Glycerin Market Size and Share
Market Overview
| Study Period | 2019 - 2030 |
|---|---|
| Market Volume (2025) | 4.78 Million tons |
| Market Volume (2030) | 5.95 Million tons |
| Growth Rate (2025 - 2030) | 4.50% CAGR |
| Fastest Growing Market | Asia Pacific |
| Largest Market | Asia Pacific |
| Market Concentration | Low |
Major Players
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0. |
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Glycerin Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence
The Glycerin Market size is estimated at 4.78 Million tons in 2025, and is expected to reach 5.95 Million tons by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period (2025-2030). Demand is lifted by pharmaceutical grade adoption, robust personal-care formulation pipelines, and tighter European rules that encourage bio-based chemistries. Vertical integration among biodiesel producers and oleochemical majors is helping stabilize feedstock availability, while advances in purification technology enable smaller firms to upgrade crude streams to refined specifications. Asia-Pacific retains pricing power thanks to its sizable manufacturing base, and sustained biodiesel investments in the United States create regional surpluses that flow into export channels. However, the Glycerin market remains vulnerable to sharp swings in crude glycerin prices that track biodiesel feedstock costs, compelling refiners to sign long-term offtake contracts that protect margins.
Key Report Takeaways
- By grade, refined glycerin led with 68% of Glycerin market share in 2024; the grade is forecast to grow at a 4.9% CAGR through 2030.
- By source, biodiesel contributed 60% of the Glycerin market in 2024, while vegetable-oil-derived glycerin is projected to advance at a 6.5% CAGR to 2030.
- By application, personal care held a 32% revenue share in 2024 and is expected to record the fastest 5.2% CAGR over the same period.
- By geography, Asia-Pacific captured 48% of the Glycerin market in 2024, and it is set to expand at a 5% CAGR to 2030.
Global Glycerin Market Trends and Insights
Driver Impact Analysis
| Drivers | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surging demand for USP-grade glycerin in pharmaceuticals | +1.2% | Asia and EU | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Greater use in personal-care and cosmetics formulations | +1.0% | Global | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Expansion of biodiesel production | +0.8% | North America and EU | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Regulatory push for low-VOC alkyd resins | +0.6% | EU | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Adoption of vegetable-sourced glycerin in halal and vegan foods | +0.5% | MENA and ASEAN | Long term (≥5 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Surging Demand for USP-grade Glycerin in Pharmaceutical Industry
Tightening quality rules from regulators are boosting demand for USP-grade glycerin that consistently tests above 99.5% purity. The United States FDA now requires manufacturers to verify diethylene glycol and ethylene glycol levels below 0.10%, forcing buyers to prioritize fully traceable supply chains[1]Mopa Esuga, “Ensuring Product Safety: U.S. FDA Guidance on Testing High-Risk Drug Components for Diethylene Glycol and Ethylene Glycol,” Quality Matters, qualitymatters.usp.org. European and Asian drug makers are locking in multi-year supply deals with integrated refiners that can furnish batch-level certificates, and this premium segment is capturing higher margins. Production lines are being upgraded with advanced gas chromatography systems to guarantee contaminant control, cementing refined glycerin’s position as an indispensable excipient. For the Glycerin market, pharmaceutical uptake is adding a defensible demand pillar that is largely insulated from biodiesel price noise.
Increasing Use in the Personal Care and Cosmetics Industries
Formulators are leveraging glycerin’s humectant capability to deliver durable skin hydration in clean-label products. Beyond simple moisturization, research laboratories are pairing glycerin with ceramides and niacinamide to build barrier-repair systems that heighten consumer appeal. The trend is strongest in Asia, but global brands are reformulating legacy lines to raise natural-origin content, lifting average inclusion rates above 3% by weight. Because refined grades carry fewer odor compounds, they integrate seamlessly into fragrance-forward cosmetics. This steady pull from beauty applications is expected to offset any cyclical slowdown in industrial end-uses, reinforcing volume stability for the overall Glycerin market.
