The humectants market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $30.6 billion in 2024 to $32.74 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to food and beverage industry growth, pharmaceutical applications, the prevalence of dry and sensitive skin conditions, functional properties in food, and demand in agriculture.
The humectants market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $45.81 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the growing clean beauty movement, the rise of e-commerce platforms, functional foods and nutraceuticals, R&D in healthcare applications, and global water scarcity concerns. Major trends in the forecast period include innovations in packaging, customization in personal care products, advancements in biotechnology, cross-industry collaboration, and innovation in formulations.
The growing demand for cosmetics is anticipated to drive the expansion of the humectants market in the future. Cosmetics refer to products designed to enhance or modify a person's appearance. Humectants serve as common moisturizing ingredients found in lotions, shampoos, and other cosmetic items, attracting moisture from the environment into the skin's outer layer. Consequently, the rising demand for cosmetics will lead to an increase in the humectant market. For example, a report published in July 2022 by the International Trade Administration, a U.S. Department of Commerce entity that supports the export of non-agricultural goods and services, stated that the Canadian cosmetics market generated approximately USD 1.24 billion in 2021, with an expected annual growth rate of 1.45%, projected to increase revenue to USD 1.8 billion by 2024. Therefore, the rise in cosmetic demand is a significant factor driving the growth of the humectant market.
The humectants market is also set to experience growth due to the rising demand from the food and beverage industry. This industry, encompassing the production, distribution, and sale of edible goods and drinks, utilizes humectants to preserve moisture, extend shelf life, and maintain product freshness. In 2023, the Food and Drink Federation reported a significant 31% increase in food and drink exports in 2022 compared to the previous year. The industry's turnover reached $10.84 billion (£10.3 billion) in 2022, contributing to 33% of the total manufacturing output in Scotland. The increasing demand from the food and beverage industry is a driving force behind the growth of the humectants market.
Innovations play a crucial role as a key trend in the humectants market, with companies focusing on innovative products to sustain their market positions. For instance, Nexus Ingredient, a UK-based company, introduced MoistPlus Syrup in 2022, an all-natural humectant syrup made from cassava root. This syrup, free from gluten, dairy, allergens, fructose, and grains, offers exceptional humectant results, water absorption control, humidity control, appearance performance, shelf-life extension, product cleanliness, integrity, improved yields, and organic colorant.
Major companies in the humectants market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as bio-circular and circular propylene glycol options. Bio-circular propylene glycol solutions are produced from renewable resources or post-consumer waste, aligning with biological and circular economies to decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, circular propylene glycol solutions utilize recycled materials to minimize waste and enhance sustainability by closing the production loop. For example, in March 2024, Dow Jones Industrial Average, a U.S.-based materials science company, introduced Propylene Glycol CIR and Propylene Glycol REN, which incorporate bio-circular and circular feedstocks. These products employ a mass balance approach and are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC), highlighting Dow's dedication to sustainable production. Propylene Glycol CIR includes Renuva recycled content, converting hard-to-recycle waste into feedstocks, while Propylene Glycol REN aims to reduce fossil fuel dependency through Ecolibrium bio-circular technology.
In March 2022, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, a US-based specialty chemicals company, acquired JEEN International Corporation and BotanicalsPlus Inc. The combined resources are expected to strengthen Vantage's position as a solutions-oriented leader in personal care ingredients. JEEN International Corporation and BotanicalsPlus Inc., US-based manufacturers and suppliers of personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, contribute to Vantage's strategic growth in the industry.
Major companies operating in the humectants market include Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Barentz International BV, Brenntag SE, Cargill Incorporated, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC, Ingredion Incorporated, Corbion N.V, The Lubrizol Corporation, Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc., VMP Chemiekontor GmbH, Lipo Chemicals Inc., Ederma Pharma India Private Limited., 5M Biotech India, Roquette Frères Ltd., Xena International Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Croda International plc, Wacker Chemie AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., Clariant AG, Eastman Chemical Company, Solvay S.A., Evonik Industries AG, PPG Industries Inc., Stepan Company, Huntsman Corporation, Glanbia plc, Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the humectants market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global humectants market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the humectants market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the humectants market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Humectants are organic molecules characterized by their hygroscopic nature and alkyd capping units on either end, such as polyethylene or propylene glycol. They serve the purpose of attracting and binding water molecules to the added ingredients.
The primary types of humectant products include sugar alcohol, alpha hydroxy acid, glycols, and others. Sugar alcohol is a type of carbohydrate commonly found in certain fruits and vegetables but can also be produced commercially through the hydrogenation of sugar. These humectants are derived from various sources, both synthetic and natural, and find applications in food and beverages, oral and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, paint and coating, pesticides, and other industries.
The humectants market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides humectants market statistics, including humectants industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a humectants market share, detailed humectants market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the humectants industry. This humectants market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The humectants market consists of sales of hyaluronic acid, glycerol, and aloe vera. 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.
This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.
