Global Food Glycerine Market Research Report (2025–2036)
Market Overview
Western Market Research predicts that the Global Food Glycerine Market was valued at approximately USD 1.45 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach a valuation of USD 2.64 Billion by the year 2036, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.6% during the forecast period.
Food-grade glycerine (E422), a colorless, odorless, and sweet-tasting viscous liquid, is a critical additive in the modern food system. Its role as a humectant, solvent, and sweetener makes it indispensable in maintaining the shelf-life and texture of processed foods. The market is currently driven by the exponential growth of the plant-based food sector and the rising demand for low-sugar, high-moisture bakery products and beverages.
Impact of COVID-19 & Post-Pandemic Landscape
The COVID-19 pandemic caused significant supply chain volatility in 2020 due to its link to the biodiesel and soap industries. However, the surge in "pantry loading" of processed snacks and the focus on hygiene (glycerine as a byproduct of soap/sanitizer production) eventually stabilized the market. Post-pandemic, the market has benefited from the "Clean Label" movement, where consumers prefer vegetable-derived glycerine over synthetic chemical alternatives, leading to a permanent shift in sourcing strategies.
Market Segmentation
By Source (Origin):
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Vegetable-Derived: (Palm, Soybean, Rapeseed, Coconut) – Dominant segment due to vegan/clean-label trends.
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Animal-Derived: (Tallow/Lard-based) – Decreasing share.
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Synthetic: (Propylene-based) – Limited use in high-end food applications.
By Type (Refining Grade):
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Food Grade (99.7% Purity): Standard for use as a humectant and sweetener.
-
Beverage Grade: Specialized for viscosity control and solvent use in extracts/flavors.
-
USP/BP Grade: Highly refined for nutraceuticals and medical foods.
By Function:
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Humectant: Retaining moisture in baked goods and pet foods.
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Sweetener: Used as a sugar-substitute in low-glycemic products.
-
Solvent: For food colorings and flavor extracts.
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Preservative: Inhibiting microbial growth in high-moisture snacks.
-
Thickener/Stabilizer: Improving mouthfeel in beverages and dairy products.
By Application:
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Bakery & Confectionery: Fondants, cakes, and energy bars.
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Beverages: Juices, spirits, and carbonated drinks.
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Meat & Poultry: Preservation and texture improvement in processed meats.
-
Dairy & Frozen Foods: Preventing ice crystallization in ice creams.
-
Plant-Based Alternatives: Improving the juiciness of meat analogues.
Top Key Players
The market is dominated by global oleochemical leaders and agricultural giants:
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P&G Chemicals (US)
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Cargill, Incorporated (US)
-
Wilmar International Ltd (Singapore)
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KLK OLEO (Malaysia)
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IOI Oleochemicals (Malaysia)
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Oleon (Avril Group) (Belgium)
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Musim Mas (Singapore)
-
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) (US)
-
Emery Oleochemicals (US/Malaysia)
-
Godrej Industries (India)
-
Louis Dreyfus Company (Netherlands)
-
Pacific Oleochemicals (Malaysia)
-
Vantage Oleochemicals (US)
-
PT SOCI MAS (Indonesia)
-
Cremer Oleo GmbH (Germany)
Regional Analysis
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Asia-Pacific: Holds the largest market share (~45%). As the global hub for palm and coconut oil production (Malaysia/Indonesia), APAC is both a major producer and consumer, driven by a massive food processing industry in China and India.
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North America: The second-largest market. High demand for processed, convenience foods and "Keto-friendly" sweeteners fuels growth.
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Europe: The leader in Sustainability. Stringent regulations regarding RSPO-certified palm oil and non-GMO vegetable sources make this a high-value market.
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LAMEA: Growing urban populations in Brazil and the GCC countries are increasing the demand for shelf-stable snack foods.
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Threat of New Entrants (Low to Moderate): High capital requirement for refining plants and strict FDA/EFSA compliance acts as a barrier.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers (High): Glycerine is often viewed as a commodity; large food manufacturers (Nestlé, PepsiCo) can switch suppliers based on price and sustainability certifications.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers (Moderate to High): Since glycerine is a byproduct of biodiesel and soap, supply is tied to those industries' health rather than food demand itself.