Expansion of Biodiesel Production
Rising renewable-diesel targets are enlarging global biodiesel output and, by extension, crude glycerin availability. Every gallon of biodiesel yields roughly 0.3 kg of crude glycerin, and United States output is forecast to climb to 1.3 million boepd by 2035. This scale generates regional oversupplies that depress spot prices, yet it also encourages investments in on-site refining capacity that capture value-added margins. European biodiesel producers are reacting similarly as they chase decarbonization goals. The net effect is a larger, more elastic feedstock pool that underpins long-term growth for the Glycerin market.
Regulatory Push for Low-VOC Alkyd Resins
European Union VOC limits in decorative coatings have accelerated the shift toward glycerin-based alkyd resins that cure faster and emit fewer solvents. Research has demonstrated that polyglycerol resins perform well in volumetric additive manufacturing, opening high-margin avenues in 3-D printing and specialty packaging. Paint makers have begun commercial trials that blend these resins into interior wall products to meet Directive 2004/42/CE thresholds. Because glycerin is bio-based and biodegradable, the substitution aligns with corporate sustainability commitments, propelling another layer of demand within the Glycerin market.
Restraint Impact Analysis
| Restraints | (~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast | Geographic Relevance | Impact Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Volatile crude glycerin prices | –0.8% | Global | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Availability of substitutes | –0.5% | Global | Medium term (2-4 years) |
| Stringent pharmaceutical monographs | –0.3% | Global | Short term (≤2 years) |
| Source: Mordor Intelligence | |||
Volatile Crude Glycerin Prices Linked to Biodiesel Feedstock Swings
Crude glycerin prices fluctuate with soybean, canola, and waste-oil costs, destabilizing refiner margins and complicating budget forecasts. Feedstock shifts toward animal fats introduce higher impurity loads, forcing additional purification steps that erode profitability[2]U.S. Department of Agriculture, “Growing Biomass-Based Diesel Production Drives Demand for Animal Fats, Waste Oils, and Grease,” ers.usda.gov. To manage the risk, large buyers are migrating to index-linked contracts and installing polishing columns that flex with variable input quality. While volatility is expected to persist, firms that lock in multi-year offtake deals and diversify feedstock sourcing can shield themselves, preserving confidence in long-term Glycerin market expansion.
Availability of Substitutes
Propylene glycol and sorbitol deliver similar humectant performance in some cost-sensitive industrial uses, putting ceiling pressure on glycerin price moves. Manufacturers counter by highlighting glycerin’s natural origin, safety record, and biodegradability, attributes that resonate with consumers and regulators. Product developers are also investing in glycerin derivatives, such as polyglycerol esters, to build differentiated functionality that substitutes cannot replicate. This innovation buffer is expected to limit but not eliminate competitive displacement in the Glycerin market.
Segment Analysis
By Grade: Refined Strengthens its Position amid Quality Demands
Refined grades commanded 68% of the Glycerin market in 2024, and segment volume is forecast to grow 4.9% annually to 2030. The upswing reflects regulatory emphasis on contaminant control and the surge in personal-care and pharmaceutical launches that require USP-compliant excipients. Higher purity enables consistent sensory profiles, making refined glycerin indispensable in serum, lotion, and injectable formulations.
At the same time, crude glycerin is attracting interest as a biogas substrate and as a carbon feed in algae cultivation, diversifying downstream revenue. Purification costs are gradually falling as membrane filtration and ion-exchange technologies mature, narrowing the price gap between grades and inviting mid-tier producers to enter the refined arena.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
By Source: Biodiesel Dominates while Vegetable Oil Accelerates
Biodiesel yielded 60% of the global glycerin supply in 2024 and remains the anchor feedstock for Glycerin. Strong policy support for renewable diesel in the United States and Europe will keep these volumes climbing, yet the fastest expansion will come from vegetable-oil routes that are forecast to post a 6.5% CAGR through 2030. Vegetable-oil-based glycerin enjoys preferential status in halal and vegan labeling, granting it premium placement in food and cosmetic channels. Variations in feedstock, from soybean to waste cooking oil, alter crude composition and dictate unique refining recipes, spurring technical service offerings that differentiate suppliers.
