What is Propylene Glycol Market Analysis: Price Trend and Trade Data
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
56.7%
Neutral
17.0%
Bearish
26.3%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Latest published data (2025-07 to 2026-06) — Sentiment: Bullish
The most recent published customs observation for HS 290532 is 2026-06 at USD 1,804/ton, +1.1% against the previous month and +30.5% against 2025-07.
Reported volume across the fixed 9-economy panel was 115,387 tonnes over the window, 9,616 tonnes a month on average, and the three-month trend is +38.6%.
Next 1–3 Months — Outlook
This page is refreshed from public customs statistics rather than paid price assessments, so the next revision will roll in each newly published month for HS 290532. Direction shown here is a reading of published customs unit values, not a forecast.
How About the Price?
Data source: UN Comtrade monthly trade statistics (https://comtradeapi.un.org/public/v1/preview/C/M/HS?period=202606&cmdCode=290532&partnerCode=0&flowCode=X&includeDesc=true) | Last updated: 2026-09-23
Price Trajectory, latest 12 months (2025-07 to 2026-06)
The monthly customs export unit value for HS 290532 moved from USD 1,382/ton in 2025-07 to USD 1,804/ton in 2026-06 (+30.5% across the window). The window high was USD 1,804/ton in 2026-06 and the low USD 1,111/ton in 2025-11. Three-month averages put the latest quarter +38.6% against the previous one, which is classified here as bullish.
The same panel reported USD 162.1 million of export value on 115,387 tonnes over the twelve months, an average of 9,616 tonnes a month. Values are customs returns for the stated HS heading, so they capture the traded mix of that heading rather than a single quoted grade.
Supply-side factors
- Fixed reporting panel of 9 economies: BRA, CZE, DNK, HUN, IDN, NLD, POL, PRT, SWE. The panel is held constant in every month of the window so month-to-month movement is not a composition effect.
- Monthly unit value range over the window: USD 1,111 to USD 1,804/ton.
- Latest month, 2026-06: USD 1,804/ton, +1.1% against the previous month, on 9,291 tonnes.
Demand-side factors
- Propylene glycol demand splits between unsaturated polyester resins, antifreeze and de-icing fluids, food and pharmaceutical grades, and cosmetics.
- Upstream feedstock pages on this site: Propylene Oxide and Propylene.
Basis: these are customs unit values for the stated HS heading, not quoted spot, contract or assessed prices, and no paid price assessment is used or redistributed on this page. Every figure can be re-checked at the API links listed at the end of this page.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Ethylene Glycol (EG) | Used as a direct substitute in industrial antifreeze and heat-transfer fluid applications where low toxicity is not required. EG offers a slightly lower freezing point at equivalent concentrations and is cheaper, but is acutely toxic to mammals, so it cannot replace PG in food, pharmaceutical, or pet-safe antifreeze formulations. Substitution is straightforward in closed-loop HVAC and engine cooling systems. |
| Glycerol (Glycerin) | Replaces PG as a humectant, solvent, and moisture-retention agent in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical formulations. Glycerol is also GRAS and non-toxic. It is more viscous and slightly less effective as a solvent for some actives, so reformulation is typically required to adjust concentrations. Widely used as a partial or full substitute in personal care products (lotions, toothpaste) and as a food humectant. |
| Dipropylene Glycol (DPG) | A co-product of PG production, DPG substitutes for PG in fragrance carriers, plasticizers, and some industrial solvent applications where its higher boiling point and lower volatility are advantageous. It is not suitable for food or pharmaceutical use at the same regulatory status as PG. Drop-in substitution is feasible in many industrial solvent blends. |
| 1,3-Propanediol (PDO) | Replaces PG in polyol applications for polyurethane and polyester synthesis, and in cosmetic formulations as a humectant and solvent. Bio-based PDO (DuPont Tate & Lyle) is marketed as a sustainable alternative. It has a higher boiling point and slightly different solvency profile; reformulation is generally needed. Growing use in personal care as a PG substitute for consumers seeking bio-derived ingredients. |
