United Kingdom Oleochemicals Market Size, Share, and COVID-19 Impact Analysis, By Product (Specialty Esters, Fatty Acid Methyl Ester, Glycerol Esters, Alkoxylates, Fatty Amines, and Others), By Application (Personal Care & Cosmetics, Consumer Goods, Food Processing, Textiles, Paints & Inks, Industrial, Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals, Polymer & Plastic Additives, and Others), and UK Oleochemicals Market Insights, Industry Trend, Forecasts to 2035

United Kingdom Oleochemicals Market Forecasts to 2035

• The United Kingdom Oleochemicals Market Size Was Estimated at USD 1071.2 Million in 2024
• The UK Oleochemicals Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 6.65% from 2025 to 2035
• The UK Oleochemicals Market Size is Expected to Reach USD 2174.7 Million by 2035

According to a research report published by Spherical Insights & Consulting, the UK Oleochemicals Market is anticipated to reach USD 2174.7 million by 2035, growing at a CAGR of 6.65% from 2025 to 2035. The need to create sustainable and biodegradable goods, growing environmental concerns about petrochemicals, and the growing demand for bio-based lubricants are the drivers propelling the market's expansion.

Market Overview

The UK oleochemicals market refers to the environmentally friendly compounds derived from natural fats and oils found in plants and animals that serve as alternatives to petrochemicals. Fatty acids, alcohols, and esters are produced by the breakdown of triglycerides into fatty acids and glycerol. The market for oleochemicals in the UK benefits from a strong green image, minimal toxicity, and an abundance of raw materials. Consistent market expansion is driven by rising demand in the food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors. Personal care items like soaps, toothpaste, and lotions are consumed more frequently due to rising disposable incomes and product innovation, and businesses are becoming more visible through internet marketing. Consumers who care about the environment will find oleochemicals, which are made from natural fats and oils like coconut and palm oil, to be environmentally kind substitutes for chemicals based on petroleum. They are used in food packaging, detergents, medications, and cosmetics due to their biodegradable and less hazardous qualities. The increasing UK focus on sustainability and renewable products presents significant growth opportunities. Oleochemicals’ versatility enables their use in surfactants, lubricants, plasticizers, and emulsifiers, supporting diverse industrial applications. Overall, demand for green chemicals and the easy availability of raw materials position the UK oleochemicals market for continued expansion amid rising environmental awareness and consumer preference for natural ingredients.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the market for the UK oleochemicals market based on various segments and regions and forecasts revenue growth and analyses trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the United Kingdom oleochemicals market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, product launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the United Kingdom oleochemicals market.

Driving Factors

The oleochemicals market is driven by high demand from the personal care and cosmetics industries for naturally derived, chemical-free, and hypoallergenic ingredients. In addition, growth in the oleochemical market is also encouraged by benefits associated with their use in food packaging and as sustainable alternatives in eco-friendly cosmetics. Oleochemicals can also be used as a more sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived chemicals, as they are produced from cheap, renewable, and sustainable materials such as waste vegetable oil and palm oil. The market is growing with support from these factors, as well as the need for biodegradable products.

Restraining Factors

The oleochemical market is challenged by health and environmental concerns tied to the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) produced when glycerine is manufactured. The health risks posed by exposure to VOCs raise safety concerns as they can lead to neurological effects, organ damage, and respiratory complications. Together, these health implications limit industrial processes and increase regulatory scrutiny, which inhibits growth in the market. These factors hamper the oleochemicals market during the forecast period.

Market Segmentation

The United Kingdom oleochemicals market share is classified into product and application.

• The glycerol esters segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom oleochemicals market is segmented by product into specialty esters, fatty acid methyl ester, glycerol esters, alkoxylates, fatty amines, and others. Among these, the glycerol esters segment held the largest market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Glycerol, when reacted with fatty acids, results in glycerol esters, also known as acylglycerols, and glycerides. Food-grade glycerol, in part as a food additive, is commonly used in the production of chewing gum, flavoured beverages, ice cream, cosmetics, and in pharmaceuticals. The actual molecules formed in the esterification of glycerol and one, two, or three fatty acids are called monoglycerides, diglycerides, and triglycerides, respectively. Glycerides are also used to make oleates, glycerol di-stearate, medium chain triglycerides (MCT), glycerol monostearate (GMS), and other glycerol esters.

• The personal care & cosmetics segment held the highest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period.

The United Kingdom oleochemicals market is segmented by application into personal care & cosmetics, consumer goods, food processing, textiles, paints & inks, industrial, healthcare & pharmaceuticals, polymer & plastic additives, and others. Among these, the personal care & cosmetics segment held the highest revenue market share in 2024 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period. Speciality oleochemical derivatives and formulations are used in creams, skincare, sun care, hair care, and oral care products in the personal care and cosmetics market. In the personal care and cosmetics application segment, growing demand for oleochemical derivatives is anticipated to result from more demand for organic and anti-aging products to help maintain a youthful appearance.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the United Kingdom oleochemicals market and a comparative evaluation primarily based on their product offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborate analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes product development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Croda International
• Cargill
• Emery Oleochemicals
• BASF
• Evonik Industries
• Wilmar International
• Azelis
• Stephenson Group Ltd
• KLK OLEO
• IOI Oleo
• Oleon NV
• Univar Solutions UK Ltd
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Investors
• Market players
• End-users
• Government Authorities
• Consulting and Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at United Kingdom, regional, and country levels from 2020 to 2035. Spherical Insights has segmented the United Kingdom oleochemicals market based on the below-mentioned segments:

United Kingdom Oleochemicals Market, By Product

• Specialty Esters
• Fatty Acid Methyl Ester
• Glycerol Esters
• Alkoxylates
• Fatty Amines
• Others

United Kingdom Oleochemicals Market, By Application

• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Consumer Goods
• Food Processing
• Textiles
• Paints & Inks
• Industrial
• Healthcare & Pharmaceuticals
• Polymer & Plastic Additives
• Others