Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Size, Growth

Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Overview

Global Industrial Cleaning Chemicals market size is projected at USD 19566.19 million in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 26888.09 million by 2033, registering a CAGR of 3.6%.

The industrial cleaning chemicals market plays a pivotal role in maintaining hygiene, safety, and regulatory compliance across numerous industrial sectors. In 2024, global consumption of industrial cleaning chemicals exceeded 18 million metric tons, reflecting an increase in volume demand from manufacturing and service sectors. These chemicals are primarily used for cleaning, degreasing, sanitizing, and disinfecting industrial equipment, floors, surfaces, and machinery. Over 45% of demand originates from food & beverage, healthcare, automotive, and commercial cleaning services. Growing industrial infrastructure and stringent cleanliness standards across developed and developing economies are accelerating market growth.

North America alone accounted for over 6 million metric tons of cleaning chemical usage in industrial applications, largely driven by commercial laundry, healthcare institutions, and janitorial services. In the Asia-Pacific region, more than 5.5 million metric tons were utilized, bolstered by rapid urbanization and increasing awareness regarding workplace hygiene. Key product categories include solvents, surfactants, disinfectants, hydrotropes, and D-limonene-based degreasers. The introduction of biodegradable and VOC-compliant formulations has further strengthened product development across regions. Industrial cleaning chemicals now support over 1.2 million jobs worldwide, highlighting their significance not only in cleanliness but also in economic contribution.

Key Findings

Top Driver reason: Growing demand for sustainable, high-efficiency cleaning agents in food and beverage and commercial sectors.

Top Country/Region: North America leads the market, contributing over 6 million metric tons in annual industrial chemical consumption.

Top Segment: The food & beverage segment holds the largest market share, accounting for over 28% of total demand by volume.

Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Trends

The industrial cleaning chemicals market is witnessing a shift toward greener and safer chemical formulations. In 2023, more than 38% of newly launched products claimed to be biodegradable or VOC-compliant. Demand for enzymatic cleaners and natural solvent blends such as D-limonene surged, registering a 12% rise in unit shipments globally. In the building services industry, over 150,000 facilities transitioned from traditional chlorine-based cleaners to eco-labeled alternatives to meet environmental certification standards.

Digital integration is also reshaping usage patterns. Over 20% of industrial plants in Europe now deploy sensor-enabled dispensing systems for cleaning chemicals, resulting in a 30% reduction in chemical waste. Automation and smart monitoring of chemical usage have improved operational efficiency across 9,000+ manufacturing sites globally.

On the commercial laundry front, concentrated detergent formulations saw a 15% increase in usage across North American laundromats and hotels. Furthermore, rising health and hygiene consciousness post-pandemic continues to fuel growth in disinfectant and sanitizing agent demand, especially in the Asia-Pacific and Latin America, where over 2.3 million tons were deployed in 2023 for sanitation purposes alone.

Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Dynamics

DRIVER

Increased demand from food processing and commercial disinfection

The stringent hygiene protocols imposed on the food processing industry have directly influenced demand for industrial cleaning chemicals. In 2023, the food & beverage segment used more than 5.1 million metric tons of cleaning solutions globally. Regulatory compliance with standards such as HACCP and ISO 22000 has compelled over 18,000 food facilities worldwide to adopt specialized sanitation programs. Furthermore, restaurant chains and QSR operators enhanced their cleaning schedules by 30% in the last 18 months, increasing their usage of high-alkaline detergents and anti-biofilm agents.

RESTRAINT

Rising environmental and health concerns around chemical residues

One significant restraint is the growing scrutiny over chemical toxicity, residue buildup, and environmental impact. In 2023, over 3,400 product batches were recalled across global markets due to non-compliance with environmental safety regulations. Increased pressure from regulatory bodies has restricted the usage of phosphates, formaldehyde, and nonylphenol ethoxylates in cleaning formulations. Additionally, more than 60% of industrial users have expressed concern over inhalation hazards and dermal exposure risks associated with high-strength chemical agents.

OPPORTUNIT

Development of bio-based and enzyme-derived cleaning agents

Opportunities are rapidly emerging in the segment of natural and plant-based industrial cleaners. Between 2023 and 2024, over 850 product formulations containing biosurfactants or enzymatic actives entered the global market. These solutions demonstrated 40% higher breakdown efficiency in organic residue removal, especially in food and beverage applications. Biotechnological advances have enabled producers to extract biosurfactants from agricultural waste streams, enabling sustainable scale-up. Major opportunities also exist in localizing production to reduce import dependency, as seen in more than 22 countries now incentivizing local green chemistry startups.

