Alkyl

 polyglucosides  represent  a  new  generation  of  non-­‐ionic  surfactants  that  are  obtained  
from  renewable  natural  resources  and  therefore  are  mild,  biodegradable,  and  offer  excellent  
value  and  performance  when  compared  to  other  conventional  surfactants.  It  provides  a  
solution  for  manufacturers  to  combine  efficiency  with  environmental  friendliness  and  human  
safety  in  the  final  product.  
 
Global  alkyl  polyglucosides  (APG)  bio-­‐surfactants  market  size  was  estimated  at  over  90  kilo  tons  
in  2015  and  is  likely  to  exceed  130  kilo  tons  in  2023  with  an  anticipated  CAGR  of  more  than  
4.5%  from  2016  to  2023.  Revenue  valued  at  close  to  USD  480  million  in  2015  and  is  likely  to  be  
worth  more  than  USD  750  million  by  2023  with  estimated  gains  at  over  5.5%.  
 
The  alkyl  polyglucosides  market  is  dominated  by  Europe  with  the  expectation  to  grow  further  
during  the  forecast  period.  North  America  represents  second  largest  market  for  Alkyl  
polyglucosides.  Increasing  demand  and  focus  on  eco  friendly,  bio  degradable  products  along  
with  high  consumer  awareness  has  been  a  major  driving  factor  for  Alkyl  polyglucosides  in  
Europe  and  North  America.  With  a  growing  dispensable  income  and  growing  awareness  
towards  non-­‐hazardous  and  biodegradable  chemicals,  the  APG  market  is  expected  to  grow  in  
South  East  Asia  over  the  years.  The  market  for  APG  surfactants  is  mainly  driven  by  personal  care  
industry  and  home  care  industry.  
 
The  manufacture  of  surfactants  is  largely  driven  by  the  economics  on  availability  of  raw  
materials.  Consistent  fluctuation  on  the  feedstock  price  of  petrochemical  based  surfactants  has  
provided  an  advantage  to  sugar  based  surfactants  due  to  easier  availability  of  raw  materials.  
The  prices  of  sugar  canes  majorly  depend  on  agricultural  cycle  and  weather  conditions;  
therefore,  these  are  easier  to  forecast  compared  to  market  dynamics  forecast  of  
petrochemicals.  
 
Growing  demand  for  eco-­‐friendly  products  has  made  BASF  to  expand  its  Alkyl  polyglucosides  
production  capacity  in  China  and  US.    With  the  current  push  towards  the  green  movement  and  
availability  of  environmentally  favorable  nonionic  surfactants  has  provided  the  advantage  to  
APGs  for  becoming  a  trend  setting  innovation  in  the  field  of  surfactants.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Applications  of  Alkyl  polyglucosides  in  Home  Care  Product  
 
Application  Area   Types  of  Application   Properties  
Laundry   Powder  detergent   Liquid  laundry  
Laundry  tablets   •   Cleaning  (dirt/stain  
Liquid  detergent   removal)  
Special  cleaning  detergents   •   Good  detergency  for  
  special  stains  (lip  
stick,  oils)  
•   Fast  penetration  into  
oils  and  fibres  
•   Excellent  water  
contact  performance  
•   Care  –  Mild  to  the  
skin  
•   Rapid  dissolution  
Dish  wash   Manual  dishwashing   Dish  wash  and  cleaners    
detergents   •   Excellent  mixing  
properties  for  
different  types  of  oily  
soils  to  avoid  re-­‐
soiling  
Hard  Surface  Cleaners   All  purpose  cleaners   Easier  cleaning  
Bathroom  cleaners   Good  foam  profile  
Kitchen  cleaners    
Glass  cleaners,  floor  cleaners  
Wipes  
 
Industrial  cleaners   Alkaline  industrial  cleaners   No  corrosion  and  stress  mark  
features  
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
Applications  of  Alkyl  polyglucosides  in  Personal  Care  Product  
 
Types  of  Uses   Properties  
Main  or  co-­‐surfactant  for  all  kind  of  cleansing   Extremely  mild  
:  shampoo,  shower  bath,  foam  bath,  facial   Readily  biodegradable  
wash,  shampoo  concentrates   Good  foamer  
Modifies  viscosity  
Emulsions  :  hair  rinses,  hair  colours   Emulsifying  
Setting  lotions,  styling  gels   Setting  properties  
Curl  retention  
Volume  and  body  formulations   Improves  tensile  strength  of  hair  
Shampoos  for  fine  or  damaged  hair   Modifies  interactions  of  dry  hair  
Pimple  and  deep  cleansing   Good  cleansing  power