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Castor Oil Derivatives Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product Type (Sebacic Acid, Ricinoleic Acid, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid, Dehydrated Castor Oil and Others), Application (Cosmetic & Pharmaceuticals, Plastic & Resins, Lubricants, Biodiesel, and Others) and Regional Forecast, 2024-2032

Last Updated: November 17, 2025 | Format: PDF | Report ID: FBI100537

 

KEY MARKET INSIGHTS

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The global castor oil derivatives market size was USD 1,035.4 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,429.7 million by 2027, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period. Asia Pacific dominated the castor oil derivatives market with a market share of 48.43% in 2019. Moreover, the U.S. castor oil derivatives market is projected to reach USD 155.1 million by 2027, driven by rising demand in cosmetics, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals.

Castor oil and its derivatives are multi-featured chemicals and widely used in the manufacturing of paints, lubricants, coatings, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and other products. Owing to their excellent chemical properties, these derivatives are gaining popularity. Leading ingredient manufacturing companies are launching castor oil-based ingredients to tap opportunities in the green chemicals market. For instance, in August 2020, BASF SE launched a Lamesoft Balance, a hydrogenated castor oil-based product to stabilize ingredients in hair and skin cleansing formulations. It helps in providing homogeneous rheology in cleansing formulations, which is often challenging to obtain. Such activities are fueling the castor oil derivatives market growth. 

Utmost Impact on Global Trade of Castor Oil and Derivatives During COVID-19

India, Brazil, and China are leading suppliers of castor oil in the world. Amid the COVID-19 outbreak, the production of castor oil in these countries was severely hit due to limited or no access to manufacturing sites, limited feedstock, and manpower. Disrupted supply chains and declined production further resulted in an export downturn. For instance, according to ‘The Solvent Extractors Association of India’ and global industry expert estimates, global demand and export of castor oil may fall by 10-30% due to weaker demand following the pandemic. However, with the gradual lifting of lockdowns and supply chains normalization in the world is projected to show growth in the last quarter of 2020.  

Global Castor Oil Derivatives Market Key Takeaways

Market Size & Forecast:

  • 2019 Market Size: USD 1,035.4 million
  • 2027 Forecast Market Size: USD 1,429.7 million
  • CAGR: 4.3% (2020–2027)

Market Share:

  • Asia Pacific dominated the castor oil derivatives market with a 48.43% share in 2019, driven by abundant castor seed availability, rising demand in key applications, and strong export capabilities from India and China.
  • By product type, Sebacic Acid accounted for the largest market share in 2019, supported by its diverse use in biopolymers, personal care, lubricants, and esters.

Key Country Highlights:

  • India: Major producer and exporter of castor oil and its derivatives including 12-hydroxy stearic acid, castor wax, and undecylenic acid. China and the EU are top export destinations, with China alone accounting for 40% of exports.
  • United States: The U.S. market is projected to reach USD 155.1 million by 2027, fueled by growing applications in cosmetics, lubricants, and pharmaceuticals.
  • China: Holds the largest global production capacity for sebacic acid (over 210 kilotons), making it a key supplier in the global market.
  • Europe: The European Commission’s Green Deal is boosting demand for bio-based chemicals, encouraging the adoption of castor oil derivatives. Europe was the second-largest consumer in 2019.

CASTOR OIL DERIVATIVES MARKET LATEST TRENDS

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Increasing Adoption of Castor Oil Derivatives in Personal Care Products is a Key Trend

The cosmetics and perfumeries segment is one of the emerging applications of castor oil derivatives in the global market. Castor wax, castor oil esters, zinc ricinoleate, undecylenic acid are few of the key derivatives used in the manufacturing of hair care, skincare & lip care products, and perfumeries. These derivatives perform different roles during cosmetic manufacturing such as surfactants, emulsion stabilizers, skin conditioning agents, and others. With the increasing demand for natural cosmetics products globally, the adoption of natural ingredients is expected to increase in the future. In March 2020, Revlon launched a new collection of hair care products based on black castor oil, aloe vera, and vitamins under its ‘Creme of Nature’ brand.     

