GVR Report cover Isostearic Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Report

Isostearic Acid Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Application (Personal Care, Chemical Esters, Lubricants & Greases), By Region (North America, Europe, APAC, Central & South America, MEA), And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030

  • Report ID: 978-1-68038-347-8
  • Number of Pages: 80
  • Format: Electronic (PDF)

Report Overview

The global isostearic acid market was valued at USD 292.15 million in 2022 and is anticipated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% from 2023 to 2030. This is attributable to its rich properties such as oxidation and odor stability which makes it a suitable biodegradable ingredient for personal care and cosmetics products such as hair care, skin care, lipsticks, and sun protection creams. Increasing bio-lubricant demand is expected particularly in North America and Europe is expected to augment its growth during the forecast period. Isostearic acid and its derivatives find applications in the formulation of cosmetics, lubricants, and body washes. It is co-manufactured in bulk from reactions predominantly producing dimer fatty acids. Isostearic acid is predominantly manufactured from oleic acid which is a form of unsaturated fatty acid. Other unsaturated fatty acids include palmitoleic acid, linoleic acid, erucic acid, elaidic acid, and undecenoic acid. These fatty acids are derived from natural sources such as beef tallow, palm oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, tall oil, rapeseed oil, and soybean oil.

U.S. isostearic acid market size, by application, 2020 - 2030 (USD Million)

The existing technology for isostearic acid involves clay-catalyzed oligomerization of tall oil fatty acids (TOHF). TOFH is majorly used in the production of oleic acid through which the product is manufactured. This existing process involves reactions with small amounts of water performed in stainless steel reactor at high temperatures of about 180-260ºC and pressure of up to 10 bars. This process does not involve any chemical additives in the reactor and the resultant isostearic acid is 100% derived from parent fat or oil.

An increasing supply of sustainable raw materials in the form of oilseed is expected to increase isostearic acid production. This in turn is expected to provide wide horizons for isostearic acid-based applications and thus increase market penetration. Isostearic is predominately manufactured from oleic acid which is a form of unsaturated acid. Major sources of oleic acid raw material sources include rapeseed oil, soybean oil, safflower oil, sunflower oil, palm oil tall oil, and beef tallow.

Numerous isostearic-based chemical esters such as isostearyl isostearate, isopropyl isostearate, and glycerol monostearate, are preferred as ingredients in personal care products. Isostearic acid is used in personal care product applications such as hair care, skin care, sin-protection creams, and lipsticks. Skin care applications for personal care products dominated the segment over the past few years. Population expansion coupled with the per-capita increase in middle-class disposable income particularly in emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America is expected to drive the market for personal care product applications.

The COVID-19 outbreak led to many uncertainties in the isostearic acid market. The market witnessed a considerable decline in revenue during the initial phase of the pandemic in the year 2020. Rising COVID-19 infection resulted in strict lockdown across the majority of countries globally, as a result, the manufacturers had to shut their operations for a long period. The market sustained a decline of 5% to 8% in the year 2020, however, recorded decent growth in the following year with relaxation in lockdown owing to declining cases of infection across the globe.

Application Insights

The chemical esters application segment dominated the market and accounted for the highest revenue share of 40.0% in 2022. Chemical esters have properties such as pigment adhesion promoters, ingredient solubilizers, enhanced dispersion, quick absorption rates, low residual amount, and plasticizers. These factors help contribute toward chemical esters in personal care and industrial applications. Chemical esters along with polyhydric alcohols such as glycerol and propylene glycol are utilized as emulsifiers in confections of the oil-in-water type. They also improve the dryness and meltdown stability in ice milk. Some of the chemical esters such as pentaerythritol tetraisostearate can be a component of synthetic greases.

Isostearic acid is used in personal care applications such as cosmetics, skin care, hair care, baby care, liquid soaps, and sun protection creams. Properties such as odor and oxidation stability contribute towards isostearic use for personal care products requiring longer shelf-life. Isostearic acid’s branching structure improves dispersing power for pigment stabilization in cosmetic applications. Isostearic acid functions in personal care applications involve as cleansing agents, emollients, and emulsifiers.

Increasing dependency on renewable materials owing to depleting fossil fuel reserves is expected to drive isostearic acid demand for lubricants and greases over the forecast period. Isostearic acid, as the monoamide of N-2 hydroxyethyl 1-1, 2-ethylenediamine is also expected to be a potential gasoline detergent. Isostearic acid forms amide with polyamides which furnish a superior ashless detergent lubricant having pour-point depressant properties.

