United Kingdom Propylene Glycol Market Overview, 2030

The United Kingdom propylene glycol (PG) market has matured over several decades, reflecting its industrial development, chemical manufacturing capabilities, and regulatory evolution. Demand began expanding in the 1960s and 1970s, primarily for industrial-grade PG used in unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) for construction composites, coatings, and adhesives, aligned with post-war infrastructure and industrial growth. During the 1980s and 1990s, transportation-related applications became significant, driven by automotive coolant, antifreeze, and aviation de-icing needs, particularly in northern regions with cold winters. PG was favored over ethylene glycol due to lower toxicity and environmental concerns, aligning with emerging UK environmental standards. Simultaneously, FCC-grade PG found uptake in food and beverage applications as a humectant and carrier, regulated under UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) guidance and European Union regulations prior to Brexit. The 2000s and 2010s saw increasing demand in pharmaceuticals and personal care, where USP-grade PG serves as a solvent, stabilizer, and excipient in oral, topical, and injectable formulations, supported by stringent UK and EU quality standards. More recently, bio-based PG has started gaining attention in line with sustainability and low-carbon initiatives, leveraging glycerin byproducts from biodiesel production, though penetration remains limited compared to petroleum-based PG. Imports from EU countries and global suppliers supplement domestic production, especially for specialty and high-purity grades. Today, the UK PG market balances large-volume industrial applications with high-value pharmaceutical, food, and personal care segments, with sustainability, regulatory compliance, and supply chain security becoming key strategic considerations.

According to the research report ""United Kingdom propylene glycol Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the United Kingdom propylene glycol market is expected to reach a market size of more than USD 110 Million by 2030. The United Kingdom propylene glycol market is shaped by feedstock availability, cost, regulatory oversight, end-use demand, and sustainability pressures. Domestic production capacity is limited, so imports from EU petrochemical hubs and global suppliers supplement local supply, particularly for industrial and specialty grades. Petroleum-based PG dominates the market, benefiting from cost efficiency and reliable logistics for bulk applications such as construction composites, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings. Feedstock prices, especially propylene and propylene oxide (PO), are closely tied to crude oil and natural gas markets, influencing margins and contract pricing. Bio-based PG, derived from glycerin or renewable feedstocks, is a growing niche, primarily in pharmaceutical, food, and personal care applications, where environmental claims, regulatory approval, and consumer preference for sustainable ingredients drive adoption. Regulatory frameworks from the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA), the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), and European-derived standards (REACH, prior to Brexit) govern production, handling, and labeling, while municipal and airport procurement regulations encourage environmentally friendly PG for de-icing. Seasonal demand fluctuations, particularly for automotive and aviation applications during winter, require careful inventory and logistics management. Distributors and formulators buffer smaller customers and provide grade certification. Overall, the UK market is characterized by stable industrial demand, growth in high-value certified applications, sensitivity to feedstock pricing, and increasing emphasis on sustainability and compliance.

In the United Kingdom, propylene glycol end-use spans construction, transportation, food and beverages, cosmetics and personal care, pharmaceuticals, and other specialty applications. In construction, PG is primarily used in UPR for composites, coatings, adhesives, and laminates, supporting infrastructure projects and renewable energy installations such as wind turbine blades, aligned with the UK’s energy transition policies. Transportation demand is substantial, driven by automotive coolant and antifreeze formulations, as well as aircraft and airport de-icing, particularly during harsh winter months in Scotland and northern England; PG is preferred due to lower toxicity relative to ethylene glycol. The food and beverage sector uses FCC-grade PG as a humectant, solvent, and carrier for bakery products, confectionery, flavorings, and beverages, adhering to FSA and EU-derived regulatory standards. Cosmetics and personal care industries favor PG for its humectant and solvent properties in lotions, creams, and personal hygiene products, with a growing focus on bio-based or sustainable ingredients. Pharmaceutical-grade PG is used as a solvent and excipient in oral, topical, and injectable medications, with strict compliance to USP and UK/EU pharmacopeia standards. Others include industrial applications such as heat-transfer fluids, lubricants, and chemical intermediates, providing incremental volumes and high-margin niches. This diversified end-use profile ensures resilience in the UK PG market, balancing industrial demand with growth in high-value, regulatory-compliant, and sustainability-driven segments.

The United Kingdom propylene glycol market is predominantly supplied by petroleum-based PG, sourced from both EU petrochemical hubs and global suppliers, providing cost-efficient, high-volume supply for industrial applications such as construction composites, automotive coolants, de-icing fluids, paints, and coatings. Petroleum-derived PG benefits from scale, feedstock integration, and reliable logistics, forming the backbone of the UK market. Bio-based PG is emerging as a smaller but strategically important segment, produced from glycerin byproducts of biodiesel or other renewable feedstocks, with demand primarily from food, pharmaceutical, and personal care sectors, where sustainability and regulatory compliance drive procurement. Bio-based PG adoption is supported by government and industry initiatives promoting low-carbon chemicals, environmental certification, and consumer preference for sustainable products. Despite higher production costs and limited domestic capacity compared to petroleum-based routes, bio-PG demand is increasing, particularly for high-value specialty applications. Circular economy efforts, such as glycol recovery and recycling in industrial and airport de-icing operations, also enhance the strategic relevance of bio-PG. Over the medium term, petroleum-based PG will retain the majority of volume, while bio-based PG is expected to gain share in high-value and sustainability-focused markets in the UK.

In the United Kingdom, propylene glycol is segmented into industrial-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, and other specialty grades, each with specific demand drivers and commercial dynamics. Industrial-grade PG dominates by volume, serving high-throughput applications in UPR for construction, coatings, adhesives, automotive coolants, and de-icing fluids; buyers prioritize cost, supply reliability, and logistical convenience, often sourcing in bulk from distributors or European producers. Pharmaceutical-grade PG, produced to USP and European Pharmacopeia standards, represents a smaller but high-value segment, used as a solvent, excipient, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable medications; compliance with regulatory standards, batch traceability, and certification create entry barriers. The “others” category includes specialty glycols such as dipropylene and tripropylene glycol, industrial heat-transfer fluids, lubricants, and chemical intermediates, typically commanding higher margins due to technical formulation requirements. Grade segmentation impacts supply chain management, packaging, and logistics, with bulk shipments for industrial PG and drums or IBCs for pharmaceutical and specialty grades. While industrial-grade PG dominates in volume, pharmaceutical and specialty grades are growing faster in value, reflecting UK demand for certified, high-purity, and environmentally aligned products. This dual-market structure highlights the UK’s balance between a large-volume industrial backbone and premium, high-value specialty applications, influenced by regulation, sustainability priorities, 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