Glycol Ethers Market Size & Outlook, 2025-2033

Glycol Ethers Market Overview

The global glycol ethers market size was valued at USD 8.3 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach from USD 8.7 billion in 2025 to USD 13.4 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 5.5% during the forecast period (2025-2033). The growth of the product market is driven by its expanding use across multiple end-use industries, such as paints & coatings, printing, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics & personal care, electronics, and more.

Key Market Indicators

• Asia Pacific is the largest regional market in 2024, accounting for a 38.6% revenue share,
• Based on product P-Series glycol ethers dominated the product market in 2024 with a 62.8% revenue share
• Based on application paints & coatings application led the application segment in 2024 with a 46.1% revenue share

Market Size & Forecast

• 2024 Market Size : USD 8.3 Billion
• 2033 Projected Market Size : USD 13.4 Billion
• CAGR (2025–2033) : 5.5%
• Largest Market (2024) : Asia Pacific 
• Fastest-Growing Region : North America

Glycol ethers are derived from ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and are valued for their ability to dissolve a wide range of substances. They are miscible with both water and organic liquids. However, certain types, particularly ethylene glycol ethers, can pose health risks, with some studies linking them to toxic effects.

Global Cosmetics Industry Yearly Growth, 2022-2024 (%)

In the cosmetics industry, glycol ethers are used as solvents, coupling agents, and to provide specific effects like pearlescence. Common applications include sunscreens, skin creams, liquid soaps, lotions, makeup removers, and nail polish. Phenoxyethanol, a type of glycol ether, is used as a preservative and fixative for perfumes.

The cosmetics industry post-pandemic is growing steadily. In 2022, the global cosmetics industry grew by 6 % and grew by 8 % in 2023, and surged by 4.5 % in 2024 as compared to the previous years. The increase in the cosmetics industry will increase the consumption of the product globally.

Market Trends

Industry participants are shifting from more hazardous to safer types, moving away from lower molecular weight E-series glycol ethers toward P-series glycol ethers. P-series glycol ethers are generally seen as having lower toxicity and better safety profiles. For Instance, Dow markets its DOWANOL P-series glycol ethers as safer, high-performance options for cleaning, coatings, and electronics applications.

Growing R&D investment into bio-based glycol ethers from renewable sources to meet sustainability goals. For Instance, LyondellBasell produces bio-derived glycol ethers for the cosmetics and personal care industry, which are made from renewable sources like biomass and sugarcane, using a certified mass balance methodology under their +LC (Low Carbon) and circular & renewable portfolios.

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Market Drivers

Growing demand for Glycol Ethers in the Paints and Coatings Industry

• Glycol ethers are widely used in paints and coatings as solvents and coalescing agents, improving dissolving power, dispersion of pigments, and overall film formation and performance

• The U.S. Government forecasts that the Paints and Coatings industry will grow by 2.3% in volume and 5.3% in value in 2025. As this industry expands, demand for Glycol Ethers in the U.S. is also expected to rise

Rising demand for Glycol Ethers in the Cosmetics Industry

• Glycol ethers are widely used in cosmetics for their solvency, emulsifying, and preservative properties, helping to dissolve ingredients, improve texture, and stabilize formulations phenoxyethanol, used as a preservative in lotions and creams, and diethylene glycol monoethyl ether, used to boost efficacy in acne treatments and fragrance

Source: Straits Research Analysis

The U.S. is one of the prominent countries in the production of cosmetics. In the first half of 2025, the U.S. prestige beauty market grew by 2% to USD 16 billion. The growth in the cosmetics industry will increase the demand for glycol ethers globally.

Market Restraint

Glycol Ethers are gaining traction in various industries, but certain alternative products can impose similar applications as glycol ethers. For example, 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPO) is also used as a solvent to dissolve resins, pigments, and additives in both solvent-borne and waterborne systems, creating uniform mixtures. 2-Methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPO) is not considered a harmful chemical like glycol ethers, as it has a low toxicity hazard, low potential for skin sensitization, and low risk to the environment. The 2 Methyl-1,3-propanediol (MPO) will act as a substitute for glycol ethers and will be a restraining factor for the glycol ethers market.

