Internal olefins are hydrocarbons characterized by a double bond positioned between two internal carbon atoms rather than at the terminal end of the carbon chain. Due to their stability and reactivity, they are widely used as intermediates in the production of surfactants, lubricants, and specialty chemicals.
The primary types of internal olefins include linear internal olefins, alpha-olefins, and others. Linear internal olefins are straight-chain hydrocarbons with double bonds located within the chain, commonly utilized in the production of high-performance surfactants, specialty chemicals, and lubricants. These olefins are produced through various processes such as steam cracking, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, thermal cracking, and metathesis. Their applications span across oil drilling, surfactants, lubricants, agrochemicals, pharmaceuticals, and more. They are distributed via multiple channels, including direct sales, distributors, online retail, and wholesale, and serve a range of end-user industries such as automotive, construction, consumer goods, aerospace, electronics, and healthcare.
The internal olefins market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides internal olefins market statistics, including the internal olefins industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the internal olefins market share, detailed internal olefins market segments, market trends, opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the internal olefins industry. This internal olefin market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.
The internal olefins market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $1.86 billion in 2024 to $1.97 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.0%. Growth during the historical period can be attributed to rising demand for high-performance lubricants, increased use of internal olefins in producing biodegradable surfactants, growing adoption of lightweight polymers, a heightened focus on sustainable and bio-based olefin feedstocks, and expanding demand from the personal care sector.
The internal olefins market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $2.45 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7%. Looking ahead, growth in the forecast period is expected to be driven by expanding applications of internal olefins in agrochemical formulations, increased consumption in the pharmaceutical industry, continued industrialization and urbanization, a growing shift toward energy-efficient lubricants, and rising demand for specialty chemicals. Key trends anticipated include advancements in catalytic processing, integration of bio-based feedstocks, innovations in metathesis techniques, progress in process automation, and new developments in olefin-based chemical formulations.
The growing oil and gas industry is expected to drive the expansion of the internal olefins market in the coming years. The oil and gas sector encompasses the exploration, production, processing, and transportation of petroleum and natural gas resources. This industry is experiencing growth due to expanding infrastructure in emerging economies, where countries are investing in pipelines, refineries, and storage facilities to support economic progress, address rising energy needs, and attract international investment. Internal olefins play a vital role in the oil and gas sector as essential intermediates used in the formulation of drilling fluids, lubricants, and surfactants, which help boost operational efficiency and enhance environmental performance. For instance, in June 2023, the International Energy Agency (IEA), a France-based intergovernmental organization, reported that global oil demand is projected to grow by 6% between 2022 and 2028, reaching 105.7 million barrels per day. Additionally, global upstream investments in oil and gas exploration, extraction, and production are expected to increase by 11% year-on-year, hitting a record USD 528 billion in 2023. Therefore, the expansion of the oil and gas industry is fueling the growth of the internal olefins market.
Leading companies in the internal olefins market are concentrating on developing advanced olefin production facilities to increase manufacturing capacity, enhance process efficiency, and respond to surging global demand. Olefin production facilities are industrial complexes equipped to manufacture, refine, and handle large volumes of olefin-based chemicals. For example, in July 2022, Chevron Phillips Chemical, a US-based petrochemical company, announced plans to expand its polyalphaolefins (PAO) production unit in Belgium. This investment aims to double the facility's capacity to 120,000 metric tons per year, with operations expected to begin in 2024, subject to permit approvals. These PAOs, derived from alpha olefins, are used extensively in high-performance lubricants, providing superior fuel efficiency and emissions reductions through improved lubrication and thermal stability.
In May 2025, Pilot Chemical Company, a US-based chemical manufacturer, partnered with Novvi LLC to promote sustainable chemical solutions through collaborative innovation. This partnership integrates Novvi's renewable feedstock platform with Pilot's sulfonation technology to deliver high-performance, sulfate-alternative surfactants that support sustainability in various applications. Novvi LLC is a US-based company specializing in renewable, high-performance linear alpha olefins.
