Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity, and Forecast, Segmented By Raw Material (Natural, Synthetic), By Application (Surfactants, Plasticizers, Cleaning Agent, Others), By Region and Competition, 2021-2031F

Forecast Period	2027-2031
Market Size (2025)	USD 1.28 Billion
CAGR (2026-2031)	4.64%
Fastest Growing Segment	Surfactants
Largest Market	Asia Pacific
Market Size (2031)	USD 1.68 Billion

Market Overview

The Global Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market will grow from USD 1.28 Billion in 2025 to USD 1.68 Billion by 2031 at a 4.64% CAGR. Decyl alcohol, or 1-decanol, is a straight-chain fatty alcohol principally defined as a chemical intermediate used in the synthesis of plasticizers, lubricants, and surfactants, as well as a solvent in various industrial applications. The market is primarily supported by the enduring demand for non-ionic surfactants in the home and personal care sectors, where this alcohol serves as a critical feedstock for ethoxylates. Furthermore, the expansion of the automotive and construction industries necessitates high-performance plasticizers and lubricants, providing a foundational driver for consumption that is distinct from temporary consumer trends.

However, a significant challenge impeding consistent market expansion is the volatility of raw material prices, specifically for natural feedstocks like palm kernel oil. This fluctuation creates instability in production costs and complicates long-term pricing strategies for manufacturers. According to the 'Malaysian Palm Oil Board', in '2024', 'exports of oleochemicals, the product class encompassing fatty alcohols, rose by 24.91 percent month-on-month to reach 270,073 tonnes in July'. This statistic highlights the heavy yet variable trade volumes in the supply chain that directly influence the availability and cost structure of decyl alcohol globally.

Key Market Drivers

The Increasing Demand for Biodegradable Surfactants in Household and Industrial Cleaning acts as a primary catalyst for the decyl alcohol market. As a vital precursor in the synthesis of ethoxylates and sulfates, decyl alcohol enables the production of high-performance non-ionic surfactants that effectively reduce surface tension in hard water environments. This application is critical for heavy-duty industrial cleaners and eco-friendly household formulations where biodegradability is prioritized to meet stricter environmental regulations. According to BASF, February 2025, in the 'BASF Report 2024', the company’s core businesses, which house the Care Chemicals division supplying the detergents and cleaning industries, increased EBITDA before special items by 18 percent, driven largely by strong volume performance. This financial metric reflects the robust industrial activity and rising procurement of cleaning chemical intermediates globally.

Concurrently, the Expansion of the Personal Care Sector Driving Consumption of Emollients and Solvents significantly bolsters market valuation. Decyl alcohol is extensively utilized to synthesize esters such as decyl oleate, which function as lightweight emollients in skincare and hair care products, offering hydration without a greasy residue. The industry's pivot toward sensory-pleasing and bio-based ingredients supports the consistent procurement of high-purity fatty alcohols. According to Cosmetics Europe, June 2025, in the 'Market Performance 2024' report, the European skin care category grew by 6.6 percent in retail sales value, confirming the resilience of the end-use sector. Providing broader context on raw material scale, according to the Indonesian Palm Oil Association (GAPKI), in 2025, domestic consumption of oleochemicals in Indonesia reached 2,207 thousand tons for the full year 2024, highlighting the substantial volume of feedstock supporting these derivative markets.

Download Free Sample Report

Key Market Challenges

The volatility of raw material prices, particularly for natural feedstocks like palm kernel oil, acts as a significant restraint on the Global Decylalcohol Market. This cost instability disrupts financial planning for manufacturers and erodes profit margins, making it difficult to maintain competitive and consistent pricing for end-users in the surfactant and plasticizer sectors. When input costs fluctuate unpredictably, producers are often unable to secure long-term contracts, forcing the market into a reactive stance that limits strategic expansion and investment in capacity.

This erratic market behavior is underscored by recent trade fluctuations that contrast sharply with periods of growth, validating the difficulty in maintaining steady supply chains. According to the 'Malaysian Palm Oil Board', in '2024', 'exports of oleochemicals declined by 5.72 percent to 257,825 tonnes in September compared to the previous month'. Such a downturn, occurring shortly after significant increases, exemplifies the unpredictable supply chain dynamics that create hesitancy among buyers. This inconsistency directly hampers market growth by fostering an environment of uncertainty where manufacturers struggle to optimize production schedules or forecast revenue accurately.

Key Market Trends

The Global Decylalcohol Market is undergoing a fundamental Transition Toward Oleochemical-based Production Methods, driven by the industrial imperative to reduce carbon footprints through the use of renewable feedstocks like palm and coconut oil. Manufacturers are increasingly abandoning petrochemical synthesis routes in favor of bio-based processes, ensuring that decyl alcohol outputs meet the stringent sustainability criteria now demanded by international downstream buyers. This structural shift is substantiated by massive infrastructure investments in key Southeast Asian raw material hubs to secure natural supply lines. According to The Star, April 2025, in the 'Oversupply situation of oleochemical products' article, Indonesia's oleochemical production capacity has reached over 23 million tonnes per year, reflecting the industry's aggressive pivot toward establishing large-scale, natural-based manufacturing ecosystems that directly support the availability of green fatty alcohols.

