Ethanolamines Market - Global Forecast 2026-2032

The Ethanolamines Market size was estimated at USD 2.64 billion in 2025 and expected to reach USD 2.76 billion in 2026, at a CAGR of 4.31% to reach USD 3.55 billion by 2032.

Ethanolamines-comprising monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, and triethanolamine-have become indispensable intermediates across industries, serving as surfactants, corrosion inhibitors, and gas scrubbing agents. Their bifunctional nature, combining both a primary amine and an alcohol group, underpins critical processes from CO₂ capture in gas treatment units to the stabilization of emulsions in household and industrial cleaning formulations. As regulatory landscapes tighten globally, particularly in North America under TSCA and in the European Union via REACH directives, manufacturers have increasingly focused on process optimization and feedstock diversification to maintain compliance and secure supply chains. Simultaneously, rising demand for eco-friendly herbicides in agriculture and specialty amines for personal care products is reshaping procurement strategies, with major end-users seeking reliable, high-purity grades. Consequently, ethanolamines are at the nexus of technological innovation and regulatory stewardship, making them a pivotal focal point for executives and decision-makers aiming to future-proof operations and capture emerging opportunities.

The ethanolamines landscape has undergone significant transformation driven by capacity expansions, technological advancements, and evolving sustainability mandates. In September 2024, BASF inaugurated a world-scale alkyl ethanolamines plant at its Antwerp Verbund site, boosting global capacity by nearly 30% and reinforcing integrated feedstock access across Belgium, Germany, the United States, and China. Similarly, in May 2024, INEOS Oxide’s acquisition of LyondellBasell’s Ethylene Oxide & Derivatives business in Bayport, Texas, expanded its U.S. footprint and secured cost-advantaged feedstocks essential for ethanolamines synthesis. These strategic moves underscore the industry’s emphasis on leveraging regional integration and backward integration to mitigate feedstock volatility. Concurrently, innovations in bio-based production pathways and AI-driven process control systems have begun reshaping operational performance, aligning production efficiencies with environmental and safety commitments.

Throughout 2025, U.S. tariff measures have exerted substantial pressure on ethanolamine import costs and supply chain dynamics. Under the Harmonized Tariff Schedule, monoethanolamine imports have historically faced a 6.5% ad valorem duty. The administration’s use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act imposed an additional 20% tariff on select chemical imports effective March 4, 2025, further compounding landed costs for non-U.S. producers. Moreover, Section 301 duties apply a 25% surcharge on qualifying Chinese-origin organic chemicals, including ethanolamines, with limited exclusions set to expire by May 31, 2025. Although an April 29 executive order sought to prevent overlapping tariffs under specific national security and metal import proclamations, it explicitly exempted Section 301 and anti-dumping measures, leaving cumulative import duties intact and prompting importers to reassess sourcing strategies and inventory practices.

Market segmentation reveals nuanced demand patterns and value trajectories across product types, applications, grades, end-user industries, form factors, and distribution channels. Monoethanolamine remains the foundational ethanolamine, favored for gas treatment and herbicide intermediates, whereas diethanolamine commands attention in detergent and cleaner formulations due to its enhanced surfactant properties. Triethanolamine has carved a niche in personal care, acting as both a pH regulator and cosmetic additive. Within applications, agriculture drives herbicide formulations, while detergents and cleaners bifurcate into household and industrial segments. Gas treatment demands acid gas removal and dehydration solutions, and metalworking fluids rely on ethanolamines for corrosion inhibition. Grades range from stringent food and pharmaceutical classifications to cost-efficient industrial and technical variants. The end-user mix spans agriculture, chemical processing, oil and gas, and personal care. Product delivery structures bifurcate into liquid and solid forms, with direct sales and distributor models governing market access.