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Threat of Substitutes (Moderate): Sorbitol and Xylitol are substitutes for sweetening, but few match glycerine's humectant properties.
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Intensity of Rivalry (Very High): Global giants compete fiercely on logistics, purity levels, and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) scores.
SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Multi-functional properties (sweetener + humectant); natural/plant-based origin; non-toxic.
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Weaknesses: Price volatility linked to biodiesel mandates; dependency on palm oil prices.
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Opportunities: Growth of the Plant-Based Meat market; rising demand for Natural Preservatives; expansion of the "sugar-free" beverage sector.
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Threats: Environmental regulations regarding palm oil deforestation; shifts in global biodiesel policies impacting byproduct supply.
Trend Analysis
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Sustainable Sourcing: Increasing demand for RSPO-certified and "Forest-Positive" vegetable glycerine.
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Soy-Free/GMO-Free: Rising preference for rapeseed or coconut-derived glycerine to avoid soy allergens and GMO concerns.
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Upcycling: Brands are marketing glycerine as an "upcycled" ingredient from the biodiesel process to appeal to eco-conscious consumers.
Drivers & Challenges
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Drivers:
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Exponential growth of the "Ready-to-Eat" (RTE) snack market.
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Sugar reduction initiatives across the global beverage industry.
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Advancements in food preservation technology without synthetic chemicals.
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Challenges:
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Fluctuating feedstock prices (Vegetable oil prices).
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Consumer perception issues regarding palm oil and sustainability.
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Value Chain Analysis
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Feedstock Sourcing: Collection of vegetable oils (Palm, Soy, Rapeseed).
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Primary Processing: Transesterification (Biodiesel) or Saponification (Soap).
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Refining: Multi-stage distillation and bleaching to reach 99.7% purity (Food Grade).
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Distribution: Bulk shipment to food manufacturers and flavor houses.
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End-Use: Incorporation into bakery, beverage, or meat products.
Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Manufacturers: Invest in non-palm source diversification (e.g., Rapeseed or Sunflower). The European market is increasingly sensitive to palm-oil-related ESG risks.
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For Investors: Target companies with integrated supply chains (those who control the crushing and refining process) to mitigate raw material price volatility.
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For Food Processors: Position glycerine as a "natural humectant" on labels to capitalize on the clean-label trend.
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For R&D Teams: Focus on improving the solubility of glycerine-based flavor extracts for the Functional Beverage market, which is seeing high demand for clear, low-calorie drinks.
1. Market Overview of Food Glycerine
1.1 Food Glycerine Market Overview
1.1.1 Food Glycerine Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 Food Glycerine Market Size by Regions:
1.3 Food Glycerine Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 Food Glycerine Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact Food Glycerine Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global Food Glycerine Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global Food Glycerine Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Food Grade
2.4 Beverages Grade
2.5 Other
3. Covid-19 Impact Food Glycerine Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global Food Glycerine Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global Food Glycerine Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Juice
3.4 Wine
3.5 Meat Product
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global Food Glycerine Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global Food Glycerine Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global Food Glycerine Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in Food Glycerine Business
5.1 P&G Chemicals(US)
5.1.1 P&G Chemicals(US) Company Profile
5.1.2 P&G Chemicals(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.1.3 P&G Chemicals(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Oleon(BE)
5.2.1 Oleon(BE) Company Profile
5.2.2 Oleon(BE) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.2.3 Oleon(BE) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 KLK OLEO(MY)
5.3.1 KLK OLEO(MY) Company Profile
5.3.2 KLK OLEO(MY) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.3.3 KLK OLEO(MY) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 Emery Oleochemicals(US)
5.4.1 Emery Oleochemicals(US) Company Profile
5.4.2 Emery Oleochemicals(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.4.3 Emery Oleochemicals(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 IOI Oleochemicals(MY)