CHALLENGE

Volatility in raw material pricing and global supply disruptions

One of the pressing challenges is the fluctuation in prices of raw materials such as surfactants, solvents, and fatty alcohols. In 2023, the cost of linear alkylbenzene (LAB) rose by 27%, impacting pricing for over 60% of cleaning products. Additionally, geopolitical tensions and logistic bottlenecks disrupted shipments across key corridors—delaying supply of essential ingredients to more than 15,000 manufacturing facilities. Dependence on petrochemical-derived ingredients has also subjected producers to higher carbon taxes and regulatory penalties in over 40 jurisdictions.

Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Segmentation

The industrial cleaning chemicals market is segmented based on type and application. Major product types include hydrotropes, D-limonene, surfactants, disinfectants, and degreasers. Applications span across food & beverage, building service, commercial laundry, vehicle cleaning, industrial equipment cleaning, and others.

By Type

Hydrotropes: Hydrotropes are essential in increasing the solubility of cleaning agents in aqueous formulations. In 2023, over 1.8 million metric tons of hydrotropes were used globally, mainly in combination with surfactants for stability in acidic and alkaline environments. Sodium xylene sulfonate was the most utilized, with over 600,000 tons incorporated in floor and surface cleaners.
D-limonene: D-limonene-based cleaners, derived from citrus peels, accounted for over 450,000 metric tons in 2023. These solvents are widely used in degreasing applications, especially in electronics, automotive, and mechanical cleaning. Demand surged by 18% in 2023 due to increasing adoption in low-VOC formulations and their superior oil and resin dissolving properties.

By Application

Food & Beverage: This segment utilized over 5.1 million metric tons of cleaning agents in 2023. Industrial cleaners were used in CIP (Clean-In-Place) systems, conveyor belts, and packaging machinery. Sodium hypochlorite, peracetic acid, and quaternary ammonium compounds were among the most frequently used.
Building Service: In commercial facilities, over 3 million metric tons of janitorial cleaning chemicals were consumed. Over 1.1 million tons were disinfectants used in hospitals, offices, and institutional restrooms.
Commercial Laundry: Industrial laundry facilities used over 2.2 million metric tons of cleaning formulations, largely composed of alkaline detergents and optical brighteners. Approximately 30% of this volume was used in the hospitality sector alone.
Vehicle Cleaning: This application consumed over 1.3 million metric tons in 2023, primarily for truck and fleet maintenance. Foam boosters, degreasers, and pH-neutral shampoos saw strong traction in North America and Europe.
Industrial Cleaning: Manufacturing plants consumed over 4.7 million metric tons for degreasing, floor scrubbing, and machine maintenance. Solvent-based formulations made up over 60% of volume in this category.
Others: Miscellaneous applications including electronics, aerospace, and oil & gas cleaning added up to 600,000 metric tons, with strong demand for anti-static and non-residue solutions.

Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Regional Outlook

Global demand for industrial cleaning chemicals is widely distributed, with North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific accounting for more than 80% of total consumption.

North America

North America led the market in 2023 with over 6 million metric tons consumed across sectors. The United States alone accounted for 5.1 million tons, driven by stringent industrial sanitation standards, especially in the food service and institutional sectors. Over 600,000 tons were dedicated to commercial laundry services, and nearly 800,000 tons to hospital-grade disinfectants.

Europe

Europe saw consumption of over 4.5 million metric tons in 2023. Germany, France, and the U.K. represented 60% of this total. High adoption of green-certified chemicals in Nordic countries contributed to a 20% rise in biodegradable product shipments. Industrial users in Europe have also shifted 40% of procurement to phosphate-free and solvent-free options.

Asia-Pacific

In 2023, Asia-Pacific consumed over 5.5 million metric tons of industrial cleaning chemicals. China alone represented 2.6 million tons. Japan and India followed, contributing 1.1 million and 980,000 tons respectively. High-volume demand came from electronics manufacturing and automotive cleaning sectors.

Middle East & Africa

This region consumed over 1.2 million metric tons. UAE and Saudi Arabia were the key contributors, together accounting for 620,000 tons. Industrial cleaning for petrochemical and hospitality sectors drove usage. South Africa contributed 320,000 tons, primarily from food processing and mining sectors.

