Glycol Market Report 2025

The glycol market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $42.23 billion in 2024 to $45.54 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to industrial growth and expansion, urbanization and infrastructure development, automotive industry growth, refrigeration and air conditioning, consumer product manufacturing.

The glycol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $62.02 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to focus on renewable feedstocks, growing demand for bio-based glycols, rising demand in hvac systems, expansion of LNG infrastructure, electronics industry growth. Major trends in the forecast period include technological advancements in glycol production, circular economy initiatives, smart glycol solutions, increased collaboration in research and development, glycol for energy storage.

The expanding automotive industry is anticipated to drive growth in the glycol market in the future. This industry encompasses the development, production, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Glycol is commonly used as a key component in engine coolants and antifreeze formulations within the automotive sector. It plays a crucial role in regulating engine temperature, helping to prevent overheating in warm weather and freezing in cold conditions. For example, in March 2024, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, a Belgium-based vehicle industry association, reported that the EU car market saw substantial growth in 2023, increasing by 13.9% compared to 2022, with a total volume of 10.5 million units. Therefore, the growth of the automotive industry is positively impacting the glycol market.

The growing use of cosmetics is projected to drive the growth of the glycol market. Cosmetics encompass a wide variety of products applied to the body, face, hair, or nails to enhance or modify appearance. The cosmetics industry utilizes glycol for its multifunctional properties as a solvent, humectant, and viscosity regulator, which are essential in the formulation of skincare and beauty products. For example, in June 2022, Common Thread Collective, a US-based digital marketing agency, reported that the global market value for natural cosmetics rose significantly from $42.3 billion in 2022 to $44.5 billion in 2023, indicating an increasing consumer demand for natural products. Consequently, the rising use of cosmetics is fueling the growth of the glycol market.

The glycol market is witnessing a key trend of product innovations, with companies in the sector focusing on the development of new products and solutions to maintain their market positions. A notable example is Valvoline Inc., a manufacturer of automotive oil, additives, and lubricants, which introduced Valvoline Advanced Coolant in August 2022. This glycol-based full-antifreeze coolant is designed to provide protection in extreme hot and cold climate conditions, guarding against overheating and freezing to ensure optimal engine performance. The coolant is backward compatible with all cooling systems utilizing OAT coolants, featuring a sophisticated formulation with ethylene glycol that employs non-depleting organic-acid technology to potentially extend engine life, making it suitable for challenging conditions.

Major players in the glycol market are strategically partnering to incorporate PET glycol (PETG) resin, accelerating the integration of renewable materials into plastic applications. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's strengths and resources for mutual benefits and success. For instance, UPM Biochemicals GmbH, a chemical company based in Germany, partnered with Selenis NA, a U.S.-based plastics resin manufacturer, in June 2023. The collaboration aims to produce sustainable PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) using forest-sourced materials from Germany for plastic packaging applications, contributing to carbon emission reduction.

In July 2024, Technip Energies, a France-based petrochemical technology firm, acquired Shell for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition is intended to bolster Technip Energies' commercialization of its Bio-2-Glycols technology, which produces bio-based Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG) from glucose. This advancement will facilitate the creation of sustainable polyester solutions as alternatives to fossil-based feedstocks. Shell, based in the Netherlands, is an energy company engaged in oil and gas exploration.

Major companies operating in the glycol market include ADEKA Corporation, Shell Plc, Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Repsol S.A., The Dow Chemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC), LyondellBasell Industries N.V., Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited, Honeywell International Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd., INEOS Group Limited, Indorama Ventures, LOTTE Chemical Corporation, Solvay SA, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., DuPont, Akzo Nobel, Eastman Chemical Company, Celanese Corporation, Lanxess AG, Huntsman International LLC, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Nouryon Chemicals, Clariant AG, BASF SE, India Glycols Limited, SKC Inc., Meglobal International fze.

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the glycol market in 2024, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the glycol market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the glycol market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Glycols are a category of alcohol-related chemical compounds utilized as antifreeze, a liquid that reduces the freezing point of water. Glycols possess the ability to absorb and release substantial amounts of heat without undergoing a change in temperature. The primary purpose of glycols is to prevent systems from freezing while maintaining a cold temperature.

The principal types of glycols include ethylene glycol, propylene glycol, and others. Ethylene glycol, a member of the glycol family of chemical compounds, is a tasteless, colorless, and minimally viscous liquid. Glycols find applications in various sectors, serving purposes such as antifreeze and coolants, production of polyester fibers, manufacturing PET bottles and packaging, acting as solvents and humectants, serving as dehydrating agents, and functioning as chemical intermediates. These glycols cater to diverse end-users, including the automotive and transportation industry, packaging sector, food and beverage industry, cosmetics, textiles, and others.

The glycol market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides glycol market statistics, including glycol industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a glycol market share, detailed glycol market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the glycol industry. This glycol 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 glycol market consists of sales of hydraulic brake fluids, certain stamp pad inks, ballpoint pens, solvents, paints, plastics, films, and cosmetics. 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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