Market overview
The global 1,3-butylene glycol market is worth USD 378 mn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 646 mn by 2036, growing at a 5.5% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Cosmetic grade is the largest by grade segment.
| Scope | 1,3-Butylene glycol (1,3-BG) in cosmetic, pharmaceutical and industrial grades, used as a solvent, humectant and preservative booster. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 360 mn |
| Value 2026 | USD 378 mn |
| Value 2036 | USD 646 mn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 5.5% |
| Volume 2026 | 125,373 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 203,736 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 3,015 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
Request a free sample of this report
1,3-Butylene Glycol market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 378 mn |
| 2027 | USD 399 mn |
| 2028 | USD 421 mn |
| 2029 | USD 444 mn |
| 2030 | USD 468 mn |
| 2031 | USD 494 mn |
| 2032 | USD 521 mn |
| 2033 | USD 550 mn |
| 2034 | USD 580 mn |
| 2035 | USD 612 mn |
| 2036 | USD 646 mn |
1,3-Butylene Glycol market segmentation
By grade
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cosmetic grade | 62.0% | 65.1% | USD 234 mn | 6.0% |
| Industrial grade | 24.0% | 20.8% | USD 91 mn | 4.0% |
| Pharmaceutical and food grade | 14.0% | 14.0% | USD 53 mn | 5.5% |
By application
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Personal care and cosmetics | 56.0% | 59.4% | USD 212 mn | 6.1% |
| Coatings, resins and plasticisers | 18.0% | 15.8% | USD 68 mn | 4.1% |
| Pharmaceuticals | 10.0% | 10.1% | USD 38 mn | 5.6% |
| Food and flavours | 8.0% | 7.7% | USD 30 mn | 5.1% |
| Other | 8.0% | 7.0% | USD 30 mn | 4.1% |
By function
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Humectant | 44.0% | 40.0% | USD 166 mn | 4.5% |
| Solvent and carrier | 28.0% | 28.0% | USD 106 mn | 5.5% |
| Preservative booster | 16.0% | 18.0% | USD 60 mn | 6.8% |
| Emollient and other | 12.0% | 14.0% | USD 45 mn | 7.1% |
By production route
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acetaldol hydrogenation | 72.0% | 62.0% | USD 272 mn | 3.9% |
| Bio-based fermentation | 16.0% | 26.0% | USD 60 mn | 10.8% |
| Butadiene and other routes | 12.0% | 12.0% | USD 45 mn | 5.5% |
By purity
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Above 99.5 percent | 52.0% | 58.0% | USD 197 mn | 6.7% |
| 99.0 to 99.5 percent | 34.0% | 30.0% | USD 129 mn | 4.2% |
| Below 99.0 percent | 14.0% | 12.0% | USD 53 mn | 3.9% |
Top 25 countries for 1,3-butylene glycol by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 84.5% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 95.7%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 83 mn | 22.0% | USD 158 mn | 6.6% |
| 2 | Japan | USD 60 mn | 16.0% | USD 87 mn | 3.6% |
| 3 | United States | USD 53 mn | 14.0% | USD 87 mn | 5.1% |
| 4 | South Korea | USD 34 mn | 9.0% | USD 61 mn | 6.1% |
| 5 | Germany | USD 23 mn | 6.0% | USD 36 mn | 4.6% |
| 6 | France | USD 19 mn | 5.0% | USD 30 mn | 4.6% |
| 7 | India | USD 15 mn | 4.0% | USD 33 mn | 8.1% |
| 8 | Brazil | USD 11 mn | 3.0% | USD 21 mn | 6.2% |
| 9 | United Kingdom | USD 11 mn | 3.0% | USD 18 mn | 4.8% |
| 10 | Italy | USD 9.4 mn | 2.5% | USD 15 mn | 4.6% |
| 11 | Spain | USD 5.9 mn | 1.6% | USD 9.9 mn | 5.3% |
| 12 | Netherlands | USD 5.2 mn | 1.4% | USD 8.7 mn | 5.3% |
| 13 | Switzerland | USD 4.6 mn | 1.2% | USD 7.7 mn | 5.2% |
| 14 | Thailand | USD 4.0 mn | 1.1% | USD 8.8 mn | 8.1% |
| 15 | Indonesia | USD 3.5 mn | 0.9% | USD 7.8 mn | 8.1% |
| 16 | Poland | USD 3.1 mn | 0.8% | USD 5.2 mn | 5.2% |
| 17 | Taiwan | USD 2.8 mn | 0.7% | USD 4.6 mn | 5.2% |
| 18 | Mexico | USD 2.4 mn | 0.6% | USD 5.3 mn | 8.2% |
| 19 | Australia | USD 2.1 mn | 0.6% | USD 3.5 mn | 5.3% |
| 20 | Canada | USD 1.9 mn | 0.5% | USD 3.2 mn | 5.3% |
| 21 | Turkey | USD 1.7 mn | 0.4% | USD 3.6 mn | 8.1% |
| 22 | Russia | USD 1.4 mn | 0.4% | USD 1.9 mn | 3.0% |
| 23 | Vietnam | USD 1.3 mn | 0.3% | USD 2.8 mn | 8.0% |
| 24 | Belgium | USD 1.1 mn | 0.3% | USD 1.9 mn | 5.1% |
| 25 | Singapore | USD 0.98 mn | 0.3% | USD 2.1 mn | 8.1% |
| Rest of world | USD 16 mn | 4.3% | USD 24 mn | 3.8% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- Daicel
- KH Neochem
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Geno
- OQ Chemicals
- Godavari Biorefineries
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the 1,3-butylene glycol market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 5.5% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by grade, by application, by function, by production route, by purity. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the 1,3-butylene glycol market?
The global 1,3-butylene glycol market is estimated at USD 360 mn in 2025 and USD 378 mn in 2026.
How fast will the 1,3-butylene glycol market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 646 mn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 5.5% from 2026, an increase of USD 268 mn.
Which country is the largest market for 1,3-butylene glycol?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 83 mn in 2026, 22.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 52.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 8.1% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which 1,3-butylene glycol segment is largest?
In the by grade split, Cosmetic grade is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading 1,3-butylene glycol companies?
Global leaders include Daicel, KH Neochem.
Need the full report?
Request a sample to see the structure, tables and country detail.
Request a free sampleRelated markets in Chemicals and Materials
- Catalysts for Bio-Jet FuelUSD 370 mn · 11.0% CAGR
- Low-Carbon Concrete Shrinkage-Reduction AdditivesUSD 387 mn · 6.5% CAGR
- Cationic-Dyeable Recycled Polyester Apparel FiberUSD 369 mn · 8.5% CAGR
- Paper Recycling SurfactantsUSD 391 mn · 3.2% CAGR
- Bio-Based Spray OilsUSD 362 mn · 6.8% CAGR
- Environmentally Friendly RPET WebbingUSD 360 mn · 8.5% CAGR
- Copper(II) Carbonate BasicUSD 357 mn · 3.5% CAGR
- Formaldehyde Free Textile CrosslinkersUSD 401 mn · 5.8% CAGR