Glycol Global Market Report 2026

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.

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 impacting the glycol market by increasing costs of imported ethylene feedstocks, processing equipment, storage tanks, and transportation infrastructure. Automotive and packaging manufacturers in North America and Europe are most affected due to reliance on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces margin pressure on export-oriented glycol production. These tariffs are raising production costs and influencing pricing strategies. However, they are also encouraging regional capacity expansion, alternative feedstock sourcing, and investment in bio-based glycol production.

The glycol market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company 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 size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $44.93 billion in 2025 to $48.37 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.7%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to expansion of automotive production volumes, growth of polyester fiber manufacturing, increasing demand for refrigeration systems, rising use of glycols in chemical intermediates, availability of large-scale petrochemical production.

The glycol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $65.28 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.8%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing electric vehicle thermal management needs, rising demand for sustainable packaging materials, expansion of bio-based chemical manufacturing, growing use in data center cooling systems, increasing focus on energy-efficient heat transfer fluids. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for automotive antifreeze and coolants, rising use in pet packaging and polyester fibers, growing adoption of bio-based glycols, expansion of industrial heat transfer applications, enhanced focus on high-purity glycol grades.

The growing automotive industry is expected to drive the growth of the glycol market in the coming years. The automotive industry encompasses the development, production, marketing, and sale of motor vehicles, including automobiles, trucks, motorcycles, and other vehicles. Glycol is widely used in engine coolants and antifreeze formulations, helping regulate engine temperature by preventing overheating in warm conditions and freezing in cold conditions. For example, in March 2024, the European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, a Belgium-based industry group, reported that the EU car market grew by 13.9% in 2023 compared to 2022, reaching 10.5 million units. As a result, the expansion of the automotive industry is supporting the growth of the glycol market.

Key players in the glycol market are forming strategic partnerships to utilize PET glycol (PETG) resin, accelerating the adoption of renewable materials in plastic applications. Strategic partnerships involve companies leveraging each other's resources and expertise to achieve mutual benefits. For instance, in June 2023, UPM Biochemicals GmbH, a Germany-based chemical company, partnered with Selenis NA, a US-based plastics resin manufacturer, to produce sustainable PETG (polyethylene terephthalate glycol) using forest-sourced materials from Germany for plastic packaging applications, aiming to reduce carbon emissions.

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 are BASF, Dow, SABIC, Shell Chemicals, ExxonMobil Chemical, Sinopec, LG Chem, LyondellBasell, Formosa Plastics, INEOS, Reliance Industries, Mitsubishi Chemical Group, Sumitomo Chemical, Eastman Chemical, Huntsman, Lanxess, Arkema, Wanhua Chemical, Celanese, Chevron Phillips Chemical

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the glycol market in 2025, and is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the glycol market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, 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, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

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.

Glycol 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 glycol 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 glycol ? 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 glycol 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 Type: Ethylene Glycol; Propylene Glycol
• 2) By Application: Antifreeze And Coolants; Polyester Fiber Production; PET Bottles And Packaging; Solvents And Humectants; Dehydrating Agent; Chemical Intermediates
• 3) By End User: Automotive And Transportation; Packaging; Textile; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Ethylene Glycol: Monoethylene Glycol (MEG); Diethylene Glycol (DEG); Triethylene Glycol (TEG)
• 2) By Propylene Glycol: Industrial Grade Propylene Glycol; Food Grade Propylene Glycol; Pharmaceutical Grade Propylene Glycol
• Companies Mentioned: BASF; Dow; SABIC; Shell Chemicals; ExxonMobil Chemical; Sinopec; LG Chem; LyondellBasell; Formosa Plastics; INEOS; Reliance Industries; Mitsubishi Chemical Group; Sumitomo Chemical; Eastman Chemical; Huntsman; Lanxess; Arkema; Wanhua Chemical; Celanese; Chevron Phillips Chemical
• 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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