By Application: Personal Care Leads while Pharmaceuticals Gain Speed
Personal care secured 32% of the Glycerin market in 2024 and is set to progress at a 4.8% CAGR through 2030, driven by consumer emphasis on skin hydration and clean-ingredient lists. Shifting regulatory expectations around ingredient disclosure encourage formulators to elevate glycerin levels, improving humectancy without synthetic additives.
The pharmaceutical segment is accelerating as stringent monographs push drug manufacturers to demand 99.5%-plus purity and full traceability. Food and beverage remain steady adopters, leveraging glycerin’s anti-crystallization performance in icings and confectionery. Industrial uses, including polyether polyols and alkyd resins, are benefiting from VOC regulations that favor bio-based inputs. Emerging demand from e-cigarette liquids in East Asia provides an additional niche that rewards refined grades. Collectively, these trajectories underscore the broadening portfolio of end-uses that underpin the long-run health of the Glycerin market.
Note: Segment shares of all individual segments available upon report purchase
Geography Analysis
Asia-Pacific led the Glycerin market with a 48% share in 2024 and is projected to register the fastest 5% CAGR to 2030. Thanks to extensive biodiesel build-outs and its sizable personal-care manufacturing hub, China anchors supply and demand. India’s oleochemical investments and Malaysia’s palm-based biodiesel capacity reinforce regional self-sufficiency.
North America contributes significantly, backed by its mature biofuel policy framework and sophisticated pharmaceutical sector. The United States plans to boost biofuel output to 1.3 million boepd by 2035, ensuring abundant crude glycerin flow.
Europe emphasizes sustainability leadership, with Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, and France consuming refined glycerin in pharmaceuticals, coatings, and packaging. EU legislation limiting VOC emissions is spurring substitution of petro-resins by glycerin-based alkyds, and trials in volumetric additive manufacturing are expanding niche demand.
Competitive Landscape
High fragmentation defines the Glycerin market. Integrated agribusinesses such as Archer Daniels Midland, Cargill, and Wilmar International exploit control over oilseed crushing, biodiesel production, and glycerin refining, allowing them to secure feedstock and drive scale efficiencies. Technology partnerships are proliferating, with membrane suppliers and catalyst developers collaborating to lower energy intensity and boost yield.
Glycerin Industry Leaders
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BASF
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Wilmar International Ltd.
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Cargill, Incorporated
-
Dow
-
KLK OLEO
- *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order
Recent Industry Developments
- December 2024: Louis Dreyfus Company (LDC) began construction of a new glycerin refining plant in Lampung, Indonesia, with an annual capacity of 55,000 metric tons, integrated with its palm oil refinery and biodiesel complex to meet rising cosmetic and pharmaceutical demand.
- November 2023: Archer-Daniels-Midland Company (ADM) acquired a controlling stake in Buckminster Química, a Macatuba-based producer of refined glycerin.
Research Methodology Framework and Report Scope
Market Definitions and Key Coverage
Our study defines the global glycerin market as all fresh crude and refined glycerol streams obtained from biodiesel trans-esterification, fatty-acid splitting, or soap-making that are sold into personal-care, pharmaceutical, food, chemical intermediate, and technical channels.
Scope Exclusion: Figures do not cover downstream derivatives such as epichlorohydrin, propylene glycol, or 1,3-propanediol.
