Ethyl Lactate Global Market Report 2026

Ethyl lactate is a natural and organic compound produced through the fermentation of lactic acid and ethanol. It is a colorless liquid with a mild, sweet, and fruity taste. One of its primary uses is as a solvent for cellulose acetate, cellulose ethers, and nitrocellulose.

The main grades of ethyl lactate include food grade, medical grade, industrial grade, and others. Food-grade ethyl lactate, specifically, is utilized as a food additive in the food and beverage industry. This versatile compound finds applications in various industries and is used in adhesives, cleaners, inks, solvents, food additives, fragrances, and more. End users across different sectors, including food and beverages, electronics, paints and coatings, packaging and printing ink, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, industrial cleaning, and agrochemicals, incorporate ethyl lactate in their processes and products.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs are influencing the ethyl lactate market by increasing costs of imported fermentation equipment, purification systems, and specialty packaging materials. Producers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported processing infrastructure, while Asia-Pacific faces cost pressure on export-oriented solvent production. These tariffs are increasing production costs and limiting price competitiveness in industrial applications. However, they are also supporting domestic bio-based chemical manufacturing and encouraging investments in local fermentation capacity.

The ethyl lactate market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides ethyl lactate market statistics, including ethyl lactate industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a ethyl lactate market share, detailed ethyl lactate market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the ethyl lactate industry. This ethyl lactate 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 ethyl lactate market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.69 billion in 2025 to $2.93 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.8%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of fermentation-based chemical production, growth of pharmaceutical manufacturing, rising demand for eco-friendly solvents, increasing use in inks and coatings, availability of bio-ethanol feedstock.

The ethyl lactate market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $4.22 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing regulations on conventional solvents, rising demand for sustainable chemicals, expansion of bio-based solvent applications, growing adoption in electronics cleaning, increasing investments in green chemistry. Major trends in the forecast period include rising adoption of bio-based solvents, growing use in pharmaceutical and food applications, increased demand from green cleaning products, expansion of low-voc coatings and inks, enhanced focus on biodegradable solvents.

The rise in the food and beverage industry is expected to boost the growth of the ethyl lactate market going forward. The food and beverage industry encompasses the production, distribution, and consumption of food and beverages. Ethyl lactate, a natural organic compound produced by fermenting lactic acid and ethanol, is used as a flavor enhancer and solvent. It has a mild, sweet, and fruity taste and is commonly applied in confectionery, baked goods, dairy products, and in flavor and fragrance formulations. For instance, in October 2024, according to Statistics Sweden, a Sweden-based government agency, total food and beverage sales in 2023 reached $36.2 billion (SEK 384 billion), representing an increase of approximately $2.64 billion (SEK 28 billion), or 7.9% compared with 2022. Therefore, the growth of the food and beverage industry is driving the ethyl lactate market.

The expansion of the cosmetic and personal care industries is also expected to propel the ethyl lactate market. The cosmetic and personal care sector includes businesses producing skincare, hair care, makeup, fragrances, toiletries, and personal hygiene products aimed at enhancing appearance and preserving health. Ethyl lactate is used as a solvent in formulations for skincare, hair care, and perfumes due to its excellent solvency properties. For instance, in August 2023, Circana, Inc., a US-based media company, reported that US sales of prestige beauty products reached $14 billion in the first half of 2023, a 15% increase over the same period in 2022, while the mass beauty market generated $28 billion with 9% growth. Therefore, the expansion of the cosmetic and personal care industries is driving the ethyl lactate market.

Major companies in the ethyl lactate market are focusing on facility expansions to meet rising demand for sustainable biochemical production and improve logistics in healthcare and industrial sectors. Facility expansion enhances manufacturing capacity, supply chain efficiency, and delivery speed compared with limited existing infrastructure. For instance, in December 2023, Corbion, a Netherlands-based biochemicals company, opened a circular lactic acid plant in Thailand. The commissioning phase, involving functional testing of equipment and systems, highlights Corbion's commitment to addressing customer and shareholder needs while promoting sustainability.

