Columbia Propylene Glycol Market Overview, 2030

The propylene glycol (PG) market in Colombia has grown steadily over the past decades, reflecting the country’s industrialization, chemical manufacturing, and regulatory frameworks. In the 1980s and 1990s, demand was primarily for industrial-grade PG used in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) for construction composites, coatings, and adhesives, supporting urban infrastructure, industrial facilities, and manufacturing growth. By the 2000s, transportation applications such as automotive coolants, antifreeze, and airport/aviation de-icing fluids emerged, particularly in mountainous and southern regions with colder weather; PG was preferred over ethylene glycol due to its lower toxicity and environmental compatibility. FCC-grade PG also found applications in food and beverage products as a humectant, carrier, and stabilizer in bakery, confectionery, and beverages, regulated under Colombia’s National Institute for Food and Drug Surveillance (INVIMA) and aligned with Mercosur food safety standards. During the 2010s, demand in pharmaceuticals and personal care increased, with USP-grade PG serving as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable formulations, adhering to Colombian pharmacopeia and international standards. More recently, bio-based PG, derived from glycerin byproducts of biodiesel production, has gained traction, particularly for high-value applications in pharmaceuticals, personal care, and food, leveraging Colombia’s growing biofuel industry. Domestic production is concentrated in chemical and industrial hubs such as Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla, while imports from Brazil, the U.S., and Europe supplement supply, especially for specialty and high-purity grades. Overall, Colombia’s PG market has transitioned from a volume-driven industrial base to a diversified structure emphasizing high-value, certified, and environmentally conscious applications.

According to the research report ""Colombia propylene glycol Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Colombia propylene glycol market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 40 Million by 2030. The Colombian PG market is influenced by domestic production capacity, feedstock pricing, regulatory oversight, seasonal demand, and sustainability initiatives. Domestic production occurs primarily in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla, while imports from Brazil, the U.S., and Europe supplement specialty-grade and high-purity requirements. Petroleum-based PG dominates the market due to cost-effectiveness, high-volume supply, and established logistics, serving industrial applications such as UPR for construction, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings. Feedstock prices, particularly for propylene and propylene oxide (PO), are closely tied to global crude oil and natural gas markets, impacting margins and pricing for local producers. Bio-based PG, derived from glycerin byproducts of biodiesel and other renewable feedstocks, is a smaller but growing segment, primarily used in pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care applications, driven by sustainability policies and regulatory compliance. Oversight by INVIMA, Ministry of Health, and environmental authorities ensures product safety, labeling, and industrial handling standards. Seasonal demand peaks in winter, especially for transportation and aviation applications, requiring careful inventory and logistics planning. Distributors, formulators, and integrators provide support to smaller clients, ensuring supply continuity and grade certification. Overall, Colombia’s PG market exhibits stable industrial demand, growth in high-value certified applications, sensitivity to feedstock pricing, and increasing emphasis on sustainability and regulatory compliance, creating a competitive yet steadily expanding market environment.

In Colombia, propylene glycol consumption spans construction, transportation, food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals, and other specialty industrial applications. Construction applications dominate industrial volume, with PG used in UPR resins for composites, coatings, adhesives, and laminates supporting infrastructure development, industrial projects, and renewable energy installations. Transportation demand includes automotive coolant, antifreeze, and airport/aviation de-icing fluids, particularly in southern and mountainous regions; PG is preferred for low toxicity and environmental compliance. Food and beverages utilize FCC-grade PG as a humectant, solvent, and carrier for bakery products, confectionery, beverages, and flavorings, regulated by INVIMA and aligned with Mercosur standards. Cosmetics and personal care applications employ PG as a humectant and solvent in lotions, creams, haircare, and personal hygiene products, with growing adoption of bio-based alternatives. Pharmaceutical-grade PG serves as a solvent, stabilizer, and excipient in oral, topical, and injectable formulations, adhering to Colombian pharmacopeia and international standards. Others include industrial lubricants, heat-transfer fluids, and chemical intermediates, contributing incremental volume and higher-margin niche applications. This diversified end-use profile ensures market resilience, balancing high-volume industrial applications with fast-growing, high-value, certified, and sustainability-focused sectors.

The Colombian PG market is dominated by petroleum-based PG, produced domestically in Bogotá, Medellín, and Barranquilla and supplemented by imports from Brazil, the U.S., and Europe. Petroleum-derived PG supplies cost-effective, high-volume material for industrial applications including UPR, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings, benefiting from established logistics and petrochemical infrastructure. Bio-based PG, derived from glycerin byproducts of biodiesel or other renewable feedstocks, is a smaller but growing segment, primarily serving pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care applications where sustainability, regulatory compliance, and environmental credentials are critical. Colombia’s biodiesel industry, government incentives for renewable chemicals, and increasing consumer demand for sustainable products support bio-PG adoption. Although bio-PG is higher-cost and limited in capacity relative to petroleum-based PG, it is gaining traction in high-value applications. Circular economy initiatives, including glycol recycling in industrial processes and airport de-icing, further promote adoption. Petroleum-based PG is expected to maintain the majority of volume, while bio-based PG grows steadily in specialty and sustainability-driven segments.

In Colombia, propylene glycol is segmented into industrial-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, and other specialty grades, each serving distinct applications. Industrial-grade PG accounts for the largest volume, used in UPR for construction, coatings, adhesives, automotive coolants, and de-icing fluids; buyers prioritize cost efficiency, supply reliability, and bulk logistics. Pharmaceutical-grade PG, produced to Colombian pharmacopeia, USP, and international standards, is a smaller but higher-value segment, serving as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable formulations; regulatory compliance, batch traceability, and certification requirements limit new entrants. The “others” category includes dipropylene and tripropylene glycols, industrial heat-transfer fluids, lubricants, and chemical intermediates, often commanding higher margins due to technical specifications. Grade segmentation impacts logistics, packaging, and supply chain planning: industrial PG is shipped in bulk, while pharmaceutical and specialty grades are delivered in drums or IBCs. While industrial-grade PG dominates by volume, pharmaceutical and specialty grades grow faster in revenue, reflecting Colombia’s demand for high-purity, certified, and sustainability-aligned products.

Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030

Aspects covered in this report
• Propylene Glycol Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation

By End Use
• Construction
• Transportation
• Food & Beverages
• Cosmetics & Personal Care
• Pharmaceuticals
• Others

By Source
• Petroleum-based
• Bio-based

By Grade
• Industrial Grade
• Pharmaceutical Grade
• Others Show more