| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
| Base Year For Estimation | 2024 |
| Forecast Data Period | 2025 - 2030 |
| CAGR | 5.00 % |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | High |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order |
Alpha Olefins Market Analysis
The Alpha Olefins Market is expected to register a CAGR of greater than 5% during the forecast period.
- COVID-19 negatively impacted the market in 2020. However, the market reached pre-pandemic levels in 2022 and is expected to grow steadily in the future.
- The major factor driving the market is the growing demand from the paper and pulp industries. On the flip side, stringent environmental regulations due to the non-biodegradable nature of polyethylene are hindering the growth of the alpha olefins market.
- Further, growing R&D Investments for the development of alpha olefins from various sources are expected to act as a market opportunity in the coming years. The Asia-Pacific region dominates the global market, with the largest consumption from countries such as China, India, and Japan.
Alpha Olefins Market Trends
Increasing Usage in Surfactants Application
- Surfactants are present in a wide range of cleaning products, and one of the usual groups is anionic surfactants, which are particularly valued for their foaming ability. Many anionic surfactants are used in detergents, although the most commonly used today are the salts of dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid and ethoxylated sodium lauryl sulfate.
- Alpha olefin sulfonate is an anionic surfactant that has been used efficaciously for many years in laundry and personal care products but was gradually substituted by other low-cost products.
- The chief benefit of alpha olefin sulfonate in cleaning products is that it can form stable foams in diluted products, hard water, and at low temperatures. In addition, it has good cleaning properties, is useful in both detergents and cosmetics, has fast biodegradability, has good compatibility with the skin, and is highly soluble in water. Therefore, it is suitable for liquid or powder detergents and personal hygiene products, especially for dishwashers, laundry detergents, automotive cleaners, or bath gels.
- The most common alpha olefin sulfonate used in personal care is sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, which functions as a detergent, wetting agent, and emulsifier. When properly formulated, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate imparts viscosity, a consumer-acceptable foaming profile, and quick flash foam to produce a stable lather, among other benefits.
- The surfactants included in detergents and soaps mix with water and attach themselves to the dirt on clothes and other cleaning surfaces. This helps reduce surface tension and remove dirt from the concerned surface.
- In 2021, liquid body wash had the highest unit sales among soap products in the United States. In 2021, the liquid body wash category generated around 624 million units in multi-outlet sales in the United States. Also, it was followed by liquid hand soap and hand sanitizer, which sold about 402 million units and 254 million units, respectively, in 2021. This is expected to help the market grow steadily during the forecast period. Owing to all the abovementioned factors, the market is expected to grow during the forecast period.
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The Asia-Pacific Region to Dominate the Market
- The Asia-Pacific region is expected to be the dominant market in alpha olefins consumption. In countries like China, Japan, South Korea, India, and Southeast Asian nations, the demand for alpha olefins is increasing. China is also the largest producer of lubricants, oil field chemicals, plasticizers, etc., catering to the market worldwide.
- The consumption of soap and detergent witnessed a sharp increase in the country, owing to the hygiene awareness due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This consumption is expected to propel the demand for alpha olefins in the coming years.
- Alpha olefins are mostly used to manufacture polyethylene, such as linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), which are used in various applications ranging from packaging to pipes.
- According to the Packaging Industry Association of India (PIAI), the packaging industry is currently the fifth-largest economic sector in India. It is growing at a rate of 22-25% per year, making India a preferred hub for the packaging industry. This is expected to increase the demand for polyethylene, in turn, increasing the demand for alpha olefins in the market.
- Further, China has one of the world's largest pulp and paper industries. China is one of the top three producers of paper in the world. For instance, in September 2022, China's processed paper and cardboard manufacturing volume was roughly 11.6 million metric tonnes, which is expected to increase the demand for alpha olefins.
- Hence, due to the above-mentioned reasons, Asia-Pacific is anticipated to dominate the market studied during the forecast period.
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Alpha Olefins Industry Overview
The alpha-olefin market is partially consolidated in nature. Some of the major players in the market include Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, INEOS, SABIC, Sasol, and Shell plc, among others
Alpha Olefins Market Leaders
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Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC
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INEOS
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SABIC
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Sasol
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Shell plc
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
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Alpha Olefins Market News
- February 2023: Chevron Phillips Chemical (CPChem) and Charter Next Generation (CNG) announced that overwrap film made with CPChem's Marlex® Anew™ Circular Polyethylene is bound for store shelves in the US. Versatile and efficient overwrap films help preserve food, keep medical instruments secure and sterile, and provide lightweight and durable product packaging. Alpha olefins are mostly consumed to manufacture polyethylene.
- April 2022: Shell Chemical won approval from the state Board of Commerce and Industry for an Industrial Tax Exemption Program break for their USD 1.4 billion project, which the company says will create a 'world scale' linear alpha olefin plant at the Geismar facility. Linear alpha olefins are used to make detergents, waxes, plastics, and premium lubricants.
Alpha Olefins Industry Segmentation
Alpha-olefins are a family of organic compounds, alkenes (also known as olefins), with a chemical formula CxH2x, distinguished by having a double bond at the primary or alpha (α) position. This location of a double bond enhances the reactivity of the compound and makes it useful for a number of applications.
The alpha olefins market is segmented by type, application, and region. By type, the market is segmented into 1-hexene, 1-octene, 1-butene, and other types. By application, the market is segmented into lubricants, oil field chemicals, plasticizers, polyolefin comonomers, surfactants, and other applications. The report also covers the market size and forecasts for alpha olefins in 15 countries across major regions.
For each segment, the market sizing and forecasts have been done based on revenue (USD million).
| Type | 1-Hexene | ||
| 1-Octene | |||
| 1-Butene | |||
| Other Types | |||
| Appllication | Lubricants | ||
| Oil Field Chemicals | |||
| Plasticizers | |||
| Polyolefin Comonomers | |||
| Surfactants | |||
| Other Applications | |||
| Geography | Asia-Pacific | China | |
| India | |||
| Japan | |||
| South Korea | |||
| Rest of Asia-Pacific | |||
| North America | United States | ||
| Mexico | |||
| Canada | |||
| Rest of North America | |||
| Europe | Germany | ||
| United Kingdom | |||
| Italy | |||
| France | |||
| Rest of Europe | |||
| South America | Brazil | ||
| Argentina | |||
| Rest of South America | |||
| Middle-East and Africa | Saudi Arabia | ||
| South Africa | |||
| Rest of Middle-East and Africa | |||
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Alpha Olefins Market Research FAQs
What is the current Alpha Olefins Market size?
The Alpha Olefins Market is projected to register a CAGR of greater than 5% during the forecast period (2025-2030)
Who are the key players in Alpha Olefins Market?
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LLC, INEOS, SABIC, Sasol and Shell plc are the major companies operating in the Alpha Olefins Market.
Which is the fastest growing region in Alpha Olefins Market?
Asia Pacific is estimated to grow at the highest CAGR over the forecast period (2025-2030).
Which region has the biggest share in Alpha Olefins Market?
In 2025, the Asia Pacific accounts for the largest market share in Alpha Olefins Market.
What years does this Alpha Olefins Market cover?
The report covers the Alpha Olefins Market historical market size for years: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024. The report also forecasts the Alpha Olefins Market size for years: 2025, 2026, 2027, 2028, 2029 and 2030.
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Alpha Olefin Industry Report
Statistics for the 2025 Alpha Olefins market share, size and revenue growth rate, created by Mordor Intelligence™ Industry Reports. Alpha Olefins analysis includes a market forecast outlook for 2025 to 2030 and historical overview. Get a sample of this industry analysis as a free report PDF download.
