Introduction
The global glycerol market, projected to reach USD 5.9 billion by 2033 from USD 4.9 billion in 2023, is expected to grow at a CAGR of 1.9% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by increasing demand in the personal care, pharmaceutical, and food industries. Glycerol’s versatility as a humectant and emulsifier makes it essential in products such as skincare, hair care, and pharmaceuticals.
The Asia-Pacific region dominates the market, benefiting from robust industrial growth, particularly in China and India, where the expansion of end-use industries fuels demand. Meanwhile, Europe and North America follow, with notable contributions from the pharmaceutical and personal care sectors. However, the market faces challenges, including fluctuating raw material prices and the high cost of refining processes. The reliance on vegetable oils, which are subject to price volatility, and competition from alternative products also pose significant hurdles.
Procter & Gamble For over 150 years, P&G Chemicals has produced the highest quality glycerin for their customer formulations. Today their offering includes GMP-compliant, Kosher, GFSI Certified, and RSPO Mass Balance glycerin.P&G Chemicals (PGC) is a division within Procter and Gamble that specializes in the production and distribution of oleochemicals throughout the world. Glycerine, methyl esters, alcohols, fatty alcohols, and sucrose polyesters such as Sefose and Olean, PGC produces raw materials essential for many commonly used consumer products and is a global supplier for some of the world’s largest chemical companies.
Oleon NV, a leading producer of oleochemicals, is significantly involved in the glycerol market. The company specializes in the sustainable production of glycerin, derived from renewable resources. Oleon’s glycerin is utilized in diverse applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial formulations. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, ensuring that its glycerin products are environmentally friendly and meet high-quality standards. Oleon’s global operations enable it to cater to various market demands effectively, making it a key player in the glycerol sector. Oleon offers a wider range of oleochemical products, such as fatty acids, glycerine, esters, dimers, technical oils, specialty oleochemicals, and biodiesel.
Key Takeaways
- The global glycerol market is expected to reach approximately USD 5.9 billion by 2033, growing from USD 4.9 billion in 2023, with a CAGR of 1.9% during the forecast period.
- Refined Segment Dominance: Refined glycerol accounted for 78.0% of total revenue in 2023. Its versatile properties make it a sought-after ingredient in personal and home-care products.
- Biodiesel Leading Source: Biodiesel held a 59.5% market share in 2023, driven by the rising demand for renewable energy sources globally.
- Personal Care Domination: The personal care and cosmetics sector captured over 34% of the market in 2023 due to glycerol’s moisturizing properties.
- Asia Pacific Dominance: The Asia Pacific region accounted for the largest revenue share in 2021 and is expected to grow at a 6.5% CAGR due to changing lifestyles and increased consumption.
Statistics
- Functions as a humectant, solvent, sweetener, and preservative. It has 27 kcal per teaspoon, 60% as sweet as sugar, and labeled as E number E422.
- The compound has a molecular weight of 92.09 grams per mole and a density of 1.261grams per cubic centimeter. It has a boiling point of 290 degrees Celsius and a melting point of 17.8 degrees Celsius.
- Obtained from triglycerides in plants and animals. Annual production in the US and Europe reaches about 950,000 tons.
- Anhydrous glycerol for enzyme storage, with ≤2ppm calcium, ≤1ppm magnesium, and ≤5ppm lead.
- Glycerol (Molecular Biology Grade) ≥99.5% purity.
- A 50% glycerol solution won’t freeze at –20°C, ideal for electrophoresis loading buffers due to high density.
- It melts at 17.8℃, boils at 290℃, and is a colorless, odorless, syrupy liquid.
- The flash point of glycerol is 350 °F (177 °C) and the fire point is 400 °F (204 °C) according to the Cleveland open cup method (ASTM D 92 -33).
- Glycerin has approximately 27 kilocalories per teaspoon as a sugar substitute (sugar is known to have 20) and is 60 percent as sweet as sucrose.
- An 85 percent glycerin solution is known to show bactericidal and antiviral effects and glycerin-treated wounds generally display decreased inflammation after an approximate timeframe of 2 hours.
- Glycerol in calf diets increases weight gain significantly, with glycerol-fed calves showing a total weight gain of 24.9 kg compared to 20.1 kg without glycerol.
- There are three hydroxyl groups in its chemical structure, which are -OH groups bound to the carbon atoms. Glycerol has 3 Carbon atoms, 3 Oxygen atoms, and 8 Hydrogen atoms.
- The minimum freezing point temperature is about −38 °C corresponding to 70% glycerol in water.
- A 50% (w/v) glycerol solution will not freeze at –20°C. Glycerol is often used as a component in electrophoresis loading buffers because of its density (1.26g/ml).
- The soap lye formed contains 4–20% glycerol and is also known as sweetwater or glycerine.
- The sweetwater contains 10–20% glycerol.