Market Opportunity

Glycol Ethers are used in the electronics and semiconductor industries for precision cleaning, semiconductor fabrication, and electronic assembly, serving as solvents and cleaning agents for contaminants and fluxes. Their high-purity grades are crucial for maintaining the cleanliness, performance, and reliability of electronic components.

Japan is one of the prominent countries in the production of the Electronics sector.Japanese firms, including Isuzu and Sojitz, will be backed with USD 679 million to develop electronics, semiconductors, and EV supply chains across Southeast Asia.

Regional Analysis

The Asia Pacific region dominated the market with a revenue share of 38.6% in 2024. The growth is attributed to rising demand for the product in different end-use industries in countries like India, China, and Japan. The Government of India in 2025 announced a PLI scheme valued at USD 2.68 billion aimed at boosting domestic electronics manufacturing and decreasing dependence on imported components. The growth in the electronics industry in India will increase the use of Glycol Ethers in India.

China : Glycol ethers are used in Electric vehicle (EV) related applications, including coolant additives for thermal management, in the manufacturing processes of EV components like semiconductor chips, and potentially in the formulation of certain coatings and cleaners used in EV assembly and maintenance. According to the China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) released the latest data on the country’s automobile production in the first half of 2025, China produced 15.62 million vehicles, up 12.5% year-on-year, respectively. The rise in the production of EVs will increase the consumption of Glycol ethers in the country.

India : Glycol ethers are widely used in paints and coatings as solvents to dissolve resins, improve viscosity, and provide good drying and levelling properties. India is a prominent producer of paints and coatings. According to the Government of India paints and coatings industry is expected to reach USD 12.22 billion in the next five years. The rise in the paints and coatings industry will increase the demand for Glycol Ethers in the country.

Glycol ethers are used in the semiconductor industry, primarily as solvents for photoresists, cleaning agents, and in other chemical formulations essential for chip manufacturing and electronic assembly. They are valued for their ability to remove contaminants from wafers, dissolve resins, and assist with the precision cleaning and manufacturing of microelectronics.

North America Market Trends

North America is one of the prominent regions in the semiconductor industry. According to the government of Canada, the government has announced an investment of USD 120 million in an over USD 220 million project led by CMC Microsystems (CMC). This investment, made through the Strategic Innovation Fund, will support the creation of a pan-Canadian network bringing together stakeholders from a wide range of fields to support the design, manufacturing, and commercialization of semiconductors and the development of state-of-the-art intelligent sensor technology. The initiatives taken by the Government of Canada will increase the demand for Glycol Ethers in Canada.

U.S. : Glycol Ethers are used in the pharmaceutical industry for their unique solvency properties, especially in topical formulations where they act as solubilizers and penetration enhancers to help deliver active ingredients.

The U.S. is the most dominant country in the pharmaceutical industry. The U.S. pharmaceutical industry stands at a pivotal point, with projected overall spending expected to exceed USD 1 trillion by 2030. This growth is driven primarily by innovative treatments. The growth in the pharmaceutical industry is driving the demand for Glycol Ethers in the region.

Brazil is one of the leading countries in pharmaceutical production. Glycol ethers are used in the pharmaceutical sector as solvents and excipients to help dissolve active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and stabilize medications, particularly in oral, injectable, and topical formulations. Brazil’s total pharmaceutical market was valued between USD 21.7 billion and USD 34.6 billion in 2024, ranging from a steady growth of 5.8% to a robust 10.2% through the next decade.

UAE : Glycol ethers are widely used in the construction sector, primarily as key components in paints and coatings. They act as solvents that improve the flow, reduce viscosity, and enhance the drying properties and film formation of water-based and architectural paints, helping to eliminate brush marks and improve gloss.

