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Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Nina Koefler Nina Koefler Frankfurt, Germany Last Updated: May 2024 WZ C20.41DE

Revenue

€12.2bn

2024

€12.2bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

€XXX.Xm

Employees

23,868

Businesses

127

Wages

€X.Xbn

Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany industry analysis

With its well-established products and manufacturing processes, the detergent manufacturing industry is in the saturation phase of its life cycle, although there is still potential for process and product innovations. Due to the indispensability of industry products for everyday household cleaning, demand is expected to remain stable in the future. Industry turnover is expected to amount to 12.2 billion euros in 2024. This corresponds to sales growth of 0.3% compared to the previous year, while sales have risen by an average of 4.8% per year over the past five years.During the coronavirus pandemic, demand for the sector's products rose sharply in 2020 as more emphasis was placed on hygiene measures to contain the pandemic and people used more household products at home. In the current year, industry products are likely to continue to enjoy high demand as net household incomes rise. Falling prices for crude oil, which is used to produce many industry products, are likely to reduce manufacturers' production costs in the current year.IBISWorld expects industry turnover to continue to rise over the next five years, by an average of 1.9% per year to €13.3 billion in 2029. This development forecast is based on the assumption that industry players will succeed in taking account of increased environmental awareness in society and politics, both with regard to the ingredients of their cleaning products and their production process. Green chemistry is now a common term and will become increasingly important within the industry in the future. The focus here is on integrated environmental technologies that not only guarantee the environmental compatibility of production and ecological products, but also minimise the impact on nature and human health. In addition, the use of big data as part of the digital transformation is likely to promote industry growth by enabling more efficient, resource-saving processes.

Trends and Insights

  • "Green chemistry" will become increasingly important within the industry in the future. The focus here is on integrated environmental technologies that minimise the impact on nature as well as human health.
  • Lubricating soaps are considered a skin-friendly cleaning agent due to their pH neutrality. In the past five years, however, the sales share of these soaps has decreased.
  • The central region has the highest number and density of companies in the industry in Germany. For example, the main player in the industry, Henkel, has its headquarters and its second-largest production site for detergents and cleaning agents worldwide in North Rhine-Westphalia.
  • The type and intensity of competition within the industry varies depending on the product category and the market in which the products are sold. For private households, brand awareness, packaging design, odour and value for money are key criteria in the purchasing decision.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 4.8 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated €12.2bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

The use of chemical cleaning agents is being viewed more and more critically due to the environmental and health risks

  • Many of the chemicals contained in cleaning products are harmful to the environment and human health. In addition, excessive use of cleaning agents does not necessarily result in greater cleanliness. As a result, the extent to which cleaning products are used is being viewed more and more critically.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Biggest companies in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue (€m)
2024
Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
1,227.5
Dalli-Werke GmbH & Co. KG
331.8
Fit GmbH
287.5

To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Surface-active preparations, Organic surfactants and Artificial waxes. Surface-active preparations is the largest segment of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany.

Trends and Insights

Surface-active preparations facilitate the cleaning of surfaces from dirt particles

  • Ingredients from the category of surface-active preparations are the most important input factor. Preparations include products already intended for retail sale such as prepared detergents and washing aids as well as prepared cleaning agents.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The companies in this sector are involved in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, cleaning and polishing agents, such as dishwashing detergents, textile softeners, leather and wood care products, scouring pastes and powders. The manufacture of body care products, on the other hand, does not fall under the industry definition.

What's included in this industry?

Production of organic surfactantsProduction of paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, mixed with soap or cleaning agentsProduction of glycerineProduction of soaps not intended for personal hygieneProduction of surface-active preparationsProduction of cleaning and polishing agents

Companies

Henkel AG & Co. KGaADalli-Werke GmbH & Co. KGFit GmbH

Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

DETERGENCIESGLYCERINSURFACTANTS / PREPARATIONSCORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY (CSR)LOHNABFÜLLER

Industry Code

WZ 2008

WZ 20.41 - Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

"Green chemistry" will become increasingly important within the industry in the future. The focus here is on integrated environmental technologies that minimise the impact on...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Lubricating soaps are considered a skin-friendly cleaning agent due to their pH neutrality. In the past five years, however, the sales share of these soaps has decreased.

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets
  • International Trade

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level
  • Total imports, level and trend
  • Total exports, level and trend
  • Trade Balance

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024
  • International trade, including imports by country and exports by country

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services
  • Recent trends in import and export volumes, country of origin or destination, and expected future trends

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The central region has the highest number and density of companies in the industry in Germany. For example, the main player in the industry, Henkel, has its headquarters and ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each region
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each region in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each region in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across Europe, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

The type and intensity of competition within the industry varies depending on the product category and the market in which the products are sold. For private households, bran...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Henkel plans to continuously expand its position as one of the world's leading industrial groups in the field of sustainability. For example, the family-owned company uses re...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Henkel AG & Co. KGaA's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Dalli-Werke GmbH & Co. KG's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of Fit GmbH's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024
  • Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Dalli-Werke GmbH & Co. KG, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description and key data for Fit GmbH, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
  • Description, key data and performance trends for one additional company

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

The implementation of the Detergents Regulation is the direct responsibility of the manufacturers. In addition to guaranteeing and communicating the biodegradability of their...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

The profit margin is primarily influenced by the cost of purchasing raw materials as well as the acquisition and ongoing operation of production machinery. Another influencin...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany in 2024?

The market size of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany is €12.2bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany industry in 2024?

There are 127 businesses in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany, which has grown at a CAGR of 0.6 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany has been growing at a CAGR of 4.8 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing market in Germany?

The biggest companies operating in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing market in Germany are Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, Dalli-Werke GmbH & Co. KG and Fit GmbH

What does the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany include?

Production of organic surfactants and Production of paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, mixed with soap or cleaning agents are part of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in Germany?

The company holding the most market share in Germany is Henkel AG & Co. KGaA.

How competitive is the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany?

The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in Germany.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • There are no industries to display.

Complementors

  • Inorganic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Germany
  • Organic Basic Chemical Manufacturing in Germany
  • Perfume & Cosmetics Manufacturing in Germany

International industries

  • Soap & Cleaning Compound Manufacturing in the US
  • Soap & Cleaning Compound Manufacturing in Canada
  • Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing in Australia
  • Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in the UK
  • Soap, Washing Powder and Synthetic Detergent Manufacturing in China

View all industries in Germany

Methodology

How are IBISWorld reports created?

IBISWorld has been a leading provider of trusted industry research for over 50 years to the most successful companies worldwide. With offices in Australia, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany and China, we are proud to have local teams of analysts that conduct research, data analysis and forecasting to produce data-driven industry reports.

Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in Germany include:

  • German Federal Statistics Office (Destatis)
  • European Statistics Office (Eurostat)
  • United Nations Comtrade

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

Learn more about our methodology and data sourcing on the Help Center.