Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Glycerin Price Trend Analysis 2026: Historical Prices, Latest News, Market Insights, Price Drivers & Supply Demand Analysis
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Glycerin Price Trend Q1 2026
| Product | Region | Incoterm Basis | Price | Last Updated Month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glycerin | China | FOB | USD 1,543.48/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | India | FOB | USD 1,092.11/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | USA | FOB | USD 1,049.62/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | Germany | FCA | USD 1,200.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | Canada | FOB | USD 1,100.00/MT | April 2026 |
| Glycerin | China | FOB | USD 1,508.50/MT | March 2026 |
Stay updated with the latest glycerin prices, historical data, and tailored regional analysis
- The global glycerin market reflected a mixed-to-firm trend during Q1’26, as Chinese oversupply and ample biodiesel-linked availability pressured sentiment early in the quarter, while war-led freight disruption and rising replacement costs tightened the market toward March.
- Supply remained structurally ample, but Indonesian weather-linked output risks, Brazil’s strong export pull, and disruption across Middle East-linked trade routes limited spot flexibility and prevented deeper downside.
- Demand from pharmaceuticals, personal care, food, and industrial applications remained steady, though buyers largely followed need-based procurement as freight escalation, delayed arrivals, and cost inflation increased procurement caution.
Asia
Glycerin price trend in the Asian markets reflected a mixed but increasingly supported pattern during Q1’26, shaped by the tug-of-war between structural oversupply and tightening trade conditions. Early in the quarter, Chinese refining overcapacity and aggressive export spillover weighed on regional sentiment, particularly in India, where traditional Southeast Asian sourcing came under pressure from cheaper inflows. At the same time, Indonesian supply remained influenced by weather-linked disruption and tighter crude glycerin availability, even as expanding refining capacity improved long-term domestic absorption. Market sentiment shifted more firmly upward toward the end of the quarter as the Israel-Iran conflict disrupted regional shipping, increased freight and insurance costs, and tightened chemical and pharma-linked supply chains in India, making replacement cargoes costlier and deliveries less predictable.
Europe
Glycerin prices in Europe remained stable to firm during Q1’26, with the market supported less by outright scarcity and more by replacement-cost pressure and supply chain uncertainty. Although broader availability remained manageable, Europe remained exposed to shifting Asian export flows, particularly as Chinese oversupply capped import competitiveness while logistics disruptions and war-led freight escalation lifted delivered cost sentiment. Refined glycerin continued to find support from pharmaceutical, food, and personal care applications, while buyers remained selective and quality-focused amid elevated transport costs and tighter procurement discipline.
North America
Glycerin prices in North America followed a stable-to-firm trend during Q1’26, supported by consistent downstream demand and a stronger replacement-cost environment. While no major regional production disruption was reflected in the references provided, the market remained indirectly affected by global freight volatility, tighter international trade flows, and biofuel-linked feedstock sentiment. Demand from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and personal care sectors remained steady, but procurement stayed measured as buyers navigated uncertain logistics, firm refined-grade sentiment, and broader chemical market cost inflation through the quarter.
Analyst Insights
According to Procurement Resource, glycerin prices are expected to remain mildly firm in the near term, supported by logistics uncertainty and steady downstream demand, though persistent Asian oversupply may continue to cap sharper upside.
Need latest Glycerin price?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Unlock Price Insights NowOur Clients
Procurement Resource Database
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
Glycerin Dashboard Inclusions
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Asia
In Asia, glycerin prices rose sharply during the second half of 2025. Supply was tight in key producing countries like Indonesia and Malaysia due to droughts and high palm oil prices, which limited feedstock availability. The expansion of biodiesel programs increased crude glycerin output, but refining capacity could not keep up, keeping refined glycerin supplies constrained. Export restrictions and changes in taxes also reduced international availability. Logistical challenges, such as port congestion and higher freight costs, added to the price pressure. Demand from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food industries remained strong, and buyers often paid premiums to secure timely deliveries. Overall, Asian glycerin markets were marked by firm prices and tight supply through H2’25.
Europe
In Europe, glycerin prices followed a rising trend, though increases were more moderate compared to Asia. Importers faced higher costs for Southeast Asian glycerin due to tight supply and shipping delays. Local production was limited, so European buyers depended on imports from Indonesia and Malaysia. Demand in pharmaceuticals, personal care, and specialty food sectors stayed strong, supporting prices despite cautious purchasing by some buyers. Market activity was influenced by global supply constraints, and European refiners tried to manage stocks carefully to meet industrial demand.
North America
In North America, glycerin prices moved upward steadily, driven by imports from Southeast Asia and sustained domestic demand. Refiners faced higher costs for feedstock and transportation, which contributed to tighter supply in refined grades. Buyers in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical industries continued purchases. Price growth was noticeable, but markets remained slightly more stable than in Asia, as inventories provided a short buffer against immediate supply shocks.
About Glycerin
Glycerin, also known as glycerol, is the simplest triol and is present in all-natural oils and fats as fatty esters. Glycerol is used in the manufacture of pharmaceuticals, personal care goods, tobacco, urethane foams, and food and cosmetic items. Glycerol derivatives include acetals, amines, esters, and ethers.
