Methyl Ester Sulfonate Global Market Report 2026

Methyl ester sulfonate (MES) is an advanced anionic surfactant produced through the sulfonation of saturated fatty acid methyl esters. It is highly regarded for its superior detergency, stability in the presence of calcium ions, water solubility, biodegradability, tolerance to hard water, and lower toxicity compared to conventional fossil-based surfactants such as linear alkyl benzene sulphonates (LAS).

The primary types of methyl ester sulfonate include sodium methyl ester sulfonate, calcium methyl ester sulfonate, and other variations. Sodium methyl ester sulfonate, a prominent type of anionic surfactant, finds extensive use in various cleaning products such as detergents, shampoos, and personal care items. Available in liquid, powder, and flake forms, it is employed across applications including detergents, personal care products, dishwashing agents, industrial and institutional cleaners, laundry products, and within the textile industry.

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 methyl ester sulfonate market by increasing costs of imported fatty acid methyl esters, sulfonation equipment, and processing chemicals used in MES production. These effects are most pronounced in detergent and personal care applications across asia pacific and latin america, where manufacturers depend on global raw material supply chains. Elevated production costs have pressured pricing for eco friendly surfactant products. At the same time, tariffs have supported domestic oleochemical production, regional sourcing of feedstocks, and local MES manufacturing, strengthening sustainable supply chains and reducing import dependency.

The methyl ester sulfonate market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides methyl ester sulfonate market statistics, including methyl ester sulfonate industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a methyl ester sulfonate market share, detailed methyl ester sulfonate market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the methyl ester sulfonate industry. This methyl ester sulfonate 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 methyl ester sulfonate market size has grown rapidly in recent years. It will grow from $1.51 billion in 2025 to $1.71 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth in detergent and laundry markets, availability of natural fatty acid feedstocks, rising awareness of biodegradable surfactants, replacement of las in cleaning formulations, expansion of household cleaning consumption.

The methyl ester sulfonate market size is expected to see rapid growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing sustainability regulations, rising demand for green household products, growth in personal care formulations, innovation in surfactant processing technologies, expanding industrial and institutional cleaning sectors. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of bio based surfactants in detergents, rising adoption of mes in eco friendly cleaning products, growing demand for high performance anionic surfactants, expansion of mes usage in personal care applications, higher preference for biodegradable cleaning ingredients.

The rising demand for personal care products is expected to propel the growth of the methyl ester sulfonate market going forward. Personal care products are items used for hygiene and grooming, encompassing a wide range of products designed to maintain and improve physical appearance and cleanliness. A growing emphasis on health and wellness is increasing spending on personal care products that enhance appearance, hygiene, and overall well-being. Methyl ester sulfonate is used in personal care products such as shampoos, soaps, and skincare formulations. Its mildness and ability to generate stable foams help create a positive user experience. For instance, in December 2024, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a US-based government agency, the average annual expenditure on personal care products and services increased from $866 per consumer unit in 2022 to $950 per consumer unit in 2023. Therefore, rising demand for personal care products is driving the methyl ester sulfonate market.

Major companies operating in the methyl ester sulfonate market are focusing on developing innovations such as microbial fermentation facilities for large-scale production of eco-friendly surfactants to address the growing need for biodegradable and sustainable ingredients in personal care and cleaning products. A microbial fermentation facility uses controlled bioreactors to grow microorganisms that naturally generate surfactants, enabling consistent, high-purity production while minimizing environmental impact compared to traditional chemical synthesis. For instance, in May 2024, Evonik Industries, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, launched its Rhamnolipid Biosurfactants Facility in Slovakia. The plant manufactures glycolipid biosurfactants at commercial scale for use in shampoos, body washes, and detergents, supporting fully biodegradable, skin-friendly, and renewable-resource-based formulations that align with both performance and sustainability objectives in consumer products.

In January 2024, Kerfoot Group Ltd., a UK-based manufacturer and supplier of natural and organic oils, merged with Oleon N.V. for an undisclosed amount. The merger is a natural evolution for Kerfoot's business. It will enable the UK team to work with Oleon as an industry innovator and build long-lasting relationships with all their partners. Oleon N.V. is a Belgium-based manufacturer specializing in oleochemical products, including methyl esters.

Major companies operating in the methyl ester sulfonate market are Wilmar International Ltd., Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd, KLK OLEO Group, Godrej Industries Limited, Emery Oleochemicals, Oleon NV, Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc., Fenchem Inc., BASF SE, Evonik Industries AG, Clariant AG, Nouryon, Solvay S.A., Croda International Plc, Pilot Chemical Company, Kao Corporation, Lion Corporation, Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Berg+Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG, P&G Chemicals

Europe was the largest region in the methyl ester sulfonate market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the methyl ester sulfonate market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the methyl ester sulfonate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The methyl ester sulfonate market consists of sales of laundry detergents, dishwashing liquids, household cleaners, shampoos and conditioners, body washes and liquid soaps, pesticide formulations, drilling fluids, emulsifiers, agricultural adjuvants, and cosmetic products. 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.

Methyl Ester Sulfonate 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 methyl ester sulfonate 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 methyl ester sulfonate ? 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 methyl ester sulfonate 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 Type: Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate; Calcium Methyl Ester Sulfonate; Other Types
• 2) By Form: Liquid; Powder; Flakes
• 3) By Application: Detergents; Dish Wash; Industrial And Institutional Cleaners; Laundry
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate: Powder Form; Liquid Form
• 2) By Calcium Methyl Ester Sulfonate: Powder Form; Liquid Form
• 3) By Other Types: Potassium Methyl Ester Sulfonate; Magnesium Methyl Ester Sulfonate
• Companies Mentioned: Wilmar International Ltd.; Musim Mas Holdings Pte Ltd; KLK OLEO Group; Godrej Industries Limited; Emery Oleochemicals; Oleon NV; Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc.; Fenchem Inc.; BASF SE; Evonik Industries AG; Clariant AG; Nouryon; Solvay S.A.; Croda International Plc; Pilot Chemical Company; Kao Corporation; Lion Corporation; Henkel AG & Co. KGaA; Berg+Schmidt GmbH & Co. KG; P&G Chemicals
• 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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