The humectants market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $45.81 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to the growing clean beauty movement, the rise of e-commerce platforms, functional foods and nutraceuticals, R&D in healthcare applications, and global water scarcity concerns. Major trends in the forecast period include innovations in packaging, customization in personal care products, advancements in biotechnology, cross-industry collaboration, and innovation in formulations.
The growing demand for cosmetics is anticipated to drive the expansion of the humectants market in the future. Cosmetics refer to products designed to enhance or modify a person's appearance. Humectants serve as common moisturizing ingredients found in lotions, shampoos, and other cosmetic items, attracting moisture from the environment into the skin's outer layer. Consequently, the rising demand for cosmetics will lead to an increase in the humectant market. For example, a report published in July 2022 by the International Trade Administration, a U.S. Department of Commerce entity that supports the export of non-agricultural goods and services, stated that the Canadian cosmetics market generated approximately USD 1.24 billion in 2021, with an expected annual growth rate of 1.45%, projected to increase revenue to USD 1.8 billion by 2024. Therefore, the rise in cosmetic demand is a significant factor driving the growth of the humectant market.
The humectants market is also set to experience growth due to the rising demand from the food and beverage industry. This industry, encompassing the production, distribution, and sale of edible goods and drinks, utilizes humectants to preserve moisture, extend shelf life, and maintain product freshness. In 2023, the Food and Drink Federation reported a significant 31% increase in food and drink exports in 2022 compared to the previous year. The industry's turnover reached $10.84 billion (£10.3 billion) in 2022, contributing to 33% of the total manufacturing output in Scotland. The increasing demand from the food and beverage industry is a driving force behind the growth of the humectants market.
Innovations play a crucial role as a key trend in the humectants market, with companies focusing on innovative products to sustain their market positions. For instance, Nexus Ingredient, a UK-based company, introduced MoistPlus Syrup in 2022, an all-natural humectant syrup made from cassava root. This syrup, free from gluten, dairy, allergens, fructose, and grains, offers exceptional humectant results, water absorption control, humidity control, appearance performance, shelf-life extension, product cleanliness, integrity, improved yields, and organic colorant.
Major companies in the humectants market are concentrating on developing innovative solutions, such as bio-circular and circular propylene glycol options. Bio-circular propylene glycol solutions are produced from renewable resources or post-consumer waste, aligning with biological and circular economies to decrease reliance on fossil fuels. Meanwhile, circular propylene glycol solutions utilize recycled materials to minimize waste and enhance sustainability by closing the production loop. For example, in March 2024, Dow Jones Industrial Average, a U.S.-based materials science company, introduced Propylene Glycol CIR and Propylene Glycol REN, which incorporate bio-circular and circular feedstocks. These products employ a mass balance approach and are certified by the International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC), highlighting Dow's dedication to sustainable production. Propylene Glycol CIR includes Renuva recycled content, converting hard-to-recycle waste into feedstocks, while Propylene Glycol REN aims to reduce fossil fuel dependency through Ecolibrium bio-circular technology.
In March 2022, Vantage Specialty Chemicals, a US-based specialty chemicals company, acquired JEEN International Corporation and BotanicalsPlus Inc. The combined resources are expected to strengthen Vantage's position as a solutions-oriented leader in personal care ingredients. JEEN International Corporation and BotanicalsPlus Inc., US-based manufacturers and suppliers of personal care, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, contribute to Vantage's strategic growth in the industry.
Major companies operating in the humectants market include Ashland Global Holdings Inc., Barentz International BV, Brenntag SE, Cargill Incorporated, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC, Ingredion Incorporated, Corbion N.V, The Lubrizol Corporation, Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc., VMP Chemiekontor GmbH, Lipo Chemicals Inc., Ederma Pharma India Private Limited., 5M Biotech India, Roquette Frères Ltd., Xena International Inc., Archer Daniels Midland Company, BASF SE, DuPont de Nemours Inc., Croda International plc, Wacker Chemie AG, Akzo Nobel N.V., Clariant AG, Eastman Chemical Company, Solvay S.A., Evonik Industries AG, PPG Industries Inc., Stepan Company, Huntsman Corporation, Glanbia plc, Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.
North America was the largest region in the humectants market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global humectants market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the humectants market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the humectants market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.
Humectants are organic molecules characterized by their hygroscopic nature and alkyd capping units on either end, such as polyethylene or propylene glycol. They serve the purpose of attracting and binding water molecules to the added ingredients.
The primary types of humectant products include sugar alcohol, alpha hydroxy acid, glycols, and others. Sugar alcohol is a type of carbohydrate commonly found in certain fruits and vegetables but can also be produced commercially through the hydrogenation of sugar. These humectants are derived from various sources, both synthetic and natural, and find applications in food and beverages, oral and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, paint and coating, pesticides, and other industries.
The humectants market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides humectants market statistics, including humectants industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a humectants market share, detailed humectants market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the humectants industry. This humectants market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The humectants market consists of sales of hyaluronic acid, glycerol, and aloe vera. 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.
This product will be delivered within 3-5 business days.
