Global Food-grade Glycerin Market Overview
The Food-grade Glycerin Market Size was estimated at 1.82 (USD Billion) in 2022. The Food-grade Glycerin Industry is expected to grow from 1.9(USD Billion) in 2023 to 2.89 (USD Billion) by 2032. The Food-grade Glycerin Market CAGR (growth rate) is expected to be around 4.75% during the forecast period (2024 - 2032).
Key Food-grade Glycerin Market Trends Highlighted
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is driven by three main factors, which are discussed below. First, because of the growing inclination towards natural and organic personal care products, food-grade glycerin has found new applications as a humectant and emollient in skin and cosmetic products. Moreover, increasing awareness among the population about the harmful nature of artificial chemicals has fueled the trend of using and developing more biodegradable alternatives, increasing the use of food-grade glycerin. Furthermore, food-grade glycerin is also attracting new customers from the pharma and nutraceutical end-user industries due to increasing application in drug delivery and dietary products respectively.
The leading market players are engineering new applications of food-grade glycerin to make it catering more needs than the traditional ones. This involves utilizing it as sweeteners, thickeners and stabilizers for food and drinks and for industrial purposes such as paper and printing ink production.
Recent trends in the food-grade glycerin market include the growing popularity of plant-sourced palm-based glycerin attributed to the environmental concerns associated with animal-derived glycerin. Further, the increasing need for high-purity glycerin in pharmacies via purging technology advancements and nutraceuticals are also key driver trends. Such trends are transforming the competitive environment, resulting in room for creativity and expansion.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Food-grade Glycerin Market Drivers
Rising Demand for Natural and Organic Food Products
The modern customer wants more and more to consume natural and organic food products as they consider them healthier and more sustainable. This tendency is boosting the demand for food-grade glycerin as it is characterized as a natural and non-toxic ingredient that can be used to produce numerous food products. In particular, food-grade glycerin is known as an excellent humectant, sweetener, and thickener for a variety of food products, as well as a crucial ingredient in the production of baked goods, beverages, and confectionery.Thus, as the interest of customers in natural and organic food products is only increasing, the demand for food-grade glycerin will continue to grow.
Growth of the Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the major consumers of food-grade glycerin. Glycerin is used as a solvent, humectant, and plasticizer in a number of pharmaceutical products, such as oral and topical drugs and suppositories. The rising growth of the pharmaceutical industry is expected to be one of the major drivers of the food-grade glycerin market. In 2023, the global pharmaceutical market was estimated to be USD 1.27 trillion and is expected to register a CAGR rate of 5.3% from 2024 to 2030.The driving factors of the growth include rising chronic diseases, demand for biopharmaceuticals and increased healthcare facilities in emerging countries.
Increasing Use of Glycerin in Personal Care Products
Glycerin is also used in a wide range of personal care products, including soaps, lotions, and cosmetics. It is a humectant, which means that it helps to keep skin hydrated. It is also a good solvent and emollient, which makes it an ideal ingredient in many personal care products. As such, the increased use of glycerin in these applications is likely to be a major driver of the food-grade glycerin market for years to come.
Food-grade Glycerin Market Segment Insights
Food-grade Glycerin Market Application Insights
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is classified by four major application types, specifically, food and beverage, personal care and cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial. The food and beverage segment dominated the market in 2023 and was the largest application area, with over 40% of revenue worldwide. It is caused by a wide range of uses of glycerin in this segment, as it is used in food and beverages as a sweetener, a humectant, and a solvent. The personal care and cosmetics segment is expected to demonstrate high application growth.The main factor contributing to this trend is the growing usage of glycerin in skin and hair care products. As has already been mentioned, such properties of glycerin as moisturizing and emollient effects are beneficial for skin and hair care products, such as soaps, bathing gels, lotions, creams, and shampoos. Also, the pharmaceutical segment should exhibit a high growth of application. First of all, this trend is caused by the rising utilization of this product as a base for drugs and as a carrier substance for active pharmaceutical ingredients.In the industrial segment, glycerin is used in the production of paints, coatings and adhesives. The main factor contributing to its higher growth over the hazed period is the high global industrialization and urbanization levels.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Food-grade Glycerin Market Type Insights
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is segmented by Type into Pure Glycerin, Dimers and Trimers, and High-Purity Glycerin. Pure Glycerin accounted for the largest share of the market in 2023 and is expected to continue to dominate the market throughout the forecast period. The increasing demand for natural and organic food products is driving the growth of the Pure Glycerin segment. Dimers and Trimers is the second largest segment of the market and is expected to grow at a steady pace over the forecast period. The growing demand for functional food and beverage products is driving the growth of the Dimers and Trimers segment.High-purity glycerin is the smallest segment of the market and is expected to grow at a moderate pace over the forecast period. The growing demand for high-quality food and beverage products is driving the growth of the High-Purity Glycerin segment.
