White Oil Market - Global Industry Size, Share, Trends, Opportunity & Forecast, Segmented By Application (Adhesives, Agriculture, Food, Pharmaceutical, Personal Care, Textile, Polymers, Others), By Region, & Competition, 2020-2030F

Market Overview

The White Oil market was valued at USD 2.25 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 2.88 Billion by 2030 with a CAGR of 4.18%. The Global White Oil Market occupies a critical niche within the specialty oil segment, serving high-precision applications across industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, food-grade manufacturing, polymer processing, textiles, and industrial equipment lubrication. Also referred to as mineral oil or liquid paraffin, white oil is a highly purified, chemically inert petroleum derivative, valued for its colorless, odorless, and non-toxic characteristics. These properties make it essential in processes where product safety, regulatory conformity, and material consistency are non-negotiable.

Given its integral role in regulated and quality-sensitive applications, the white oil market is not only technically indispensable but also strategically positioned for sustained expansion. Demand is increasingly being driven by evolving manufacturing standards, stricter compliance requirements in pharmaceuticals and food processing, and the growing need for inert process aids in polymer and cosmetic production. Technological advancement in ultra-pure refining capabilities, Proactive adaptation to regional regulatory frameworks, and Targeted expansion into high-growth, application-specific markets, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Latin America.

Industry players that align their portfolio with these dynamics by investing in value-added grades, application-specific customizations, and certification-backed production processes will be best positioned to capture long-term growth in an increasingly quality-driven and compliance-oriented market environment.

Key Market Drivers

Expanding Pharmaceutical and Personal Care Industries

The pharmaceutical and personal care industries represent two of the most influential demand centers for white oil globally. Their sustained expansion, driven by demographic shifts, consumer trends, and healthcare advancements, has created a strong and stable growth engine for the white oil market. White oil, particularly in pharmaceutical-grade formulations, is a key excipient used for its chemical stability, purity, and non-reactive nature. Used as a carrier or base in topical ointments, creams, and gels. Commonly found in oral preparations like soft gel capsules. Functions as a lubricant in tablet and capsule manufacturing. The global population is undergoing a pronounced demographic shift, marked by a rapidly increasing share of individuals aged 65 and above. This trend is primarily driven by rising life expectancy and sustained declines in birth rates across both developed and emerging markets. Since 1974, the proportion of the global population aged 65+ has nearly doubled, and current projections indicate it will double again by 2074 and rising chronic disease prevalence are leading to increased consumption of pharmaceutical products, especially in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia. Healthcare penetration in emerging economies (India, Southeast Asia, Africa) is expanding rapidly, supported by public and private investments. Increasing regulatory emphasis on high-purity ingredients in drug manufacturing is pushing demand for white oils that meet stringent pharmacopoeial standards (e.g., USP, EP, IP). White oils used in pharmaceuticals are highly refined and undergo rigorous testing to comply with global safety standards. Their inert and hypoallergenic nature makes them suitable for sensitive applications, giving manufacturers confidence in formulation safety.

In the personal care and cosmetics sector, white oil is widely used due to its moisturizing properties, excellent spreadability, and skin-friendly characteristics. Emollient in products such as body lotions, creams, baby oils, and hair oils. Carrier oil in fragrances and makeup formulations. Base material in cleansing products and moisturizers, especially for sensitive skin types. India’s consumer sector is emerging as a critical driver of national economic growth, fueled by rising disposable incomes and expanding middle-class spending power. By 2027, approximately 100 million Indians are projected to have annual incomes exceeding $10,000, signaling a significant shift in consumption patterns toward premium products, discretionary goods, and lifestyle services and urbanization have led to increased spending on beauty and personal care products, particularly in Asia-Pacific and Latin America. Growing consumer preference for gentle, non-comedogenic ingredients has encouraged manufacturers to use white oil as a safe, dermatologically tested base. The global rise of baby care products including oils, wipes, and lotions also contributes significantly, as white oil is a primary ingredient due to its mildness and safety. Premiumization of skincare and haircare brands has led to the demand for higher-quality, ultra-refined ingredients. By 2025, online channels are projected to account for 21% of total global retail sales, with this figure expected to increase to 22.6% by 2027, reflecting a steady shift in consumer purchasing behavior toward digital platforms. Supporting this growth, the global eCommerce ecosystem now comprises over 28 million online stores, spanning both large-scale marketplaces and niche direct-to-consumer brands.

Growth in Food and Beverage Processing

The global food and beverage processing industry plays a significant role in driving the demand for white oil. As consumer preferences shift towards packaged, processed, and convenience foods, food manufacturers are increasingly relying on high-purity, food-grade white oil for its functionality, regulatory compliance, and safety. This sectoral growth directly contributes to the expansion of the global white oil market in multiple ways. White oil is used in a wide range of indirect food-contact applications due to its inert nature, high stability, and non-toxic characteristics. These include White oil is widely used as a lubricant for food-processing machinery, such as mixers, slicers, conveyors, and packaging equipment. It ensures smooth mechanical operation without the risk of contaminating food products in case of incidental contact. Used as a release agent on baking pans, molds, and trays to prevent food from sticking during manufacturing. Enhances product appearance and reduces waste in high-volume production lines. Applied in dough dividers and sheeters to prevent sticking and ensure uniform texture. Sometimes used in coating formulations for fruits, vegetables, and certain snacks to extend shelf life and improve visual appeal.

