1、 Overview
Anionic surfactant is a kind of surfactant. It mainly presents translucent viscous liquid, white needle, white powder and other forms. Its main feature is that it can generate hydrophobic anions after dissociation in water. In the production of surfactant, anionic surfactant is a kind of product with the largest output and most varieties. It is not only the main active component of Detergent and cosmetics, but also widely used in many other industrial fields. Anionic surfactants can play an important role in both industrial and civil fields. In terms of classification, anionic surfactants are mainly divided into carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate and phosphate.
2、 Industrial chain analysis
1. Industrial chain
The upstream of the anionic surfactant industry is mainly the natural oil chemical industry and the petrochemical industry, providing the industry with fatty alcohol, fatty alcohol ether, alkyl benzene, olefins and other major raw materials. The middle reaches are the production and supply links, and the main products include carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfate and phosphate; The downstream is mainly used in daily care, agriculture, cosmetics, textiles, petrochemical, coatings and other fields.
2. Upstream end analysis
As one of the upstream raw materials of anionic surfactant, crude oil production in China decreased year by year from 2015 to 2018 due to the decline of oil prices and the high proportion of domestic inefficient production capacity. With the improvement of exploration and acquisition technology in China, the crude oil production has resumed its growth since 2018. By 2021, the crude oil production will rise to 198.881 million tons, with a year-on-year growth of 2.1%.
3. Downstream end analysis
Synthetic detergent is one of the most important downstream application fields of anionic surfactant. With the continuous improvement of environmental protection awareness in China in recent years, its output has shown a downward trend as a whole. According to data, the output of synthetic detergent in China will be 10.377 million tons in 2021, down 6.4% year on year.
3、 Industry status
1. Market share
According to the market situation of surfactants in China, anionic surfactants and non-ionic surfactants are the most important subdivisions, accounting for more than 90% in 2021. Specifically, in 2021, the output of surfactant in China will be 3.8852 million tons, of which the proportion of non-ionic surfactant will be 52.2%; The proportion of anionic surfactant is 39.26%, and that of cationic surfactant is 4.3%; The proportion of zwitterions and other surfactants is 4.25%.
2. Output
Anionic surfactant is the core raw material of household care and personal care related washing products, and the downstream market of the industry has obvious rigid demand characteristics. With the continuous improvement of residents' health awareness in recent years, the detergent industry has also developed rapidly. The market demand for anionic surfactant has increased steadily, which has promoted the continuous growth of the industry output. According to data, the output of anionic surfactant in China will be 1.5253 million tons in 2021, with a year-on-year growth of 0.55%.
From the perspective of output structure, AES and LAS are the most important subdivisions of anionic surfactants in China, and the total output will account for 87.72% in 2021. Specifically, in the production of anionic surfactants in China in 2021, AES accounts for 50.84%, LAS 36.88%, AOS 6.14% and AS 5.13%.
3. Sales
From the perspective of sales, driven by downstream washing products and other fields, the demand for anionic surfactants in China continues to grow. According to data, the sales volume of anionic surfactant in China will be 1,476,200 tons in 2021, with a year-on-year growth of 1.39%.
From the distribution of sales volume structure, AES and LAS are still the main sources of demand for anions in China, accounting for 87.76% of the total sales volume in 2021. Specifically, in the sales volume of anionic surfactants in China in 2021, AES accounts for 51.69%, LAS accounts for 36.07%, AOS accounts for 6.11%, and AS accounts for 5.09%.
4. Application structure
Anionic surfactants are mainly used in the field of personal cleaning care and home cleaning care, accounting for more than 90%. Specifically, in the downstream demand structure of anionic surfactants in China in 2019, personal care accounted for 62%, home care accounted for 33%, and industrial and public care accounted for 5%.
5. Import and export trade
From the perspective of industry import and export trade, China's anionic surfactants are mainly exported, and the export volume is far greater than the import volume. In recent years, the import and export volume of anionic surfactants in China has shown an upward trend. Specifically, in 2021, the import volume of anionic surfactant in China will be 121100 tons and the import amount will be 259 million dollars; The export volume was 283100 tons and the export amount was 392 million US dollars.
6. Distribution of imports and exports
From the perspective of import distribution, the top three regions of China's anionic surfactant import amount in 2021 are the United States, Japan and Germany, accounting for 22.76%, 14.87% and 14.44% respectively.
From the perspective of export distribution, the top three regions of China's anionic surfactant export amount in 2021 are Mexico, Pakistan and the Philippines, accounting for 6.09%, 6.06% and 5.6% respectively.
4、 Major segment products
1、AES
AES, namely fatty alcohol ether sulfate, is mainly white or light yellow gel like paste, which is the largest proportion of anionic surfactant products in China. It has excellent decontamination, emulsification and foaming properties. It is one of the main raw materials for liquid detergents, shampoos, foam baths, hand sanitizers, etc. It can also be used as a lubricant, dyeing aid, cleaning agent, etc. in the textile industry. According to data, in 2021, AES output will reach 775400 tons, with a year-on-year growth of 20.03%; The sales volume was 763100 tons, with a year-on-year growth of 20.53%.
2、LAS
LAS, namely alkyl benzene sulfonic ACID, is an anionic surfactant produced from petroleum derivatives. It is easy to oxidize, has strong foaming power, high decontamination power, is easy to mix with various additives, has low cost, mature synthesis process, and is widely used. According to data, in 2021, China's LAS output will be 562500 tons, down 18.24% year on year, and the sales volume will be 532400 tons, down 17.48% year on year.
5、 Competition pattern
1. Market pattern
From the perspective of AES market pattern, China's AES industry is highly concentrated. According to capacity analysis, CR5 and CR10 of the industry will reach 89.5% and 95% respectively in 2021. From the output analysis, the industry CR5 will be 69.94% and CR10 will be 95.27% in 2021. From the perspective of LAS market pattern, according to the analysis of output, the industry CR5 will reach 82.52% in 2021.
6、 Development trend
1. Demand drives industry development
Anionic surfactants are mainly used in detergents, cosmetics, food processing, textile printing and dyeing and other industries. Most of the products produced in these industries have gradually become necessities in people's lives. In recent years, with the advancement of China's urbanization process, the increasing national health awareness and health habits, the emergence of personalized personal care needs and the growth of consumer demand in the tourism and hotel industry have promoted the steady development of China's cleaning industry. Due to the outbreak of the COVID-19, the demand for personal care and disinfection and sterilization products such as hand sanitizer has increased significantly. With the globalization and long-term evolution of the epidemic situation, the national personal health protection awareness and attention have been accelerated, promoting the long-term growth of the demand for washing and nursing supplies. In the medium to long term, the health and consumption habits formed under the epidemic situation will drive the long-term stable growth of demand for anionic surfactants in the field of washing and personal care, and promote the rapid development of the industry.
2. Industry competition is becoming increasingly fierce
Although the total consumption of anionic surfactant in China will continue to grow steadily, the capacity of production enterprises is expanding faster. At present, there has been overcapacity, and the competition among surfactant production enterprises will be more intense. Therefore, industry reshuffle, industry integration and enterprise restructuring will be inevitable. In view of this situation, enterprises should constantly develop new products, improve production processes, improve product quality, strengthen internal management of enterprises, focus on brand building, reduce costs and consumption, improve the comprehensive competitiveness of enterprises, and achieve transformation, upgrading and product structure adjustment through innovation. At the same time, enterprises should also strengthen cooperation and exchange, avoid vicious competition, establish a benign competitive environment, and realize the healthy development of the industry.
