Market research

Anionic surfactants market in Germany

Release date: Mar 29, 2026

Submission: 15 minutes after payment

Research period: 2017-2025

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Earlier Report Observations

Between 2018 and 2022, the volume of the German anionic surfactants market remained relatively stable, fluctuating between 271 thousand tons and 291 thousand tons, with a peak in 2021. In value terms, the market contracted in 2019 and 2020 before surging to 480 million US dollars in 2022, driven by higher unit prices.

By 2024, the market volume had fallen to 235 thousand tons, while its value declined to 360 million US dollars. This period was marked by a strong industry shift toward sustainable and biodegradable surfactants, reinforced by stricter legal requirements such as the German Detergent and Cleansing Agents Act (WRMG), which mandates a minimum 80% primary biodegradability for anionic surfactants. Concurrently, the expansion of production capacities in China and India intensified global competition, reshaping supply dynamics within Germany.

Table of content

1. Disclaimer
2. Terms of use of the report
3. Product codes in the statistical classifications used in the report
4. Key Market Indicators and Trends
1. 4.1. Key Market Indicators
  1. 4.1.1. In kind
    1. 4.1.1.1. Production, 2018-2022, 2024
    2. 4.1.1.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.1.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.1.4. Market size, 2018-2022, 2024
  2. 4.1.2. In value
    1. 4.1.2.1. Production, 2018-2022, 2024
    2. 4.1.2.2. Imports, 2018-2024
    3. 4.1.2.3. Exports, 2018-2024
    4. 4.1.2.4. Market size, 2018-2022, 2024
2. 4.2. Market Trends and Factors
5. Production
1. 5.1. Production in Germany
  1. 5.1.1. In kind, 2018-2022, 2024, K t
  2. 5.1.2. In value, 2018-2022, 2024, M $ US
2. 5.2. Production in the EU, 2018-2024
  1. 5.2.1. In kind, 2018-2024, K t
  2. 5.2.2. In value, 2018-2024, M $ US
6. Exports
1. 6.1. Exports (Direct Data)
  1. 6.1.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.1.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.1.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.1.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.1.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.1.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 6.2. Exports (Mirror Data)
  1. 6.2.1. Exports - Total information
  2. 6.2.2. Exports in kind, K t
    1. 6.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 6.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's exports in kind from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 6.2.2.3. Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 6.2.3. Exports in value, M $ US
    1. 6.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 6.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's exports in value from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 6.2.3.3. Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 6.2.4. Average price of product's exports, $ US/t
    1. 6.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 6.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's exports from Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
7. Imports
1. 7.1. Imports (Direct Data)
  1. 7.1.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.1.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.1.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.1.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.1.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.1.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.1.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.1.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.1.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.1.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.1.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.1.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
2. 7.2. Imports (Mirror Data)
  1. 7.2.1. Imports - Total information
  2. 7.2.2. Imports in kind, K t
    1. 7.2.2.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2018-2024, K t
    2. 7.2.2.2. Dynamics of product's imports in kind to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, K t
    3. 7.2.2.3. Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2018-2024
  3. 7.2.3. Imports in value, M $ US
    1. 7.2.3.1. Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2018-2024, M $ US
    2. 7.2.3.2. Dynamics of product's imports in value to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, M $ US
    3. 7.2.3.3. Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2018-2024
  4. 7.2.4. Average price of product's imports, $ US/t
    1. 7.2.4.1. Annual dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany, 2018-2024, $ US/t
    2. 7.2.4.2. Dynamics of average price of product's imports to Germany by countries, 2018-2024, $ US/t
8. Trade balance
1. 8.1. Trade balance (Direct Data)
  1. 8.1.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.1.2. In value, M $ US
2. 8.2. Trade balance (Mirror Data)
  1. 8.2.1. In kind, K t
  2. 8.2.2. In value, M $ US
9. Top buying and selling countries, 2018-2024
1. 9.1. Direct Data
  1. 9.1.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.1.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers
2. 9.2. Mirror Data
  1. 9.2.1. Import in Value by Countries-buyers
  2. 9.2.2. Export in Value by Countries-suppliers

