Market Forecast By Regions (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa), By Origin (Plant, Animal), By Grade (Food, Pharmaceutical, Technical), By End-Use (Food & Beverages, Textiles & Leather, Cosmetics & Personal Care, Pharmaceuticals, Chemical Intermediates, Automotive, Paints & Coatings, Others) And Competitive Landscape
Product Code: ETC150032 | Publication Date: Oct 2021 | Product Type: Report | |
Publisher: 6Wresearch | No. of Pages: 300 | No. of Figures: 90 | No. of Tables: 30 |
Report Name | Oleic Acid market |
Forecast period | 2025-2031 |
Report Category | Global |
Forecast Size | USD 7 Billion |
CAGR | 6.8% |
Growing Sector | Food & Beverage |
The Oleic Acid market report thoroughly covers the market by origin, by grade, by end-user and by regional analysis. The report provides an unbiased and detailed analysis of the on-going market trends, opportunities/high growth areas, and market drivers which would help the stakeholders to devise and align their market strategies according to the current and future market dynamics.
The Oleic Acid Market is projected to reach approximately $ 7 billion by 2031, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 6.8% from an estimated $ 4 billion in 2025. The Food & Beverage sector holds the highest market share in the region.
The global oleic acid market is experiencing steady growth, driven by its widespread application across various industries, including personal care, cosmetics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated omega-9 fatty acid, is primarily derived from natural sources such as vegetable oils and animal fats, making it a preferred ingredient in eco-friendly and sustainable product formulations. In the personal care and cosmetics industry, it is extensively used as an emollient and surfactant in skincare, haircare, and cosmetic formulations due to its moisturizing and conditioning properties. The food and beverage sector also relies on oleic acid as a healthy fat alternative, contributing to the rising demand for oleic-rich edible oils. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry utilizes oleic acid as an excipient in drug formulations, while the industrial sector employs it in lubricants, surfactants, and plasticizers.
According to 6Wresearch, the Oleic Acid market size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.8% during 2025-2031. The growth of the global oleic acid market is primarily driven by increasing demand from key industries such as personal care, cosmetics, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial chemicals. The rising consumer preference for natural and sustainable ingredients has fueled the adoption of oleic acid in skincare and haircare products, where it serves as an effective emollient and surfactant. In the food industry, the growing awareness of the health benefits of monounsaturated fats, such as improved heart health and cholesterol regulation, has boosted the demand for oleic acid-rich oils. Additionally, its applications in pharmaceuticals as an excipient and stabilizer, along with its use in industrial applications like lubricants, plasticizers, and surfactants, are further propelling market expansion. The Asia-Pacific region is emerging as a significant growth driver due to the expansion of the manufacturing sector and increasing consumer spending on personal care and food products. However, challenges such as fluctuating raw material prices, particularly for vegetable oils like palm and soybean oil, can impact production costs and market stability.
The global oleic acid market is witnessing several key trends shaping its growth and development across various industries. One of the most significant trends is the increasing demand for bio-based and sustainable oleic acid sources, driven by consumer preference for natural ingredients and stringent environmental regulations. In the personal care and cosmetics industry, there is a rising shift toward plant-derived and organic oleic acid, replacing synthetic and petroleum-based alternatives in skincare, haircare, and cosmetic formulations. The food and beverage sector is also embracing high-oleic oils due to their health benefits, including improved heart health and oxidative stability, making them ideal for cooking and food processing applications. Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry is incorporating oleic acid in drug formulations as a stabilizer and excipient, while industrial applications such as lubricants, surfactants, and plasticizers are benefiting from its biodegradable and non-toxic properties.
The global oleic acid market presents lucrative investment opportunities driven by its growing applications across personal care, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors. With increasing consumer demand for natural and sustainable ingredients, investments in bio-based and plant-derived oleic acid production are becoming highly attractive. Companies can capitalize on the rising preference for high-oleic oils in the food industry, where oleic acid is valued for its heart-health benefits and stability in cooking applications. The expanding personal care and cosmetics industry also offers strong investment potential, as oleic acid serves as a key ingredient in moisturizers, hair conditioners, and skincare products. Additionally, the pharmaceutical sector’s reliance on oleic acid as an excipient and stabilizer opens new avenues for market growth. Investors can also explore opportunities in industrial applications, such as biodegradable lubricants, surfactants, and plasticizers, as industries shift toward environmentally friendly solutions.
The global oleic acid market is highly competitive, with key players focusing on product innovation, sustainability, and strategic partnerships to strengthen their market position. Leading companies such as Wilmar International Ltd., Eastman Chemical Company, and Emery Oleochemicals dominate the industry with extensive product portfolios catering to applications in personal care, food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial sectors. KLK Oleo and IOI Oleochemicals are major players leveraging their strong supply chains and advanced production facilities to meet growing global demand. Cargill, Incorporated, and BASF SE are also prominent in the market, emphasizing sustainable and bio-based oleic acid production in response to increasing environmental regulations. Additionally, some of these players hold majority of the Oleic Acid market share. Moreover, other significant companies like VVF LLC, Kao Corporation, and Godrej Industries Ltd. continue to expand their oleochemical businesses through technological advancements and acquisitions.
