In Q3 2025, North America, the Glycerine Price Index rose by 6.01% quarter-over-quarter, driven by refined supply constraints. Check detailed insights for Europe, MEA and APAC.

Q4 2024 saw a sharp glycerine price rise (+26% YoY Dec) on demand & global shifts. H2 2025 may see softening on ample supply & stable palm oil.

The average crude glycerol export price stood at $550 per ton in May 2025, which is down by -21.2% against the previous month.

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The pharmaceutical glycerine market share is expected to increase by USD 56.35 million from 2021 to 2026, and the market’s growth momentum will accelerate at a CAGR of 8.92%.

This pharmaceutical glycerine market research report provides valuable insights on the post COVID-19 impact on the market, which will help companies evaluate their business approaches. Furthermore, this report extensively covers pharmaceutical glycerine market segmentation by product type (sweetener, excipient, and others) and geography (Asia, North America, Europe, and Rest of World (ROW)). The pharmaceutical glycerine market report also offers information on several market vendors, including Cargill Inc., CREMER OLEO GmbH and Co. KG, Emery Oleochemicals LLC, GLACONCHEMIE GmbH, Godrej Industries Ltd., GRANOL INDUSTRIA COMERCIO E EXPORTACAO SA, Hangzhou Oleochemicals Co.Ltd, Kao Corp., KLK Oleo, Merck KGaA, Monarch Chemicals Ltd., Munzer Bioindustrie GmbH, PT. Bakrie Sumatera Plantations TBK, Sakamoto Yakuhin kogyo Co. Ltd., Sulzer Ltd., The Procter and Gamble Co., Timur OleoChemicals Malaysia Sdn.Bhd., Twin Rivers Technologies Inc., Viterra BV, VVF Group, and Wilmar International Ltd. among others.

What will the Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market Size be During the Forecast Period?

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Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market: Key Drivers, Trends, and Challenges

The increasing production of pharmaceutical drugs is notably driving the pharmaceutical glycerine market growth, although factors such as the fluctuating raw material prices may impede the market growth. Our research analysts have studied the historical data and deduced the key market drivers and the COVID-19 pandemic impact on the pharmaceutical glycerine industry. The holistic analysis of the drivers will help in deducing end goals and refining marketing strategies to gain a competitive edge.

Key Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market Driver

One of the key factors driving growth in the pharmaceutical glycerine market is the increasing production of pharmaceutical drugs. The global healthcare landscape has been changing rapidly as people have started to spend more on health-related needs. The growing geriatric population is expected to increase the demand for cough medicines as well as heart medications as they are more prone to getting cold and heart diseases owing to their weak immune system. Pharmaceutical glycerin is a common ingredient that is used widely in the production of pharmaceutical drugs, including cough medicines and heart medications. It is also used to improve the smoothness and taste of medicines, as well as to make tablets easier to swallow. Therefore, these factors are expected to fuel the growth of the market in focus.

Key Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market Trend

The growing demand from the cosmetic and personal care industry is a pharmaceutical glycerine market trend that is expected to have a positive impact in the coming years. Steady economic growth in developing countries, such as China, India, etc., as well as rising per capita disposable income and expenditure in these countries, are some of the major factors expected to drive the market for consumer products such as cosmetics and personal care, among others. Pharmaceutical glycerin is used as a moisturizer to treat/prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy and minor skin irritations. Hence, growth in the cosmetic and personal care industry is expected to increase the demand for pharmaceutical glycerin during the forecast period. The growing global pharmaceutical sector and the increasing demand for bio-degradable and safe ingredients in the personal care sector are expected to propel the growth of the market in focus.

Key Pharmaceutical Glycerine Market Challenge

The fluctuating raw material prices will be a major challenge for the pharmaceutical glycerine market during the forecast period. Vegetable oil and animal fat are the two main raw materials required to manufacture glycerol. The supply constraints and fluctuating raw material prices have severely threatened the manufacturers of glycerol, which, in turn, has drastically affected the production of glycerol globally. The supply of animal fat remains inelastic, owing to farmers and ranchers not raising their animals for fat and the year-on-year production rate being marginally flat. This has been the major factor underlying the fluctuating prices of animal fat. The inelastic raw material supply and the fluctuations in the prices of these materials are hindering the growth of the market in focus.