Product Insights

The P-Series dominated the global glycol ethers market, accounting for a 62.8% revenue share in 2024. P-series (propylene-based) glycol ethers dominate the market over E-series (ethylene-based) due to their significantly lower toxicity, which is a major factor driven by increasing regulatory scrutiny and consumer demand for safer, more sustainable products. This lower toxicity, coupled with strong performance in various applications like paints, coatings, cleaners, and personal care, has led to P-series products increasingly replacing the more hazardous E-series alternatives.

Application Insights

Paints and coatings application dominated the global glycol ethers market with a revenue share of 46.1% in 2024, owing to their excellent solvency power for resins and other ingredients, improving film formation, flow, and drying times, which are critical for high-performance coatings used in fast-growing sectors like automotive and construction. 

Company Market Share

Large-scale infrastructure and real estate developments are being driven by significant government spending, reinforcing the country’s ambitions to remain competitive on the global stage. Public sector funding is flowing into key projects involving transportation, energy, and urban planning. The increased investment by the government will be an opportunity for construction in the UAE.

Source: Straits Research Analysis

The Glycol Ethers market is moderately consolidated with a few players, including BASF SE, LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V., Dow Chemical Company, Eastman Chemical Company, Ineos, SABIC, NIPPON NYUKAZAI CO LTD, Sasol Chemicals, among others, trying to increase their market share by undertaking strategic initiatives, including mergers, acquisitions, new product development, and partnerships.

• For Instance, in January 2025, Dow announced a price hike on various ethylene glycol ether products sold in the North American market. The products affected by this price adjustment include CELLOSOLVE, CARBITOL, and Butoxy Triethylene Glycol (BTG).

The other category includes regional manufacturers and niche players who cater to local markets or specific industries. While the market leans toward consolidation, the presence of numerous smaller producers creates opportunities for competition and innovation, particularly in sustainable ammonia production techniques.

Eastman Chemical Company: An emerging player in the Glycol Ethers Market

Eastman Chemicals Company was founded in 1920, a prominent player in the Glycol Ethers industry. Eastman’s advances across industries such as agriculture, consumer goods, personal care, transportation, and textiles are helping improve the quality of life for consumers. The company offers a broad portfolio of glycol ethers, such as Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (PM solvent) 

List of key players in Glycol Ethers Market

1. BASF SE
2. LyondellBasell Industries Holdings B.V.
3. Dow Chemical Company
4. Eastman Chemical Company
5. Ineos
6. SABIC
7. NIPPON NYUKAZ's presence in Chemicals
8. FBC Chemical
9. KH Neochem Co Ltd

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Recent Developments

• April 2025 : Petronas Chemicals has begun resuming production at its Kerteh glycol ethers plant. The production for Glycol Ethers in the plant was temporarily shut down in January 2025 and has resumed production in April 2025
• March 2025 : INEOS will implement a price increase on two key glycol ether products: Glycol Ether EB and Glycol Ether DB. This adjustment reflects market fluctuations and rising production costs, impacting industries that rely on these essential chemicals. The Glycol Ethers EB and Glycol Ethers DB will be increased by USD 0.05. These changes will affect businesses utilizing glycol ethers in applications such as coatings, cleaners, and chemical formulations
• February 2025 : Lyondell Chemical Company has implemented price increases on various glycol ethers. This decision highlights the shifting dynamics within the chemical industry and the growing costs of key chemical products. Various Companies in the industries that rely on glycol ethers will likely experience the impacts of these changes, making it crucial to adjust procurement strategies accordingly. The prices for Glycol Ether PM, Glycol Ether DPM, and Glycol Ether TMP are increased by USD 0.05

Analyst Opinion

The glycol ethers market is steadily growing due to an increase in its end-use industries, such as paints and coatings, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and others. The Global Glycol ethers manufacturers are mainly focusing on P-series ethers that generally have low toxicity and better safety products. The market players are heavily investing in research and development of bio-based glycol ethers from renewable sources to meet sustainable goals. The transition to these sustainable methods could not only reduce emissions but also support a more sustainable future.