One of the key reasons for white oil’s popularity in food processing is its compliance with international safety regulations FDA (Food and Drug Administration – U.S.), NSF International, and European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) have approved white oil for various food-related uses under specific guidelines. It is generally recognized as safe (GRAS) for incidental contact, giving manufacturers peace of mind in maintaining product purity and safety. This strong regulatory backing has encouraged widespread adoption across global food production facilities. The shift in global consumption habits is a major factor accelerating the use of white oil in food manufacturing: Urbanization and changing lifestyles have led to increased demand for ready-to-eat (RTE), frozen, and processed foods. Busy working populations are increasingly dependent on convenience foods, which require advanced and efficient production lines where white oil is used as both a process aid and a lubricant. In developing economies such as India, Brazil, and Southeast Asia, rising incomes and a growing middle class are fueling the growth of the processed food industry further increasing the need for food-grade white oils.

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Key Market Challenges

Volatility in Crude Oil Prices and Raw Material Dependency

White oil is a highly refined derivative of petroleum, and its production is intrinsically linked to the upstream oil and gas industry. As a result, fluctuations in crude oil prices directly impact production costs and supply chain stability.

Any disruption in crude oil supply due to geopolitical tensions, natural disasters, or OPEC policies can lead to raw material shortages or cost spikes for base oils used in white oil production. Producers dependent on imported crude or base stocks may face additional logistics challenges and foreign exchange risks. In periods of rising crude prices, refiners and blenders may struggle to maintain stable pricing for white oil, especially in price-sensitive industries like textiles and plastics. End-users may shift to cheaper synthetic or vegetable-based alternatives, leading to demand substitution. Producing high-quality, ultra-pure white oil requires advanced refining infrastructure, which is expensive to build and maintain. Smaller players may be unable to invest in the necessary technology when faced with raw material price volatility.

Stringent and Evolving Regulatory Landscape

White oil applications particularly in pharmaceuticals, personal care, and food processing must comply with a range of international regulatory standards. While these regulations ensure product safety, they also create significant compliance burdens and market entry barriers.

Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. FDA, European Pharmacopeia (EP), U.S. Pharmacopeia (USP), and NSF International each have unique guidelines for product purity, performance, and safety. Multinational manufacturers must maintain multiple certifications, increasing testing, documentation, and compliance costs. New formulations or applications using white oil often undergo lengthy approval cycles, slowing time to market for new products. Regulatory stringency is especially high in pharmaceutical and baby care segments, where even minor impurities can result in product rejection. As global focus shifts toward sustainable, biodegradable, and plant-based alternatives, white oil being petroleum-derived is increasingly scrutinized by environmental groups and policymakers. Potential future regulations may impose carbon taxes, labeling restrictions, or usage limitations, particularly in environmentally conscious markets like the EU and North America.

Key Market Trends

Customization and Product Differentiation Across End-Use Segments

A growing number of end-user industries are demanding tailor-made white oil grades to meet specific performance, purity, or compliance requirements. This trend is fueling a shift from standardized bulk products to highly specialized formulations.

Manufacturers are developing sector-targeted white oils for unique applications such as ultra-low-volatility grades for medical devices, or food-grade lubricants optimized for high-speed filling lines. In personal care and cosmetics, brands are requesting lighter or heavier oil textures, varying levels of viscosity, or enhanced compatibility with natural actives. Custom white oils are increasingly integrated with performance additives, such as antioxidants or anti-static agents, which extend functionality without compromising purity. This allows producers to move away from commoditized pricing and position their products as premium-grade materials. Customization enhances customer retention, creates new revenue streams, and supports long-term supply agreements, giving white oil producers a competitive edge in fragmented markets.

Integration of Digital Quality Control and Advanced Refining Technologies

White oil manufacturers are investing heavily in digitized quality assurance systems and next-generation refining technologies to ensure consistency, purity, and operational efficiency. This trend is transforming both the production process and the way white oil is evaluated and validated.

The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies including real-time monitoring, machine learning, and predictive maintenance is improving product uniformity and minimizing batch variability. Advanced control systems ensure that white oil meets exacting standards across multiple certification regimes (USP, EP, FDA, etc.). Modern hydrotreating and hydrocracking technologies are being implemented to produce ultra-pure white oil with minimal environmental impact. Continuous innovation in refining also enables faster scale-up and cost-effective compliance with increasingly stringent purity requirements in pharmaceuticals, baby care, and food-grade products. These advancements not only improve product quality and environmental performance but also help manufacturers differentiate based on technological superiority, which is critical for export-oriented players.