This pharmaceutical glycerine market analysis report also provides detailed information on other upcoming trends and challenges that will have a far-reaching effect on the market growth. The actionable insights on the trends and challenges will help companies evaluate and develop growth

¿Por qué cambió el precio de la glicerina en julio de 2025? El precio de la Glicerina Spot mostró una trayectoria ascendente general en el 2º trimestre de 2025, con una media de 1,86% de glicerina frente al mes y un aumento del 99,5% de USP promedio del 1,69% mensual; en junio se registraron precios de los puntos a USD 446/MT para crudo (al 1,13% desde mayo) y USD 1,938/MT para refinado (al 3,3% desde mayo).

The refined glycerine market, valued at approximately $2.5 billion in 2025, is projected to experience robust growth, driven by increasing demand across diverse sectors. A Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5-7% is anticipated from 2025 to 2033, fueled by several key factors. The food and beverage industry's rising adoption of refined glycerine as a humectant and sweetener is a significant driver, alongside its expanding use in personal care products for its moisturizing and emollient properties. The pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries also contribute significantly, utilizing glycerine as a crucial ingredient in various formulations. Growing consumer awareness of natural and sustainable ingredients further boosts market expansion. The vegetable-grade segment is expected to dominate due to increasing preference for natural and eco-friendly products. However, price volatility of raw materials and fluctuating crude oil prices present challenges to market growth. Geographically, North America and Asia-Pacific are key regions, driven by strong demand from established industries and burgeoning economies. Competitive dynamics are shaped by a blend of large multinational corporations and regional players, leading to ongoing innovations and strategic partnerships to expand market share. While specific market segmentation data isn't provided, the market's diverse application and type segments indicate a complex landscape. The growth trajectory will likely see fluctuations based on global economic conditions and industry-specific trends, like shifts in consumer preferences toward specific product types. The forecast period will be impacted by factors such as technological advancements in glycerine production, regulations pertaining to its use in different industries, and the overall sustainability trends across multiple supply chains. Ongoing research and development in sustainable glycerine production methods, and the exploration of new applications, are likely to further influence market growth dynamics in the coming years. The competitive landscape, though populated by significant players, allows for smaller specialized companies to thrive by offering niche products and services.

In 2023, purchases abroad of crude glycerol, glycerine waters and lyes increased by 204% to 2.1K tons for the first time since 2020, thus ending a two-year declining trend.

According to Cognitive Market Research, the global Glycerin market size was USD 2.0 billion in 2024 and will expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% from 2024 to 2031. Market Dynamics of Glycerin Market

Key Drivers for Glycerin Market

Expanding Demand from the Personal Care and Cosmetics Industry

Glycerin is a widely used ingredient in personal care and cosmetic products due to its excellent moisturizing, humectant, and skin-soothing properties. As global consumer demand for skincare, haircare, and hygiene products continues to rise especially in emerging economies the need for high-quality, plant-based and non-toxic ingredients like glycerin is growing steadily. The clean beauty trend further amplifies this demand, as brands seek safe, natural, and sustainable ingredients to align with eco-conscious consumer preferences. This robust uptake from the personal care sector remains one of the strongest growth engines for the glycerin market.

Increasing Utilization in Pharmaceutical and Food Industries

Glycerin is gaining widespread application in the pharmaceutical and food & beverage sectors due to its non-toxic, sweet-tasting, and solvent-like qualities. In pharmaceuticals, it is used as a carrier in syrups, lozenges, and capsules, while in food, it acts as a humectant, preservative, and low-calorie sweetener. The surge in demand for processed foods, oral medications, and wellness supplements especially in the wake of growing health awareness has led to increased industrial consumption of refined glycerin. As regulatory bodies approve glycerin for diverse end uses, its importance as a versatile, functional ingredient continues to grow.

Key Restraints for Glycerin Market

The availability and development of synthetic glycerin alternatives hinder the Glycerin industry growth

One major restraint in the glycerin market is the increasing availability and adoption of synthetic alternatives, which are chemically engineered to replicate the properties of natural glycerin. These synthetic versions, often derived from petrochemical sources or advanced bio-engineering processes, can offer greater consistency, purity, and tailored functionality depending on the end-use application. Industries such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care may prefer synthetic variants for applications requiring strict formulation control or allergen-free standards. As research and innovation in synthetic substitutes advance, they present a growing competitive threat to natural glycerin reducing its demand and putting pressure on pricing and market share for traditional glycerin producers.

The market also faces significant difficulties related to fluctuating raw material prices

Another critical restraint is the high volatility in raw material prices, particularly those linked to biodiesel production and vegetable oils like palm, soybean, or coconut key feedstocks for natural glycerin. Since glycerin is often a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing, its supply and cost are tightly linked to biodiesel market dynamics and global oilseed crop yields. Any disruption in agricultural output due to weather, geopolitical factors, or trade policies can lead to sharp price swings. This unpredictability affects manufacturers' ability to plan, price competitively, and maintain stable margins. As a result, cost instability discourages long-term investment and creates operational challenges for businesses reliant on glycerin as a core ingredient.

