Organic surfactants and washing preparations market in Spain

Earlier Report Observations

The market volume for organic surfactants and washing preparations in Spain grew from 2 005 thousand tons in 2018 to 2 310 thousand tons in 2020, while its value saw a slight stabilization in 2019 before reaching 2 133 million USD in 2020. This expansion occurred alongside a consolidation of the professional cleaning sector, where mergers and acquisitions raised the combined share of the top five operators to around 18.2%.

After 2020, export volumes continued their upward trend, reaching 954 thousand tons by 2024. Market dynamics were influenced by heightened hygiene awareness, which boosted demand for anionic surfactants in cleaning products, and by increased development of bio-based cleaning agents, with over 850 formulations containing biosurfactants entering global supply chains.

In 2024, the cleaning sector workforce in Spain exceeded half a million, supported by post‑COVID‑19 emphasis on disinfection. Simultaneously, major players such as Unilever launched sustainable innovations like laundry sheets and concentrated natural products, reflecting a broader industry shift toward environmentally friendly formulations driven by consumer preferences and regulatory standards like the EPA Safer Choice certification.

Production organic surfactants and washing preparations in Spain

In value, 2017-2020, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's production of organic surfactants and washing preparations was valued at 2 353 million US dollars, marking a modest 9.0% increase from the previous year. Over the period from 2017 to 2020, production grew by 13.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 4.3%. The largest decline occurred in 2019, at 5.4%, while the largest increase was recorded in 2018, at 10.2%.

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

In kind, 2017-2020, K t

Spain's production of organic surfactants and washing preparations has increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, the country produced 2 617 thousand tonnes, up 8.1% year-over-year. Between 2017 and 2020, production rose by 13.3%, equivalent to an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

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

Exports organic surfactants and washing preparations from Spain

Exports in kind, K t

Spain's exports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in volume terms have grown for the third year in a row. In 2020, Spain exported 798.1 thousand tonnes, representing a moderate 9.9% increase compared to the previous year. From 2017 to 2020, exports increased by 13.4%, with an annualized growth rate of 4.3%.

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

Between 2017 and 2020, Spain's exports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in volume terms were distributed across numerous markets. Portugal, France, and Italy accounted for 24.6%, 14.1%, and 9.7% of exports, respectively, collectively making up 48.3% of total flows.

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

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

Exports in value, M $ US

In 2020, Spain's exports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in value terms totaled 1 036 million US dollars, an 8.1% increase from the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, exports grew by 8.6%, with a compound annual growth rate of 2.8%. The largest decline was in 2019, at 4.1%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Spain's exports in value terms were spread across a wide range of partner countries. Portugal, France, and Germany accounted for 19.0%, 13.8%, and 8.8% of exports, respectively, together comprising 41.6% of total flows.

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

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

Imports organic surfactants and washing preparations to Spain

Imports in kind, K t

Spain's imports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in volume terms have increased for the second consecutive year. In 2020, Spain imported 491.2 thousand tonnes, showing a modest 4.9% rise compared to the previous year. Between 2017 and 2020, imports grew by 21.6%, with an annualized rate of 6.7%. The lowest volume was recorded in 2018 at 378.2 thousand tonnes, which also saw the largest decline of 6.4%. The largest increase occurred in 2019, at 23.8%.

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

Throughout 2017-2020, Italy, Germany, and the United Kingdom were the key sources for Spain's imports in volume terms, accounting for 23.0%, 16.4%, and 13.7% of imports, respectively. Together, they made up 53.0% of total flows.

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

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

Imports in value, M $ US

Spain's imports of organic surfactants and washing preparations in value terms have increased for the third consecutive year. In 2020, imports totaled 1 036 million US dollars, remaining stable compared to the previous year. Over the 2017-2020 period, imports grew by 22.5%, with a compound annual growth rate of 7.0%.

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

From 2017 to 2020, Germany, Italy, and France accounted for the largest shares of Spain's imports in value terms, with 21.8%, 16.6%, and 12.5% of imports, respectively. Together, they comprised 50.9% of total flows.

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

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