Industrial Cleaning Chemicals Market Trends

Growth Drivers

• Growth of industrial and institutional (I&I) cleaning demand: Post-pandemic hygiene protocols have strengthened the long-term demand for healthcare, food processing, and institutional facilities. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends disinfection and sterilization in healthcare facilities, which indirectly fuels the sales of large quantities of industrial cleaning products. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, the producer price index for chemicals and allied products, including soaps & detergents, commercial, industrial, and institutional, stood at 360.945 in July 2025. Thus, strict sterilization standards are directly fueling the consumption of cleaning chemicals.
• Green chemical trend: The sustainability and green chemical trends are expected to boost the sales of biodegradable cleaning chemicals. The bio-based surfactants and solvent-free degreasers are estimated to gain traction in the years ahead. Compared to petrochemical-based surfactants, green alternatives are readily biodegradable and often have lower toxicity. Bio-based surfactants are widely used in clean-in-place (CIP) and hard surface cleaning as they deliver strong wetting and emulsification while meeting sustainability targets. In September 2023, Dow, in a strategic collaboration with LanzaTech Global, Inc., introduced a readily biodegradable cleaning solution that utilizes circular carbon capture technology for home care. This indicates that key players are also investing heavily in innovations to introduce bio-based cleaning solutions.
• Technological developments: The ongoing technological advancements are anticipated to fuel the sales of industrial cleaning chemicals. The integration of IoT-enabled dosing systems and smart sensors is expected to drive control in chemical use in cleaning product use. The automated equipment and technologies are also set to boost the production of industrial cleaning chemicals. Advanced technologies reduce wastage and guarantee compliance with strict regulatory standards. Technological trends are likely to create premium opportunities for industrial cleaning chemical manufacturers in the years ahead. 

 Challenges

• Stringent environmental regulations and compliance costs: Industrial cleaning chemicals frequently include hazardous materials that are governed by stringent environmental regulations globally. Adhering to regulations such as the EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) and the U.S. EPA’s Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) results in significant expenses for manufacturers. The small enterprises and start-ups often deters from trending opportunities due to complex and stringent environmental regulations.
• Pricing pressures due to raw material volatility and regulatory tariffs: The raw materials used in industrial cleaning chemicals, such as surfactants and solvents, experience price fluctuations caused by disruptions in the supply chain. Additionally, government tariffs further complicate global pricing models. Thus, small players are often challenged by pressure margins and limited expansion.