| Sorbitol | Substitutes for PG as a humectant in food and personal care products (toothpaste, baked goods, confectionery). Sorbitol is a sugar alcohol with higher molecular weight and greater sweetness; it is used in higher concentrations to achieve equivalent moisture retention. Reformulation is required. It cannot replace PG in solvent or antifreeze applications. |
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG, various MW) | Replaces PG as a solvent and carrier in pharmaceutical formulations (oral, topical, injectable) and in industrial lubricants and heat-transfer fluids. Low-MW PEGs (PEG-200, PEG-400) are liquid and most directly comparable. PEG is generally less hygroscopic than PG and has different regulatory limits; substitution requires formulation adjustment and regulatory review for pharmaceutical applications. |
| Vegetable-based / Bio-PG | Bio-based propylene glycol (produced via glycerol hydrogenolysis or bio-based propylene oxide) is chemically identical to petroleum-derived PG and is a drop-in replacement in all applications. It commands a price premium and is used by manufacturers seeking bio-content claims or sustainability certifications (e.g., USDA BioPreferred). No reformulation is needed. |
| Butylene Glycol (1,3-Butanediol) | Used as a substitute for PG in cosmetic and personal care formulations as a humectant, solvent, and skin-conditioning agent. It has lower irritation potential for some consumers and is perceived as a more premium ingredient. Substitution is typically straightforward in topical formulations at similar use levels, though solvency and viscosity effects must be evaluated. |
Related PetroApex Market Pages
- Propylene Oxide — the direct feedstock for propylene glycol via hydration.
- Propylene — the upstream olefin behind propylene oxide.
- Maleic Anhydride — the unsaturated acid used in the UPR chain that consumes industrial-grade PG.
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States | 21 CFR 184.1666 (USP-grade food additive) | U.S. FDA | 1977 (amended) | Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) for direct addition to food as multipurpose food additive; acceptable dietary intake 25 mg/kg body weight | https://nepis.epa.gov/Exe/ZyPURL.cgi?Dockey=P100WLVI.TXT |
| United States | Consolidated List of Lists | U.S. EPA | 2025 | Included in regulatory lists (no additional restrictions) | https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2025-04/consolidated-list-of-lists-updated-april-2025.pdf |
| United States | Not classified as hazardous | U.S. DOT / IATA / IMDG | N/A | Not regulated for transport (UN number: none) | https://cameochemicals.noaa.gov/chemical/9030 |
| European Union | Registration under REACH (CAS 57-55-6) | ECHA | 2010 | 01-2119456809-23; no hazardous classification under CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008 | Link removed 2026-09-22 (not reachable when checked) |
| European Union | Not classified as dangerous | ECHA (REACH/CLP) | 2010 | No GHS or CLP hazard classification | https://www.belart.com/media/catalogstudio/SDS/Propylene%20Glycol.pdf |
| European Union | Approved feed material | EU Commission | 2010 (EU Reg 892/2010) | Approved as feed material (Catalogue of Approved Feed Materials, no. 13.11.1) | Link removed 2026-09-22 (not reachable when checked) |
| China | Prohibition on new chlorohydrin plants | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) | 2015 | No new construction of chlorohydrin-based propylene oxide plants (older plants phasing out due to environmental wastewater/ byproducts) | https://www.nexanteca.com/blog/technological_independence-chinas-propylene-oxide-industry |
| India | Anti-dumping investigation | Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) | 2003 (ongoing review) | Investigation into imports of Propylene Glycol from USA, Singapore, Korea and European Union | https://www.dgtr.gov.in/en/anti-dumping-cases/propylene-glycol-usa-singapore-korearp-and-european-union |
Key Influence Events
