Defoamers Global Market Report 2026

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.

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 defoamers market by increasing the cost of imported silicone fluids, specialty oils, and chemical intermediates. The impact is most visible in water treatment, paints, and food processing applications, particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe. Higher tariffs have affected formulation costs and supply chain stability. At the same time, tariffs have encouraged domestic production and regional sourcing of defoaming agents.

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 $6.87 billion in 2025 to $7.07 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to industrial process optimization needs, expansion of pulp and paper industry, growth of chemical manufacturing, demand for process efficiency, availability of silicone chemistry.

The defoamers market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $7.92 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growth of wastewater treatment facilities, expansion of industrial cleaning, demand for eco friendly defoamers, innovation in hybrid defoamer formulations, rising food processing activities. Major trends in the forecast period include growing use in water treatment processes, rising demand from paints and coatings industry, expansion of food and beverage applications, increasing preference for silicone based defoamers, focus on low dosage high efficiency products.

The increasing demand for wastewater treatment is expected to drive the growth of the defoamers market in the coming years. Wastewater treatment involves removing contaminants from wastewater to make it safe for environmental discharge or reuse, typically through physical, chemical, and biological methods. This rising demand is primarily driven by the need for clean water resources, as growing populations and heightened environmental concerns necessitate sustainable water management practices. Defoamers play a critical role in wastewater treatment by minimizing foam formation, improving process efficiency, and preventing operational issues in equipment such as aeration tanks and clarifiers. For example, in October 2024, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that the US received $6.2 billion in investments for Fiscal Year 2025 to upgrade water infrastructure, combining a new $3.6 billion allocation with an earlier $2.6 billion, to help manage wastewater safely, protect freshwater resources, and deliver safe drinking water to homes, schools, and businesses. Therefore, the rising demand for wastewater treatment is driving the defoamers market.

Leading companies in the defoamers market are focusing on developing innovative products such as siloxane-based defoamers to improve foam control efficiency and performance in industrial applications. Siloxane-based defoamers, made from silicone compounds like polydimethylsiloxane, reduce or eliminate foam by spreading quickly over foam surfaces, collapsing bubbles, and preventing further foam formation, thereby enhancing process efficiency and product quality. For instance, in March 2025, Evonik Industries AG, a Germany-based chemical manufacturer, launched TEGO Foamex 8420, a next-generation siloxane-based defoamer designed to tackle challenging foaming issues in waterborne overprint varnishes and printing inks. This product expands Evonik Coating Additives' portfolio of defoamers, offering superior performance, long-term effectiveness, and cost efficiency through low dosage requirements. TEGO Foamex 8420 is particularly effective in formulations containing high levels of foam-stabilizing surfactants such as diisooctyl sulfosuccinate (DOSS) and in complex pigment grinds, both of which are traditionally difficult to defoam.

In February 2025, PennWhite India Private Limited, an India-based specialty chemicals provider, acquired the defoamer business of Sicagen India Limited for an undisclosed sum. Through this acquisition, PennWhite aims to strengthen its presence in the Indian defoamer market, expand its customer base, and leverage Sicagen's existing portfolio to accelerate growth in specialty chemicals for industrial applications. Sicagen India Limited is an India-based specialty chemicals company offering defoamer solutions.

Major companies operating 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 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the defoamers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the defoamers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, 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 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 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.

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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, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? 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, 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.

• The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
• The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
• The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
• The company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Product Type: Water-Based Defoamers; Oil-Based Defoamers; Silicone-Based Defoamers; Other Product Types
• 2) By Medium Of Dispersion: Aqueous Systems; Non-Aqueous Or Solvent
• 3) By Application: 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; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Water-Based Defoamers: Emulsion-Based Defoamers; Dispersion-Based Defoamers; Surfactant-Based Defoamers; Polymer-Based Water Defoamers
• 2) By Oil-Based Defoamers: Mineral Oil-Based Defoamers; Vegetable Oil-Based Defoamers; White Oil-Based Defoamers
• 3) By Silicone-Based Defoamers: Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) Defoamers; Silicone Emulsions; Modified Silicone Fluids
• 4) By Other Product Types: Powder Defoamers; Ethylene Oxide Or Propylene Oxide-Based Defoamers; Alkyl Polyacrylates; Hybrid Defoamers
• Companies Mentioned: 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.
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
• Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
• Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
• Data Segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
• Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
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