Release Agents Global Market Report 2026

Release agents are substances employed in industrial processes, particularly in molding and casting operations, to prevent materials from sticking to molds or equipment surfaces. They facilitate the smooth removal of finished products from molds, thereby improving production efficiency and preserving product integrity. These agents come in both solvent-based and water-based formulations and play a crucial role in optimizing production processes and ensuring product quality.

The primary types of release agents include emulsifiers, vegetable oils, antioxidants, wax, and wax esters. Emulsifiers aid in mixing two or more liquids that typically do not blend well, such as oil and water. These agents are available in liquid and solid forms and are distributed through various sales channels, including direct sales, wholesalers, independent grocery retailers, non-store retailers, and others. Their applications span across industries such as bakery, confectionery, processed meat, convenience food, 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 affected the release agents market by increasing costs for imported emulsifiers, waxes, antioxidants, and specialty oils used in formulation. These impacts are most evident in food processing and industrial molding applications across Europe and Asia-Pacific. Higher tariffs have led to price adjustments and sourcing shifts. To mitigate these challenges, producers are expanding local raw material sourcing, investing in bio-based alternatives, and optimizing formulations for regional markets. In some cases, tariffs have accelerated innovation in plant-based and clean-label release agents.

The release agents market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides release agents market statistics, including release agents industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a release agents market share, detailed release agents market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the release agents industry. This release agents 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 release agents market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.11 billion in 2025 to $1.17 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of industrial baking, need for mold release efficiency, use in processed food production, expansion of packaged foods, demand for production consistency.

The release agents market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $1.4 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.7%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing processed food consumption, demand for sustainable processing aids, growth of automated food production, stricter food safety standards, expansion of convenience food manufacturing. Major trends in the forecast period include growing demand for food grade release agents, rising use in high speed manufacturing lines, shift toward bio-based release formulations, expansion in bakery and confectionery processing, focus on clean label processing aids.

The rise in the bakery and confectionery industries is expected to propel the growth of the release agents market going forward. The bakery and confectionery industries encompass the production and sale of baked goods, such as bread, pastries, cakes, candies, and other sweet treats. The expansion of the food service industry, including cafes, restaurants, and quick-service restaurants, has increased demand for bakery and confectionery products. Release agents are commonly employed in bakery operations to prevent baked goods from sticking to baking surfaces, facilitating easy removal and maintaining product integrity. For instance, in February 2024, according to the Government of Canada, a Canada-based body responsible for the federal administration, the retail sales of baked goods in the United States (U.S.) saw a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%, reaching US$82.9 billion in 2022, with projections indicating a CAGR of 3.1% from 2023 to 2027, with an anticipated value of US$97.7 billion by 2026. Therefore, the rise in the bakery and confectionery industries is driving the growth of the release agents market.

Major companies operating in the release agent market are increasing their focus on developing innovative solutions, such as water-based mold release agent to meet growing environmental concerns and regulatory demands for safer, more sustainable products. Water-based mold release agents refer to non-toxic, environmentally friendly formulations used to prevent materials from sticking to molds during manufacturing processes. For instance, in May 2024, Kao Corporation, a Japan-based chemicals company, launched LUNAFLOW RA. LUNAFLOW RA is a water-based, solvent- and fluorine-free mold release agent utilizing cellulose nanofibers (CNF) for superior demolding performance and durability. It enhances manufacturing efficiency by preventing material adhesion and is environmentally friendly.

In October 2024, ChemPoint LLC, a United States-based distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, formed a partnership with PLZ Corp to collaboratively handle sales, marketing, and distribution of PLZ's food release agent products throughout the Americas. Through this collaboration, ChemPoint sought to expand its specialty-ingredient portfolio and strengthen its distribution reach in the food-release agent category, while PLZ benefited from ChemPoint's robust logistics capabilities and established customer network. PLZ Corp is a US-based manufacturer of food-grade and industrial food-processing release agents, aerosol coatings, and related specialty aerosol solutions.

Major companies operating in the release agents market are Chem-Trend L.P., Momentive Performance Materials, Michelman Inc., Stoner Inc., MUNZING Chemie GmbH, Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc., Miller-Stephenson Chemical Co., McLube, Franklynn Industries Limited, Munch Chemie International GmbH, Cresset Chemical Co., Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd., Wacker Chemie AG, Clariant AG, Evonik Industries AG, Croda International plc, Henkel AG, BASF SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc., AkzoNobel N.V., Marbocote Ltd., Daikin Industries Ltd.

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

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

The release agents market consists of sales of composite materials, petroleum-based oils, silicone-based sprays, surfactants, and natural oils. 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.

Release Agents 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 release agents 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 release agents ? 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 release agents 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: Emulsifiers; Vegetable Oils; Wax And Wax Esters
• 2) By Form: Liquid; Solid
• 3) By Sales Channel: Direct Sales And Wholesalers; Non-Store Retailers; Other Sales Channels
• 4) By Application: Bakery; Confectionery; Other Applications
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Emulsifiers: Mono- And Diglycerides; Lecithin; Fatty Acids And Derivatives
• 2) By Vegetable Oils: Soybean Oil; Palm Oil; Sunflower Oil; Coconut Oil; Canola Oil
• 3) By Wax And Wax Esters: Paraffin Wax; Carnauba Wax; Beeswax; Candelilla Wax; Montan Waxes
• Companies Mentioned: Chem-Trend L.P.; Momentive Performance Materials; Michelman Inc.; Stoner Inc.; MUNZING Chemie GmbH; Axel Plastics Research Laboratories Inc.; Miller-Stephenson Chemical Co.; McLube; Franklynn Industries Limited; Munch Chemie International GmbH; Cresset Chemical Co.; Shin-Etsu Chemical Co. Ltd.; Wacker Chemie AG; Clariant AG; Evonik Industries AG; Croda International plc; Henkel AG; BASF SE; DuPont de Nemours Inc.; AkzoNobel N.V.; Marbocote Ltd.; Daikin Industries 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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