Concurrently, the Rising Utilization in Green Agricultural Adjuvants is reshaping demand, as decyl alcohol becomes integral to the formulation of biodegradable wetting agents and penetrants for precision farming. Modern crop protection strategies now prioritize eco-friendly adjuvants that enhance pesticide efficacy while minimizing environmental accumulation, creating a high-growth niche for short-chain fatty alcohol derivatives in agrochemical applications. This sector's rapid expansion is evident in the recent financial performance of major specialty ingredient suppliers. According to Croda International Plc, October 2025, in the 'Third quarter 2025 sales update', sales in the Crop Protection sector increased by 19 percent at constant currency, signaling a robust recovery in procurement by major agrochemical firms seeking high-performance, sustainable formulation ingredients.

Segmental Insights

Based on recent industry analysis, the Surfactants segment is the fastest-growing category within the Global Decylalcohol Market. This expansion is primarily driven by the escalating global demand for biodegradable and low-toxicity cleaning agents in both household and industrial applications. Decyl alcohol serves as a vital intermediate in the production of ethoxylates and sulfates, which are increasingly favored for their superior wetting and emulsifying properties. Furthermore, rigorous environmental regulations regarding chemical safety are compelling manufacturers to substitute conventional ingredients with these eco-friendly alcohol derivatives. Consequently, the sector is prioritizing this feedstock to align with sustainability mandates in detergent and personal care formulations.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific holds a dominant position in the global decyl alcohol market, driven by the substantial expansion of downstream manufacturing industries. The region benefits strategically from the proximity to key oleochemical feedstocks in Southeast Asia, which ensures a steady and cost-effective supply chain for producers. Additionally, rapid industrialization in China and India fuels the consumption of surfactants and plasticizers required for the construction and personal care sectors. This combination of accessible raw materials and a strong industrial consumer base establishes Asia Pacific as the central hub for market activity.

Recent Developments

• In November 2025, Musim Mas Holdings Pte. Ltd. officially closed the acquisition of a manufacturing facility in Bauan, Batangas, Philippines, from Stepan Company. This strategic acquisition of the assets previously operated by Stepan Philippines Quaternaries, Inc. allows Musim Mas to significantly expand its production capabilities for surfactants and oleochemicals, which are key downstream derivatives of fatty alcohols. The move strengthens the company's position in the Southeast Asian market and enhances its portfolio to meet rising demand in the personal care and industrial sectors. As part of the transaction, the companies entered into a tolling agreement to ensure supply continuity for the seller's existing customer base in the region.
• In November 2024, BASF SE announced a strategic collaboration with the biotechnology firm Acies Bio to develop a breakthrough fermentation technology for producing fatty alcohols. This research initiative focuses on utilizing captured carbon dioxide and renewable methanol as feedstocks, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional fossil or plant-oil-based production methods. By advancing this technology, the company aims to diversify its raw material sources and significantly reduce the carbon footprint associated with the manufacturing of surfactant building blocks. This development aligns with broader industry goals to establish circular value chains and provide net-zero ingredients for the home and personal care markets.
• In November 2024, Sasol Chemicals commercialized a new bio-based solution within its extensive fatty alcohol portfolio, launching NACOL 18-98 as a sustainable ingredient for the personal care industry. Derived exclusively from segregated rapeseed oil, this new product was introduced to offer a palm-free alternative that addresses growing concerns regarding deforestation and supply chain traceability. The launch highlights the company’s strategy to adapt its oleochemical offerings to meet stringent regulatory standards, such as the European Union Deforestation Regulation. This expansion of their alcohol range provides formulators with a high-performance, low-carbon option that integrates seamlessly into existing production processes.
• In October 2024, Emery Oleochemicals showcased its advanced portfolio of sustainable polymer additives at the Vinyltec 2024 conference in Chicago. The company presented its Green Polymer Additives line, which includes specialized lubricants and plasticizers that utilize fatty alcohol intermediates to enhance the performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) applications. These bio-based solutions are engineered to improve processing efficiency and final product durability while adhering to rigorous environmental criteria. By highlighting these innovations, the company reinforced its commitment to supplying natural-based specialty chemicals that facilitate the plastics industry's transition toward more sustainable and eco-friendly manufacturing practices.

Key Market Players

• Ecogreen Oleochemicals GmbH
• Kao Corporation
• Sasol Limited
• Global Green Chemicals Public Company Limited
• Emery Oleochemicals Sdn. Bhd.
• KLK OLEO Ltd.
• LG Chem Ltd.
• Procter & Gamble Chemical Services Pte Ltd
• BASF SE
• Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd

By Raw Material	By Application	By Region
Natural Synthetic	Surfactants Plasticizers Cleaning Agent Others	North America Europe Asia Pacific South America Middle East & Africa

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market, By Raw Material:

• Natural
• Synthetic

• Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market, By Application:

• Surfactants
• Plasticizers
• Cleaning Agent
• Others

• Decylalcohol (CAS 112-30-1) Market, By Region:

• North America
• United States
• Canada
• Mexico
• Europe
• France
• United Kingdom
• Italy
• Germany
• Spain
• Asia Pacific
• China
• India
• Japan
• Australia
• South Korea
• South America
• Brazil
• Argentina
• Colombia
• Middle East & Africa
• South Africa
• Saudi Arabia
• UAE