PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760085
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1760085
Defoamers, or anti-foaming agents, are chemical compounds utilized to minimize or inhibit foam formation in industrial liquids and processes. They function by breaking down the foam's structure, causing the bubbles to collapse and thus preventing additional foam from developing. Generally, defoamers are not soluble in the foaming liquid and work by reducing the surface tension between the foam and the liquid.
The primary types of defoamers include water-based, oil-based, silicone-based, and others. Water-based defoamers utilize water as the main carrier or continuous phase and consist of emulsified active agents dispersed in water, specifically formulated to manage or eliminate foam in water-based systems. These defoamers are used in both aqueous and non-aqueous or solvent-based mediums. Their applications span across several industries including pulp and paper paints, coatings, and inks adhesives and sealants agriculture personal care and cosmetics food and beverages;household and industrial or institutional cleaning water treatment, and more.
The defoamers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides defoamers market statistics, including defoamers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a defoamers market share, detailed defoamers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the defoamers industry. This defoamers market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The defoamers market size has grown steadily in recent years. It will grow from $6.72 billion in 2024 to $6.96 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.6%. The growth during the historic period can be attributed to the rising demand for water and wastewater treatment, expansion in textile manufacturing, growth in renewable energy projects, a greater role in fermentation-based industries, and the increasing need for water and wastewater treatment.
The defoamers market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.91 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.2%. The anticipated growth during the forecast period can be linked to the expansion of industrial wastewater treatment, the growing pulp and paper industry, advancements in the pharmaceutical sector, the development of silicone-free formulations, and the rising demand in the agrochemicals sector. Key trends expected in the forecast period include the adoption of AI-powered foam control systems, integration of smart sensors, the emergence of graphene-enhanced defoamers, self-regulating defoamer technologies, and alignment with Industry 4.0 innovations.
The increasing demand for wastewater treatment is expected to drive the growth of the defoamers market in the coming years. Wastewater treatment involves removing pollutants from wastewater to make it safe for environmental discharge or reuse, typically through physical, chemical, and biological processes. This growing demand is mainly fueled by the rising need for clean water resources, prompted by population growth and escalating environmental concerns that call for sustainable water management practices. Defoamers play a critical role in wastewater treatment by reducing foam formation, thereby enhancing process efficiency and preventing operational issues in equipment like aeration tanks and clarifiers. For example, according to the International Trade Administration, a U.S.-based government agency, Saudi Arabia built 133 wastewater treatment plants in 2021, reflecting a 14.66% increase from the previous year. As a result, the expanding need for wastewater treatment is contributing to the growth of the defoamers market.
Leading companies in the defoamers market are developing advanced products such as siloxane-based defoamers to boost foam control performance in industrial applications. Siloxane-based defoamers, typically composed of silicone compounds like polydimethylsiloxane, are designed to effectively reduce or eliminate foam in various industrial processes. These defoamers act quickly on foam surfaces, causing bubbles to collapse and preventing additional foam formation, thereby enhancing both process efficiency and product quality. For instance, in March 2025, Evonik Industries AG, a chemical manufacturing firm based in Germany, introduced TEGO Foamex 8420-a new siloxane-based defoamer tailored to tackle tough foaming problems in waterborne overprint varnishes and printing inks. This product adds to Evonik Coating Additives' extensive defoamer line, offering high-performance defoaming, long-lasting effectiveness, and cost savings due to its low dosage requirement. TEGO Foamex 8420 is especially suitable for formulations with high levels of foam-stabilizing surfactants like diisooctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS) and for challenging pigment dispersions, both of which are known for their foaming difficulties.
In June 2022, Italmatch Chemicals S.p.A., a chemical manufacturing company based in Italy, acquired Aubin Group for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, Italmatch Chemicals aims to strengthen its presence in the oil and gas, renewable energy, and Middle East markets, while also expanding its product lineup with environmentally sustainable solutions aligned with its ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) strategy. Aubin Limited, based in the UK, specializes in the production of chemical solutions, including defoamers.
Major players in the defoamers market are BASF SE, Dow Inc., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Solvay S.A., Air Products and Chemicals Inc., CHT Group, Wacker Chemie AG, The Lubrizol Corporation, Clariant AG, Kemira Oyj, Croda International Plc, Ashland Inc., Elementis PLC, Hydrite Chemical Co., Synalloy Chemicals, Munzing Chemie GmbH, SAN NOPCO LIMITED, PMC Ouvrie, Momentive Performance Materials Inc., Sauradip Chemical Industries Pvt. Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the defoamers market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in defoamers report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the defoamers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The defoamers market consists of sales of non-silicone-based defoamers, powdered defoamers, hybrid defoamers, emulsion-based defoamers, and vegetable oil-based defoamers. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Defoamers Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on defoamers market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for defoamers ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The defoamers market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.