The 11th edition of the ICIS Asian Surfactants Conference, co-produced by Neil A. Burns, comes to Kuala Lumpur on the 13-14 November 2025, with the Surfactant Business Essentials Course on 12 November.

Surfactants contribute enormously to Asian economies, while Asia is critical to the business of surfactants. The palm plantation, mainly through palm kernel oil, provides the feedstocks for detergent range alcohols used in surfactants throughout the world for everyday tasks, like cleaning, as well as high-performance industrial applications. At the same time, consumption of surfactants is moving increasingly to Asia, especially Southeast Asia, as demographics favour the growth of those economies.
 

The surfactant value chain still faces several challenges. Alongside shifting tariff systems and a fast-changing geopolitical landscape, the European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is adding pressure. This regulation places strict limits on the use of palm-based products in European markets. Meanwhile, tighter rules are also affecting detergent alcohol derivatives, especially ethoxylates and ethoxy-sulphates, in both the USA and Europe.

This conference is essential for keeping up with these developments and connecting with key players in the regional and global surfactants industry.