Food-grade Glycerin Market Source Insights
The source segment plays a crucial role in the Food-grade Glycerin Market. Animal fats and oils, as well as vegetable fats and oils, are the two primary sources of food-grade glycerin. Animal fats and oils held a dominant share of the market in 2023, valued at around 1.24 billion USD. However, vegetable fats and oils are projected to exhibit a higher growth rate during the forecast period, owing to increasing consumer preference for plant-based products and growing awareness of the environmental impact of animal-derived ingredients. By 2032, the vegetable fats and oils segment is expected to reach a valuation of approximately 1.12 billion USD.The market growth for both segments is driven by rising demand for food-grade glycerin in various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care.
Food-grade Glycerin Market Packaging Insights
The packaging segment plays a pivotal role in the Food-grade Glycerin Market, shaping the overall market dynamics. Within this segment, 'Drums', 'Totes', and 'Bulk Containers' hold significant market shares. Drums, widely used for storing and transporting food-grade glycerin, offer durability and cost-effectiveness. Totes, intermediate bulk containers, provide flexibility and efficiency in handling larger volumes. Bulk Containers, designed for storing and dispensing large quantities of glycerin, optimize space utilization and streamline operations.The Food-grade Glycerin Market revenue for the Packaging segment is anticipated to reach USD 1.24 billion by 2024, exhibiting steady growth driven by increasing demand for packaged food products and the expansion of the food and beverage industry.
Food-grade Glycerin Market End User Insights
The end-user segment plays a pivotal role in driving the Food-grade Glycerin Market with diverse applications across a wide range of industries. Food and beverage manufacturers utilize food-grade glycerin as a humectant, sweetener, and solvent, contributing to its substantial share in the market. The cosmetics industry also holds a significant portion, leveraging glycerin's moisturizing and emollient properties in skincare, hair care, and makeup products. Pharmaceutical companies employ glycerin in the production of syrups, elixirs, and suppositories due to its non-toxic and hypoallergenic nature.Industrial users represent another key segment, utilizing glycerin in the manufacturing of paints, adhesives, and textiles, among other applications. The versatility and functionality of food-grade glycerin across these end-user segments are expected to drive its market growth in the coming years.
Food-grade Glycerin Market Regional Insights
The regional segmentation of the Food-grade Glycerin Market offers valuable insights into market growth and key trends. North America holds a significant share of the market, driven by increasing demand from the food and beverage industry and growing awareness of the benefits of food-grade glycerin. Europe is another major market with a growing focus on natural and organic products. The APAC region is expected to witness substantial growth, fueled by rising disposable incomes and changing lifestyles. South America and MEA offer emerging opportunities, with expanding food processing industries and increasing demand for value-added products.
Source: Primary Research, Secondary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review
Food-grade Glycerin Market Key Players And Competitive Insights
Major players in the Food-grade Glycerin Market are constantly striving to gain a competitive edge through product innovation, strategic partnerships, and acquisitions. They invest heavily in research and development to expand their product portfolio and cater to the evolving needs of consumers. Leading Food-grade Glycerin Market players focus on developing sustainable and eco-friendly products to meet growing environmental concerns. Partnerships and collaborations with distributors and suppliers help companies optimize their supply chain and distribution networks, ensuring efficient product delivery. The Food-grade Glycerin Market is witnessing a trend toward consolidation, with larger companies acquiring smaller players to strengthen their market position.Cargill, Incorporated is a leading player in the Food-grade Glycerin Market, with a global presence and a diverse product portfolio. The company has a strong focus on sustainability and invests in renewable energy sources and waste reduction initiatives. Cargill's commitment to quality and innovation has earned it a reputation for providing reliable and high-performance products. The company's extensive distribution network ensures timely delivery to customers worldwide.Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM) is another prominent player in the Food-grade Glycerin Market. ADM is known for its extensive agricultural network and its commitment to sustainable farming practices. The company's Food-grade Glycerin business is supported by its global supply chain and state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. ADM focuses on providing customized solutions to meet the specific requirements of its customers in various industries.
