Renewable chemicals may sound like a contradiction in terms, but the industry includes eco-conscious development of ingredients such as surfactants for natural cleaning products.

Global Industry Analysts expects to see sales of such ingredients grow in the years to come, thanks in part to greater awareness among consumers.

Europe and the US are leading the way, sharing 60 per cent of the worldwide market between them.

However, economic expansion of developing countries and population growth are both expected to drive the market forward in the years to come.

India, China, Russia and Japan all rank among the markets predicted to increase their use of renewable chemicals in the future.

Ecover is one natural cleaning brand to have pioneered research into eco-surfactants over the past decade.

The company's active ingredient, which helps to loosen dirt from the surface to be cleaned, is produced using a purely biological process and plant-based components.