The Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.64%, reaching a market size of US$542.187 million in 2030 from US$453.231 million in 2025.
Cetanol, also known as Cetyl Alcohol, is an oil that can be sourced from vegetable materials like palm and coconut oil or even petroleum. The waxy white crystalline solid has a high application in cosmetics and skincare formulation as an emollient, emulsifier, and thickener. Cetyl Alcohol helps in softening the skin, making it smooth, while also improving the texture of the formulations and stabilization of emulsions. It is extensively used in lotions, creams, conditioners, and other hair care products due to its moisturizing and thickening properties. The ingredient is alcohol, though it does not dry the skin and is safe for use in personal care products.
The need for cetanol is increasing owing to the rising demand for skincare and cosmetic products worldwide. For instance, according to Invest India, the Indian personal care and hygiene segment is expected to grow, owing to significant penetration of the country's e-commerce sector.
Additionally, the expanding e-commerce sector in tier 2 and tier 3 cities is expected to influence the market growth for cetanol products in the projected period. For instance, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), internet users in India crossed 800 million in 2023, and it was found that rural areas had more internet use compared to urban areas. In 2022, the number of internet users in rural areas of India was 399 million, which increased to 442 million in 2023. Contrary to that, the number of people accessing the internet in urban areas was 360 million in 2022, which grew to 378 million in 2023. Hence, the increasing internet-accessing population and increasing penetration of the e-commerce industry are expected to boost the cosmetic and personal care product market in the coming years.
By form, the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market is segmented into liquid cetanol and wax solid cetanol. The wax solid cetanol is expected to hold a significant market share in the forecasted period, as it is commonly used in the skincare, hair care, and cosmetics sector, as it can thicken formulation, smoothen texture, and stabilizes emulsification. Additionally, the wax solid form of cetanol is versatile and more functional. Liquid cetanol has some specialized applications, in less mainstream applications in personal care products.
The conditioning agent and emollient segment are anticipated to grow substantially in the coming years as the demand for products that can soften, moisturize, and protect their skin increases. Moreover, cetanol has properties such as locking moisture, hydrating, and nourishing. Additionally, the trend towards sustainable and natural ingredients in beauty products is expected to further fuel the market for cetanol as an emollient and conditioning agent.
The European region is expected to dominate the cetanol (cetyl alcohol) market in the coming year, owing to its increasing application in industries such as solvents and pharmaceuticals. Additionally, the companies in the region are investing heavily in research and development to develop new and innovative products. Moreover, the increasing demand for cetanol in this region is owing to the rising per capita income and growing demand for organic and natural products.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market Size in 2025 | US$453.231 million |
| Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market Size in 2030 | US$542.187 million |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 3.64% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Million |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Cetanol (Cetyl Alcohol) Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |