Sorbitan Oleate Market

By Application;

Food Industry, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Agriculture and Industrial

By Type;

Non-Ionic Surfactants, Emulsifiers, Stabilizers, Thickeners and Foaming Agents

By End-Use;

Food Additives, Cosmetic Formulations, Pharmaceutical Preparations, Agricultural Chemicals and Industrial Cleaning Products

By Geography;

North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa and Latin America - Report Timeline (2021 - 2031)
Report ID: Rn782055479 Published Date: September, 2025 Updated Date: October, 2025

Sorbitan Oleate Market Overview

Sorbitan Oleate Market (USD Million)

Sorbitan Oleate Market was valued at USD 603.54 million in the year 2024. The size of this market is expected to increase to USD 811.05 million by the year 2031, while growing at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.3%.


Sorbitan Oleate Market

*Market size in USD million

CAGR 4.3 %


Study Period2025 - 2031
Base Year2024
CAGR (%)4.3 %
Market Size (2024)USD 603.54 Million
Market Size (2031)USD 811.05 Million
Market ConcentrationHigh
Report Pages301
603.54
2024
811.05
2031

Major Players

  • BASF SE
  • Croda International Plc
  • Evonik Industries AG
  • Lonza Group AG
  • Solvay S.A.
  • Kao Corporation
  • Stepan Company
  • Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Market Concentration

Consolidated - Market dominated by 1 - 5 major players

Sorbitan Oleate Market

Fragmented - Highly competitive market without dominant players


The Sorbitan Oleate Market is witnessing consistent growth, supported by its diverse applications as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and dispersing agent. Widely adopted in personal care, pharmaceuticals, food, and industrial processes, demand has expanded by over 30%. Rising interest in eco-friendly and biodegradable surfactants is a major driver fueling market expansion.

Key Drivers Accelerating Growth
In the personal care sector, Sorbitan Oleate plays a crucial role in enhancing product stability, texture, and consistency. More than 40% of consumption is linked to cosmetic and skincare products, reflecting the shift toward green formulations. Its alignment with the clean-label movement further accelerates demand in this segment.

Advancements Strengthening Market Adoption
The food and beverage industry is increasingly adopting Sorbitan Oleate, with usage rising by nearly 25%. It ensures emulsion stability in bakery, confectionery, and beverage applications, improving shelf-life and maintaining product quality. With growing consumption of processed and convenience foods, demand for this additive continues to strengthen.

Growth Prospects and Industry Outlook
In pharmaceuticals, Sorbitan Oleate contributes to drug formulations, ointments, and delivery systems, with adoption increasing by nearly 20%. Industrial sectors also use it in textiles, coatings, and lubricants, showcasing its broad utility. More than 50% of manufacturers are prioritizing sustainable product innovations, positioning Sorbitan Oleate as a key eco-friendly surfactant. With strong sustainability trends and continued R&D investments, the market outlook remains highly positive.

  1. Introduction
    1. Research Objectives and Assumptions
    2. Research Methodology
    3. Abbreviations
  2. Market Definition & Study Scope
  3. Executive Summary
    1. Market Snapshot, By Application
    2. Market Snapshot, By Type
    3. Market Snapshot, By End-Use
    4. Market Snapshot, By Region
  4. Sorbitan Oleate Market Dynamics
    1. Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities
      1. Drivers
        1. High demand for natural
        2. Growth in pharmaceutical applications
        3. Rising use in food industry for texture
      2. Restraints
        1. Stringent regulatory standards
        2. Potential side effects or allergies
        3. Competition from alternative emulsifiers
      3. Opportunities
        1. Expansion in emerging markets
        2. Innovations in formulations
        3. Increasing trend towards clean label products
    2. PEST Analysis
      1. Political Analysis
      2. Economic Analysis
      3. Social Analysis
      4. Technological Analysis
    3. Porter's Analysis
      1. Bargaining Power of Suppliers
      2. Bargaining Power of Buyers
      3. Threat of Substitutes
      4. Threat of New Entrants
      5. Competitive Rivalry
  5. Market Segmentation
    1. Sorbitan Oleate Market, By Application, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Food Industry
      2. Cosmetics & Personal Care
      3. Pharmaceuticals
      4. Agriculture
      5. Industrial
    2. Sorbitan Oleate Market, By Type, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Non-Ionic Surfactants
      2. Emulsifiers
      3. Stabilizers
      4. Thickeners
      5. Foaming Agents
    3. Sorbitan Oleate Market, By End-Use, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. Food Additives
      2. Cosmetic Formulations
      3. Pharmaceutical Preparations
      4. Agricultural Chemicals
      5. Industrial Cleaning Products
    4. Sorbitan Oleate Market, By Geography, 2021 - 2031 (USD Million)
      1. North America
        1. United States
        2. Canada
      2. Europe
        1. Germany
        2. United Kingdom
        3. France
        4. Italy
        5. Spain
        6. Nordic
        7. Benelux
        8. Rest of Europe
      3. Asia Pacific
        1. Japan
        2. China
        3. India
        4. Australia & New Zealand
        5. South Korea
        6. ASEAN (Association of South East Asian Countries)
        7. Rest of Asia Pacific
      4. Middle East & Africa
        1. GCC
        2. Israel
        3. South Africa
        4. Rest of Middle East & Africa
      5. Latin America
        1. Brazil
        2. Mexico
        3. Argentina
        4. Rest of Latin America
  6. Competitive Landscape
    1. Company Profiles
      1. BASF SE
      2. Croda International Plc
      3. Evonik Industries AG
      4. Lonza Group AG
      5. Solvay S.A.
      6. Kao Corporation
      7. Stepan Company
      8. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
  7. Analyst Views
  8. Future Outlook of the Market