Regional markets exhibit distinct demand drivers and regulatory constraints that shape consumption patterns. In the Americas, capacity additions at BASF’s Geismar, Louisiana facility and INEOS Oxide’s Bayport acquisition have bolstered local supply resilience, enabling North American producers to capture higher domestic volumes and justify capital redeployment toward downstream integration. Europe’s market navigates stringent REACH and cosmetics regulation; the European Commission’s ban on diethanolamine in cosmetic products effective February 1, 2025, underscores heightened safety standards and has driven reformulation efforts among personal care manufacturers. In Asia-Pacific, rapid industrialization in China and India, coupled with petrochemical projects pivoting toward U.S. ethane as a cost-effective cracker feed, has accelerated ethylene oxide availability and downstream ethanolamines production, reinforcing the region’s leadership in global consumption.

Leading chemical companies are actively reshaping the competitive landscape through strategic acquisitions, capacity investments, and diversified product portfolios. BASF’s integration of a new alkyl ethanolamines plant in Antwerp expanded global output by nearly 140,000 metric tons, underpinning its role as a preferred sustainable intermediates supplier. INEOS Oxide’s U.S. expansion via the Bayport, Texas acquisition of LyondellBasell’s EO&D unit not only enhances feedstock security but also complements its Louisiana ethanolamines facility, positioning it for integrated growth. Dow Chemical’s Louisiana operations, spanning Plaquemine and St. Charles sites, deliver core ethanolamines and specialty amine derivatives for detergents, personal care, and pharmaceutical use, supported by over 4,000 local employees and a robust petrochemical infrastructure. These initiatives illustrate how top players leverage scale, vertical integration, and geographic diversification to capture emerging opportunities and mitigate supply chain risks.

Industry leaders should prioritize strategic actions that enhance operational resilience, regulatory compliance, and digital transformation readiness. First, diversifying feedstock sources through partnerships and co-location with ethylene oxide producers can buffer against supply disruptions and feedstock volatility-an approach demonstrated by INEOS Oxide’s integration of its Bayport and Plaquemine facilities. Second, adopting AI-powered predictive maintenance and process analytics can reduce unplanned downtime by up to 30%, optimize energy consumption, and support sustainability goals through advanced monitoring capabilities. Third, engaging proactively with trade and customs authorities to navigate tariff complexities-leveraging legal clarifications on non-stacking provisions while managing Section 301 exposures-will preserve margins and secure duty relief where applicable. Lastly, investing in research collaborations for bio-based ethanolamine routes and safer formulation technologies can future-proof product portfolios against evolving regulatory and consumer demands.

This study integrates rigorous secondary and primary research methodologies to ensure reliability and relevance. Secondary research encompassed comprehensive reviews of regulatory databases, including the U.S. EPA TSCA Chemical Substance Inventory to verify substance listings and regulatory flags. Trade analysis leveraged USTR Section 301 publications and executive orders to quantify tariff exposures and assess policy impacts on import dynamics. Primary research involved structured interviews with over two dozen senior executives and technical experts from leading chemical producers, end-users, and trade associations to validate market drivers, supply chain strategies, and application trends. Collected data underwent triangulation and quality checks, ensuring consistency across historical records, expert inputs, and publicly available disclosures, thereby delivering a robust and actionable market intelligence framework.

As the ethanolamines market navigates a confluence of capacity expansions, sustainability innovations, and trade policy reforms, industry stakeholders must recalibrate their strategies to capitalize on emerging opportunities and mitigate risks. The alignment of global production networks-underscored by BASF’s Antwerp capacity increase and INEOS Oxide’s Bayport expansion-validates the emphasis on integrated feedstock access and regional supply security. Concurrently, U.S. tariff measures and executive orders have underscored the importance of proactive trade management to preserve cost competitiveness amid 6.5%, 20%, and 25% cumulative duty burdens. Moreover, evolving regulations, such as the EU’s ban on diethanolamine in cosmetics, highlight the perennial need for compliance-driven innovation. Looking ahead, companies that blend operational agility, digital transformation, and strategic foresight will secure their position in a market that remains essential to industrial, agrochemical, and personal care sectors worldwide.

To explore in-depth data, strategic analyses, and actionable insights, reach out to Ketan Rohom, Associate Director of Sales & Marketing, who will guide you through tailoring the research report to your organization’s needs and secure access to the definitive ethanolamines market intelligence.