Glycerin Product Detail
Chemical Formula
C3H8O3
Molecular Weight
92.09 g/mol
Industrial Uses
Coatings and/or defoamers, Dyes, Finishing agents, Fuels and Fuel Additives, Agricultural Chemicals
Synonyms
Propanetriol, Osmoglyn, 1,2,3-trihydroxypropane, Polyglycerine, Grocolene, Glysanin, Glyrol
Supplier Database
Wilmar International, Emery Oleochemicals, IOI Group, KLK Oleo, Croda International, Kao Corporation, Cargill Inc., Godrej Industries
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Glycerin Production Processes
- Production of Glycerin from Epichlorohydrin Method
Propylene is chlorinated in this process, and it is oxidised with hypochlorite to dichlorohydrines, which react powerfully to produce epichlorohydrin. This epichlorohydrin is then hydrolyzed to yield glycerol or glycerin.
Frequently Asked Questions
During Q1 2026, glycerine prices showed a mixed-to-firm trend across major markets. China faced early pressure from oversupply and ample biodiesel-linked crude glycerine availability, while market sentiment tightened toward March due to freight disruption and higher replacement costs. India, the USA, Germany, and Canada saw steadier procurement from food, pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial buyers.
The glycerine outlook for 2026 remains steady, supported by demand from personal care, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, cosmetics, tobacco humectants, alkyd resins, and industrial chemicals. Prices may remain sensitive to biodiesel production because crude glycerine is a major byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing. Refined glycerine demand is expected to stay stronger where high-purity USP and pharma-grade material is required.
The main factors affecting glycerine prices in Q1 2026 were biodiesel-linked supply and freight disruption. High crude glycerine availability from biodiesel plants pressured prices early in the quarter, especially in China. Toward March, shipping disruptions and higher replacement costs tightened availability, supporting firmer refined glycerine prices in several markets.
Major glycerine markets include China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Germany, the Netherlands, the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Japan. Asia-Pacific remains important because of biodiesel, oleochemical, and palm-based feedstock supply. Key companies include Wilmar International, IOI Oleochemical, KLK OLEO, Emery Oleochemicals, P&G Chemicals, ADM, Cargill, Louis Dreyfus Company, Musim Mas, Godrej Industries, and Vance Bioenergy.
In May 2026, Cemvita successfully completed a 75,000-liter industrial-scale demonstration of its FermOil™ platform at Bio Base Europe Pilot Plant using crude glycerin, a byproduct of biodiesel production. The process converts crude glycerin into renewable natural oils that can serve as feedstocks for sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) and other bio-based products. This development is significant for the glycerine market because it creates a potential high-value outlet for surplus crude glycerine, supporting diversification of end-use demand beyond traditional pharmaceutical, personal care, and industrial applications.
Glycerine is mainly produced as a byproduct of biodiesel, fatty acid, fatty alcohol, and soap manufacturing. It can also be produced synthetically through petrochemical routes. The value chain includes vegetable oil or animal fat processing, transesterification or fat splitting, crude glycerine recovery, purification, distillation, bleaching, deodorization, packaging, and distribution to food, pharma, cosmetics, personal care, tobacco, resins, and industrial applications.
Glycerine is mainly sold as crude glycerine, technical-grade glycerine, refined glycerine, USP-grade glycerine, food-grade glycerine, and pharmaceutical-grade glycerine. Crude glycerine usually requires purification before use in higher-value applications. USP and pharmaceutical grades require stricter purity, odor, color, moisture, ash, and contaminant limits, making them suitable for medicines, cosmetics, oral care, food, and personal care formulations.
Glycerine demand is mainly driven by personal care, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and beverages, oral care, tobacco, alkyd resins, polyether polyols, animal feed, antifreeze, textiles, paper, explosives, and industrial chemicals. It is valued as a humectant, solvent, sweetener, plasticizer, thickener, and intermediate. High-purity refined glycerine demand is strongest in pharma, food, skincare, and hygiene products.
A key policy development affecting the glycerine market in 2026 was the U.S. EPA's final Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) rule for 2026 and 2027, announced in March 2026. The rule increased renewable fuel and biomass-based diesel obligations, supporting higher biodiesel production incentives. Since crude glycerine is generated as a byproduct of biodiesel manufacturing, changes in biodiesel output can directly affect glycerine availability, refining margins, and long-term supply conditions. As a result, the RFS framework remains an important indirect driver of glycerine market fundamentals.
Procurement Resource employs a structured methodology combining primary research, secondary market data, analytical models, and validation processes to assess glycerine prices and trends. Price evaluations incorporate supply-demand dynamics, feedstock movements, trade flows, and value chain analysis, supported by continuous market monitoring to ensure accurate and reliable insights.
About the Author
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Schedule a demo
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Other Related Reports
Glycerin Production from Epichlorohydrin Method
This report shows the cost structure of glycerin production from the method called epichlorohydrin method.
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply-demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Related News
View All
Why Procurement Database
Commodity Market Intelligence
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Price Forecasts & Market Outlooks
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Cost & Procurement Optimization
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Global & Regional Market Insights
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
1/4