GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Size, Share, Trends, Industry Analysis Report: By Type (Agrochemicals, Polymer Additives, Construction Chemicals, Water Treatment Chemicals, Oil Field Chemicals, Food Additives, Surfactants, Electronic Chemicals, Specialty Polymers, and Others), and Country (Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain) – Market Forecast, 2025–2034

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Overview

The GCC specialty chemicals market size was valued at USD 36.66 billion in 2024. The market is projected to grow from USD 38.05 billion in 2025 to USD 54.06 billion by 2034, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.0% during 2025–2034.

GCC specialty chemicals refers to a category of chemical products developed and manufactured specifically for industries in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. These specialty chemicals serve specialized applications across various sectors, such as oil & gas, construction, water treatment, agriculture, and personal care. They enhance drilling efficiency, improve fuel quality, and protect equipment from corrosion in the oil & gas industry. Water treatment specialty chemicals ensure safe and clean water by removing contaminants, while agrochemicals boost crop yields and protect plants from pests.

The rising urbanization is propelling the GCC specialty chemicals market growth. According to the United Nations Development Programme, the total urbanization in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region was around 82.2% in 2015 and is projected to reach 84.3% by 2030. Urbanization drives the construction of residential, commercial, and industrial buildings, increasing the need for specialty chemicals such as concrete admixtures, coatings, and sealants to enhance construction material performance and durability. Growing urban populations also intensify the demand for clean water, pushing the use of water treatment specialty chemicals to ensure safe and sustainable water supplies. Additionally, urbanization propels the growth of industries such as personal care, automotive, and electronics, which drives the demand for specialty chemicals as these chemicals are required in industries to manufacture high-quality products. Therefore, the adoption of specialty chemicals is increasing in the GCC region with growing urbanization.

The GCC specialty chemicals market demand is driven by rising industrialization in the GCC region. Industries are increasingly relying on specialty chemical solutions to enhance efficiency, productivity, and product quality. In the oil & gas sector, specialty chemicals optimize extraction, refining, and processing operations, ensuring higher yields and better performance. Manufacturing industries use these chemicals to produce high-performance materials, coatings, and adhesives that meet stringent quality standards. The construction industry demands specialty chemicals for durable infrastructure, while the automotive sector relies on them for lightweight materials and fuel efficiency. Industrial growth also drives the need for water treatment chemicals to manage wastewater and ensure sustainable operations. Additionally, industries such as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and electronics depend on specialty chemicals for innovative solutions that boost outputs and meet evolving market demands. As industrialization accelerates in the GCC region, there is a corresponding surge in demand for specialty chemicals to support diverse industrial applications and economic development.

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Dynamics

Increasing Automobile Sales

Specialty chemicals play a crucial role in producing lightweight, durable, and fuel-efficient materials such as high-performance plastics, coatings, and adhesives, which are essential for modern vehicle design. They also contribute to the development of advanced lubricants and fuel additives that improve engine efficiency and reduce emissions, aligning with stricter environmental regulations. Additionally, the growing demand for electric vehicles (EVs) drives the need for specialty chemicals used in battery production, thermal management, and corrosion protection. Thus, as automobile sales rise, the automotive aftermarket sector also expands, increasing the consumption of specialty chemicals for cleaning, polishing, and maintenance products.

Growing Oil & Gas Exploration Activities

Specialty chemicals play a critical role in optimizing oil exploration, extraction, and production processes. These chemicals enhance drilling efficiency by improving fluid performance, reducing friction, and stabilizing wellbores, ensuring safer and more effective operations. They also help in maximizing oil recovery by enhancing reservoir performance and preventing equipment corrosion, which extends the lifespan of infrastructure. Additionally, specialty chemicals are essential in refining processes, where they improve fuel quality, reduce emissions, and ensure compliance with environmental regulations. The growing complexity of oil & gas operations is further driving the demand for innovative chemical solutions, thereby contributing to the GCC specialty chemicals market expansion.

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Segment Insights

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Evaluation by Type Insights

Based on type, the GCC specialty chemicals market is divided into agrochemicals, polymer additives, construction chemicals, water treatment chemicals, oil field chemicals, food additives, surfactants, electronic chemicals, specialty polymers, and others. The construction chemicals segment dominated the market in 2024 due to the booming infrastructure and real estate development. Governments across the GCC have invested heavily in mega-projects, including smart cities, airports, commercial hubs, and residential communities, driving significant demand for high-performance concrete admixtures, waterproofing agents, and protective coatings. Extreme climatic conditions, including high temperatures and sandstorms, have further increased the need for durable and weather-resistant construction materials, which fuels demand for construction chemicals. Additionally, the push for sustainable building practices and green certifications has led to greater adoption of eco-friendly construction chemicals that enhance energy efficiency and structural longevity.

