The article presents a review of currently used ionic and non-ionic tensides and the further development of their production and consumption. The production of tensides will show a rising tendency. In Western Europe and in North America this increase will be slower and classic tensides will be gradually replaced by biologically degradable tensides on the basis of renewable plant raw materials (e.g. alkylpolyglycosides). In other parts of the world the inerease in production of classical tensides will be higher.