Humectants Global Market Report 2026

Humectants are organic molecules characterized by their hygroscopic nature and alkyd capping units on either end, such as polyethylene or propylene glycol. They serve the purpose of attracting and binding water molecules to the added ingredients.

The primary types of humectant products include sugar alcohol, alpha hydroxy acid, glycols, and others. Sugar alcohol is a type of carbohydrate commonly found in certain fruits and vegetables but can also be produced commercially through the hydrogenation of sugar. These humectants are derived from various sources, both synthetic and natural, and find applications in food and beverages, oral and personal care products, pharmaceuticals, animal feed, paint and coating, pesticides, and other industries.

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 affecting the humectants market by increasing costs of imported glycols, sugar alcohols, fermentation-based ingredients, and chemical intermediates. Manufacturers in North America and Europe are particularly impacted due to dependence on imported raw materials, while Asia-Pacific faces pricing pressure on exports. These tariffs are raising formulation costs and impacting margins. At the same time, they are encouraging local sourcing, development of bio-based humectants, and regional production capacity expansion.

The humectants market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides humectants market statistics, including humectants industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a humectants market share, detailed humectants market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the humectants industry. This humectants 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 humectants market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $32.3 billion in 2025 to $34.97 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to growth of personal care and cosmetic industries, rising demand for processed foods, expansion of pharmaceutical manufacturing, increased use in animal nutrition, availability of synthetic humectant production technologies.

The humectants market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $48.68 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 8.6%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to increasing demand for clean-label ingredients, rising adoption in premium skincare products, expansion of functional food formulations, growing pharmaceutical consumption, increasing focus on sustainable ingredient sourcing. Major trends in the forecast period include increasing use of natural and bio-based humectants, rising demand in personal care formulations, growing application in pharmaceutical products, expansion of humectants in food preservation, enhanced focus on moisture retention performance.

Rising demand from the food and beverage industry is expected to drive the growth of the humectants market in the coming years. The food and beverage sector includes businesses involved in the production, distribution, and sale of edible goods and beverages, spanning agriculture, manufacturing, restaurants, and cafes. Humectants are used in this industry to retain moisture, extend shelf life, and maintain product freshness. For example, in July 2025, the Government of Canada reported that exports of processed food and beverage products reached a record $59.8 billion in 2024, reflecting a 3.8% increase compared with 2023. Consequently, rising demand from the food and beverage industry is supporting the growth of the humectants market.

Key companies in the humectants market are developing advanced solutions such as bio-circular and circular propylene glycol products. Bio-circular propylene glycol solutions are derived from renewable resources or post-consumer waste, integrating biological and circular economy principles to reduce fossil fuel use. Circular propylene glycol solutions utilize recycled materials to minimize waste and promote sustainability by closing the production loop. For instance, in March 2024, Dow Jones Industrial Average, a US-based materials science company, launched Propylene Glycol CIR and Propylene Glycol REN, incorporating bio-circular and circular feedstocks. These products use a mass balance approach and are certified by International Sustainability and Carbon Certification Plus (ISCC), reflecting Dow's commitment to sustainable production. Propylene Glycol CIR includes Renuva recycled content, processing hard-to-recycle waste into feedstocks, while Propylene Glycol REN reduces fossil fuel dependency through Ecolibrium bio-circular technology.

In October 2025, Brenntag, a Germany-based chemical distributor, partnered with Givaudan to supply cosmetic actives and ingredients in Thailand. The collaboration aims to improve the availability and distribution of high-quality cosmetic ingredients, supporting growth in the personal care and beauty market in the region while fostering innovation in product formulation and development. Givaudan, based in Switzerland, is a manufacturer of flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic ingredients, specializing in innovative cosmetic actives and solutions for the global personal care industry.

Major companies operating in the humectants market are BASF, Dow, Evonik Industries, Lanxess, Cargill, ADM (Archer Daniels Midland), Corbion, Jungbunzlauer, DSM-Firmenich, Roquette, Ingredion, Tate And Lyle, Ashland, Lubrizol, Croda International, Kao Corporation, Clariant, Solvay, Arkema, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation

North America was the largest region in the humectants market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the global humectants market during the forecast period. The regions covered in the humectants market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa

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

The humectants market consists of sales of hyaluronic acid, glycerol, and aloe vera. 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.

Humectants 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 humectants 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 humectants ? 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 humectants 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 Product: Sugar Alcohol; Glycols; Other Products
• 2) By Source: Synthetic; Natural
• 3) By Application: Food And Beverages; Oral And Personal Care; Pharmaceuticals; Animal Feed; Other Application
• Subsegments:
• 1) By Sugar Alcohol: Glycerin; Sorbitol
• 2) By Glycols: Propylene Glycol; Ethylene Glycol
• 3) By Other Products: Urea; Honey
• Companies Mentioned: BASF; Dow; Evonik Industries; Lanxess; Cargill; ADM (Archer Daniels Midland); Corbion; Jungbunzlauer; DSM-Firmenich; Roquette; Ingredion; Tate And Lyle; Ashland; Lubrizol; Croda International; Kao Corporation; Clariant; Solvay; Arkema; Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
• 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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