The water treatment chemicals segment is projected to grow at a rapid pace in the coming years. The GCC region faces severe water scarcity, pushing governments and industries to invest in advanced water treatment solutions. Rising desalination capacity, driven by population growth and increased industrial activities, has boosted the demand for scale inhibitors, corrosion inhibitors, and disinfectants. Additionally, stricter environmental regulations and sustainability initiatives are encouraging industries to adopt efficient water reuse and recycling processes, fueling demand for water treatment specialty chemicals.

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Country Analysis

By country, the report provides the GCC specialty chemicals market insights into Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman, and Bahrain. Saudi Arabia held the largest GCC specialty chemicals market share in 2024, driven by its massive industrial base, large-scale infrastructure projects, and strong demand from the oil & gas sector. The country has invested heavily in Vision 2030 initiatives, which have accelerated growth in construction, manufacturing, and energy industries, boosting the need for high-performance specialty chemicals. Mega-projects such as NEOM, the Red Sea Project, and Qiddiya have significantly increased demand for construction chemicals, including concrete admixtures, waterproofing agents, and protective coatings. Additionally, Saudi Arabia’s dominance in the petrochemical and refining sectors has led to strong consumption of oil field chemicals, catalysts, and performance-enhancing additives.

The United Arab Emirates GCC specialty chemicals market is estimated to grow at the fastest pace in the coming years, owing to its growing focus on water sustainability. The UAE heavily relies on desalination for potable water, making it one of the largest consumers of water treatment chemicals, anti-scaling agents, corrosion inhibitors, and disinfectants. The government’s push for advanced wastewater treatment and industrial water recycling further drives demand for specialty chemicals in the country. Growing investments in smart water management solutions, along with stricter environmental regulations, have encouraged industries to adopt more efficient treatment processes, thereby propelling demand for specialty chemicals.

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market – Key Players and Competitive Insights

Prominent market players are investing heavily in research and development in order to expand their offerings, which will help the GCC specialty chemicals market grow even more. These market participants are also undertaking a variety of strategic activities to expand their global footprint, with important market developments including innovative launches, international collaborations, higher investments, and mergers and acquisitions between organizations.

Major players in the market include Arkema Chemicals, Colonial Chemical, EVONIK, Fayfa Chemical Factory, Halliburton, Horizon Chemicals, Huntsman, Nouryon, Professional Specialty Chemicals Factory, SABIC, Sadara Chemical Company, Sika Group, and Tricom LLC.

Colonial Chemical is a privately held manufacturer of specialty chemicals and surfactants that serves the personal care, household, oil & gas, and industrial lubrication sectors. The company is committed to green chemistry, offering natural ingredients that assist personal care companies in creating natural product formulations, including sulfate-free shampoos and soaps. Colonial Chemical Company, established in 1970, operates as a custom formulator, blender, packager, and distributor of a diverse range of commodity and specialty chemicals for industrial and consumer applications. It has expanded its reach to over 50 countries internationally, including the Middle East, through a joint venture known as Colonial Chemical M.E. Arabia.

Halliburton, founded in 1919, is one of the world's largest oilfield service companies, providing a wide range of products and services to the energy industry. Halliburton operates in over 70 countries with dual headquarters in Houston, Texas, and Dubai, UAE. The company specializes in various segments, including drilling and evaluation, completion and production, and digital and consulting services. Halliburton's extensive portfolio includes hydraulic fracturing, cementing, specialty chemicals, and other essential services that support oil & gas exploration and production.

List of Key Companies in GCC Specialty Chemicals Market

• Arkema Chemicals
• Colonial Chemical
• EVONIK
• Fayfa Chemical Factory
• Halliburton
• Horizon Chemicals
• Huntsman
• Nouryon
• Professional Specialty Chemicals Factory
• SABIC
• Sadara Chemical Company
• Sika Group
• Tricom LLC

GCC Specialty Chemicals Industry Developments

February 2025: Nouryon, a global specialty chemicals supplier, announced the opening of its new office in Al Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, to expand its operations in the Middle East.

January 2024: Colonial Chemical opened its facility in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to manufacture specialty chemicals and surfactants to meet the demand of service companies and formulators in consumer and personal care, mining, oil & gas, lubricants, and other industries.

March 2022: Halliburton Company opened a new Halliburton Chemical Reaction Plant, the first of its kind in Saudi Arabia, to manufacture a broad range of specialty chemicals for the entire oil & gas value chain as well as other industries.

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Segmentation

By Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)

• Agrochemicals
• Polymer Additives
• Construction Chemicals
• Water Treatment Chemicals
• Oil Field Chemicals
• Food Additives
• Surfactants
• Electronic Chemicals
• Specialty Polymers
• Others

By Country Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2020–2034)

• Saudi Arabia
• United Arab Emirates
• Qatar
• Kuwait
• Oman
• Bahrain

GCC Specialty Chemicals Market Report Scope