Propylene glycol (PG), also known as 1,2-propanediol (CAS 57-55-6), is a clear, colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid with the molecular formula C3H8O2 and a molecular weight of 76.09 g/mol. It is miscible with water, ethanol, and many organic solvents, and has a low toxicity profile that distinguishes it from ethylene glycol. Commercially, it is produced predominantly by the hydration of propylene oxide, which is itself derived from propylene. Propylene glycol serves as a humectant, solvent, antifreeze, and heat-transfer fluid across a wide range of industries including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, unsaturated polyester resins, and industrial antifreeze/de-icing formulations. It is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for food applications.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Propylene Glycol Market Analysis: Price Trend and Trade Data
Propylene glycol (PG), also known as 1,2-propanediol (CAS 57-55-6), is a clear, colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid with the molecular formula C3H8O2 and a molecular weight of 76.09 g/mol. It is miscible with water, ethanol, and many organic solvents, and has a low toxicity profile that distinguishes it from ethylene glycol. Commercially, it is produced predominantly by the hydration of propylene oxide, which is itself derived from propylene. Propylene glycol serves as a humectant, solvent, antifreeze, and heat-transfer fluid across a wide range of industries including food and beverage, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, animal feed, unsaturated polyester resins, and industrial antifreeze/de-icing formulations. It is classified as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the US FDA for food applications.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (1,2-Propanediol) | ≥ 99.5 | % w/w | USP / Food / Industrial |
| Purity (1,2-Propanediol) | ≥ 99.8 | % w/w | Pharmaceutical (USP/EP) |
| Water content | ≤ 0.2 | % w/w | All grades |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 10 | APHA | USP / Food |
| Color (APHA/Hazen) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Industrial |
| Specific gravity (20/20°C) | 1.035 – 1.040 | g/cm³ | All grades |
| Boiling point (760 mmHg) | 187 – 188 | °C | All grades |
| Freezing point | -59 | °C | All grades |
| Flash point (Cleveland open cup) | 99 | °C | All grades |
| Viscosity (25°C) | 40 – 60 | mPa·s (cP) | All grades |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | ≤ 0.010 | % w/w | USP / Food |
| Residue on evaporation | ≤ 0.01 | % w/w | USP / Pharma |
| Heavy metals (as Pb) | ≤ 5 | ppm | USP / Food |
| Arsenic | ≤ 1.5 | ppm | USP / Pharma |
| Refractive index (20°C) | 1.431 – 1.433 | — | All grades |
| Dipropylene glycol (DPG) content | ≤ 0.3 | % w/w | USP / Food |
| Dipropylene glycol (DPG) content | ≤ 1.0 | % w/w | Industrial |
Data Sources
Price and volume figures on this page are computed from the public sources listed below. Regulatory sources are cited individually in the Regulatory Status table above.
- UN Comtrade monthly public trade statistics — HS 290532, exports, by month (2025-07 to 2026-06): 2025-07, 2025-08, 2025-09, 2025-10, 2025-11, 2025-12, 2026-01, 2026-02, 2026-03, 2026-04, 2026-05, 2026-06
- Fixed reporting panel for this series: BRA, CZE, DNK, HUN, IDN, NLD, POL, PRT, SWE. Exact API calls are the per-month links above.
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| Dow Chemical | Midland, Michigan, USA | Freeport TX, Plaquemine LA, Terneuzen, Stade, Map Ta Phut, Aratu Industrial Plant |
| LyondellBasell Industries | Houston, Texas, USA | Bayport, TX, Fos, France |
| Shell plc | London, UK | Geismar, LA, Norco, LA |
| INEOS Oxide | Rolle, Switzerland | Antwerp, Belgium, Lavera, France, Plaquemine, LA, Bayport, TX |
| BASF SE | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Ludwigshafen, Germany |
| ADM | Chicago, Illinois, USA | |
| Huntsman Corporation | The Woodlands, Texas, USA | |
| Repsol S.A. | Madrid, Spain | Tarragona, Spain, Puertollano, Spain |
| Adeka Corporation | Tokyo, Japan | |
| SKC Co., Ltd. | Seoul, South Korea | Ulsan, South Korea |
| Manali Petrochemicals Limited | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | Manali, Tamil Nadu, India |
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