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Emerging Trends
Sustainability Focus: Increasing emphasis on eco-friendly and sustainable production methods, driven by the rise in biodiesel production, which generates glycerol as a by-product.
Advanced Purification Techniques: Development of new methods for refining crude glycerol to meet high purity standards for various applications, enhancing its usability in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries.
Growing Applications: Expanding the use of glycerol in bioplastics, antifreeze formulations, and as a feedstock for bio-based chemicals, reflecting its versatility and increasing market demand.
Innovation in Products: Companies are investing in research to develop new glycerol derivatives, improving their applications in food, cosmetics, and industrial sectors.
Emerging Markets: Rising demand from emerging economies, particularly in Asia-Pacific, due to industrial growth and increasing consumer awareness about natural and sustainable products.
Use Cases
Celebrations and Special Occasions: Cakes are a central part of celebrations like birthdays, weddings, and anniversaries. For instance, wedding cakes often feature intricate designs like Lambeth piping, and birthday cakes can be personalized with themes and decorations.
Holiday Themes: Cakes are also popular during holidays. For example, Christmas cakes may be adorned with festive decorations, and Easter cakes often feature springtime motifs and flavors like carrot and lemon.
Corporate Events: Companies use cakes for corporate events and milestones, such as product launches or company anniversaries. Custom logos and brand colors are frequently incorporated into the design.
Trendy Flavors and Designs: Recent trends include incorporating unique flavors like salted caramel with ginger or blonde chocolate, and visually appealing decorations such as retro-style royal icing and comic book-inspired designs.
Brunch and Desserts: Cakes are increasingly being served as part of brunch menus and as standalone desserts. Brunch cakes often include flavors that pair well with morning beverages, such as coffee and tea.
Key Players Analysis
Procter & Gamble: For over 150 years, P&G Chemicals has produced the highest quality glycerin for their customer formulations. Today they offering includes GMP-compliant, Kosher, GFSI Certified, and RSPO Mass Balance glycerin.P&G Chemicals (PGC) is a division within Procter and Gamble that specializes in the production and distribution of oleochemicals throughout the world. With a line of products including glycerine, methyl esters, alcohols, fatty alcohols, and sucrose polyesters such as Sefose and Olean, PGC produces raw materials essential for many commonly used consumer products, and is a global supplier for some of the world’s largest chemical companies.
The BASF technology for hydrogenolysis of Glycerol to Propylene Glycol (G2PG) is a competitive, more sustainable process with around 60% lower emissions compared to the conventional route via petroleum-based propylene oxide. Due to the outstanding product quality and the superior yields obtained, the G2PG process is recognized as the leading commercially proven technology for the production of propylene glycol from glycerin.
Oleon NV, a leading producer of oleochemicals, is significantly involved in the glycerol market. The company specializes in the sustainable production of glycerin, derived from renewable resources. Oleon’s glycerin is utilized in diverse applications, including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial formulations. The company focuses on innovation and sustainability, ensuring that its glycerin products are environmentally friendly and meet high-quality standards. Oleon’s global operations enable it to cater to various market demands effectively, making it a key player in the glycerol sector
The Paseo biodiesel plant expansion project in Kansas City, Mo., aimed to increase its production capacity by 40 percent. Through this facility, soybean oil is processed into either a biodiesel product or a pharmaceutical-grade glycerin product. The accelerated project schedule required the fabrication and installation of 3 miles of carbon steel pipe, 1-1/2 miles of stainless steel pipe, and a ½ mile of 2,205 stainless steel pipe in a matter of 4 months. Since the piping installation was performed in conjunction with the building steel erection, coordination between U.S. Engineering’s field staff and fabrication shops was crucial.
PALMERA Refined Glycerine is a highly versatile and multi-functional product. KLK OLEO Glycerine conforms to USP, EP, and BP standards; making it suitable for pharmaceutical and personal care applications. Glycerine is also widely used in tobacco products, surface coatings, paper, inks, lubricants, textiles, urethane polymers, etc. Glycerine, as a derivative, is found in the production of nitroglycerine, propylene glycol, epichlorohydrin, and acrolein.
ADM has estimated the life cycle greenhouse gas emission (GHG) impact on the production of plant-based propylene glycol from soybean-derived and canola-derived glycerol. When comparing the plant-based process to the petroleum route, we found that our process has a 61% reduction in GHG emissions.ADM applies plant-based Glycerol as the feedstock for producing Propylene Glycol creating a fully plant-based product that can possibly help customers differentiate their formulated products in the marketplace and help them develop products that will meet the standards of the USDA.
Dow Chemical Company plays a pivotal role in the glycerol sector by integrating glycerol into its broader portfolio of chemical products. Dow utilizes glycerol primarily for producing polyurethane foams, lubricants, and other specialty chemicals. Their innovative approaches in glycerol utilization emphasize efficiency and environmental stewardship, contributing to the sector’s evolution towards sustainable practices and diversified applications.