CASTOR OIL DERIVATIVES MARKET DRIVING FACTORS

Diverse Application of Castor Oil is Driving the Growth of Market

Because of the unique fatty acid structure, castor oil and its derivatives offer vast advantages as compared to other vegetable oils. Applications of oils derived from cotton, coconut, soy, corn, rapeseed are limited mostly to edible purposes. Castor oil derivatives are renewable, natural, and versatile in physicochemical properties. Thus, these products are preferred as a key raw material in multiple applications including lubricants, oleo-chemicals, medical, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, bio-energy among others. Owing to the rising importance of green chemicals globally, the market is expected to indicate stable growth in the forthcoming years. 

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Wavering Prices of Raw Materials to Restrain Growth

Castor oil is a prime feedstock for the production of its derivatives. The castor oil yield is highly dependent on conditions such as temperature, light, rainfall, soil characteristics, latitude, altitude among others. Depending on the yield, the price of castor oil is decided. The unstable prices affect downstream production and demand of castor oil derivatives, thus reducing profit margins. However, with the rapid adoption of modern agricultural practices backed by government policies will elevate the business of oils in the near future.

CASTOR OIL DERIVATIVES MARKET SEGMENTATION ANALYSIS

By Product Type Analysis

Sebacic Acid Segment Accounted for the Largest Revenue Share of the Global Castor Oil Derivatives Market

Sebacic acid is a bio-based and unique feedstock for the production of biopolymers. Owing to performance benefits such as durability, hydrophobicity, flexibility, and low melting points, it is widely adopted in the manufacturing of polyamides. Moreover, sebacic acid is adopted as an additive in lubricants, as a buffering agent in personal care products, as a corrosion inhibitor, and in the production of esters. Such diversity of sebacic acid among different applications is boosting the growth of the segment. Also, continuous advancement in bioplastics is propelling demand for sebacic acid as a key raw material.

By Application Analysis

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Plastic & Resin Segment to Hold the Major Share of the Global Market

In 2019, the Plastic & Resin segment held the largest castor oil derivatives market share of 36.5% in the global market. These oil derivatives are extensively used in the manufacturing of plastic & resins, which are further used in paint, coating, inks, and other polymer applications. For instance, 12-hydroxy stearic acid is used as a feedstock to produce acrylic polymers. Moreover, the increase in the consumption of bioplastics globally is fueling demand for castor oil and its derivative in bioplastic production. According to the research study of Fortune Business Insights, the global bioplastics market is projected to register a CAGR of 16.2% during the forecast period.  

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

Asia Pacific Castor Oil Derivatives Market Size, 2019 (USD Million)

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Owing to the high presence of castor oil and its derivatives, Asia Pacific contributed a major share in the market in 2019. The region is also projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.3% in terms of value. China is the global leader in the production and export of sebacic acid with a capacity of more than 210-kilo tons. Due to the abundance of castor seeds, India has become a producer & exporter of castor oil and castor oil derivatives such as 12-hydroxy stearic acid, castor wax, dehydrated castor oil, undecylenic acid among others. China, the USA, European Union are key export destinations for India. According to The Solvent Extractors Association of India, China holds around 40% of castor oil export from India followed by Europe 30-35%.

Europe was the second-largest consumer of castor oil derivatives in 2019. Increasing adoption and favorable government regulations regarding the use of bio-based chemicals is expected to drive the market growth in the near future. In 2019, the European Commission launched a ‘Green Deal’ to become a carbon-neutral region by 2050. This deal is backed by policy reforms and adopting green technologies across chemical industries operating in Europe. Therefore, both manufacturers and consumers are shifting preference for bio-based chemicals in Europe. Thus, such initiatives by the government are expected to propel the demand for this oil derivatives in Europe in the foreseeable future.     

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Leading Players to Focus on Securing Sustainable Feedstock to Meet the Growing Demand

Securing feedstock for the production of castor oil derivatives is a key strategy followed by leading producers in the market. Jayant Agro Organics Limited, one of the leading producers and exporters of castor oil and its derivatives is taking the initiative to improve castor feedstock in India. In 2016, the company launched the ‘Pragati’ project in association with BASF and Arkema to develop more sustainable farming practices in India. Through this initiative, these companies are helping local Indian farmers to increase the yield of castor oil and supporting their economic growth each year.

