China Oleochemical Market Overview, 2029

China's oleochemical sector has expanded significantly, aided by the country's enormous agricultural base, which provides a consistent supply of raw materials. The oleochemical market in China has grown dramatically over the last few decades, becoming an important part of the country's industrial and economic environment. The Chinese government's policies have had a considerable impact on the market, with efforts aimed at fostering sustainable growth and mitigating environmental impact. Policies like the "13th Five-Year Plan for Ecological and Environmental Protection" highlight the necessity of green and sustainable practices in the chemical industry, particularly oleochemicals. Adhering to environmental rules and sustainability certifications, such as those issued by the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO), is critical for entering foreign markets and meeting customer demand for sustainable products. The COVID-19 crisis highlighted the importance of the oleochemical industry in public health, spurring expansion in industries such as personal care and cleaning goods. Furthermore, the epidemic has expedited digital transformation, encouraging businesses to invest in e-commerce and remote operations. While the immediate impact was difficult, the market has adjusted and continues to develop, fuelled by improved hygiene awareness and ongoing demand for sustainable products. Another obstacle is regulatory compliance, which requires enterprises to follow strict environmental norms and international standards in order to access global markets. Petrochemical competition, as well as the need for cost-effective, scalable bio-based alternatives, provides additional obstacles.

According to the research report "China Oleochemicals Market Overview, 2029," published by Bonafide Research, the China oleochemicals market is anticipated to grow at more than 7 % CAGR from 2024 to 2029. The trend towards natural and environmentally friendly alternatives has increased interest in oleochemicals, which are used in a variety of applications such as personal care, food processing, and industrial products. Furthermore, China's emphasis on renewable energy and sustainability has fuelled the development of bio-based products such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for biodiesel synthesis, highlighting a larger trend towards green chemistry and sustainable industrial practices. China's oleochemical market is dominated by a few major firms who promote innovation while maintaining a strong market presence. Wilmar International is a key participant, noted for its extensive manufacturing capabilities and diverse oleochemical offerings. BASF, with its strong emphasis on R&D, brings new innovations and high-quality goods to the market. Dongguan Qihong Chemical Co., Ltd. is another major participant, providing a wide range of oleochemicals for industrial and consumer use. These firms are critical to the market's development, employing their experience and resources to drive expansion and meet changing consumer and industrial demands.

Palm oil and palm kernel oil are essential components of China's oleochemical industry due to their high production and adaptability. Palm oil's domination in the Chinese market is due to its low cost and functional features, which make it a popular choice for a variety of products. However, the palm oil sector confronts considerable issues in terms of environmental sustainability and deforestation, which has increased attention and demand for certified sustainable palm oil. Coconut oil, while important, has a lesser share of China's oleochemical market than palm and soybean oils. Coconut oil is largely utilised in personal care and cosmetics products due to its unique qualities, which include moisturising and antibacterial advantages. Soybean oil is a prominent segment in China's oleochemical industry, owing to the country's considerable role as a global soybean importer and processor. Major participants in the soybean oil business include Bunge China and Cargill, which use their enormous supply chains and production facilities to serve both domestic and international markets. The soybean oil segment benefits from the country's strong agricultural base, as well as rising demand for healthier and more functional food components. Rapeseed oil and sunflower oil are smaller segments, with rapeseed oil growing in niche markets due to health benefits and sunflower oil remaining in a moderate position due to consumer preferences for non-GMO oils.

In China, the personal care and cosmetics industry is the largest end-user of oleochemicals. Because of their emulsifying, moisturising, and surfactant capabilities, these oleochemicals are indispensable in the formulation of skincare, haircare, and cosmetic products. Major Chinese personal care firms, including JALA Group and Herborist, use oleochemicals in their products to address rising consumer demand for high-quality, environmentally friendly solutions. This category is strong and increasing, because of the rising disposable incomes and an increased interest in premium and natural personal care products. Another important end-use market for oleochemicals in China is the food and beverage industry. Oleochemicals such fatty acids, lecithins, and esters are employed as emulsifiers, stabilisers, and additives in a variety of food products. However, this sector confronts challenges from fluctuating raw material prices and regulatory demands on food safety and health. Industrial applications comprise a sizable portion of China's oleochemical market. Oleochemicals are utilised in the manufacture of biodiesel, lubricants, biodegradable polymers, and a variety of industrial chemicals. Companies in this area, such as SABIC and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), are significant actors in advancing the industry through innovation and sustainability initiatives.

Fatty acids are a critical component of China's oleochemical business, serving a wide range of uses. Their qualities, which include emulsification, surfactancy, and lubrication, make them essential in many formulations. The relevance of fatty acids is highlighted by their vast range of applications and role in meeting the growing demand for natural and bio-based products. This segment continues to be a crucial pillar of the oleochemical industry due to its adaptability and critical role in a variety of industries. Fatty alcohols and fatty acid derivatives also play important roles, with applications in personal care, medicines, and industrial items driving their significance. The FAME segment, while important for biodiesel production and renewable energy, is more specialised than fatty acids and fatty alcohols. The government's emphasis on sustainability and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions has fuelled the expansion of the FAME segment, which is consistent with the country's energy policy and environmental objectives. Major producers, such as China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and SABIC, dominate the FAME production market.





Considered in this report
• Historic year: 2018
• Base year: 2023
• Estimated year: 2024
• Forecast year: 2029

Aspects covered in this report
• Oleochemical market Outlook with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By Source
• Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil
• Coconut Oil
• Soybean Oil
• Rapeseed Oil
• Sunflower Oil
• Other Oil (Animal Fats, Waste and By-Products, Microbial and Emerging Sources)

By End Users
• Personal care and Comestics
• Soaps and detergents
• Food and feed
• Rubber and plastics
• Coatings and Resins
• Lubricants
• Others

By Types
• Fatty acids
• Fatty alcohols
• Fatty acid derivatives
• Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)

The approach of the report:
This report consists of a combined approach of primary and secondary research. Initially, secondary research was used to get an understanding of the market and list the companies that are present in it. The secondary research consists of third-party sources such as press releases, annual reports of companies, and government-generated reports and databases. After gathering the data from secondary sources, primary research was conducted by conducting telephone interviews with the leading players about how the market is functioning and then conducting trade calls with dealers and distributors of the market. Post this; we have started making primary calls to consumers by equally segmenting them in regional aspects, tier aspects, age group, and gender. Once we have primary data with us, we can start verifying the details obtained from secondary sources.

Intended audience
This report can be useful to industry consultants, manufacturers, suppliers, associations, and organizations related to the Oleochemical industry, government bodies, and other stakeholders to align their market-centric strategies. In addition to marketing and presentations, it will also increase competitive knowledge about the industry.
Keywords:
Oleochemical, Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil, Coconut Oil, Soybean Oil, Rapeseed Oil, Sunflower Oil, Animal Fats, Waste and By-Products, Microbial and Emerging Sources, personal care and comestics, soaps and detergents, food and feed, Rubber and plastics, Coatings and Resins, Lubricants, Fatty acids, Fatty alcohols, Fatty acid derivatives, Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME)