Spain Propylene Glycol Market Overview, 2030

The Spanish propylene glycol (PG) market has grown steadily over the past several decades, reflecting Spain’s industrial development, petrochemical capacity, and regulatory framework. Demand first expanded in the 1960s and 1970s, mainly for industrial-grade PG used in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) for construction composites, coatings, and adhesives, coinciding with urban expansion, infrastructure development, and industrialization. During the 1980s and 1990s, transportation applications such as automotive antifreeze, coolants, and aviation/airport de-icing fluids became increasingly significant, particularly in northern and mountainous regions with colder winter conditions. PG was favored over ethylene glycol due to lower toxicity and environmental impact, consistent with emerging Spanish and EU environmental standards. In the food and beverage sector, FCC-grade PG gained adoption as a humectant and carrier in bakery products, confectionery, and beverages, regulated under the Spanish Agency for Food Safety and Nutrition (AESAN) and aligned with EU regulations. The 2000s and 2010s saw growing demand in pharmaceuticals and personal care, where USP-grade PG is used as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable formulations, benefiting from European Pharmacopeia standards. More recently, bio-based PG has emerged, leveraging glycerin byproducts from biodiesel production, supported by Spain’s renewable energy and sustainability policies. Imports from Germany, Italy, and other EU producers supplement domestic supply, particularly for specialty and high-purity grades. Overall, Spain’s PG market has evolved from commodity industrial applications to a more diversified structure, emphasizing high-purity, regulatory-compliant, and sustainability-driven applications.

According to the research report ""Spain propylene glycol Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Spain propylene glycol market is anticipated to grow at more than 6.50% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. The Spanish propylene glycol market is shaped by supply chain integration, feedstock pricing, regulatory oversight, seasonal demand, and sustainability trends. Domestic production is supported by petrochemical complexes in regions such as Tarragona and Huelva, while imports from Germany, Italy, and other EU countries supplement supply, particularly for specialty and high-purity grades. Petroleum-based PG dominates the market, offering cost advantages, high-volume supply, and logistical reliability for industrial applications, including construction composites, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings. Feedstock costs, particularly propylene and propylene oxide (PO), are closely tied to global crude oil and natural gas prices, directly influencing margins and contract pricing. Bio-based PG, derived from glycerin or renewable feedstocks, is a smaller but growing segment, primarily serving pharmaceutical, personal care, and food applications where sustainability, low toxicity, and regulatory compliance are key. Regulatory oversight by AESAN, along with European REACH and EFSA requirements, governs production, handling, and labeling. Seasonal demand peaks during winter for transportation and aviation-related PG products, requiring effective inventory and logistics management. Distributors and formulators play a crucial role in ensuring supply reliability, grade certification, and continuity for smaller customers. Overall, the Spanish market is characterized by stable industrial demand, growth in high-value certified applications, sensitivity to feedstock prices, and increasing emphasis on sustainability and regulatory compliance, making the market competitive and dynamic.

In Spain, propylene glycol consumption is distributed across construction, transportation, food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals, and other specialty applications. In construction, PG is primarily used in UPR resins for composites, coatings, adhesives, and laminates, supporting urban development, infrastructure projects, and renewable energy applications such as wind turbine blade production. Transportation demand includes automotive coolant and antifreeze formulations, as well as airport and aviation de-icing fluids, particularly in northern and mountainous regions; PG is preferred due to its lower toxicity and environmental compliance. Food and beverages use FCC-grade PG as a humectant, solvent, and carrier for bakery products, confectionery, flavorings, and beverages, regulated by AESAN and EU standards. Cosmetics and personal care applications utilize PG for humectant and solvent properties in lotions, creams, and haircare products, with growing interest in bio-based or low-toxicity alternatives. Pharmaceutical-grade PG is used as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable medications, complying with USP and European Pharmacopeia standards. Others include specialty industrial uses such as heat-transfer fluids, lubricants, and chemical intermediates, which contribute incremental volume and higher-margin niches. This diversified end-use profile ensures resilience in the Spanish PG market, balancing industrial applications with growth in high-value, regulated, and sustainability-driven segments.

The Spanish PG market is dominated by petroleum-based PG, sourced from domestic petrochemical plants and imports from EU countries such as Germany and Italy, providing cost-effective, high-volume supply for industrial applications including UPR, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings. Petroleum-derived PG benefits from established production infrastructure, integrated feedstock availability, and reliable logistics, forming the backbone of Spanish PG consumption. Bio-based PG is a smaller but strategically growing segment, produced from glycerin byproducts of biodiesel or other renewable feedstocks. Adoption is strongest in pharmaceuticals, food, and personal care applications where regulatory compliance and sustainability considerations are critical. Spain’s renewable energy policies, EU incentives, and consumer demand for environmentally friendly products encourage bio-based PG adoption, although production costs are higher and capacity is limited compared with petroleum-based PG. Circular economy initiatives, including glycol recycling for industrial and airport de-icing applications, are gradually increasing, providing additional opportunities for bio-based or blended PG products. While petroleum-based PG is expected to retain the majority of volume in the medium term, bio-based PG will likely expand its share in high-value, sustainability-focused applications.

In Spain, propylene glycol is segmented into industrial-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, and other specialty grades, each serving different market needs. Industrial-grade PG accounts for the largest volume, serving applications in UPR for construction, coatings, adhesives, automotive coolants, and de-icing fluids, with buyers prioritizing cost-effectiveness, reliable supply, and bulk logistics. Pharmaceutical-grade PG, produced to USP or European Pharmacopeia standards, represents a smaller volume but higher-value segment, used as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable formulations. Compliance with regulatory standards, batch traceability, and certification requirements limits entry and ensures product quality. The “others” category includes specialty glycols such as dipropylene and tripropylene glycol, industrial heat-transfer fluids, lubricants, and chemical intermediates, often commanding higher margins due to technical formulation requirements. Grade segmentation influences supply chain and logistics, with industrial PG often shipped in bulk via rail or truck, while pharmaceutical and specialty grades are delivered in drums or IBCs. While industrial-grade PG dominates in volume, pharmaceutical and specialty grades grow faster in revenue, reflecting Spain’s demand for high-purity, certified, and sustainability-aligned products. The market structure balances large-volume industrial consumption with high-value specialty applications driven by regulatory compliance, sustainability, and end-user requirements.

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