Europe White Oil Market Size Likely to Reach at a CAGR of 2.77% By 2034

As per the Europe White Oil Market size analysis conducted by the CMI Team, the Europe White Oil Market is expected to record a CAGR of 2.77% from 2025 to 2034. In 2025, the market size is projected to reach a valuation of USD 407 Million. By 2034, the valuation is anticipated to reach USD 523.1 Million.

Europe White Oil Market Overview

As per the industry experts at CMI, In Europe, the white oil market is significantly influenced by stringent regulatory requirements from EMA, EFSA, and REACH. These regulations focus on product safety and purity, hence incentivizing their use in pharmaceutical, food, and personal care sectors, where adherence to non-toxic and inert ingredients is vital.

Europe White Oil Market Growth Factors and Dynamics

• Increase in Demand in the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare Industry: The largest consumer of white oils in Europe is the pharmaceutical sector. These are used in specialty formulations in dermatology, oral medications, and topical ointments. The chemicals have their use because of stability, non-reactivity, and high purity. Moreover, due to the aging population and the rapid increase of chronic skin diseases in the region, there is an increase in topical treatments as well as over-the-counter drugs linked with high demand in the area. Increasing incidences of topical treatments and OTC medicines are also encouraged through adherence to pharmacopoeial standards (USP, EP) concerning white oils. The regulatory framework devised by the European Medicines Agency strengthens the assured quality and, in turn, enhances the dependency on white oils for medicinal purposes. The demand for safe and inert excipients continues; hence, the segment of pharmaceuticals will always be a good driver of growth for the European white oil market.

• Expanding Applicability in Personal Care and Cosmetics: White oils are the emollient and/or moisturizing agents in the composition of personal care and cosmetic formulations. Increased demand from consumers for clean-label, fragrance-free, and hypoallergenic skin care products encourages cosmetic manufacturers to acquire and use white oils that comply with standards set by the EU regulatory agency. France, Germany, and the UK—major cosmetic manufacturing hubs—continue to drive strong demand. To make up for the increase, the segment of organic and sensitive skin products moves from potentially irritating and synthetic compounds to safer alternatives like white oils. The increased awareness of skin health and consumption safety, together with the continuous demand for creams, lotions, and hair oils, will drive the growth of this segment. Therefore, the personal care industry will improve the adoption of white oils across Europe.

• Regulation and Stability of the Market: The presence of well-defined regulations and certifications has developed a structured market for high-quality white oils in the European Union, such as chemical REACH, EMA for pharmaceuticals, and EFSA for food applications. These ensure that each level of the supply chain-beginning with the pharmaceutical one, moving through food, and finally to personal care-possesses only highly refined, inert, and non-toxic oils. With that clearly defined regulatory framework, the manufacturers and buyers are guaranteed safety, traceability, and compliance. This, in turn, has stimulated investments from manufacturers into certifications and product differentiation, which further strengthens customer trust and supports long-term market stability. Regulatory-driven functionalities reduce the chances of product recalls, help create shorter sales contracts with B2B supply relationships, thereby creating a mature and steady white oil market in Europe.

• Volatility in Feedstock Prices: White oil is manufactured based on refined petroleum fractions. Any shifts in crude prices or the disruption of refinery operations subsequently influence input costs and production margins. Due to geopolitical tensions, OPEC+ output decisions, and other legislation on fossil fuel taxation, price instability besieges the industries of white oil manufacturing. At the same time, enhanced abatement against decarbonization and fossil fuel strategies in Europe are limiting investment in refining infrastructure, creating further constriction in supply. Hence, price-sensitive downstream users may search for lower-cost alternatives, thereby intensifying price competition. This dynamic highlights the need for suppliers to improve efficiency and diversify sourcing to manage risk around raw materials and to ensure supply continuity for their customers.