LIST OF TOP CASTOR OIL DERIVATIVES COMPANIES PROFILED:

  • Hengshui Jinghua Chemical Co., Ltd. (China)
  • N.K. Proteins Pvt. Ltd. (India)
  • Thai Castor Oil Industries Co. Ltd. (Thailand)
  • Sebacic India Pvt. Ltd. (India)
  • HOKOKU Co. Ltd. (Japan)
  • Adani Wilmar Ltd. (India)
  • Gokul Agri International Ltd. (India)
  • RPK Agrotech (India)
  • Arvalli Castor Derivatives Pvt Ltd. (India)
  • Krishna Antioxidants Pvt. Ltd. (India)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

February 26, 2016: India based Shipra Agrichem invested around US$ 62.7 million to develop the first sebacic acid plant in Oman. The plant capacity is 30-kilo tons per year and the produced quantities are aimed to export to Europe, China, Japan, and the United States.  

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Castor Oil Derivatives Market

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The castor oil derivatives market research report provides both qualitative & quantitative insights into the market. Quantitative insights include the global market sizing in terms of value (USD Million) and volume (Kilo Tons) across each segment, sub-segment, and region profiled in the scope of the study. Also, the report covers market share analysis and growth rates of the segment, sub-segments, and key counties across each region. Qualitative insight covers an elaborative analysis of market drivers, restraints, growth opportunities, key trends related to the market. The competitive landscape section covers detailed company profiling of the key players operating in the global market.

Report Scope & Segmentation

 ATTRIBUTE

  DETAILS

Study Period

  2016-2027

Base Year

  2019

Forecast Period

  2020-2027

Historical Period

  2016-2018

Unit

  Value (USD Million) & Volume (Kilo Tons)

Segmentation

  Product Type, Application, and Geography

By Product Type

 

  • Sebacic Acid
  • Ricinoleic Acid
  • Hydrogenated Castor Oil
  • 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acids
  • Dehydrated Castor Oil
  • Others

By Application

 

  • Cosmetic & Pharmaceuticals
  • Plastic & Resins
  • Lubricants
  • Biodiesel
  • Others

By Geography

 

  • North America
    • By Product Type
    • By Application
    • By Country
      • The U.S.
      • Canada
  • Europe
    • By Product Type
    • By Application
    • By Country
      • Germany
      • UK
      • France
      • Italy
      • Rest of Europe
  • Asia Pacific
    • By Product Type
    • By Application
    • By Country
      • China
      • India
      • Japan
      • ASEAN
      • Rest of Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
    • By Product Type
    • By Application
    • By Country
      • Brazil
      • Mexico
      • Rest of Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa
    • By Product Type
    • By Application
    • By Sub-Region
      • Middle East
      • Africa


Frequently Asked Questions

According to Fortune Business Insights, the global castor oil derivatives market size was USD 1,035.4 million in 2019 and is projected to reach USD 1,429.7 million by 2027, growing at a CAGR of 4.3% during the forecast period.

Registering a compounded annual growth rate of 4.3%, the market will exhibit steady growth in the forecast period (2020-2027).

Castor oil derivatives are widely used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, lubricants, paints, coatings, plastics, resins, and biofuels. Their versatility stems from unique chemical properties, making them suitable for use as emulsion stabilizers, surfactants, and conditioning agents.

The plastic & resin segment dominated the global market in 2019 with a 36.5% share. These derivatives are extensively used in producing bioplastics, coatings, and inks, with rising demand fueled by sustainable material consumption trends.

Asia Pacific held the largest market share of 48.43% in 2019 and is projected to register the fastest CAGR of 5.3%. India and China are major contributors due to abundant raw material availability and strong export capabilities.

Key products include sebacic acid, ricinoleic acid, hydrogenated castor oil, 12-hydroxy stearic acid, and dehydrated castor oil. Among them, sebacic acid holds the largest revenue share due to its use in biopolymers, lubricants, and personal care items.

The market is driven by increasing demand for bio-based and renewable chemicals across multiple sectors. The shift toward sustainable manufacturing and green chemistry is further boosting the adoption of castor oil derivatives globally.

Major companies include Jayant Agro Organics, N.K. Proteins, Thai Castor Oil Industries, Sebacic India Pvt. Ltd., BASF SE, and Adani Wilmar. These players are focused on sustainable sourcing and expanding production capacities to meet global demand.

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