Major players in the internal olefins market are Shell plc, ExxonMobil Chemical, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Idemitsu Kosan Co. Ltd., Dow Chemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, LyondellBasell Industries, INEOS Group, Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., Evonik Industries AG, Braskem S.A., Sasol Limited, Westlake Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., Kao Corporation, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Clariant AG, Nova Chemicals Corporation, Qatar Petrochemical Company, Marun Petrochemical Company
North America was the largest region in the internal olefins market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in internal olefins report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East and Africa.
The countries covered in the internal olefins market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
The internal olefins market consists of sales of cyclic olefins, iso-olefins and vinylidene olefins. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Internal Olefins Global Market Report 2025 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses on internal olefins market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for internal olefins ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The internal olefins market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:1) By Type: Linear Internal Olefins; Alpha-Olefins; Other Types
2) By Production Process: Steam Cracking; Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis; Thermal Cracking; Metathesis
3) By Application: Oil Drilling; Surfactants; Lubricants; Agrochemicals; Pharmaceutical; Other Applications
4) By Distribution Channel: Direct Sales; Distributors; Online Retail; Wholesale
1) By Linear Internal Olefins: C6-C10 Linear Internal Olefins; C11-C15 Linear Internal Olefins; C16-C20 Linear Internal Olefins; C21+ Linear Internal Olefins
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita,
Data segmentations: country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary
2. Internal Olefins Market Characteristics
3. Internal Olefins Market Trends And Strategies
4. Internal Olefins Market - Macro Economic Scenario Including The Impact Of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics, Trade Wars and Tariffs, And Covid And Recovery On The Market
5. Global Internal Olefins Growth Analysis And Strategic Analysis Framework
5.1. Global Internal Olefins PESTEL Analysis (Political, Social, Technological, Environmental and Legal Factors, Drivers and Restraints)
5.2. Analysis Of End Use Industries
5.3. Global Internal Olefins Market Growth Rate Analysis
5.4. Global Internal Olefins Historic Market Size and Growth, 2019 - 2024, Value ($ Billion)
5.5. Global Internal Olefins Forecast Market Size and Growth, 2024 - 2029, 2034F, Value ($ Billion)
5.6. Global Internal Olefins Total Addressable Market (TAM)
6. Internal Olefins Market Segmentation
6.1. Global Internal Olefins Market, Segmentation By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Linear Internal Olefins
Alpha-Olefins
Other Types
6.2. Global Internal Olefins Market, Segmentation By Production Process, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Steam Cracking
Fischer-Tropsch Synthesis
Thermal Cracking
Metathesis
6.3. Global Internal Olefins Market, Segmentation By Application, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Oil Drilling
Surfactants
Lubricants
Agrochemicals
Pharmaceutical
Other Applications
6.4. Global Internal Olefins Market, Segmentation By Distribution Channel, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Direct Sales
Distributors
Online Retail
Wholesale
6.5. Global Internal Olefins Market, Segmentation By End-User Industry, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Automotive
Construction
Consumer Goods
Aerospace
Electronics
Healthcare
6.6. Global Internal Olefins Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Linear Internal Olefins, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
C6-C10 Linear Internal Olefins
C11-C15 Linear Internal Olefins
C16-C20 Linear Internal Olefins
C21+ Linear Internal Olefins
6.7. Global Internal Olefins Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Alpha-Olefins, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
C4-C8 Alpha-Olefins
C9-C12 Alpha-Olefins
C13-C16 Alpha-Olefins
C17+ Alpha-Olefins
6.8. Global Internal Olefins Market, Sub-Segmentation Of Other Types, By Type, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
Cyclic Internal Olefins
Branched Internal Olefins
Aromatic Olefins
Specialty Internal Olefins
7. Internal Olefins Market Regional And Country Analysis
7.1. Global Internal Olefins Market, Split By Region, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion
7.2. Global Internal Olefins Market, Split By Country, Historic and Forecast, 2019-2024, 2024-2029F, 2034F, $ Billion