List of Top Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Companies

BASF
Akzonobel
DuPont
Solvay SA
Henkel AG & Co KGaA
Huntsman Corporation
Eastman Chemical Company
Lonza Group
Ecolab
Stepan
Diversey
Bluemoon
Liby
Pangkam

Top Two Companies with Highest Share

Ecolab: Accounted for over 1.2 million metric tons in 2023, dominating the food & beverage and commercial laundry segments across North America and Europe.

BASF: Supplied over 950,000 metric tons globally in 2023, with strong market leadership in hydrotropes and surfactant systems for industrial applications.

Investment Analysis and Opportunities

The global industrial cleaning chemicals market presents significant investment opportunities across raw material innovation, product formulation, regional expansion, and distribution technology. In 2023, global capital expenditure within the industry exceeded $1.1 billion (in non-monetary terms: equivalent to ~8% reinvestment of total annual volume sold in capacity expansion and R&D). Over 200 production facilities globally were either expanded or upgraded to meet rising demand for eco-labeled cleaning products.

In the Asia-Pacific region, over 40 local manufacturing plants were established or scaled up to reduce reliance on imported raw materials. These facilities were focused on producing D-limonene-based and low-phosphate formulations. Nearly 30% of these plants received government incentives in the form of chemical innovation grants or industrial zoning rebates. In India, over 25 greenfield projects were initiated to manufacture alkyl polyglucosides (APG), a key biosurfactant.

Private equity participation has intensified in mid-sized specialty chemical firms producing enzyme-based industrial cleaners. Between 2023 and 2024, over 15 M&A transactions involved targets focused on eco-sustainable cleaning technology. In the U.S., capital was injected into more than 45 companies working on circular packaging for bulk industrial chemical delivery.

New Product Development

Product innovation in the industrial cleaning chemicals market has evolved rapidly over the last two years, emphasizing safety, sustainability, and performance. In 2023 alone, over 650 new industrial-grade cleaning products were launched across six key application categories. Among them, more than 220 were certified VOC-free, while 180 offered biodegradable properties based on ISO 17088 compliance.

D-limonene emulsions with enhanced pH stability were introduced for electronic assembly and high-temperature degreasing. These new formulations displayed 35% faster grime breakdown in controlled lab tests versus their 2021 counterparts. Several major players launched enzyme-blended alkali cleaners that reduced water consumption in CIP systems by up to 25%.

Henkel and Ecolab both unveiled foaming floor cleaners for food processing lines with quaternary ammonium compounds that provide extended microbial protection for up to 18 hours after application. These products performed effectively at concentrations as low as 0.5% v/v, reducing overall chemical input volume in plants by up to 40%.

Five Recent Developments

Ecolab: launched an automated disinfection system for food plants in March 2024 that reduced manual labor by 28% and used 18% less disinfectant per cleaning cycle.
BASF: introduced a hydrotrope series in November 2023 with 100% bio-based active compounds, enhancing solubility in high-viscosity cleaning blends by 35%.
Henkel AG & Co KGaA: upgraded its industrial cleaning chemical plant in Düsseldorf in August 2023, increasing production capacity by 120,000 tons per annum.
Diversey: launched a touchless foam sanitizing system for vehicle cleaning applications in January 2024, showing 99.999% pathogen kill rates in controlled tests.
Eastman Chemical: Company partnered with an AI-based startup in 2023 to develop predictive cleaning chemical dosing algorithms for smart manufacturing plants.

Report Coverage of Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market

The report on the industrial cleaning chemicals market provides a holistic analysis of product dynamics, demand growth, application-specific usage trends, and investment opportunities across global markets. It extensively maps the competitive landscape involving over 150 active manufacturers and suppliers who collectively delivered more than 18 million metric tons of product in 2023.

This report segments the market by chemical type, including hydrotropes, D-limonene, surfactants, disinfectants, and degreasers. Each type is analyzed based on production volume, end-user adoption, compatibility with automation systems, and VOC compliance status. Product use in industries like food & beverage, commercial laundry, vehicle maintenance, healthcare, and industrial manufacturing is also covered with detailed tonnage data.

The scope includes regional analysis across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa. It identifies over 65 regional hubs for chemical production and quantifies regional consumption trends. For instance, Asia-Pacific is shown as the fastest-growing consumer by volume, while North America maintains its lead in commercial laundry and institutional cleaning.

Market dynamics are discussed with clarity, highlighting drivers such as demand from commercial sanitation and restraints such as chemical regulation tightening. Opportunities in bio-cleaners and challenges around supply chain disruptions are evaluated with real-world figures and examples