Wilfarin refined glycerine is a multi-functional product. Its odorless and colorless properties make it a versatile product applicable to many industries. It is commonly used in personal care and cosmetics due to its ability to retain moisture. Being sweet-tasting, refined glycerine is widely used as a sweetener in food. It can also be found in pharmaceutical products due to its non-toxic nature. Wilmar International Ltd. is a prominent player in the glycerol sector, focusing on biodiesel production and oleochemicals. They are a key supplier of glycerol, a versatile byproduct used in the pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries. With a robust global presence, Wilmar leverages its integrated supply chain and sustainable practices to meet market demands for high-quality glycerol products.
Emery Oleochemicals The high-quality refined glycerin solutions serve customers worldwide through our EMERY® and EMERION® glycerin brands that are sought after for use in applications including pet treats, industrial applications, dental care, cosmetics, and tobacco. Our EMERION® 3916 refined glycerin is OMRI Listed for Organic Use. They manufacture glycerin by splitting natural oils and fats obtained from renewable resources. As a result of our extensive industry expertise and continual innovation, our refined glycerin products are available in USP, EP, and BP grades at 99.7% purity.
Cocochem plays an important role in producing fatty alcohols via the fatty acid route using the German-based Lurgi-designed process. Major unit processes include fat-splitting, fractionation, fatty acid, hydrogenation, fatty alcohol, and glycerine plants.COCOCHEM is a key player in the glycerol sector, focusing on producing glycerol from coconut oil. They emphasize sustainability and product purity, targeting markets in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food additives. Cocochem’s strategic location and integrated supply chain ensure reliable delivery and quality assurance in glycerol-based products.
Godrej Industries Limited: Godrej Industries Limited is actively involved in the glycerol sector, leveraging its position as a prominent player in India’s industrial landscape. They focus on producing glycerol, a versatile chemical used in various industries such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. Their strategic approach includes sustainable production practices, aiming to meet growing market demand while maintaining environmental stewardship.
Monarch Chemicals is a leading UK supplier and bulk distributor of glycerine offering this product in a wide range of grades and bulk pack sizes from small poly through to bulk road tanker. Glycerine is available in a variety of different grades and is referred to by a number of synonyms such as glycerol and glycerin.
Monarch Chemicals Ltd operates within the glycerol sector, playing a vital role in supplying glycerol for industrial applications. Based on their market position, they cater to diverse industries, ensuring quality and reliability in glycerol supply chains. Their operational strategy emphasizes efficiency and customer satisfaction, contributing to their competitiveness in the market.
Aemetis, Inc.: Aemetis, Inc. is actively involved in the glycerol sector, focusing on biodiesel production and renewable chemicals. They utilize glycerol as a key feedstock for various sustainable products, contributing to the biofuels industry’s growth. Their operations emphasize leveraging glycerol’s versatility in sustainable solutions, aligning with global renewable energy goals.
Cremer oleo GmbH & Co. KG:
Cremer Oleo is one of the world’s largest independent distributors of vegetable and sustainable glycerine. With several locations in Europe, North and South America, and Asia, they are closely networked globally. At short notice, they can supply glycerine from all raw materials, such as rapeseed, soybean, or palm, in many purity grades and with dedicated certifications. In worldwide storage facilities and tanks, we keep market-standard refined glycerine with a purity of 86.5% or 99.5% in stock.
Sakamoto Yakuhin Kogyo Co., Ltd. is actively involved in the glycerol sector, focusing on the production and distribution of glycerol-based products. As a key player, they contribute to the market with a range of glycerol derivatives used in various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food additives. Their commitment to quality and innovation underscores their leadership in this niche market segment.
Fine Chemicals & Scientific Co. is an age-old name in the field of manufacturing, exporting, and supplying a wide variety of Industrial Chemicals. Being a quality-centric firm, offering a qualitative variety of Industrial Chemicals that includes Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients, Methylene Chloride, Molybdic Acid, Silver Nitrate, Toluene, Trichloroethylene, Glycerol, Gbl Wheel Cleaner and so on. Sourced from highly trusted manufacturers, these Industrial Chemicals are the best grades available in the markets.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the glycerol market continues to exhibit robust growth driven by its versatile applications across various industries such as pharmaceuticals, personal care, food and beverages, and chemicals. Key factors influencing this growth include increasing consumer awareness towards sustainable products, rising demand for bio-based chemicals, and expanding applications in healthcare and cosmetics.Market players are focusing on innovation, sustainability, and expanding production capacities to capitalize on these opportunities. Looking ahead, the glycerol market is poised for steady expansion, supported by technological advancements and shifting consumer preferences towards eco-friendly solutions.
