Linear Alkyl Benzene Industry Report by Regional Category Spend, Price Analysis, Key Demand, and Price Indicators, and Best Buying Practices

The global Linear Alkyl Benzene market reached a value of about USD 5.1 billion in 2021. The industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of around 6.6% in the forecast period of 2022-2027 to reach a value of about USD 7.48 billion by 2027.

The global Linear Alkyl Benzene industry report gives a comprehensive analysis of the industry, including key segments, trends, drivers, restraints, the competitive landscape, and other essential market aspects. The extensive application of the product in the manufacturing of surfactants and cleaners is driving the demand. In the industry report, the key demand indicator is the highest category spender by region—Asia Pacific.

Industry Definition and Segmentation

Linear alkylbenzenes or LABs are an organic chemical family. It is the chief feedstock for manufacturing LABSA (Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonate), the most frequently used raw material in the world for powder and liquid laundry detergents. LAB is also utilised as a speciality solvent and in certain heat transfer fluids as a component. The Linear Alkyl Benzene industry report comprises segments by application (Laundry Detergents, Dishwashing Detergents, Industrial Cleaners, Household Cleaners) and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and South America).

The Asia Pacific Region is Driving the Growth of the Industry

The Asia Pacific accounts for the largest share of the industry as there is a rise in demand for cleaners in countries like China, India, and Japan. Owing to the increased awareness regarding hygiene, the need for cleaners has boosted, furthering the industry's expansion. In India, the growing population is driving the demand for personal care products that employ the substance, further bolstering the market demand.

The market is being driven by the use of the product in cleaners; it is used in laundry liquids, powders, etc., driving the market's growth. Owing to its cost-performance ratio and adaptability, major detergent makers favour LABS. It is also regarded as one of the safest anionic surfactants. Compared to powder detergents, liquid detergents have greater surfactant levels per wash load. Liquid detergents are more expensive than conventional detergents, and customers have been found to pay a greater price for a quality product, thus driving the market growth. Various awareness campaigns regarding the importance of hygiene have led to an increase in the manufacturing and consumption of cleaning products furthering the market's development.

Best Procurement Practices

The global Linear Alkyl Benzene industry report by Procurement Resource gives an in-depth analysis of the best buying practices followed by major global Linear Alkyl Benzene regions, such as engagement models, contract terms, and buyer and supplier negotiation levers, among others.

Category Management Studies

High purity linear paraffin (n-paraffins) is made from hydrotreated kerosene, which is then dehydrogenated to linear olefins:

To create linear alkenes, ethylene can be oligomerised. The LABs are formed when the linear mono-olefins react with benzene in the presence of a catalyst. The two most common catalysts for alkylation of benzene with linear mono-olefins are hydrogen fluoride (HF) and aluminium chloride (AlCl3). Although the HF-based technique is economically dominant, the possibility of HF (a toxic material) being released into the environment has been a worry. As a result, a solid catalyst system (the DETAL process) was developed. The method avoids the need for catalyst neutralisation and the disposal of HF. As a result, most LAB plants constructed have used this method since then.

Other Applications of the Product, Further Propelling the Procurement of Linear Alkyl Benzene

Ink solvents, agricultural herbicides, wetting agents, emulsion polymerisation, electric cable oil, and the paint industry are examples of LAB's end-use uses. Increasing worldwide consumption of linear alkylbenzene is likely to drive demand, which will drive market expansion in the future years. Over the projected period, the market for linear alkylbenzene is expected to be caused by the rising consumption of industrial cleansers in the nation, aided by rapid expansion in the industrial segment.

However, the adverse effects of the substance on the environment are likely to hamper the market growth.

The regional markets for the industry can be divided into North America, South America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and the Asia Pacific.

Key Industry Players Mentioned in the Linear Alkyl Benzene Industry Report

• Cepsa Quimica SA 
• Sasol Limited 
• Indorama Ventures Limited (IVL) 
• Sinopec Jinling Petrochemical Co., Ltd 
• Isu Chemical Co., Ltd.

Market Landscape

In terms of manufacturing capacity, the market for linear alkylbenzene is fragmented. The presence of a significant number of regional producers characterises the worldwide market. Even though the market is oligopolistic, with no significant firms dominating the sector, the obstacles to new entrants are substantial due to raw material procurement concerns. Companies are concentrating their expansion efforts on mergers and acquisitions.

Key Initiatives by Companies

• CEPSA, a Spanish petrochemicals company, updated its chemical plant in Puente Mayorga (Cadiz, Spain) in June 2019, making it the world's first linear alkylbenzene (LAB) facility to use the Detal process instead of hydrofluoric (HF) technology.
• CEPSA Quimica bought 72.0 percent of DETEN, a Brazilian corporation, becoming the company's dominant stakeholder and boosting its market dominance.