Propylene Glycol Market Report 2026

The propylene glycol market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.94 billion in 2025 to $5.3 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of polyester resin production, growth in food and beverage processing, increasing use in antifreeze formulations, rising demand from personal care products, availability of petroleum-based feedstocks.

The propylene glycol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.9 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing shift toward bio-based chemicals, rising pharmaceutical manufacturing volumes, expansion of cold-chain logistics, growing demand for eco-friendly deicing solutions, increasing applications in electronics cooling fluids. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of bio-based propylene glycol, increasing use in food-safe antifreeze applications, growing demand from pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations, expansion of deicing applications in transportation, enhanced focus on low-toxicity chemical solutions.

The expansion of the cosmetic and personal care industries is expected to propel the growth of the propylene glycol market going forward. The cosmetic and personal care industry encompasses businesses that manufacture skincare, hair care, makeup, fragrances, toiletries, and personal hygiene products aimed at improving appearance and maintaining health. Propylene glycol is used as a humectant and solvent in various cosmetic and personal care products due to its ability to retain moisture, improve texture, and enhance formulation stability. For instance, in August 2023, according to Circana, Inc., a US-based media company, sales of prestige beauty products in the US reached $14 billion in the first half of 2023, a 15% increase over the same period in 2022, while the mass beauty market generated $28 billion with 9% growth. Therefore, the expansion of the cosmetic and personal care industries is driving the propylene glycol market.

Major companies in the propylene glycol market are focusing on developing innovative solutions, such as hydrogen-peroxide-to-propylene-glycol (HPPG) production technology, to meet rising demand for sustainable and cost-efficient manufacturing. The HPPG technology, branded as HYPROSYN, enables direct synthesis of propylene glycol from hydrogen peroxide and propylene in a single reactor, bypassing the traditional intermediate propylene oxide. Unlike conventional multi-step processes, HYPROSYN reduces water and energy consumption, lowers operational costs, improves yield, and can be integrated into existing plants. The technology provides environmental benefits, operational flexibility, and scalability for industrial applications such as food additives, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products. For instance, in October 2023, Dow, a US-based chemical company, partnered with Evonik Industries, a Germany-based specialty chemicals company, to launch a pilot HPPG plant at Evonik’s Hanau site, demonstrating lower water usage, reduced energy consumption, and elimination of propylene oxide, making the process more sustainable and efficient.

In October 2023, Dow Inc., a US-based provider of specialty chemicals and advanced materials, partnered with Evonik Industries AG to enhance its specialty additives portfolio. With this partnership, Dow aimed to expand propylene glycol production capabilities and strengthen technological innovation in sustainable, bio-based chemical processes. Evonik Industries AG is a Germany-based specialty chemicals provider focusing on high-purity propylene glycol and catalytic process technologies for industrial, cosmetic, and personal care applications.

Major companies operating in the propylene glycol market are Dow Inc., LyondellBasell Industries, BASF SE, Shell plc, Exxon Mobil Corporation, Huntsman Corporation, SKC Co. Ltd., Asahi Kasei Corporation, LG Chem Ltd., Repsol S.A., PCC Group, Manali Petrochemicals Ltd., Reliance Industries Limited, PetroChina Company Limited, Shandong Shida Shenghua Chemical, Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill Incorporated, Oleon NV, Mitsui Chemicals, Inc., Formosa Plastics Corporation.

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

The propylene glycol market consists of sales of propylene glycol USP, inhibited propylene glycol, reclaimed propylene glycol, and dowfrost 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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