Benzalkonium Chloride Market is segmented By Type (Benzalkonium Chloride 50%, Benzalkonium Chloride 80%), By Application (Biocide, Disinfectants, Oil & Gas), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2023-2030.
Benzalkonium Chloride Market Overview
Report analyses the Global Benzalkonium Chloride Market size, shares, recent trends, competitive intelligence, and future market outlook. Demand from Oil & Gas, Chemical in North America is rising. Competitive rivalry intensifies with Merck Millipore, Novo Nordisk, TNJ Chemicals and others operating in the market.
Benzalkonium chloride, also known as alkyldimethylbenzylammonium chloride (ADBAC), is a cationic surfactant marketed under the brand name Zephiran. It is an organic salt that belongs to the quaternary ammonium compound class. ADBACs have three applications: as a biocide, a cationic surfactant and a phase transfer agent. The actions and applications of benzalkonium chloride, a quaternary ammonium antiseptic and disinfectant, are comparable to other cationic surfactants.
Pharmaceutical items also use it as an antibacterial preservative. Benzalkonium chloride is the preferred preservative for most multidose aqueous nasal, ophthalmic and otic medications. Since the 1950s, this has been used as a preservative in eye drops and it continues to be the most widely used preservative in ophthalmic solutions at a concentration of 0.01-0.02 percent. It is a powerful fungicidal and bactericidal agent that reduces the growth of microorganisms in multidose containers.
It comes as a white or yellowish-white powder or a gelatinous paste that feels soapy to the touch and dissolves in water. It may be used as a powder in solid form or as a liquid solution. There are two fundamental grades: hybrid grade and pure grade. The organic salt benzalkonium chloride is used as a cationic surfactant. The product is water-soluble and appears as a yellowish-white powder with a soapy feel and a faint almond odor.
When shaken, the product produces foam in powder and liquid forms. It is used in various end-use industries, including cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. At higher concentrations, benzalkonium chloride is commonly used as an eye-drop preservative and an antiseptic and disinfectant. Their function is also used in preservatives, laundry detergents, pest control and emulsifying agents.
Benzalkonium Chloride Market Summary
Metrics |
Details |
Market CAGR |
8.6% |
Segments Covered |
By Type, By Application, By End-User, and By Region |
Report Insights Covered |
Competitive Landscape Analysis, Company Profile Analysis, Market Size, Share, Growth, Demand, Recent Developments, Mergers and acquisitions, New Product Launches, Growth Strategies, Revenue Analysis, and Other key insights. |
Fastest Growing Region |
Asia Pacific |
Largest Market Share |
North America |
To Get a Free Sample Click here
Benzalkonium Chloride Market Dynamics
The pharmaceutical industry's increasing demand for benzalkonium chloride is the key driver of the global benzalkonium chloride market. The growing use of benzalkonium chloride in the cosmetics and personal care industries is expected to drive the market. Increased disposable income, lifestyle shifts and demand for personal care items such as sunscreen lotions to combat climate change's negative effects will contribute to market growth. In addition, the massive demand for drugs to treat lifestyle diseases such as obesity and diabetes would propel market growth. The growing public health concern about Benzethonium chloride's side effects is likely to impede progress.
Numerous applications of benzalkonium chloride in a wide range of cosmetics and personal care products
Due to the ability to inhibit the reproduction and growth of microorganisms, the product is widely used in finished cosmetics products, which is expected to increase cosmetic manufacturers' benzalkonium chloride market share. The product is involved in formulating shampoos, skin cleansers, personal hygiene products, eye makeup preparations and skin care products.
The product is expected to be in high demand in the cosmetic industry due to its use as a surfactant, which reduces the surface tension of cosmetics and ensures even product distribution when applied. Moreover, the product reduces and masks unpleasant body odor, which should increase the product demand for cosmetics & personal care products and stimulate benzalkonium chloride market growth over the forecast period.
Soaps are made using the product because of their ability to increase foam formation, which improves the mixing of water and oil, increasing product demand for personal care applications. Increasing demand for the product from skin sanitizers and sanitary baby wipes is expected to drive market expansion. Increasing consumer interest in personal grooming and developing various cosmetic products is expected to drive the benzalkonium chloride market.
Diverse applications of benzalkonium chloride
The product formulations are used in water treatment as affluent and as algaecides in swimming pools. It eliminates the requirement for antibiotics in aquaculture and improves hygiene, which boosts benzalkonium chloride market demand. Applications like fish parasite removal, water treatment and general site disinfection are expected to drive product demand over the forecasted timeframe.
