Global Monoethanolamine Market Description

The global monoethanolamine market represents a vital segment of the ethanolamines and specialty chemicals industry, serving a wide range of consumer, industrial, and formulation-based applications. Monoethanolamine is an organic chemical compound that functions as both an amine and an alcohol, offering high reactivity, excellent solubility in water, and strong neutralizing and emulsifying properties. These characteristics make it a critical intermediate and functional ingredient in personal care products, detergents, gas treatment, textiles, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and diverse industrial processes.

In 2025, the monoethanolamine market maintained consistent demand, supported by stable consumption in household cleaning products, cosmetics, and industrial formulations. The compound is widely used as a pH adjuster, corrosion inhibitor, surfactant intermediate, and chemical absorbent, particularly in gas sweetening and purification applications. Over the forecast period from 2026 to 2036, the market is expected to experience steady growth, driven by rising hygiene awareness, expanding personal care consumption, industrialization in emerging economies, and increasing demand for efficient chemical intermediates across multiple sectors.

Impact of COVID-19 on the Monoethanolamine Market

The COVID-19 pandemic had a mixed impact on the monoethanolamine market during 2020. On one hand, disruptions in manufacturing operations, supply chains, and international logistics temporarily constrained production and availability. Industrial shutdowns and reduced activity in construction, automotive, and certain manufacturing sectors led to a short-term decline in demand from industrial applications.

On the other hand, demand from personal care products, daily washing products, disinfectants, and household cleaners increased significantly during the pandemic. Heightened focus on hygiene and sanitation supported sustained consumption of monoethanolamine-based surfactants and formulations. As global economic activity recovered, industrial demand gradually rebounded, resulting in overall market stabilization. The post-pandemic period has been characterized by supply chain diversification, improved inventory management, and renewed investments in chemical production capacity.

Global Monoethanolamine Market Segmentation

By type, the monoethanolamine market is segmented into purity greater than 99 percent and purity less than or equal to 99 percent. High-purity monoethanolamine, exceeding 99 percent purity, is primarily used in personal care, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and specialty chemical formulations where stringent quality and safety standards are required. This segment benefits from rising consumer expectations for product performance and regulatory compliance. Monoethanolamine with purity less than or equal to 99 percent is commonly utilized in industrial applications such as gas treatment, detergents, textile processing, and chemical manufacturing, where cost efficiency and functional performance are prioritized over ultra-high purity.

By application, the market is segmented into personal care products, daily washing products, industrial applications, and others. Personal care products account for a significant share, as monoethanolamine is widely used in creams, lotions, shampoos, hair dyes, and cosmetics for pH adjustment, emulsification, and formulation stability. Daily washing products represent another major segment, driven by its use in detergents, soaps, and cleaning agents that benefit from its surfactant-enhancing and neutralizing properties.

Industrial applications form a substantial portion of demand, including use in gas sweetening processes to remove acidic gases, corrosion inhibition, chemical synthesis, textile finishing, and agrochemical formulations. Other applications include pharmaceuticals, inks, coatings, and specialty chemical blends, where monoethanolamine serves as an intermediate or functional additive.

Regional Analysis

North America represents a mature and technologically advanced market for monoethanolamine, supported by strong demand from personal care, household cleaning, and industrial sectors. The region benefits from established chemical manufacturing infrastructure, strict quality standards, and steady consumption across end-use industries. Europe follows closely, driven by robust personal care markets, industrial chemical usage, and regulatory emphasis on product safety and environmental compliance.

Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing regional market, fueled by rapid urbanization, rising disposable incomes, and expanding manufacturing activities. Countries such as China, India, Japan, and Southeast Asian nations are key growth drivers due to increasing demand for detergents, cosmetics, and industrial chemicals. The region also benefits from cost-effective production and expanding domestic chemical industries. South America and the Middle East & Africa represent emerging markets with moderate growth potential, supported by gradual industrial development, improving living standards, and increasing adoption of consumer and industrial chemical products.

Key Players Analysis with DROT

The monoethanolamine market is moderately competitive, with a combination of multinational corporations and regional producers. Lubrizol benefits from strong formulation expertise, global reach, and integration into high-value applications, though its premium positioning can limit competitiveness in price-sensitive markets. AkzoNobel leverages strong brand recognition and diversified operations, while facing challenges from regulatory compliance and raw material cost fluctuations.

Colonial Chemical focuses on niche and customized solutions, offering flexibility and customer-centric innovation, though scale limitations may affect global expansion. Stepan benefits from strong positioning in detergents and personal care applications, balanced against exposure to cyclical consumer demand.

Ele Corporation, Enaspol, and Kao maintain regional strengths and application-specific expertise. Kawaken and Miwon Commercial focus on specialty and performance-driven segments. K & FS, Zhejiang Zanyu, Kemei Chemical, Jiangsu Haian, and Haijie Chemical contribute to market competitiveness through cost-efficient production and strong regional distribution.

Market drivers include rising hygiene awareness and expanding industrial applications, while restraints involve regulatory scrutiny and feedstock price volatility. Opportunities lie in emerging markets and specialty formulations, whereas threats include substitution by alternative amines and tightening environmental regulations.

Value Chain Analysis

The monoethanolamine value chain begins with raw material sourcing, primarily ethylene oxide and ammonia, derived from petrochemical feedstocks. These inputs undergo controlled reactions to produce monoethanolamine, followed by purification and quality control processes to meet application-specific standards. Manufacturers then package and distribute the product through direct sales, chemical distributors, and integrated supply agreements.

Downstream users include personal care formulators, detergent manufacturers, industrial processors, gas treatment facilities, and specialty chemical producers. Value creation across the chain depends on production efficiency, product purity, regulatory compliance, technical support, and reliable logistics. Integrated producers benefit from cost control and supply security, while smaller players focus on customization and regional market access.

Market Outlook

The global monoethanolamine market outlook for 2026–2036 remains favorable, supported by steady growth in personal care products, daily washing formulations, and industrial chemical applications. Asia-Pacific is expected to lead volume growth, while North America and Europe emphasize high-purity and value-added applications. Technological advancements in production efficiency, increasing focus on sustainable and compliant formulations, and expanding end-use industries will continue to shape market dynamics. Overall, the market is positioned for stable long-term expansion, underpinned by the essential role of monoethanolamine across consumer and industrial chemical value chains.