Key Companies in the Food-grade Glycerin Market Include
- Merck KGaA
- Sasol
- Innospec
- Archer Daniels Midland
- ADM
- Evonik Industries
- Lonza
- Stepan Company
- Dow
- Procter Gamble
- Croda
- Wilmar International
- BASF NewparaCargill
- Yongan Group
Food-grade Glycerin Market Industry Developments
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is poised to reach USD 2.89 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.75% during the forecast period (2024-2032). Rising demand for natural and organic food products, coupled with increasing awareness about the health benefits of glycerin, is driving market growth. The pharmaceutical and personal care industries are major consumers of food-grade glycerin, utilizing it as a humectant, solvent, and emollient. Technological advancements and innovations in the production of glycerin from sustainable sources are expected to further contribute to market expansion. Key industry players are focusing on strategic partnerships, acquisitions, and capacity expansions to cater to the growing demand.
Food-grade Glycerin Market Segmentation Insights
- Food-grade Glycerin Market Application Outlook
- Food and Beverage
- Personal Care and Cosmetics
- Pharmaceuticals
- Industrial
- Food-grade Glycerin Market Type Outlook
- Pure Glycerin
- Dimers and Trimers
- High-Purity Glycerin
- Food-grade Glycerin Market Source Outlook
- Animal fats and oils
- Vegetable fats and oils
- Food-grade Glycerin Market Packaging Outlook
- Drums
- Totes
- Bulk Containers
- Food-grade Glycerin Market End User Outlook
- Food and beverage manufacturers
- Cosmetics manufacturers
- Pharmaceutical companies
- Industrial users
- Food-grade Glycerin Market Regional Outlook
- North America
- Europe
- South America
- Asia-Pacific
Middle East and
Report Attribute/Metric |
Details |
Market Size 2022 |
1.82(USD Billion) |
Market Size 2023 |
1.9(USD Billion) |
Market Size 2032 |
2.89(USD Billion) |
Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) |
4.75% (2024 - 2032) |
Report Coverage |
Revenue Forecast, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, and Trends |
Base Year |
2023 |
Market Forecast Period |
2024 - 2032 |
Historical Data |
2019 - 2022 |
Market Forecast Units |
USD Billion |
Key Companies Profiled |
Merck KGaA, Sasol, Innospec, Archer Daniels Midland, ADM, Evonik Industries, Lonza, Stepan Company, Dow, Procter Gamble, Croda, Wilmar International, BASF NewparaCargill, Yongan Group |
Segments Covered |
Application, Type, Source, Packaging, End User, Regional |
Key Market Opportunities |
Rising Demand from the Food and Beverage Industry Growing Health Consciousness Expansion of Biodiesel Production Technological Advancements in Glycerin Production Increasing Adoption in Personal Care and Pharmaceuticals |
Key Market Dynamics |
Growing demand expanding applications technological advancements regulatory changes the competitive environment |
Countries Covered |
North America, Europe, APAC, South America, MEA |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) :
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is expected to reach a value of USD 2.89 billion by 2032, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.75% during the forecast period (2024-2032).
North American region is expected to hold the largest market share, owing to the increasing demand from end-use industries such as food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, and personal care.
Food-grade Glycerin finds applications in various industries, including food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications such as solvents, lubricants, and adhesives.
Key players in the Food-grade Glycerin Market include Archer Daniels Midland Company, Cargill, Incorporated, Evonik Industries AG, Godrej Industries Limited, and Solvay.
The growth of the Food-grade Glycerin Market is attributed to factors such as the increasing demand from the food and beverage industry, the rising popularity of natural and organic products, and the growing awareness of the health benefits associated with glycerin.
The Food-grade Glycerin Market faces challenges such as the volatility in raw material prices, the availability of substitutes, and stringent regulatory requirements.
Emerging trends in the Food-grade Glycerin Market include the development of sustainable and eco-friendly production processes, the use of glycerin as a biofuel, and the growing demand for glycerin derivatives.
The Food-grade Glycerin Market is expected to witness steady growth over the forecast period, driven by the increasing demand from various end-use industries.
Key strategies adopted by players in the Food-grade Glycerin Market include capacity expansion, product innovation, and strategic partnerships.
Opportunities for new entrants in the Food-grade Glycerin Market lie in the growing demand for natural and organic products, the development of sustainable production processes, and the expansion into emerging markets.