Rising Market Value and Expanding Industrial Demand

The refined glycerine market is witnessing a remarkable surge in 2025, underpinned by robust industrial demand and a steady increase in production capacity. The global market, valued at USD 3.15 billion in 2022, is projected to climb to USD 5.40 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 7.5% between 2024 and 2030. On the supply side, volumes are expected to rise from 4.78 million tons in 2025 to nearly 5.95 million tons by 2030, reflecting the resilience of consumption across diverse sectors.

The versatility of glycerine continues to fuel demand. Personal care applications accounted for about 32% of the market share in 2024, a trend driven by consumer interest in hydration and clean-label beauty products. Pharmaceuticals are seeing rising uptake of high-purity USP/EP grades, essential for sensitive formulations that require over 99.5% purity and strict traceability. Food producers maintain steady use of glycerine as a humectant and anti-crystallization agent, while cosmetics leverage its soothing and moisturizing benefits. Industrial users, ranging from adhesives to bio-based intermediates, further diversify demand.

“Palm-based oleochemicals remain the cornerstone of this growth story,” as highlighted by Tradeasia International, a long-standing supplier in the palm and glycerine value chain. Their role in ensuring global supply reliability underscores how trade and R&D align to meet rising consumer and industrial expectations.

The Role of Biodiesel and Innovations in Refining

The biodiesel sector exerts significant influence on refined glycerine availability, contributing nearly 60% of global glycerine feedstock in 2024 through crude glycerine by-products. Expanding renewable diesel policies in the US and Europe will further increase crude glycerine flows, helping stabilize supply but also injecting pricing volatility. To address these challenges, biodiesel producers are increasingly integrating refining capabilities, transforming crude glycerine into higher-value refined grades to ensure resilience in their operations.

At the same time, R&D is redefining the competitive edge of the refined glycerine market. Advanced techniques such as membrane filtration, ion exchange, and vacuum distillation are now widely adopted to achieve ultra-pure USP/EP grade glycerine with consistent quality. Beyond purity, the industry is placing emphasis on sustainability—upcycling crude glycerine derived from diverse feedstocks like soybean and waste cooking oil into market-ready refined grades. This shift not only reduces waste but also opens opportunities for specialized certifications such as halal and vegan glycerine, responding to growing niche demands.

By 2030, the refined glycerine market’s trajectory will remain firmly upward, fueled by stronger consumer markets, the structural growth of biodiesel, and breakthrough R&D strategies. With supply chains becoming more sophisticated and sustainable, refined glycerine is set to strengthen its position as a vital raw material in global industries.

 

Sources:

  1. Oleochemicals Asia - https://www.oleochemicalsasia.com/

  2. Mordor Intelligence, Glycerin Market Size, Growth & Outlook, Trends Report 2030 - https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/glycerin-market

  3. LinkedIn article on Refined Glycerine Market 2025 - https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/refined-glycerine-market-size-share-opportunities-npa4f