Major companies operating in the ethyl lactate market are Corbion NV, Galactic, Vertec BioSolvents Inc, Godavari Biorefineries Ltd, Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co Ltd, Yancheng Hongtai Bioengineering, Haijianuo Bioengineer, Aurochemicals, TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd., The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company, Zhengzhou Tianrun Lactic Acid Co Ltd, Jindan Lactic Acid, Merck Group, Stepan Company, Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik, Corbion NV, Tate & Lyle, Vertec BioSolvents, Musashino Chemical Laboratory, Huade Biological Engineering, Jindan Lactic Acid Technology, Chem-Impex International

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the ethyl lactate market in 2025. The regions covered in the ethyl lactate market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

The countries covered in the ethyl lactate market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The ethyl lactate market consists of sales of cosmetic grade ethyl lactate, and food grade ethyl lactate that used as a solvent. 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.

Ethyl Lactate Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.

This report focuses ethyl lactate 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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Where is the largest and fastest growing market for ethyl lactate ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The ethyl lactate market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.

The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, 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. This section also examines key products and services offered in the market, evaluates brand-level differentiation, compares product features, and highlights major innovation and product development trends.
• The supply chain analysis section provides an overview of the entire value chain, including key raw materials, resources, and supplier analysis. It also provides a list competitor at each level of the supply chain.
• The updated trends and strategies section analyses the shape of the market as it evolves and highlights emerging technology trends such as digital transformation, automation, sustainability initiatives, and AI-driven innovation. It suggests how companies can leverage these advancements to strengthen their market position and achieve competitive differentiation.
• The regulatory and investment landscape section provides an overview of the key regulatory frameworks, regularity bodies, associations, and government policies influencing the market. It also examines major investment flows, incentives, and funding trends shaping industry growth and innovation.
• 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 technological advancements such as AI and automation, Russia-Ukraine war, trade tariffs (government-imposed import/export duties), elevated inflation and interest rates.
• The total addressable market (TAM) analysis section defines and estimates the market potential compares it with the current market size, and provides strategic insights and growth opportunities based on this evaluation.
• The market attractiveness scoring section evaluates the market based on a quantitative scoring framework that considers growth potential, competitive dynamics, strategic fit, and risk profile. It also provides interpretive insights and strategic implications for decision-makers.
• 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.
• Expanded geographical coverage includes Taiwan and Southeast Asia, reflecting recent supply chain realignments and manufacturing shifts in the region. This section analyzes how these markets are becoming increasingly important hubs in the global value chain.
• 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 company scoring matrix section evaluates and ranks leading companies based on a multi-parameter framework that includes market share or revenues, product innovation, and brand recognition.

Scope

• Markets Covered:1) By Grade: Food Grade; Medical Grade; Industrial Grade; Other Grades
• 2) By Application: Adhesives; Cleaners; Inks; Solvents; Food Additives; Fragrances; Other Applications
• 3) By End User: Food And Beverages; Electronics; Paints And Coatings; Packaging And Printing ink; Pharmaceuticals; Cosmetics And Personal Care; Industrial Cleaning; Agrochemicals
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Food Grade: Natural Ethyl Lactate; Synthetic Ethyl Lactate
• 2) By Medical Grade: Pharmaceutical-Grade Ethyl Lactate; Biocompatible Ethyl Lactate
• 3) By Industrial Grade: Solvent Grade; Chemical Intermediate Grade
• 4) By Other Grades: Cosmetic Grade; Specialty Grade
• Companies Mentioned: Corbion NV; Galactic; Vertec BioSolvents Inc; Godavari Biorefineries Ltd; Henan Jindan Lactic Acid Technology Co Ltd; Yancheng Hongtai Bioengineering; Haijianuo Bioengineer; Aurochemicals; TCI Chemicals (India) Pvt. Ltd.; The Archer-Daniels-Midland Company; Zhengzhou Tianrun Lactic Acid Co Ltd; Jindan Lactic Acid; Merck Group; Stepan Company; Badische Anilin- und Sodafabrik; Corbion NV; Tate & Lyle; Vertec BioSolvents; Musashino Chemical Laboratory; Huade Biological Engineering; Jindan Lactic Acid Technology; Chem-Impex International
• Countries: Australia; Brazil; China; France; Germany; India; Indonesia; Japan; Taiwan; Russia; South Korea; UK; USA; Canada; Italy; Spain
• Regions: Asia-Pacific; South East Asia; 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 Segmentations: 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.
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