The output of cationic surfactants continues to grow, and there are opportunities for industry development

Cationic surfactants can generate hydrophobic cations in water and refer to surface-active nitrogen-containing compounds. According to different chemical structures, cationic surfactants can be divided into four types: quaternary ammonium salt type, phosphonium salt type, amine salt type and heterocyclic type. Cationic surfactants have the advantages of sterilization, antistatic, and anti-corrosion, and are widely used in products such as fabric softeners, bactericides, antistatic agents, conditioners, and asphalt emulsifiers.

According to the “2022-2027 Cationic Surfactant Industry In-depth Market Research and Investment Strategy Suggestions Report released by the Industrial Research Center, my country’s cationic surfactant industry started late, but it is developing rapidly. In recent years, affected by the COVID-19 epidemic, sales of sterilization, disinfection and other products in my country have continued to grow. Driven by market demand, my country’s cationic surfactant production has continued to increase. According to statistics from the China Daily Chemical Industry Information Center, my country’s cationic surfactant output reached 167,000 tons in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 13.0%.

Cationic surfactants account for a relatively high demand in the fabric softener market. In recent years, the market size of my country’s clothing cleaning supplies market has continued to expand. In 2021, the market size of my country’s clothing cleaning supplies market reached 74.15 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 4.1%. The rapid development of the clothing cleaning products industry has driven the continued increase in demand for fabric softeners. As the main raw material for fabric softeners, cationic surfactants have continued to expand their market space.

Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants are the mainstream products in the cationic surfactant market, accounting for nearly 70.0% of the market share. Quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactant is made by further alkylation of fatty tertiary amines. The arrangement of the fat tail groups adsorbed on the fiber surface gives it a softening effect and can make the washed clothes more supple. According to different reaction components, quaternary ammonium salt type cationic surfactants can also be subdivided into alkyl dimethyl benzylammonium salt type, alkyl trimethyl ammonium salt type, and alkyl isoquinolinium salt type cationic surfactants.

The agriculture and textile industries in tropical areas are booming, and there is a strong demand for pesticides, fungicides, detergents and other products. Against this background, the scale of my country’s cationic surfactant exports continues to expand. According to statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China, my country’s cationic surfactant export volume reached 118,000 tons in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 6.3%, and the export value reached 1.37 billion yuan, a year-on-year increase of 8.7%. Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh are my country’s main exporters of cationic surfactants.

Industry analysts said that compared with non-ionic and anionic surfactants, the application demand for cationic surfactants is lower. However, with the rapid economic development and the continuous improvement of the prosperity of downstream industries, the application scenarios of cationic surfactants will become more abundant and the market space will continue to expand. In recent years, my country’s cationic surfactant production has continued to increase. Driven by technological progress, the future development prospects of the industry will continue to improve.