Segmentation Overview
- By Grade
- Crude Glycerin
- Refined Glycerin
- By Source
- Biodiesel
- Fatty Acids
- Fatty Alcohols
- Other Sources
- By Application
- Personal Care and Cosmetics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Food and Beverage
- Polyether Polyols
- Alkyd Resins and Surface Coatings
- Tobacco Humectants
- Other Applications
- By Geography
- Asia-Pacific
- China
- India
- Japan
- South Korea
- Rest of Asia-Pacific
- North America
- United States
- Canada
- Mexico
- Caribbeans
- Europe
- Germany
- United Kingdom
- Italy
- France
- Rest of Europe
- South America
- Brazil
- Argentina
- Rest of South America
- Middle-East and Africa
- Saudi Arabia
- United Arab Emirates
- Turkey
- South Africa
- Egypt
- Rest of Middle-East and Africa
- Asia-Pacific
Detailed Research Methodology and Data Validation
Primary Research
Analysts held structured calls with oleochemical procurement leads, cosmetic formulators, pharma excipient distributors, and biodiesel operators across Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. Their guidance on actual yield losses, contract price bands, and near-term policy impacts allowed us to sharpen model coefficients and close information gaps.
Desk Research
We began with hard statistics, UN Comtrade shipment ledgers, FAO and USDA oil-seed balances, IEA biodiesel output tables, and European Biodiesel Board yearbooks, which anchored 2025 supply volumes. Trade briefs from the American Cleaning Institute and the Personal Care Products Council helped translate supply into end-use pull, while company 10-Ks and plant filings accessed through D&B Hoovers and Dow Jones Factiva revealed capacity shifts and pricing cues. Patent insights sourced via Questel flagged emerging applications that could alter demand. The examples above are illustrative; many additional open and paid references supported data capture and cross-checks.
Market-Sizing & Forecasting
Supply was first rebuilt top-down from biodiesel and fatty-acid outputs, applying verified glycerin yield factors, then balanced with import-export data. A selective bottom-up roll-up of major producer capacities and sampled average selling prices checked the totals. Variables driving the forecast, such as biodiesel mandate levels, refined-grade price spreads, personal-care spending per capita, pharmaceutical gelatin capsule production, and palm-oil availability, feed a multivariate regression to 2030. Scenario analysis steps in wherever disclosure is thin.
Data Validation & Update Cycle
Every run passes anomaly screens, peer review, and sign-off. Models refresh annually, with interim updates triggered by material events such as policy shifts or plant outages. Before delivery, an analyst re-executes the workbook so clients receive the latest view.
Why Our Glycerin Baseline Commands Confidence
Published estimates often diverge because some firms mix grades, others toggle between volume and value, and many freeze exchange rates before commodity swings. Mordor Intelligence aligns scope, units, and refresh cadence, giving decision-makers a steadier reference point.
Key Gap Drivers include conversion of refined tonnage to revenue using list prices, omission of technical grade, folding of glycerin derivatives into totals, and static biodiesel growth assumptions.
Benchmark comparison
| Market Size | Anonymized source | Primary gap driver |
|---|---|---|
| 4.78 million tons (2025) | Mordor Intelligence | |
| USD 3.10 billion (2025) | Global Consultancy A | Mixes refined output and derivative revenues; constant 2023 prices |
| USD 3.21 billion (2024) | Regional Consultancy B | Excludes crude grade and smaller Asian producers |
| USD 3.13 billion (2025) | Trade Journal C | Treats biodiesel by-product as zero-value, inflating margins |
The comparison shows that, once scope and variable selection are harmonized, our volume-first model supported by transparent inputs delivers a dependable, repeatable baseline.
Key Questions Answered in the Report
What is the current size of the Glycerin market?
The Glycerin market totals 4.78 million tons in 2025 and is projected to reach 5.96 million tons by 2030.
Which region leads global demand?
Asia-Pacific accounts for 48% of consumption owing to extensive biodiesel output and large personal-care manufacturing hubs.
How does biodiesel influence glycerin supply?
Rising biodiesel production yields additional crude glycerin, ensuring ample feedstock but also creating price volatility that refiners manage through long-term contracts.
Why is USP-grade glycerin seeing premium growth?
Stricter FDA and EU purity standards have boosted pharmaceutical demand for 99.5%-plus glycerin with full contaminant testing and traceability.
What market opportunities arise from VOC regulations?
EU limits on solvent emissions are driving adoption of glycerin-based alkyd resins and polyglycerol systems in paints and additive manufacturing, opening high-margin avenues.
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