Diverse applications of the product as a precipitant in the chemical industry should drive the growth of the benzalkonium chloride market in the coming years. Benzalkonium chloride has applications in the preservation of eye drops and is used in ophthalmic solutions, which should increase product demand for the preservation application.
Rising health concerns about side effects of benzalkonium chloride
The growing public health concern about the side effects of benzalkonium chloride is expected to hamper the market's growth in the coming years. After ingesting benzalkonium chloride, the infected person may collapse and show symptoms such as vomiting, convulsions and coma. Benzalkonium chloride can also cause hypertension, esophageal damage, nausea and paralysis, leading to CNS depression. All of the factors have the potential to limit market growth.
COVID-19 Impact Analysis on Benzalkonium Chloride Market
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread at an alarming rate, infecting millions of people worldwide and stopping economic activity as countries imposed strict restrictions on the movement of people and goods to slow the virus's spread.
However, the compound's market was not significantly impacted due to its disinfectant in hand sanitizers and wipes. The high demand for these products is due to their ability to combat viruses by removing their lipid envelope and rendering them unable to penetrate human cells.
Benzalkonium Chloride Market Segmentation Analysis
By application, the benzalkonium chloride market is segmented into biocide, disinfectants and oil & gas.
Disinfectants hold the lion's share
Benzalkonium chloride is used as a disinfectant and is highly effective against moss, fungi, mold, algae and mildew due to its use in cleaning and preparing surfaces such as paths, greenhouses, roofing, wood decking and sheds, which should drive the benzalkonium chloride market growth over the forecast period.
It is due to the rising prevalence of hospital-acquired infections and stringent regulations governing surface disinfectants in diagnostic laboratories, hospitals, research laboratories and pharmaceutical and biotechnology labs. Furthermore, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has increased demand for the compound in the production of disinfectants.
Global Benzalkonium Chloride Market Geographical Analysis
Rising government regulation for water treatment and the growing pharmaceutical industry in North America
Government regulatory standards for industrial wastewater treatment are increasing in North America. The oil and gas industry generates a large amount of wastewater, representing an opportunity for regional product demand. The electronics industry's rising government regulations on wastewater are expected to boost the region's benzalkonium chloride market revenue.
The region's product demand is expected to rise as the pharmaceutical industry expands. The product is used as an antimicrobial preservative in pharmaceutical products, which should contribute to the growth of the regional product market. Because of its microbicidal offerings used to cleanse food storage tanks, the product is used in the food and beverage industry, which should increase product demand from the food and beverage industry in the region. Food safety, security & supply and the rising food & beverage industry are expected to drive regional market growth.
Benzalkonium Chloride Market Companies and Competitive Landscape
The benzalkonium chloride market is partially consolidated, with a few players controlling a sizable portion of the market. Companies primarily pursue strategic acquisitions to expand their existing product portfolio and distribution network.
Acme United Corporation acquired Med-Nap LLC in December 2020, a manufacturer of antiseptic wipes containing alcohol, acidic ingredients, benzalkonium chloride and lens cleaning products. The strategic acquisition would allow the company to expand its benzalkonium chloride product portfolio and strengthen its market position.
Key companies in the global benzalkonium chloride market include Merck Millipore, Stepan Company, Quat-Chem, Iwaki Seiyaku, Kao Chemicals, Novo Nordisk, Zhengzhou Meiya Chemical Products, Haihang Industry Co. Ltd., TNJ Chemicals and Dishman Group.
Stepan Company
Overview: Stepan is a major global producer of specialty and intermediate chemicals used in various industries. It is classified with other specialty chemical companies; however, it is unique in the industry and does not have competitors that precisely match its businesses because its products have a specific focus. Stepan employs 2,015 people and operates a network of modern manufacturing facilities in North and South America, Europe, China and the Philippines.
Product Portfolio: Stepan manufactures surfactants, essential components of household and industrial cleaning products. Manufacturers of detergents use surfactants, fabric softeners, hard surface cleaners, shampoos, lotions, toothpaste and cosmetics to achieve the cleaning, foaming and emulsifying qualities products require. In addition, the company manufactures germicidal quaternary compounds.
Key Development: Stepan Company reported in 2020 that it had an agreement with Clariant (Mexico) S.A. de C.V. to acquire Clariant's anionic surfactant business and associated sulfation equipment located in Santa Clara, Mexico, through subsidiaries in Mexico. The transaction's financial terms were not disclosed. The acquisition complements Stepan's Latin American growth strategy and strengthens our ability to support our customers' growth in the Mexican Consumer and Functional Surfactant markets.
