Glycol Ethers Market Report 2026

The glycol ethers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.42 billion in 2025 to $9.22 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of paints and coatings industry, expansion of printing and packaging sectors, increasing use in pharmaceutical formulations, availability of petrochemical feedstocks, rising industrial solvent demand.

The glycol ethers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing regulations on solvent emissions, increasing adoption of green solvents, expansion of electronics manufacturing, rising demand for high-performance coatings, growing use in specialty chemical formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for low-voc solvents, growing adoption in electronics and coatings, expansion of propylene-based glycol ethers, rising use in environmentally safer formulations, enhanced performance in industrial applications.

The growing automobile industry is expected to drive the growth of the glycol ether market in the coming years. Glycol ethers are extensively used in various automotive applications, including paints, coatings, cleaning products, brake fluids, and adhesives. Moreover, the automotive sector’s focus on meeting environmental standards and regulations further boosts the adoption of glycol ethers due to their eco-friendly properties, making them a preferred choice in the industry. For example, in January 2024, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book, a US-based Cox Automotive company, in 2023, a record 1.2 million car buyers in the United States chose electric vehicles, representing 7.6% of the total U.S. vehicle market, up from 5.9% in 2022. Therefore, the expanding automobile industry is contributing to the growth of the glycol ether market.

Key players in the glycol ether market are developing innovative products, such as sustainable glycol ethers, to support environmental objectives, reduce carbon footprints, and promote circular economy practices across industries. Sustainable glycol ethers are chemical products designed with low or zero product carbon footprint, bio-based content, chemically recycled raw materials, or production using green energy. For instance, in July 2024, BASF, a Germany-based chemical company, announced that its extensive portfolio of Acrylics, Alcohols, Glycol Ethers, and Acetates is now available with various sustainability attributes following ISCC+ certification across its major global production sites. The portfolio includes products with low or zero product carbon footprint, bio-based content, chemically recycled raw materials, and those produced using green power. These sustainable glycol ethers are expected to help customers achieve environmental targets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote circular economy practices across multiple industrial applications.

In March 2024, Univar Solutions LLC, a US-based chemical company, acquired Valley Solvents & Chemicals Company and certain affiliates for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition has strengthened Univar Solutions’ chemical distribution network and custom blending capabilities in the Texas, Gulf Coast, and northern Mexico regions, while enhancing its waste management and environmental services. Valley Solvents is a US-based manufacturer specializing in solvents and inorganics and providing waste management services.

Major companies operating in the glycol ethers market are Dow Chemical Company, HanNong Chemicals Inc., BASF SE, INEOS Group Ltd., India Glycols Limited, Solvay SA, Shell plc, Jiangsu Yida Chemical Co. Ltd., China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Huntsman International LLC, Nippon Nyukazai Co. Ltd., Oxiteno LLC, KH Neochem Co. Ltd., Sasol Limited, Eastman Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, CCP Industries, Celanese Corporation, Reliance Industries Limited, Emerald Performance Materials LLC, FBC Chemical Corp, Guangdong Runhua Chemicals Co. Ltd., IGL Coatings, NOF Corporation, PetroChina Company Limited, PCC Rokita SA, UBE Industries Ltd., Wujiang Dongang Chemical Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the glycol ether market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the glycol ethers market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the glycol ethers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The glycol ether market consists of sales of butyl glycol and butyl di glycol. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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