Segmental Insights

Application Insights

Based on the category of Application, the Personal Care segment emerged as the fastest growing in the market for White Oil in 2024. White oil, also known as mineral oil, is highly valued in the personal care industry due to its high purity, chemical stability, non-comedogenic properties, and moisturizing effects. It serves as an emollient, lubricant, and carrier in a wide range of products, including Moisturizing creams and lotions, Baby oils and toiletries, Hair oils and conditioners, Lip balms and petroleum jellies, Sunscreens and makeup removers. Its compatibility with other ingredients and long shelf life makes it a preferred choice for both manufacturers and formulators in the personal care industry.

The global surge in demand for skincare, beauty, and grooming products, especially in emerging economies, is a major growth catalyst. Factors fueling this trend include Rising disposable income in emerging markets, Increased consumer focus on wellness, hygiene, and appearance, Growing influence of social media and beauty influencers, Expanding urban middle class, particularly in Asia Pacific and Latin America. These developments have led to a spike in the production of personal care products, directly increasing the consumption of white oil as a key formulation component.

White oil is widely used in baby care products due to its hypoallergenic and non-toxic properties. As awareness of infant skincare grows, particularly among new-age parents in developing countries, demand for baby lotions, oils, wipes, and creams containing pharmaceutical-grade white oil has risen sharply. Additionally, the rising popularity of “clean beauty” and sensitive skin formulations has reinforced the use of white oil, which is often perceived as a gentle and safe ingredient. These factors contribute to the growth of this segment.

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Regional Insights

Asia Pacific emerged as the largest market in the global White Oil market in 2024, holding the largest market share in terms of value. The Asia Pacific region particularly countries like China, India, South Korea, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations has undergone rapid industrial development. This industrial expansion has led to increased consumption of white oil across various applications, including plastics, adhesives, textiles, and chemicals. Urbanization has also created rising demand in personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food processing, where white oil is commonly used due to its purity and non-toxicity.

The healthcare and pharmaceutical industries in APAC have witnessed robust growth due to increasing population, rising healthcare awareness, and government investment. White oil, which is used as a base ingredient in ointments, laxatives, and other medical formulations, has seen strong demand. Countries like India and China, which are major hubs for generic drug manufacturing, are particularly instrumental in driving white oil consumption in this sector.

The region has become a global manufacturing base for personal care and cosmetic products, driven by rising disposable incomes, changing lifestyles, and increased consumer awareness of hygiene and grooming. White oil is extensively used in products such as lotions, creams, baby oils, and hair care items due to its moisturizing properties and skin compatibility. This growth in personal care manufacturing directly contributes to the region’s dominance in the white oil market.

Recent Developments

• In June 2025, Brenntag Specialties has renewed and expanded its distribution agreement with ExxonMobil for the supply of white oils across the Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA) region. Under the extended agreement, Brenntag will continue to represent ExxonMobil’s portfolio of high-purity white oils in key regulated markets, including pharmaceuticals, personal care, food processing, and polymer applications.
• In June 2025, Saudi Aramco Base Oil Company (Luberef) has entered a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with India’s APAR Industries Limited to evaluate the joint development of a Transformer Oil and White Oil manufacturing facility at the LubeHub in Yanbu, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• In February 2024, Chevron Lummus Global LLC (CLG) has successfully commissioned the world’s largest white oil hydroprocessing facility for Hongrun Petrochemical (Weifang) Co., Ltd., located in Weifang, Shandong Province, China. The advanced unit is designed to produce ultra-high-purity white oils to serve critical applications in pharmaceuticals, personal care, food-grade lubricants, and high-performance industrial fluids.

Key Market Players

• BP International Limited
• RENKERT OIL
• Exxon Mobil Corporation
• ENEOS Corporation
• NYNAS AB
• Petro‑Canada (Suncor Energy Inc)
• Shell plc
• China Petrochemical Corporation
• S-OIL CORPORATION
• Sasol Limited

Report Scope:

In this report, the Global White Oil Market has been segmented into the following categories, in addition to the industry trends which have also been detailed below:

• White Oil Market, By Application:

o   Adhesives

o   Agriculture

o   Food

o   Pharmaceutical

o   Personal Care

o   Textile

o   Polymers

o   Others

• White Oil Market, By Region:

o   North America

§  United States

§  Canada

§  Mexico

o   Europe

§  France

§  United Kingdom

§  Italy

§  Germany

§  Spain

o   Asia-Pacific

§  China

§  India

§  Japan

§  Australia

§  South Korea

o   South America

§  Brazil

§  Argentina

§  Colombia

o   Middle East & Africa

§  South Africa

§  Saudi Arabia

§  UAE

Competitive Landscape

Company Profiles: Detailed analysis of the major companies present in the Global White Oil Market.

Available Customizations:

Global White Oil market report with the given market data, TechSci Research offers customizations according to a company's specific needs. The following customization options are available for the report:

Company Information

• Detailed analysis and profiling of additional market players (up to five).

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