Table of Contents
1. Executive Summary2. Humectants Market Characteristics3. Humectants Market Trends and Strategies4. Humectants Market - Macro Economic Scenario including the impact of Interest Rates, Inflation, Geopolitics and Covid and Recovery on the Market32. Global Humectants Market Competitive Benchmarking and Dashboard33. Key Mergers and Acquisitions in the Humectants Market34. Recent Developments in the Humectants Market
5. Global Humectants Growth Analysis and Strategic Analysis Framework
6. Humectants Market Segmentation
7. Humectants Market Regional and Country Analysis
8. Asia-Pacific Humectants Market
9. China Humectants Market
10. India Humectants Market
11. Japan Humectants Market
12. Australia Humectants Market
13. Indonesia Humectants Market
14. South Korea Humectants Market
15. Western Europe Humectants Market
16. UK Humectants Market
17. Germany Humectants Market
18. France Humectants Market
19. Italy Humectants Market
20. Spain Humectants Market
21. Eastern Europe Humectants Market
22. Russia Humectants Market
23. North America Humectants Market
24. USA Humectants Market
25. Canada Humectants Market
26. South America Humectants Market
27. Brazil Humectants Market
28. Middle East Humectants Market
29. Africa Humectants Market
30. Humectants Market Competitive Landscape and Company Profiles
31. Humectants Market Other Major and Innovative Companies
35. Humectants Market High Potential Countries, Segments and Strategies
36. Appendix
Executive Summary
Humectants Global Market Report 2025 provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.This report focuses on humectants market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
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Description
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for humectants? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward? The humectants market global report answers all these questions and many more.The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, competitive landscape, market shares, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market’s historic and forecast market growth by geography.
- The market characteristics section of the report defines and explains the market.
- The market size section gives the market size ($b) covering both the historic growth of the market, and forecasting its development.
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include:
- The forecasts are made after considering the major factors currently impacting the market. These include the Russia-Ukraine war, rising inflation, higher interest rates, and the legacy of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Market segmentations break down the market into sub markets.
- The regional and country breakdowns section gives an analysis of the market in each geography and the size of the market by geography and compares their historic and forecast growth. It covers the growth trajectory of COVID-19 for all regions, key developed countries and major emerging markets.
- The competitive landscape chapter gives a description of the competitive nature of the market, market shares, and a description of the leading companies. Key financial deals which have shaped the market in recent years are identified.
- The trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it emerges from the crisis and suggests how companies can grow as the market recovers.
Scope
Markets Covered:
1) By Product: Sugar Alcohol; Alpha Hydroxy Acid; Glycols; Other Products2) By Source: Synthetic; Natural
3) By Application: Food and Beverages; Oral and Personal Care; Pharmaceuticals; Animal Feed; Paint and Coating; Pesticides; Other Application
Subsegments:
1) By Sugar Alcohol: Glycerin; Sorbitol; Xylitol2) By Alpha Hydroxy Acid: Lactic Acid; Glycolic Acid; Citric Acid
3) By Glycols: Propylene Glycol; Ethylene Glycol
4) By Other Products: Urea; Honey; Aloe Vera Extract
Key Companies Mentioned: Ashland Global Holdings Inc.; Barentz International BV; Brenntag SE; Cargill Incorporated; DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC
Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
Regions: Asia-Pacific; Western Europe; Eastern Europe; North America; South America; Middle East; Africa
Time Series: Five years historic and ten years forecast.
Data: Ratios of market size and growth to related markets, GDP proportions, expenditure per capita.
Data Segmentation: Country and regional historic and forecast data, market share of competitors, market segments.
Sourcing and Referencing: Data and analysis throughout the report is sourced using end notes.
Delivery Format: PDF, Word and Excel Data Dashboard.
Companies Mentioned
- Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
- Barentz International BV
- Brenntag SE
- Cargill Incorporated
- DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company LLC
- Ingredion Incorporated
- Corbion N.V
- The Lubrizol Corporation
- Vantage Specialty Chemicals Inc.
- VMP Chemiekontor GmbH
- Lipo Chemicals Inc.
- Ederma Pharma India Private Limited.
- 5M Biotech India
- Roquette Frères Ltd.
- Xena International Inc.
- Archer Daniels Midland Company
- BASF SE
- DuPont de Nemours Inc.
- Croda International plc
- Wacker Chemie AG
- Akzo Nobel N.V.
- Clariant AG
- Eastman Chemical Company
- Solvay S.A.
- Evonik Industries AG
- PPG Industries Inc.
- Stepan Company
- Huntsman Corporation
- Glanbia plc
- Galaxy Surfactants Ltd.
Table Information
| Report Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| No. of Pages | 200 |
| Published | February 2025 |
| Forecast Period | 2025 - 2029 |
| Estimated Market Value ( USD | $ 32.74 Billion |
| Forecasted Market Value ( USD | $ 45.81 Billion |
| Compound Annual Growth Rate | 8.8% |
| Regions Covered | Global |
| No. of Companies Mentioned | 30 |
