The linear alkyl benzene (LAB) market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.67% over the forecast period, increasing from US$8.264 billion in 2025 to US$10.381 billion by 2030.
Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA) derived from linear alkyl benzene makes household detergents. The important application products are laundry powders, laundry liquids, dishwashing products, and all-purpose cleaners. LABSA, a derivative of Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) and is one of the most widely used surfactants in the world, is used in industrial and institutional cleaners, textile processing as wetting, dispersing, and cleaning agents, industrial processes such as emulsifiers and polymerization, and in the formulation of crop protection agents.
The major driving factors behind the market are increasing light-duty dishwashing liquid demand, the growth of biodegradable surfactants, and growing awareness due to urbanization and rapid industrialization. Further, the demand for linear alkyl benzene (LAB) is anticipated to increase owing to the rising demand for cleaning and hygienic products from the growing economies of Asia and Africa along with sustained demand from the developed countries. For instance, the industrial revenue of the soap and cleaning compound manufacturing industry in Canada was about $4.7 billion in 2021, according to the Government of Canada. Thus, the growing awareness among the general population aimed at cleaning and sanitary products is driving the market.
The increased use of light-duty dishwashing liquid is one of the major reasons for the growing demand for linear alkyl benzene. Light-duty dishwashing liquids are generally milder than other harsh chemicals, these are beneficial for the skin and the material applied. The long-lasting effect on the environment has been noticed to be low compared to traditional detergents.
LABSA is applied to manufacture detergents, dishwashing detergents, detergent powder, cleaning powder, washing powders, detergent cakes, liquid soap, soaps, etc. It is a sulfonic acid compound used as a foaming agent, a cleaning agent in more formulations, and toilet soaps for foaming. Further, Laundry detergents containing linear alkyl benzene sulphonates are more effective at removing oily and greasy stains. Overall, the market growth would be driven by the demand for light-duty washing substances.
Biodegradable surfactants are compounds that reduce the surface tension of liquids, enabling them to mix with other substances. These surfactants are specifically designed to decompose naturally into simpler substances by biological processes, causing minimal harm to the environment, thus reducing the impact on the environment.
With the growing awareness and demand for environmentally friendly products, the future of biodegradable surfactants looks promising. Linear alkylbenzene sulphonate is an anionic surfactant. It was introduced in 1964 as the readily biodegradable replacement for highly branched alkylbenzene sulphonates. It is one of the major anionic surfactants used on the market, driving the demand for linear alkylbenzene.
Stricter environmental regulations in the European and North American regions also support this trend. Regulatory bodies encourage more and more biodegradable ingredients in household and industrial cleaning products, thereby pushing LAB as a preferred raw material for surfactants. The ability of LAS to meet these environmental standards ensures that LAB remains a part of the market as it shifts toward greener alternatives.
The growing migration crisis and urbanization are leading to the increased population in the world's major cities. Most of the world's fastest-growing cities are in Asia and Africa. Between 2018 and 2050, the urban population of Africa is projected to triple and that of Asia to increase by 61 percent so that by 2050 most of the world's urban population will be concentrated in Asia (52%) and Africa (21%).
The urban population is highly concerned about hygiene and cleanliness, which is expected to drive the linear alkyl benzene market during the forecast period. The rising sales of surface cleaners, cleaners, powders, and artificial cleaners due to the onslaught of the coronavirus pandemic are also driving its market growth.
The major countries in the region, such as India, China, Japan, Korea, and Australia, play a vital role in the rapid economic growth and industrialization. Furthermore, countries of ASEAN, like Thailand, Vietnam, Cambodia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Indonesia, are experiencing fast economic growth and increasing industrial development.
India's chemical industry sector is the 6th largest producer of chemicals globally and 3rd in Asia, only after China and Japan. The usage of detergents and soaps has rapidly increased in the country due to the Swachh Bharat Mission. Rapid urbanization and industrialization have led to the increased use of detergents. Further, In China, the total import and export volume of the chemical industry was US$952.29 billion. Among them, the total export volume was US$316.53 billion in 2023. The export value of basic chemical raw materials was US$95.35 billion. The country’s demand for soap and detergents would increase the demand for linear alkyl benzene. China is one of the largest consumer markets in the world for personal care and cleansing products. The overall economic expansion in the region would lead to an increased demand for the cleansing product.
| Report Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Study Period | 2021 to 2031 |
| Historical Data | 2021 to 2024 |
| Base Year | 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2026 – 2031 |
| Report Metric | Details |
| Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) Market Size in 2025 | US$8.264 billion |
| Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) Market Size in 2030 | US$10.381 billion |
| Growth Rate | CAGR of 4.67% |
| Study Period | 2020 to 2030 |
| Historical Data | 2020 to 2023 |
| Base Year | 2024 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 – 2030 |
| Forecast Unit (Value) | USD Billion |
| Segmentation |
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| Geographical Segmentation | North America, South America, Europe, Middle East and Africa, Asia Pacific |
| List of Major Companies in Linear Alkyl Benzene (LAB) Market | |
| Customization Scope | Free report customization with purchase |