Industry Statistics and Trends
Market size and recent performance (2016-2031)
Industry revenue has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated £3.8bn in 2026.
Trends and Insights
Shoppers prioritise value, intensifying price competition in household essentials
- Retail conditions across 2025-26 reflected continued caution in household spending on everyday goods. The ONS reported that retail sales volumes fell by 0.3% in the three months to December 2025 compared with the previous three-month period. Over a longer comparison, the ONS reported that sales volumes were 2.1% higher than the same three-month period in 2024, which shows that spending has stabilised over the year but remains constrained in the short term. This environment keeps consumer focus centred on essential household products, including soap and detergents, while maintaining strong sensitivity to price and promotions.
- Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Source: IBISWorld
Industry outlook (2026-2031)
Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.
Trends and Insights
Rising packaging charges will accelerate moves towards concentrates and refill formats
- Packaging-related policy settings are set to place sustained cost pressure on plastic-heavy household products. The Plastic Packaging Tax rate will rise from £223.69 per tonne to £228.82 per tonne from April 2026. Under Extended Producer Responsibility, plastic’s base fee is £423 per tonne in 2025-26, while fees for 2026-27 are £415 to £545 per tonne. Together, the higher Plastic Packaging Tax and EPR fees signal that packaging charges linked to material choice will remain a structural cost factor for soap and detergent manufacturers.
Biggest companies in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in the UK
| Company | Market Share (%)
2025 | Revenue (£m)
2025 |
|---|---|---|
Unilever UK Ltd | 371.1 | |
Ecolab Ltd | 93.1 | |
Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Ltd | 83.7 |
To view the market share and analysis for all 4 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.
Products & Services Segmentation
Source: IBISWorld
Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Laundry products, Dishwashing products and Soaps. Laundry products is the largest segment of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in the UK.
Trends and Insights
Soaps maintain value through premium features as price growth cools
- The soaps segment includes bar soap, liquid hand wash, shower gel and body wash sold to households and workplaces. These products are used daily, which supports steady volumes, but shoppers can switch easily between basic and premium options.
- More insights available in the full report
Table of Contents
About this industry
Industry definition
Companies in this industry manufacture various surfactant products, including soap, washing powder, dishwasher detergent, textile softener and crude glycerol. The products are then sold to downstream industrial, commercial and household users.
What's included in this industry?
Products and services covered in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include Laundry products, Dishwashing products, Soaps, Surface-active agents and Polishes.Companies
Companies covered in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include Unilever UK Ltd, Ecolab Ltd and Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Ltd.Purchase this report to view all 4 major companies in this industry.
Related Terms
Related terms covered in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include surfactant, detergent and ethical consumerism.Industry Code
SIC 20.41/1 - Soap & Detergent Manufacturing in the UK
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
Retailers have kept pricing tight. Supermarkets rely on promotions and own-label ranges across soaps and detergents. This caps manufacturers’ ability to lift prices and keeps...
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 (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Employees, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Businesses, including historical (2016-2025) and forecast (2026-2031)
- Profit, including historical (2016-2026)
- 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
Households remain the core market. A large and rising household base supports frequent purchasing of soaps, detergents and cleaners. More single-person households also increa...
In this chapter
- Products & Services
- Major Markets
- International Trade
Key metrics
- Largest market segment and value in 2026
- Product innovation level
- Total imports, level and trend
- Total exports, level and trend
- Trade Balance
Charts
- Products & services segmentation in 2026
- Major market segmentation in 2026
- 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 North West is a hub for chemical companies. Soap and detergent producers base their factories in the region to take advantage of space and cheaper land.
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 2026
Tables
- Number and share of establishments in each region in 2026
- Number and share of revenue each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of wages each region accounts for in 2026
- Number and share of employees in each region in 2026
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
Large soap brands dominate the retail space. It benefits companies to produce at scale, have well-known brands and plenty of supermarket shelf space.
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 2021-2026
- 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
Unilever is investing to strengthen product differentiation. The company's £80 million Port Sunlight fragrance facility brings scent development in-house. Faster renovation c...
In this chapter
- Market Share Concentration
- Companies
- Company Spotlights
Charts
- Industry market share by company in 2022 through 2026
- Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2026
- Overview of Unilever UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Ecolab Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Ltd's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2020 through 2026
- Overview of revenue, market share and profit margin trend for one additional company
Detailed analysis
- Description and key data for Unilever UK Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Ecolab Ltd, and factors influencing its performance in the industry
- Description and key data for Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Ltd, 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
Surging environmental awareness has presented an opportunity. Many local soap producers are entering the industry, selling sustainable and organic products directly to consum...
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 (2016-2031)
- Assistance historical data and forecast (2016-2031)
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
Packaging and energy costs are structural burdens. Plastic Packaging Tax, EPR fees and elevated energy prices raise operating costs for manufacturers. These pressures favour ...
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 2026
- Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2026
- Investment vs. share of economy
Data tables
- Liquidity Ratios (2020-2024)
- Coverage Ratios (2020-2024)
- Leverage Ratios (2020-2024)
- Operating Ratios (2020-2024)
- Assets (2020-2024)
- Liabilities (2020-2024)
- Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Employee (2016-2031)
- Revenue per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Employees per Establishment (2016-2031)
- Employees per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- Average Wage (2016-2031)
- Wages/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Establishments per Enterprise (2016-2031)
- IVA/Revenue (2016-2031)
- Imports/Demand (2016-2031)
- Exports/Revenue (2016-2031)
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 (2016-2031)
- IVA (2016-2031)
- Establishments (2016-2031)
- Enterprises (2016-2031)
- Employment (2016-2031)
- Exports (2016-2031)
- Imports (2016-2031)
- Wages (2016-2031)
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 the United Kingdom in 2026?
The market size of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is £3.8bn in 2026.
How many businesses are there in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom in 2026?
There are 203 businesses in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom, which has grown at a CAGR of 5.5 % between 2021 and 2026.
How may import tariffs affect the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be significantly impacted by import tariffs with imports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
How may export tariffs affect the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is likely to be significantly impacted by export tariffs with exports accounting for a high share of industry revenue.
Has the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom grown or declined over the past 5 years?
The market size of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom has been declining at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2021 and 2026.
What is the forecast growth of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom over the next 5 years?
Over the next five years, the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is expected to grow.
What are the biggest companies in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The biggest companies operating in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom are Unilever UK Ltd, Ecolab Ltd and Procter & Gamble Product Supply UK Ltd
What does the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom include?
Laundry products and Dishwashing products are part of the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.
Which companies have the highest market share in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The company holding the most market share in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom is Unilever UK Ltd.
How competitive is the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom?
The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Soap & Detergent Manufacturing industry in the United Kingdom.
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 the UK include:
- Office for National Statistics
- Office for Budget Responsibility
- Bank of England
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.
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