The North America glycerol market size was valued at USD 1.27 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach around USD 2.05 billion by 2035, expanding at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2025 to 2035. The market growth is driven by the wide application of glycerol in improving hydration and athletic performance, as well as its effectiveness in relieving constipation. Increasing interest in natural ingredients and the versatility of glycerol as an eco-friendly, storable compound are further promoting market expansion. Moreover, the strong demand from cosmetic and personal care product manufacturers continues to support steady market growth across North America.
Glycerol plays a key role in skincare formulations as it helps retain moisture and softens the skin. It is also approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) for use in food, beverages, and personal care applications. In the food sector, glycerol acts as a sweetener, humectant, and solvent, enhancing product texture and flavor. With the growing adoption of bio-based chemicals, favorable government support, and a thriving industrial ecosystem, the North American glycerol industry continues to experience steady progress.
Production of glycerol can be achieved through multiple methods, including propylene synthesis, oil hydrolysis, and transesterification of fatty acids. The hydrolysis method involves reacting triglycerides with alkaline hydroxides, resulting in glycerol and soap formation. In the transesterification process, methanol reacts with triglycerides to produce biodiesel and crude glycerol—where crude glycerol accounts for roughly 10% of total biodiesel output. The rising biodiesel production is expected to further enhance glycerol supply in the region.
The renewable energy industry in North America is advancing rapidly, fueled by government incentives and increasing concerns about reducing fossil fuel dependency. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), renewable capacity in the United States grew by over 55% between 2021 and 2025, with clean energy projects receiving consistent policy support. As the region moves toward low-carbon energy alternatives, the parallel increase in biodiesel output will continue to benefit glycerol availability and market expansion.
Biodiesel remained the leading raw material segment, accounting for approximately 56.2% of total revenue in 2024. This dominance is attributed to the rapid rise in biodiesel production as an eco-friendly substitute for petroleum-based fuels. Biodiesel-derived glycerol is affordable and widely available, contributing significantly to market supply. The product’s renewable, non-toxic, and biodegradable properties also align with stringent environmental regulations, making it the most preferred choice for glycerol extraction.
Biodiesel is obtained through transesterification of vegetable oils or animal fats using methanol. The resulting crude glycerol is further refined for diverse industrial applications. In addition, lipolysis of fatty acids and hydrolysis of triglycerides provide alternative routes for glycerol production. Since triglycerides are abundantly found in natural sources like vegetable and animal fats, the raw material availability remains stable across North America.
The refined glycerol segment led the market with the highest share of 65.8% in 2024, owing to its purity and versatile industrial applications. Its emulsifying and moisturizing attributes make it suitable for personal care, pharmaceutical, and food formulations. Refined-grade glycerol undergoes processes such as hydrolysis, transesterification, and saponification to eliminate impurities, resulting in a non-toxic, odorless, and colorless compound. The crude form, conversely, contains residual methanol and free fatty acids, limiting its use to applications like animal feed or industrial processing.
Leading biodiesel producers, including Aemetis, Green Plains, and Pacific Ethanol, refine crude glycerol to enhance its commercial value. The market for refined-grade glycerol is also expanding in the cosmetics and hygiene sectors, driven by consumer inclination toward clean-label, natural ingredients.
The plant-based segment dominated the market with a 50.6% revenue share in 2024 due to the renewable and sustainable characteristics of plant-derived feedstocks. Oils such as soybean and palm oil are the most common sources, rich in triglycerides that yield glycerol upon saponification. Additionally, certain yeasts and plant-based metabolic processes produce glycerol as a byproduct. Increasing research on the conversion of bio-based glycerol into hydrogen and other advanced chemicals continues to strengthen its demand in clean-energy applications.
Animal-based glycerol, derived from tallow or lard, remains an important complementary source due to its wide availability as a byproduct of the meat industry. This consistent feedstock supply ensures stable production levels for industrial use in North America.
The personal care and cosmetics segment held the largest market share of 32.5% in 2024, owing to the product’s extensive usage in lotions, creams, shampoos, soaps, and hygiene formulations. Glycerol offers humectant and emollient benefits, maintaining skin moisture and softness, particularly in sensitive skincare products. Rising awareness of personal wellness and hygiene, coupled with sustainable lifestyle trends, continues to boost demand for glycerol-based cosmetic products.
The food and beverages industry also represents a growing end-use segment. Glycerol is widely used as a solvent, sweetener, and moisture-retaining agent in bakery and confectionary items. Its multifunctional role as a stabilizer and additive ensures consistent product quality and shelf life in processed food items.
The market is moderately fragmented, with several multinational and regional companies operating across North America. Major industry players include ADM, BASF SE, Cargill, Dow, Kao Corporation, Procter & Gamble Chemicals, KLK OLEO, and Wilmar International Ltd. Companies are focusing on mergers, acquisitions, and capacity expansions to strengthen their oleochemical divisions. For instance, in March 2025, Cargill announced a partnership with BioChem Industries to enhance sustainable glycerine production through waste-fat conversion technology, expanding their supply chain in Canada and the U.S.
| Report Attribute | Details |
| Market size value in 2024 | USD 1.27 billion |
| Revenue forecast in 2035 | USD 2.05 billion |
| Growth rate | CAGR of 5.1% from 2025 to 2035 |
| Base year for estimation | 2024 |
| Historical data | 2014 – 2023 |
| Forecast period | 2025 – 2035 |
| Quantitative units | Revenue in USD million, volume in kilotons, and CAGR from 2025 to 2035 |
| Report coverage | Revenue forecast, volume forecast, company ranking, competitive landscape, growth drivers, and ongoing industry trends |
| Segments covered | Raw material, type, source, end-use, region |
| Country scope | U.S.; Canada; Mexico |
| Market Players | ADM; BASF SE; Cargill, Inc.; CREMER OLEO GmbH & Co. KG; Dow; Emery Oleochemicals; Kao Corp.; KLK OLEO; Oleon NV; Procter & Gamble Chemicals; Wilmar International Ltd. |
The report provides forecasts for revenue and volume growth at the country level and examines current market trends for each segment from 2014 to 2035. The North America glycerol market is segmented as follows:
How large is the North America glycerol market?
The North America glycerol market was valued at approximately USD 1.27 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 1.34 billion in 2025.
What is the expected market growth rate?
The market is forecast to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% between 2025 and 2035, reaching around USD 2.05 billion by the end of the forecast period.
Which source segment holds the largest share?
Plant-based glycerol dominates the market, accounting for about 50.6% share in 2024 due to its renewable and cost-effective nature derived from oils such as soybean and palm.
Who are the key players in the market?
Leading companies include ADM, BASF SE, Cargill, Dow, Kao Corporation, KLK OLEO, Procter & Gamble Chemicals, and Wilmar International Ltd., among others.
What factors are driving market growth?
The market growth is influenced by increasing demand in personal care, pharmaceuticals, and food & beverage industries, supported by the rise of bio-based product adoption and favorable government policies promoting renewable materials.