Government regulations in the global oleic acid market vary across regions, primarily focusing on environmental sustainability, food safety, and chemical usage standards. In North America, regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) oversee oleic acid applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and industrial products, ensuring compliance with safety and environmental guidelines. The European Union enforces stringent regulations under REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization, and Restriction of Chemicals) and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority), particularly concerning the sustainable sourcing of oleic acid, restrictions on certain chemical additives, and labeling requirements for bio-based ingredients. Further, these initiatives have further boosted the Oleic Acid market revenues. Moreover, in the Asia-Pacific region, major oleic acid-producing countries like Malaysia and Indonesia are subject to sustainability certifications such as the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO) to address deforestation concerns and ensure responsible palm oil production.
The future of the global oleic acid market looks promising, driven by increasing demand for bio-based and sustainable products across industries such as personal care, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. With growing consumer awareness of natural ingredients and stringent environmental regulations, the market is expected to witness a shift toward alternative sources of oleic acid, such as sunflower, safflower, and soybean oils, reducing reliance on palm oil. Advancements in green chemistry and sustainable extraction technologies will further enhance the production efficiency and environmental footprint of oleic acid. In the food sector, the rising preference for high-oleic oils due to their health benefits and stability in cooking will continue to drive demand. Similarly, the personal care industry is expected to expand, with oleic acid playing a crucial role in natural skincare and haircare formulations. The pharmaceutical sector is also anticipated to witness increased adoption of oleic acid as an excipient and stabilizer in drug formulations.
The report offers a comprehensive study of the following market segments and their leading categories:
According to Ravi Bhandari, Research Head, 6Wresearch, the North America oleic acid market is experiencing steady growth, driven by increasing demand across key industries such as personal care, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. The region's strong preference for natural and sustainable ingredients has fueled the adoption of oleic acid in skincare, cosmetics, and haircare products, where it serves as an effective emollient and surfactant. The food industry is also seeing rising demand for high-oleic oils due to their health benefits, including improved heart health and longer shelf stability. Additionally, the pharmaceutical sector in North America is expanding its use of oleic acid as an excipient in drug formulations, contributing to market growth. Regulatory bodies such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ensure strict compliance with safety and sustainability standards, prompting manufacturers to invest in bio-based and clean-label oleic acid production.
The food and beverages sector is a major driver of growth in the global oleic acid market, fueled by increasing consumer awareness of healthy dietary choices and the rising demand for high-oleic oils. Oleic acid, a monounsaturated fat, is widely used in edible oils such as olive, sunflower, and canola oil due to its heart-health benefits, including lowering bad cholesterol and improving cardiovascular health. The growing preference for clean-label, non-GMO, and organic food products is further boosting the demand for oleic acid-rich oils in food processing, bakery, snacks, and frying applications. Additionally, its high oxidative stability makes it a preferred ingredient in packaged and processed foods, extending shelf life without the need for artificial preservatives. The shift toward plant-based and functional foods is also creating opportunities for oleic acid in vegan and alternative food formulations.
The Oleic Acid market report provides a detailed analysis of the following market segments -
1 Executive Summary |
2 Introduction |
2.1 Key Highlights of the Report |
2.2 Report Description |
2.3 Market Scope & Segmentation |
2.4 Research Methodology |
2.5 Assumptions |
3 Global Oleic Acid Market Overview |
3.1 Global Regional Macro Economic Indicators |
3.2 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenues & Volume, 2021 & 2031F |
3.3 Global Oleic Acid Market - Industry Life Cycle |
3.4 Global Oleic Acid Market - Porter's Five Forces |
3.5 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Regions, 2021 & 2031F |
3.6 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Origin, 2021 & 2031F |
3.7 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenues & Volume Share, By Grade, 2021 & 2031F |
3.8 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenues & Volume Share, By End-use, 2021 & 2031F |
4 Global Oleic Acid Market Dynamics |
4.1 Impact Analysis |
4.2 Market Drivers |
4.3 Market Restraints |
5 Global Oleic Acid Market Trends |
6 Global Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
6.1 Global Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
6.2 Global Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
6.3 Global Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
7 North America Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
7.1 North America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
7.2 North America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
7.3 North America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
8 latin America Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
8.1 latin America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
8.2 latin America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
8.3 latin America Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
9 Europe Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
9.1 Europe Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
9.2 Europe Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
9.3 Europe Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
10 Asia Pacific Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
10.1 Asia Pacific Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
10.2 Asia Pacific Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
10.3 Asia Pacific Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
11 Middle East Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
11.1 Middle East Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
11.2 Middle East Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
11.3 Middle East Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
12 Africa Oleic Acid Market, 2021 - 2031 |
12.1 Africa Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Origin, 2021 - 2031 |
12.2 Africa Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By Grade, 2021 - 2031 |
12.3 Africa Oleic Acid Market, Revenues & Volume, By End-use, 2021 - 2031 |
13 Global Oleic Acid Market Key Performance Indicators |
14 Global Oleic Acid Market - Opportunity Assessment |
14.1 Global Oleic Acid Market Opportunity Assessment, By Regions, 2021 & 2031F |
14.2 Global Oleic Acid Market Opportunity Assessment, By Origin, 2021 & 2031F |
14.3 Global Oleic Acid Market Opportunity Assessment, By Grade, 2021 & 2031F |
14.4 Global Oleic Acid Market Opportunity Assessment, By End-use, 2021 & 2031F |
15 Global Oleic Acid Market - Competitive Landscape |
15.1 Global Oleic Acid Market Revenue Share, By Companies, 2024 |
15.2 Global Oleic Acid Market Competitive Benchmarking, By Operating and Technical Parameters |
16 Company Profiles |
17 Recommendations |
18 Disclaimer |