Regional Insights

Europe dominated the isostearic acid market with the highest revenue share of over 31.9% in 2022. The European market is expected to witness stable growth over the projected years. Increasing cosmetics demand coupled with the growth of the bio lubricant industry is expected to remain a key driving factor for the regional market growth over the forecast period. Stringent environmental regulations to reduce greenhouse gases (GNG) in the atmosphere are also expected to positively influence market growth. Bio-lubricant-based hydraulic oil is extensively used across various applications in Europe followed by bio-based chainsaw oils.

Global isostearic acid market share, by region, 2022 (%)

Asia Pacific captures the second-highest revenue share of 30.5% in 2022. Increasing personal care product demand, particularly in emerging economies of China, India, and Indonesia is expected to drive the regional market over the next six years. The personal care segment includes products such as hygiene, skin care, hair care, and cosmetics. Increasing per capita middle-class disposable income coupled with population expansion in countries such as China and India are expected to augment Asia Pacific’s isostearic acid market growth over the next six years. Increasing consumer awareness regarding health concerns coupled with renewable materials used in products is expected to fuel Asia Pacific isostearic demand over the forecast period.

Increasing bio-lubricant demand coupled with stringent government regulations in order to reduce carbon footprints in the atmosphere is expected to drive North America isostearic acid demand over the forecast period. North America was the leading bio-lubricant market for the past few years and is expected to continue its dominance over the forecast period. Bio-lubricants are used for applications such as automotive, industrial, process oils, metalworking, and greases.

Key Companies & Market Share Insights

Global isostearic acid is highly consolidated with top manufacturers including Croda International and Arizona Chemical accounting for the majority share of the global market. Other key players operating in the market include Oleon NV, Emery Oleochemicals, Nissan Chemicals, and Jarchem Industries, Inc. Some of the prominent players in the global isostearic acid market include:

  • Croda International

  • Arizona Chemicals

  • Oleon NV

  • Nissan Chemicals

  • Emery Oleochemicals

  • Jarchem Industries, Inc.

  • KLK EMMERICH GmBH

  • Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.

  • Vantage Specialty Chemicals

  • Foreverest Resources Ltd.

  • SysKem Chemie GmbH

  • Kraton Corporation

Isostearic Acid Market Report Scope 

Report Attribute

Details

Market size value in 2023

USD 309.92 million

Revenue forecast in 2030

USD 491.9 million

Growth Rate

CAGR of 6.7% from 2023 to 2030

Base year for estimation

2022

Historical data

2018 - 2021

Forecast period

2023 - 2030

Quantitative units

Volume in tons, revenue in USD million, and CAGR from 2023 to 2030

Report coverage

Revenue forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth factors, and trends

Segments covered

Application, region

Regional scope

North America; Europe; Asia Pacific; Central & South America; Middle East & Africa

Country scope

U.S.; Canada; Mexico; Germany; U.K.; France; Italy; China; India; Japan; South Korea; Singapore; Brazil; Argentina; South Africa; Saudi Arabia

Key companies profiled

Croda International; Arizona Chemicals; Oleon NV; Nissan Chemicals; Emery Oleochemicals; Jarchem Industries, Inc.; KLK EMMERICH GmBH; Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc.; Vantage Specialty Chemicals; Foreverest Resources Ltd.; SysKem Chemie GmbH; Kraton Corporation

Customization scope

Free report customization (equivalent up to 8 analysts working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional, and segment scope.

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Avail customized purchase options to meet your exact research needs. Explore purchase options

 

Global Isostearic Acid Market Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue growth at global, regional, and country levels 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 global isostearic acid market report based on application and region:

Global Isostearic Acid Market Segmentation

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

    • Personal Care

    • Chemical Esters

    • Lubricants and Greases

    • Others

  • Regional Outlook (Volume, Tons; Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)

    • North America

      • U.S.

      • Canada

      • Mexico

    • Europe

      • Germany

      • U.K.

      • France

      • Italy

    • Asia Pacific

      • China

      • India

      • Japan

      • South Korea

      • Singapore

    • Central & South America

      • Brazil

      • Argentina

    • Middle East & Africa

      • Saudi Arabia

      • South Africa

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