Key Trends of Glycerin Market

Surge in Bio-based and Sustainable Glycerin Production

Driven by growing environmental awareness and demand for renewable alternatives, manufacturers are increasingly producing bio-based glycerin derived from vegetable oils and biodiesel by-products over petroleum-based synthetic versions. This shift supports circular economy principles, reduces carbon emissions, and aligns with consumer and regulatory preferences for green ingredients. It’s also prompting major investments in refining infrastructure, such as the expansion of biobased glycerin facilities in Europe, making high-purity, eco-friendly glycerin more accessible across industries.

Rising Use in Personal Care, Food & Specialty Applications

Glycerin is seeing increased integration into personal care, food, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical products, thanks to its moisturizing, humectant, and stabilizing propert...

238 Global import shipment records of Refined Glycerine with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

The colorless refined glycerine market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing demand from various industries. The market size in 2025 is estimated at $2.5 billion, projected to expand at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 5% from 2025 to 2033, reaching an estimated $3.9 billion by 2033. This growth is fueled by several key factors. The burgeoning personal care and cosmetics sector is a major driver, with colorless glycerine serving as a crucial humectant and emollient in lotions, creams, and other skincare products. Simultaneously, the food and beverage industry's demand for glycerine as a sweetener, humectant, and solvent is significantly contributing to market expansion. Furthermore, the pharmaceutical industry utilizes glycerine as an excipient in various formulations, further bolstering market demand. Technological advancements in glycerine purification techniques are leading to higher-quality products, enhancing their applicability across multiple sectors. While increasing raw material costs and fluctuating crude oil prices pose some challenges, the overall market outlook remains positive due to the inherent versatility and expanding applications of colorless refined glycerine. Major players like Wilmar, Musim Mas, Cargill, and others are strategically positioning themselves to capitalize on this growth, focusing on product diversification, capacity expansions, and innovation to cater to the evolving needs of diverse consumer industries. Competition within the market is intense, pushing companies to optimize production efficiency, improve product quality, and explore new market segments. Regional growth patterns vary, with North America and Europe currently leading the market, but Asia-Pacific is anticipated to witness faster growth in the forecast period driven by rising disposable incomes and increasing awareness of personal care and hygiene. Sustainability initiatives and a focus on eco-friendly manufacturing processes are becoming increasingly critical, influencing market dynamics and shaping future growth trajectories. The focus on innovative applications, such as in biodegradable plastics and renewable energy, further expands the market potential beyond traditional uses.

The global Glycerine market stood at approximately 4442 thousand tonnes in 2024 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.42% during the forecast period until 2035.

5954 Global exporters importers export import shipment records of Crude glycerine with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

Turkey Imports of glycerol (glycerine), glycerol waters and lyes from Portugal was US$61.78 Thousand during 2023, according to the United Nations COMTRADE database on international trade. Turkey Imports of glycerol (glycerine), glycerol waters and lyes from Portugal - data, historical chart and statistics - was last updated on November of 2025.

In June 2023, the price of Crude Glycerol was $448 per ton (CIF, Italy), experiencing an 11% increase compared to the previous month.

Explore the factors affecting the price of refined glycerine, a key commodity in industries like pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food. Understand the impact of biodiesel production, supply chain dynamics, and regulatory changes on glycerine's market trends.

Discover the booming refined glycerine market! Explore its $5 billion valuation (2025), 6% CAGR, key drivers, major players (Wilmar, Cargill, etc.), and future projections to 2033. Learn about market trends, restraints, and regional breakdowns. Invest wisely in this growing sector.

188 Global import shipment records of Crude Glycerine with prices, volume & current Buyer's suppliers relationships based on actual Global export trade database.

The Vietnamese crude glycerol market rose slightly to $20M in 2024, picking up by 2.8% against the previous year. The market value increased at an average annual rate of +1.8% over the period from 2012 to 2024; the trend pattern indicated some noticeable fluctuations being recorded in certain years. Crude glycerol consumption peaked at $24M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption remained at a lower figure.

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Glycerol Monolaurate in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East Africa).

In 2024, the Malaysian crude glycerol market decreased by -5.6% to $18M, falling for the second year in a row after two years of growth. Overall, consumption showed a mild downturn. Over the period under review, the market hit record highs at $25M in 2022; however, from 2023 to 2024, consumption stood at a somewhat lower figure.