5.5.1 IOI Oleochemicals(MY) Company Profile
5.5.2 IOI Oleochemicals(MY) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.5.3 IOI Oleochemicals(MY) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Musim MAS(SG)
5.6.1 Musim MAS(SG) Company Profile
5.6.2 Musim MAS(SG) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.6.3 Musim MAS(SG) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Dow Chemical(DE)
5.7.1 Dow Chemical(DE) Company Profile
5.7.2 Dow Chemical(DE) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.7.3 Dow Chemical(DE) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Wilmar International(SG)
5.8.1 Wilmar International(SG) Company Profile
5.8.2 Wilmar International(SG) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.8.3 Wilmar International(SG) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn(MY)
5.9.1 Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn(MY) Company Profile
5.9.2 Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn(MY) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.9.3 Pacific Oleochemicals Sdn(MY) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Vance BioHeavy Industry(MY)
5.10.1 Vance BioHeavy Industry(MY) Company Profile
5.10.2 Vance BioHeavy Industry(MY) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.10.3 Vance BioHeavy Industry(MY) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Cargill(US)
5.11.1 Cargill(US) Company Profile
5.11.2 Cargill(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.11.3 Cargill(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 PT SOCI MAS(ID)
5.12.1 PT SOCI MAS(ID) Company Profile
5.12.2 PT SOCI MAS(ID) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.12.3 PT SOCI MAS(ID) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.13 Archer Daniels Midland(US)
5.13.1 Archer Daniels Midland(US) Company Profile
5.13.2 Archer Daniels Midland(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.13.3 Archer Daniels Midland(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.14 Aemetis(US)
5.14.1 Aemetis(US) Company Profile
5.14.2 Aemetis(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.14.3 Aemetis(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.15 Vantage Oleochemicals(US)
5.15.1 Vantage Oleochemicals(US) Company Profile
5.15.2 Vantage Oleochemicals(US) Food Glycerine Product Specification
5.15.3 Vantage Oleochemicals(US) Food Glycerine Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America Food Glycerine Market Size
6.2 North America Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
6.3 North America Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
6.4 North America Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia Food Glycerine Market Size
7.2 East Asia Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe Food Glycerine Market Size
8.2 Europe Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia Food Glycerine Market Size
9.2 South Asia Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia Food Glycerine Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East Food Glycerine Market Size
11.2 Middle East Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa Food Glycerine Market Size
12.2 Africa Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania Food Glycerine Market Size
13.2 Oceania Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America Food Glycerine Market Size
14.2 South America Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
14.3 South America Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
14.4 South America Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World Food Glycerine Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World Food Glycerine Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World Food Glycerine Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World Food Glycerine Market Size by Application
16 Food Glycerine Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation
By Source (Origin):
-
Vegetable-Derived: (Palm, Soybean, Rapeseed, Coconut) – Dominant segment due to vegan/clean-label trends.
-
Animal-Derived: (Tallow/Lard-based) – Decreasing share.
-
Synthetic: (Propylene-based) – Limited use in high-end food applications.
By Type (Refining Grade):
-
Food Grade (99.7% Purity): Standard for use as a humectant and sweetener.
-
Beverage Grade: Specialized for viscosity control and solvent use in extracts/flavors.
-
USP/BP Grade: Highly refined for nutraceuticals and medical foods.
By Function:
-
Humectant: Retaining moisture in baked goods and pet foods.
-
Sweetener: Used as a sugar-substitute in low-glycemic products.
-
Solvent: For food colorings and flavor extracts.
-
Preservative: Inhibiting microbial growth in high-moisture snacks.
-
Thickener/Stabilizer: Improving mouthfeel in beverages and dairy products.
By Application:
-
Bakery & Confectionery: Fondants, cakes, and energy bars.
-
Beverages: Juices, spirits, and carbonated drinks.
-
Meat & Poultry: Preservation and texture improvement in processed meats.
-
Dairy & Frozen Foods: Preventing ice crystallization in ice creams.
-
Plant-Based Alternatives: Improving the juiciness of meat analogues.
Top Key Players
The market is dominated by global oleochemical leaders and agricultural giants:
-
P&G Chemicals (US)
-
Cargill, Incorporated (US)
-
Wilmar International Ltd (Singapore)
-
KLK OLEO (Malaysia)
-
IOI Oleochemicals (Malaysia)
-
Oleon (Avril Group) (Belgium)
-
Musim Mas (Singapore)
-
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) (US)
-
Emery Oleochemicals (US/Malaysia)
-
Godrej Industries (India)
-
Louis Dreyfus Company (Netherlands)
-
Pacific Oleochemicals (Malaysia)
-
Vantage Oleochemicals (US)
-
PT SOCI MAS (Indonesia)
-
Cremer Oleo GmbH (Germany)