Production anionic surfactants in Germany

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Germany's anionic surfactants production value reached 689.6 million US dollars in 2020, marking a slight improvement of 1.9% compared to 2019. The maximum production value was recorded in 2018 at 745.0 million US dollars, followed by the lowest point in 2019 at 676.6 million US dollars. The largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with 4.5% growth, while the most significant decline took place in 2019 with a 9.2% drop. Over the entire period from 2017 to 2020, production decreased by 3.3%, which translates to an average annual decline of 1.1%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.5%	(9.2%)	1.9%	(1.1%)

Source: SHEV.io

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Germany's anionic surfactants production volume increased in 2020 after two consecutive years of decline. The country produced 558.2 thousand tons that year, representing a modest 3.6% increase compared to 2019. The lowest production volume was recorded in 2019 at 538.8 thousand tons. The most substantial decline occurred in 2018 with an 11.0% decrease. Between 2017 and 2020, overall production fell by 8.3%, equating to an average annual decline of 2.8%.

Annual dynamics of production in Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(11.0%)	(0.5%)	3.6%	(2.8%)

Source: SHEV.io

Exports anionic surfactants from Germany

Exports in kind, K t

Germany's anionic surfactants exports grew for the second consecutive year in 2020, reaching 358.4 thousand tons. This represents a 6.5% increase compared to the previous year. The lowest export volume was recorded in 2018 at 326.9 thousand tons, which also saw the largest decline of 2.1%. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports increased by 7.3%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.4%.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	(2.1%)	2.9%	6.5%	2.4%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were notable but not dominant buyers of German anionic surfactants. France accounted for 19.2% of export volume, the Netherlands for 11.3%, and Poland for 10.5%. Together, these three countries represented 41.0% of Germany's total anionic surfactants exports by volume.

Structure of product's exports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Exports in value, M $ US

Germany's anionic surfactants export value reached 488.0 million US dollars in 2020, showing a 1.5% increase compared to 2019. The highest export value was recorded in 2018 at 507.4 million US dollars, while the lowest occurred in 2019 at 481.0 million US dollars. The largest annual increase took place in 2018 with 4.0% growth, and the most significant decline happened in 2019 with a 5.2% decrease.

Annual dynamics of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	4.0%	(5.2%)	1.5%	0.0%

Source: SHEV.io

From 2017 to 2020, France, the Netherlands, and Poland were significant but not dominant markets for German anionic surfactants in value terms. France accounted for 16.3% of export value, the Netherlands for 9.8%, and Poland for 8.7%. Collectively, these three countries represented 34.8% of Germany's total anionic surfactants export value.

Structure of product's exports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's exports from Germany in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports anionic surfactants to Germany

Imports in kind, K t

Germany's anionic surfactants import volume declined in 2020 after two years of growth, reaching 71.4 thousand tons. This represents a substantial 17.9% decrease compared to the previous year. The highest import volume was recorded in 2019 at 87.0 thousand tons, which also saw the largest annual increase of 25.5%. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 16.9%, with an average annual growth rate of 5.3%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020, K t

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.4%	25.5%	(17.9%)	5.3%

Source: SHEV.io

Between 2017 and 2020, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Poland were notable but not dominant suppliers of anionic surfactants to Germany by volume. Belgium accounted for 17.7% of import volume, the Netherlands for 14.0%, and Poland for 11.7%. Together, these three countries represented 43.5% of Germany's total anionic surfactants imports by volume.

Structure of product's imports in kind by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Germany in kind, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

Imports in value, M $ US

Germany's anionic surfactants import value decreased in 2020 after two consecutive years of growth, reaching 107.3 million US dollars. This represents a significant 13.9% decline compared to 2019. The highest import value was recorded in 2019 at 124.6 million US dollars, while the largest annual increase occurred in 2018 with 13.4% growth. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports increased by 7.6%, with an average annual growth rate of 2.5%.

Annual dynamics of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020, M $ US

Parameter		2018	2019	2020	CAGR
1	Change from last year	13.4%	10.3%	(13.9%)	2.5%

Source: SHEV.io

An analysis of Germany's anionic surfactants import value from 2017 to 2020 reveals a broad distribution across multiple markets. The Netherlands accounted for 17.1% of import value, Belgium for 13.3%, and Italy for 11.4%. Together, these three countries represented 41.8% of total import value, while the remaining 58.2% came from various other trading partners.

Structure of product's imports in value by countries, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io

World map of product's imports to Germany in value, 2017-2020

Source: SHEV.io