Global defoamers market value is anticipated to exceed $2 billion over the next seven years due to increasing demand from the end use industries such as paints and coatings, according to a new report from Grand View Research. Pulp & paper industry applications dominated the global market in the recent past and this trend is expected to continue over the forecast period.
Defoamers prevent foam formation which causes problems during industrial processes such as biochemical and oxygen transfer from air. They destabilize the foam which improves surface viscosity and elasticity, resulting in higher efficiency in industrial operations.

Key defoamers products include non-silicon-based and silicon-based defoamers. Non-silicon products include oil-based defoamer, water based defoamer, powder defoamer, alkyl polyacrylates, and EO/PO based defoamer. Silicon-based defoamers dominated the global market and accounted for more than one-third of the global market share.

Favorable silicon-based product characteristics include longer operational lifespan, better reactivity with process ingredients, insolubility, and lower surface tension compared to other organic products. Key end-use industries for silicon-based defoamers include chemicals, textiles, paints & coatings, pharmaceuticals, food production, and household cleaning.

Growing non-silicon anti-foam agents in food processing industry which are less toxic and biodegradable are projected to witness positive growth in the near future. Defoamer market is expected to grow significantly over the next seven years due to expansion in R&D initiatives and technological improvement among the major participants in the market.

Defoamer market demand witnessed sluggish growth in the past few years owing to global recession. However, a reviving global economy is expected to increase defoamer demand from the end-use industries. Defoamers play a critical role in various industrial manufacturing processes. Government initiatives in emerging regions such as Asia Pacific and Central & South America to increase their manufacturing capabilities are projected to aid the regional defoamer market over the forecast period.

Defoamers are used as additives in several cleaning applications across multiple industries. These additives help detergents to clean more efficiently by reducing surface tension and minimize water usage. Such favorable properties are presumed to aid the defoamers demand in industrial applications in the near future.

Growing environmental awareness has resulted in companies opting for defoamers containing less VOCs. Such a shift in trend is presumed to hamper the global market in the near future.

VOC effects on human health and the environment are anticipated to hinder market growth over the next seven years. Growing digitization has hampered the global paper & pulp industry to a great extent over the past. Such a trend is anticipated to hamper the defoamer market as paper & pulp is a major application for defoamers. Innovations and newer products for industrial applications are expected to promise ample opportunities for growth and development.

Biodegradable and less toxic defoamer products are expected to open up several opportunities for growth. Efficient and highly innovative technologies such as ‘Smart Dry’ which are used for developing cost-effective and greener products promise ample growth opportunities for industry participants.

Asia Pacific dominated the global defoamer market in the recent past followed by North America and Europe. Silicon-based defoamers are increasingly being substituted by water-based products in the developing regions due to their cost effectiveness. China accounts for a considerable share in Asia Pacific region due to growing demand from industries such as water treatment, paints, textiles, and petroleum. Increasing industrialization and urbanization are the main reasons for growth.

North American and European markets are characterized by stringent regulatory framework against volatile organic compounds usage. Paper & pulp industry in Europe is expected to witness a declining trend over the near future owing to problems regarding new installations and production volume. Such a trend is presumed to negatively impact the regional market.

Industry participants are taking strong steps to produce defoamers which are less hazardous and have minimal chemical content compared to mineral oil based defoamers. Major industry participants include Dow Corning Corporation, BASF SE, Ashland, Inc., Evonik Industries AG, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., KCC Basildon, Wacker Chemie AG, Bluestar Silicones, CLARIANT, Elementis Plc, and Kemira Oyj.