Glycerol Monostearate Market Growth & Trends

The global glycerol monostearate (GMS) market size is estimated to reach USD 2.63 billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. One of the key growth drivers is the increasing demand from end-user businesses including personal care & cosmetics, food & beverages, and pharmaceuticals. The increasing disposable income in regions such as the Asia Pacific and Middle East has also significantly contributed to the growth of the GMS market.

Glycerol monostearate is used in the packaging and plastics industries as a release agent and lubricant during the manufacturing of plastic goods. It helps optimize the flow of plastic materials during production and facilitates the release of molded plastic goods from their molds. Additionally, GMS is used throughout the production of polyethylene and polypropylene films to increase the processing and surface quality of the final films. In the plastics industry, it is used as an additive because of its ability to change the characteristics of plastic polymers.

GMS finds extensive use in the food industry, where it serves as an emulsifier in products such as margarine, ice cream, whipped toppings, baked goods, and confectionery items. In the cosmetics industry, GMS is utilized in the production of creams, lotions, and other personal care products. Its emulsifying properties enable the creation of stable emulsions, while its thickening capabilities enhance the texture and consistency of cosmetic formulations. Apart from this, GMS emulsifiers also find use in pharmaceutical and industrial operations.

The growth of the Middle East & Africa glycerol monostearate market is driven by the growing pharmaceutical industry. The region has seen prominent pharma companies make substantial inroads into the market, especially in the UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia. The growth in the pharmaceutical industry has occurred in the areas of genomics, pharma product manufacturing, drugs for rare diseases, and personalized medicines. This has resulted in a rise in demand for high-purity GMS for manufacturing drugs, syrups, and other medicines.

Glycerol Monostearate Market Report Highlights

  • The >90% emerged as the fastest-growing purity segment in 2023 It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% from 2024 to 2030 due to increasing usage in the pharmaceutical industry in the production of tablets, capsules, and other products
  • Thickener emerged as the fastest-growing application segment and is anticipated to register a CAGR of 7.1% from 2024 to 2030 due to the widespread usage of GMS in personal care & cosmetics products such as lotions, creams, and moisturizers
  • Personal care & cosmetics emerged as the fastest growing end-use segment and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 6.9% from 2024 to 2030 due to increasing demand for GMS as a stabilizer and thickener of emulsions for cosmetics products
  • North America emerged as the fastest growing region in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of 6.7% from 2024 to 2030 owing to the presence of major end-users such as food processing units, pharmaceutical firms, and personal care industry