Agricultural surfactants are chemical additives used in agriculture to enhance the effectiveness of pesticides, herbicides, and other agricultural chemicals. They work by reducing the surface tension of liquids, allowing them to spread more evenly and adhere better to plant surfaces. Surfactants can improve the coverage and absorption of chemicals, leading to increased efficacy in controlling pests and weeds while reducing the required application rates. They are essential for optimizing the performance of agrochemicals and ensuring that they work efficiently. Agricultural surfactants come in various forms, such as wetting agents, spreading agents, and emulsifiers, and play a crucial role in modern farming practices.

The Agricultural Surfactant Market analysis by BIS Research projects that the market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.50% during the forecast period from 2019 to 2024. Meeting the growing food demand of the increasing global population has become a matter of concern at present. Arable land data in 2030 is expected to decrease to 1800 m² from 2,200 m² in 2005. Moreover, several types of pests infecting the crops are a major reason leading toward 10%-16% of global crop losses annually. Therefore, to meet the global food demand, using crop protection products is being increasingly adopted by the growers currently.

Rising Demand of Surfactants for Grains

Crop protection products such as adjuvants including surfactants, when used with herbicide, fungicide and insecticide, keep the crop safe from the attacks by insects, weed and other diseases. Crops and non-crops on which agricultural surfactants are applied for crop protection is segmented into grains, fruits and vegetables, and others (turf, ornamental grass and cotton).

The agricultural surfactant market by crop type is dominated by grains, followed by fruits and vegetables. Increasing global population has resulted in the increase in the production of grains across the globe, which, in turn, has led to the increased use of pesticides in this segment, further promoting the use of surfactants.

Anionic Surfactants Leverages in Agriculture Industry

Surfactants are surface active agents, which are  types of activators designed to enhance the dispersing/emulsifying and spreading properties of the spray mixture. Depending on the type of polar heads, these surfactants can be anionic, non-ionic, cationic, and amphoteric. If the charge is negative, the surfactant is called anionic; if the charge is positive, it is called cationic. The non-ionic surfactant has no charged groups in its head and amphoteric surfactant combines the properties of both anionic and cationic surfactants. The choice of surfactant in the agriculture industry depends primarily on the type of weed/ disease/ plant targeted.

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Increasing Adoption of Surfactants in Herbicide Solution

Pesticides usually consist of an active and inactive or inert ingredient. These inactive or inert ingredients can be adjuvants (surfactants), preservatives, solvents, diluents, thickeners, and stabilizers. A surfactant assists in enlarging the area of pesticide coverage and enhancing the absorption, which is an important factor for a pesticide to function properly.

Whether, how, and how much a surfactant will be mixed and sprayed with the herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides, is decided on the basis of the type of weed/ pest/ fungi targeted, since all the surfactants do not perform equally.

Foliar Spray of Surfactant Proved to be More Effective

A surfactant, mixed with pesticide or used individually, can be applied in various different ways. These can be added directly to the soil, or in the seeds, or can be applied directly to the leaves (foliar spray method). This depends entirely on the crop treated and the pest targeted.

Growing Use of Bio-Based Surfactants Owing to Limited Environmental Concerns

The agricultural surfactants can be either synthetic or bio-based surfactants. Synthetic surfactants are manufactured from petroleum-based products whereas bio-based surfactants are derived from plants and yeast, making them eco-friendly and biodegradable. Increasing consumption of bio-based surfactants is growing across the globe as countries are becoming  aware of the health and environment risks of using synthetic surfactants and are imposing strict regulations against them.

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North America-Frontrunner in Agricultural Surfactant Market

The key trends of the agricultural surfactant market vary across different geographical regions. The agricultural surfactant market currently holds a prominent share in various countries of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC), and Rest-of-the-World (RoW). North America is currently at the forefront of the global agricultural surfactant market, with a high market penetration rate in the U.S., Mexico, and others, which are expected to display robust market growth in the coming five years.

Competitive Landscape

The competitive landscape for the agricultural surfactants market demonstrates an inclination towards companies adopting strategies such as product launches and developments, and partnerships and collaborations. The major established players in the market are focusing on product launches and developments to introduce new technologies or developing further on the existing product portfolio. BASF SE, Croda Chemicals, DowDuPont, Evonik Industries, Huntsman Corporation, Nufarm, Clariant International, Lamberti S.p.A, Helena Chemical Company, and Wilbur Ellis among others, are the prominent players in the agricultural surfactants market. The market is severely fragmented with the presence of a large number of small-sized to medium-sized companies that compete with each other as well as large enterprises.

The agricultural surfactant market ecosystem also encompasses several research institutes, associations and others. Additionally, the market also encompasses a significant number of industry bodies, and government and research organizations. Various government research institutes, such as National Pest Management Association, European Crop Protection Association, and World Bank are making substantial efforts to identify the benefits of agricultural surfactants using favorable trade policies.