Glycol Ethers Global Market Report 2026

Glycol ethers serve as solvents and stabilizers in a wide range of personal, household, and industrial products. This class of solvents encompasses colorless liquids characterized by a higher boiling point, a faint odor, and a lower molecular weight compared to other solvents. The presence of ether groups in glycol ethers introduces additional sites for hydrogen bonding, contributing to improved hydrophilic solubility performance.

The two main types of glycol ethers are e-series and p-series. P-series glycol ethers find common use in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints, and adhesives. They are applicable in various roles, such as solvents, anti-icing agents, hydraulic and brake fluid, and chemical intermediates. P-series glycol ethers are employed across diverse industries, including paints and coatings, printing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and personal care, adhesives, and other end-user applications.

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 glycol ethers market by increasing costs of imported petrochemical feedstocks, refining equipment, and specialty chemical intermediates. Asia-Pacific is most affected due to its role as a major production hub, while North America and Europe face higher costs for downstream formulations. These tariffs are raising raw material prices and squeezing margins. However, they are also supporting domestic production, diversification of feedstock sourcing, and innovation in bio-based glycol ether alternatives.

The glycol ethers market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides glycol ethers market statistics, including glycol ethers industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a glycol ethers market share, detailed glycol ethers market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the glycol ethers industry. This glycol ethers 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 ethers market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $8.42 billion in 2025 to $9.22 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of paints and coatings industry, expansion of printing and packaging sectors, increasing use in pharmaceutical formulations, availability of petrochemical feedstocks, rising industrial solvent demand.

The glycol ethers market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $13 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 9.0%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing regulations on solvent emissions, increasing adoption of green solvents, expansion of electronics manufacturing, rising demand for high-performance coatings, growing use in specialty chemical formulations. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing demand for low-voc solvents, growing adoption in electronics and coatings, expansion of propylene-based glycol ethers, rising use in environmentally safer formulations, enhanced performance in industrial applications.

The growing automobile industry is expected to drive the growth of the glycol ether market in the coming years. Glycol ethers are extensively used in various automotive applications, including paints, coatings, cleaning products, brake fluids, and adhesives. Moreover, the automotive sector's focus on meeting environmental standards and regulations further boosts the adoption of glycol ethers due to their eco-friendly properties, making them a preferred choice in the industry. For example, in January 2024, according to a report by Kelley Blue Book, a US-based Cox Automotive company, in 2023, a record 1.2 million car buyers in the United States chose electric vehicles, representing 7.6% of the total U.S. vehicle market, up from 5.9% in 2022. Therefore, the expanding automobile industry is contributing to the growth of the glycol ether market.

Key players in the glycol ether market are developing innovative products, such as sustainable glycol ethers, to support environmental objectives, reduce carbon footprints, and promote circular economy practices across industries. Sustainable glycol ethers are chemical products designed with low or zero product carbon footprint, bio-based content, chemically recycled raw materials, or production using green energy. For instance, in July 2024, BASF, a Germany-based chemical company, announced that its extensive portfolio of Acrylics, Alcohols, Glycol Ethers, and Acetates is now available with various sustainability attributes following ISCC+ certification across its major global production sites. The portfolio includes products with low or zero product carbon footprint, bio-based content, chemically recycled raw materials, and those produced using green power. These sustainable glycol ethers are expected to help customers achieve environmental targets, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and promote circular economy practices across multiple industrial applications.

In March 2024, Univar Solutions LLC, a US-based chemical company, acquired Valley Solvents & Chemicals Company and certain affiliates for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition has strengthened Univar Solutions' chemical distribution network and custom blending capabilities in the Texas, Gulf Coast, and northern Mexico regions, while enhancing its waste management and environmental services. Valley Solvents is a US-based manufacturer specializing in solvents and inorganics and providing waste management services.

Major companies operating in the glycol ethers market are Dow Chemical Company, HanNong Chemicals Inc., BASF SE, INEOS Group Ltd., India Glycols Limited, Solvay SA, Shell plc, Jiangsu Yida Chemical Co. Ltd., China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation, Huntsman International LLC, Nippon Nyukazai Co. Ltd., Oxiteno LLC, KH Neochem Co. Ltd., Sasol Limited, Eastman Chemical Company, LyondellBasell Industries, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, CCP Industries, Celanese Corporation, Reliance Industries Limited, Emerald Performance Materials LLC, FBC Chemical Corp, Guangdong Runhua Chemicals Co. Ltd., IGL Coatings, NOF Corporation, PetroChina Company Limited, PCC Rokita SA, UBE Industries Ltd., Wujiang Dongang Chemical Co. Ltd.

North America was the largest region in the glycol ether market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the glycol ethers 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 ethers market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain

The glycol ether market consists of sales of butyl glycol and butyl di glycol. 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 Ethers 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 ethers 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 ethers ? 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 ethers 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: E-Series; P-Series
• 2) By Application: Solvent; Anti-icing; Hydraulic and Brake Fluid; Chemical Intermediates
• 3) By End User: Paints and Coatings; Printing; Pharmaceuticals; Cosmetics and Personal Care; Adhesives; Other End-Users
• Subsegments:
• 1) By E-Series: Ethylene Glycol Ether Acetates; Ethylene Glycol Ethers
• 2) By P-Series: Propylene Glycol Ether Acetates; Propylene Glycol Ethers
• Companies Mentioned: Dow Chemical Company; HanNong Chemicals Inc.; BASF SE; INEOS Group Ltd.; India Glycols Limited; Solvay SA; Shell plc; Jiangsu Yida Chemical Co. Ltd.; China Petroleum & Chemical Corporation; Huntsman International LLC; Nippon Nyukazai Co. Ltd.; Oxiteno LLC; KH Neochem Co. Ltd.; Sasol Limited; Eastman Chemical Company; LyondellBasell Industries; Saudi Basic Industries Corporation; CCP Industries; Celanese Corporation; Reliance Industries Limited; Emerald Performance Materials LLC; FBC Chemical Corp; Guangdong Runhua Chemicals Co. Ltd.; IGL Coatings; NOF Corporation; PetroChina Company Limited; PCC Rokita SA; UBE Industries Ltd.; Wujiang Dongang Chemical Co. Ltd.
• 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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