the GCC specialty chemicals industry include EVONIK GULF FZE, Halliburton, Horizon Chemicals, and others. These players adopt various strategies to enhance their competitive edge. These include focusing on innovation and product development to meet evolving customer demands, investing in research and development for sustainable solutions, and forming strategic partnerships or joint ventures to expand market reach. In addition, companies often pursue mergers and acquisitions to enhance capabilities, optimize supply chains, and improve operational efficiencies, thereby positioning themselves effectively in a rapidly changing market landscape.
Horizon Chemicals specializes in providing diverse chemical solutions tailored for various industrial sectors. The company develops, manufactures, and trades specialty chemicals, focusing on enhancing industrial processes and ensuring environmental safety. Their product portfolio includes polymers, hydrocarbons, esters, alcohols, plasticizers, additives, and pigments, catering to construction, automotive, pharmaceuticals, and personal care industries.
SABIC (Saudi Basic Industries Corporation) manufactures a wide range of products, including petrochemicals, fertilizers, metals, and specialty chemicals used in various automotive, healthcare, packaging, and construction applications. The company operates within the chemical manufacturing segment, focusing on innovative solutions that enhance performance and sustainability across multiple industries.
View a comprehensive list of companies in the GCC Specialty Chemicals Market
In May 2024, Evonik and the Qatar Free Zones Authority (QFZ), signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Qatar Economic Forum. This partnership aimed to explore investment opportunities focusing on sustainable solutions for energy transition, leveraging Evonik's innovative smart materials portfolio. The collaboration was expected to enhance Qatar's industrial capabilities, particularly in the oil and gas sectors, while promoting sustainable technologies within the specialty chemicals industry.
Report Attribute |
Details |
Market size value in 2025 |
USD 37.96 billion |
Revenue forecast in 2030 |
USD 46.08 billion |
Growth rate |
CAGR of 4.0% from 2025 to 2030 |
Base year for estimation |
2024 |
Historical data |
2018 - 2023 |
Forecast period |
2025 - 2030 |
Quantitative units |
Revenue in USD million/billion, and CAGR from 2025 to 2030 |
Report coverage |
Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends |
Segments covered |
Industry, country |
Regional scope |
GCC |
Country scope |
Saudi Arabia; UAE; Kuwait; Oman; Qatar; Bahrain |
Key companies profiled |
Arkema Chemicals Saudi Arabia; EVONIK GULF FZE; Fayfa Chemical Factory (L.L.C.); Halliburton; Horizon Chemicals; Huntsman (UAE) FZE; Professional Specialty Chemicals Factory (Ahmad Al Amoudi Group); SABIC; Sadara Chemical Company; Sika Group; Tricom LLC. |
Customization scope |
Free report customization (equivalent to 8 analyst working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope. |
Pricing and purchase options |
Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options |
This report forecasts revenue growth at regional, and country levels and analyzes the latest industry trends in each sub-segment from 2018 to 2030. For this study, View Research has segmented the GCC specialty chemicals market report based on industry, and country:
Solution Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
Campaign Management
Email Marketing
Inbound Marketing
Mobile Applications
Lead Nurturing & Lead Scoring
Reporting & Analytics
Social Media Marketing
Others
Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
On-premise
Hosted
Enterprise Size Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
Large Enterprises
Small & Medium Enterprises
End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
BFSI
Retail
Healthcare
Telecom & IT
Discrete Manufacturing
Government & Education
Others
Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)
North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico
Europe
UK
Germany
France
Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
South Korea
Latin America
Argentina
Brazil
Middle East and Africa (MEA)
South Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
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