DermNet New Zealand Trust defines benzalkonium chloride as an organic salt that is used in cleaning agents and is classified as a quaternary ammonium cationic detergent. It is an antiseptic and preservative that can be used in personal care, healthcare, household, pharmaceutical, and industrial products.

Market Drivers

Development of a benzalkonium chloride based antibacterial paper intended for health and food application bolster the growth of global market

Pathogenic bacteria and other microorganisms endanger humans by causing a number of infectious diseases for which various antibacterial products have been developed to control the spread of infection. However, the majority of them are known to be linked to health risks, environmental pollution, complex fabrication, and higher costs. To address this issue, a low-cost, biodegradable paper with human skin compatibility was created. For paper surface treatment, quaternary ammonium compounds (QAC) and benzalkonium chloride (BAC) have been used. The optimum concentration of BAC coated on paper is 0.15% wt, as it achieved nearly 100% inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli bacterial strains. The developed antibacterial paper can be used in the industry for disinfection and food packaging, as well as by the general public for hand sanitization. These are the influencing factors that contribute to the market's overall growth.

Report coverage

Rising utility of benzalkonium chloride in disinfectants have gained huge prominence in the worldwide market

The amount of disinfectant has increased, with Reckitt Benckiser reporting production of its product Lysol in May 2020 equal to the entire year 2019, and disinfectant wipes sales in the United States were 146% higher than the previous year. Furthermore, the global surface disinfectant market is expected to grow at a 9.1% CAGR from 2020 to 2027. The processes known to facilitate QAC degradation identify potential opportunities for improving treatment, limiting environmental releases, and minimizing environmental impacts. The aforementioned factors are responsible for the overall growth of benzalkonium chloride.

Market Segmentation

Benzalkonium chloride market is segmented based on type, application, and end-use. By type, the market is classified into hybrid grade benzalkonium chloride and pure grade benzalkonium chloride. By application, the market is segregated as disinfectant, preservative, pesticides, and others. By end-use, the market is segmented as oil & gas, pharmaceutical & cosmetics, leather industry, water treatment, timber protection, pulp & paper industry, horticulture & household, among others.

Based on product type, hybrid grade benzalkonium chloride segment accounted dominant share for the global market. Additionally, based on application, the disinfectant segment recorded maximum share for the projection period of 2021 to 2028. Furthermore, by end-use, pharmaceutical & cosmetic segment is the largest segment accounting to considerable revenue share during the forecast period of 2021 to 2028

Regional Overview

North America dominates; Asia Pacific is set to record fastest growing CAGR for benzalkonium chloride market during the projected period of 2021 to 2028

North America holds the dominating share of the benzalkonium chloride market, with a projected increase of more than 8.5% by 2028. Rising disposable income, lifestyle changes, and the need for personal care and hygiene products all contribute to regional growth. Apart from that, extensive demand for cosmetic and skin care products, including shampoo, cleansers, conditioners, and lipsticks, has seen an increase in the North America regional market.   

Asia Pacific, on the other hand, is expected to have the fastest growing CAGR for benzalkonium chloride from 2021 to 2028. One of the major factors driving market growth in this region is the rapid development of chemical industry, as Asia Pacific has emerged as a hub for chemical manufacturers and exporters in recent years. This has enticed several major players to make significant investments in the regional chemical industry in order to establish their own facilities and expand their presence in emerging economies such as India, Malaysia, and Vietnam. These have a positive impact on regional growth, eventually contributing to benzalkonium chloride overall growth.

Aside from that, the Middle East and Africa has seen significant growth in recent decades as a result of rapid urbanization. In addition, the construction industry in this region has been rapidly expanding over the years. This is expected to be a major driver of the benzalkonium chloride market in the coming years.

Furthermore, the market for benzalkonium chloride in Latin America is expanding slowly, owing to a lack of awareness about the utility of benzalkonium chloride and a lack of benzalkonium chloride manufacturing units in this region. However, it is expected that benzalkonium chloride will grow moderately, owing to developments in prominent countries such as Mexico and Brazil.

Competitive Landscape

The prominent players of the global benzalkonium chloride market involve FeF Chemicals (Novo Nordisk), Dishman India, Merck Millipore, Manus Aktteva Biopharma LLP, Jinshan Jingwei Chemical/Taiko Palm-Oleo, Acme United Corporation, Lonza, and Stepan

Market Segmentation

Market By Type

• Hybrid Grade Benzalkonium Chloride
• Pure Grade Benzalkonium Chloride

Market By Application

• Disinfectants
• Preservatives
• Pesticides
• Others

Market By End-Use

• Oil & Gas
• Pharmaceutical & Cosmetics
• Leather Industry
• Water Treatment
• Timber Protection
• Pulp & Paper Industry
• Horticulture & Household
• Others

Market By Geography

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • U.K.
  • Germany
  • France
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia-Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
• Latin America
  • Brazil 
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• Middle East & Africa
  • GCC
  • South Africa
  • Rest of Middle East & Africa