PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1925656
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1925656
Water-based metal cleansers, also known as aqueous-based metal cleansers, are cleaning agents that rely on water as a base rather than chemicals or solvents. This makes them less corrosive and volatile compared to other industrial cleaners. Their water-based composition results in the generation of less hazardous waste, and they do not possess ozone-depleting properties. Additionally, they tend to be more widely accepted by operators. These cleansers are primarily employed in the cleaning of industrial machinery and parts.
The key technologies for aqueous-based metal cleaners encompass ultrasonic, rinse, dip, and spray methods. Ultrasonic metal cleaning involves the use of high-frequency, high-intensity sound waves in a liquid to eliminate foreign impurities from surfaces. These cleansers are available in various chemical formulations, including alkaline, acidic, and neutral, and contain a range of cleaning agents like builders, sequestrants, inhibitors, surfactants, and more. They find applications across diverse industries such as manufacturing, automotive, aerospace, healthcare, and others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs have impacted the aqueous-based metal cleaners market by increasing costs of imported surfactants, builders, sequestrants, and specialty additives used in formulations. These impacts are most evident in ultrasonic and spray cleaning systems used by automotive, aerospace, and precision manufacturing sectors. Asia pacific and europe are particularly affected due to reliance on specialty chemical imports. Higher costs have influenced pricing and procurement strategies. However, tariffs are accelerating domestic formulation, local sourcing of ingredients, and regional production capacity expansion.
The aqueous-based metal cleaners market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides aqueous-based metal cleaners market statistics, including aqueous-based metal cleaners industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a aqueous-based metal cleaners market share, detailed aqueous-based metal cleaners market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the aqueous-based metal cleaners industry. This aqueous-based metal cleaners 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 aqueous-based metal cleaners market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $12.97 billion in 2025 to $13.73 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in industrial manufacturing, rising equipment maintenance needs, replacement of solvent cleaners, tightening environmental regulations, expansion of automotive production.
The aqueous-based metal cleaners market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $17.86 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing automation in manufacturing, rising demand for sustainable cleaners, growth in electronics manufacturing, stricter workplace safety norms, advancements in aqueous cleaning chemistry. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing adoption of water based industrial cleaning solutions, rising demand for low hazard and non corrosive metal cleaners, growing use in precision component cleaning, expansion of environmentally compliant cleaning processes, higher focus on worker safety and regulatory compliance.
The growing preference for eco-friendly products is expected to propel the growth of the aqueous-based metal cleaner market going forward. Eco-friendly products are designed and manufactured to minimize environmental impact, often using sustainable materials and processes that reduce harm to the planet. Aqueous-based metal cleaners align with this trend by offering a sustainable, non-toxic alternative to traditional solvent-based cleaners, thereby reducing harmful chemical emissions and environmental footprint. For example, in April 2024, the National Association of Convenience Stores reported that 80% of consumers were very or somewhat concerned about the environmental impact of their purchases, up from 68% in 2023 and 66% in 2022. Therefore, the rising preference for eco-friendly products is expected to drive the aqueous-based metal cleaner market.
Major companies in the aqueous-based metal cleaners market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as eco-friendly, high-efficiency, and surface-protective cleaners to improve cleaning performance while minimizing environmental impact. High-efficiency and surface-protective cleaners are formulations that clean metal surfaces quickly and thoroughly while leaving a protective layer that prevents corrosion, tarnish, or damage. For instance, in May 2024, Quick Sheen, a US-based manufacturing company, introduced Maximum Strength All Metal Polish, an eco-friendly product designed for use on chrome, aluminum, stainless steel, and silver. The polish features a water-based, non-abrasive formula free from petroleum, wax, and harsh ingredients, providing a streak-free, high-gloss finish without residue. It removes tarnish, oxidation, fingerprints, and grime without scratching the metal surface and forms an invisible protective layer that guards against future oxidation and environmental damage, with protection lasting up to six months per application.
In January 2024, MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions acquired the surface-finishing and cleaning-chemical solutions business of All Star Chemical Company for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition enabled MacDermid Enthone to expand its portfolio of cleaning and metal-preparation solutions, including aqueous and industrial cleaning chemistries, strengthening its position in the global metal-cleaning chemicals market. It also broadened the company's capabilities in surface finishing, degreasing, and parts cleaning services. Startek Chemicals Ltd. is an India-based company that provides aqueous-based cleaners.
Major companies operating in the aqueous-based metal cleaners market are BASF SE, Aervoe Industries Inc., Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Nouryon B.V., Stepan Company, Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Quaker Chemical Corp, Zep Inc., CRC Industries Inc., Crest Industrial Chemicals Inc., KYZEN Corporation, PCC Chemax Inc., Hubbard-Hall Inc., Cavalier Chemicals Inc., Chautauqua Chemical Company, DST-Chemicals A/S, Rochester Midland Corporation, Spartan Chemical Company Inc., A.W. Chesterton Company, Dow Inc., Evonik Industries AG
Asia-Pacificwas the largest region in the aqueous-based metal cleaners' market in 2025. The regions covered in the aqueous-based metal cleaners market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the aqueous-based metal cleaners market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The aqueous-based metal cleanser market consists of sales of cleaning systems, detergents, surfactants and emulsifiers. 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.
Aqueous-Based Metal Cleaners Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses aqueous-based metal cleaners 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 aqueous-based metal cleaners ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The aqueous-based metal cleaners 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, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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