• Move Toward Sustainability and Bio-Based Alternatives: Sustainability drivers in Europe have begun to influence raw materials selection for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food processing industries. While white oil passes every test for chemical inertness and safety, it is still of concern to environmentally aware manufacturers because of its petroleum origins. Some manufacturers are now investigating the potential of plant-based or bio-derived emollients and lubricants as substitutes. This trend is in its infancy, yet it may pose competition to white oils in some applications in the longer run. Law-making in favor of the bioeconomy and sustainable labeling would also offer stimuli for this shift. Some white oil producers are already countering this development by investing in green refining technologies and low-carbon operations to keep eco-conscious customers in their fold. This sustainability shift is a crucial dynamic in driving competitive strategies and procurement decisions across this region.

Report Scope

Europe White Oil Market SWOT Analysis

• Strengths: The European white oil market is benefiting and thriving due to the presence of a well-developed industrial base, stringent regulatory standards, and a deep degree of product specialization. Regulatory clarity provided by EMA, REACH, and EFSA ultimately creates market stability and consumer trust, with emphasis on sensitive sectors like pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care. The presence of big manufacturers—Sonneborn, Sasol, and TotalEnergies, to name a few—adds to the regional strength in refining and customizing white oils for specific applications. European customers are quality- and compliance-oriented and are willing to pay premium prices for certified grades. Furthermore, a strong R&D infrastructure in the region fosters continuous innovation in formulation and refining technologies. This well-integrated ecosystem of regulatory support, customer sophistication, and industrial expertise allows for the long-term sustainability and competitive advantage of white oil makers in Europe.

• Weaknesses: High production and certification costs nibble into any possible profits for smaller players and limit market entry. However, regulatory compliance adds operational complexity and burden to a requirement that is immensely prevalent when serving multiple application segments with varying standards. Also, the limited availability of raw materials within the continent results in further reliance on importing base oil. In turn, the moderate growth of the European white oil market is primarily induced by mature end-user industries, which limits the scope for high-margin expansions. Together with growing environmental concerns regarding fossil-based inputs, these weaknesses may diminish the competitive edge of traditional producers of white oils unless countered through operational efficiency and innovation.

• Opportunities: Western markets have opened up for the clean-label, high-purity formulations of these products. The multiplicity of product lines becoming known to the consumers, ingredient safety, and sustainability are enabling the players to offer certified white oils with lower aromatics to become well entrenched commercially. Demand in Eastern Europe and non-EU countries presents additional opportunities. The advances in hydro processing and energy-efficient refining create circumstances for producers to lower their costs while still satisfying tough purity standards. There may also be long-term B2B contracts as producers partner with cosmetic and health formulators to develop customized grades. Local sourcing and traceable supply chains are becoming more in demand in Europe, to the advantage of local manufacturers. Investing in sustainable production processes and bio-based alternatives to white oil will help companies cultivate environmentally-conscious customers and attract government incentives.

• Threats: The slow push toward bio-based alternatives extended to cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals is perceived to pose a long-range threat to fossil-fuel-based white oils. Stricter carbon regulations, either through regulatory actions or taxation, may potentially impact the operation of white oil if to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Price erosion or competition from low-grade applications may begin to cut more of the market share for European producers by Asian and Middle Eastern suppliers.

List of the prominent players in the Europe White Oil Market:

• Sonneborn Refined Products B.V.
• Sasol Germany GmbH
• Nynas AB
• H&R Group
• TotalEnergies SE
• Repsol S.A.
• ExxonMobil Corporation
• Shell Plc
• Petro-Canada Lubricants Inc. (a HollyFrontier Company)
• Renkert Oil LLC
• Chevron Corporation
• CEPSA (Compañía Española de Petróleos S.A.U.)
• Neste Oyj
• Avista Oil AG
• LUKOIL Europe Holdings B.V.
• ADDINOL Lube Oil GmbH
• Kraton Polymers LLC (now part of DL Chemical Co.)
• Eastern Petroleum Pvt. Ltd.
• Adinath Chemicals
• Royal Dutch Group
• Others

The Europe White Oil Market is segmented as follows:

By Grade

• Food
• Pharmaceutical

By Application

• Plastics & Polymer
• Pharmaceuticals
• Personal Care & Cosmetics
• Food Industry
• Others