Top 10 Companies in the Biobased Propylene Glycol Market (2025): Market Leaders Driving Sustainable Chemical Innovation

In Business Insights
September 25, 2025


The Global Biobased Propylene Glycol Market was valued at USD 432.3 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 950.4 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 12.0% during the forecast period (2023–2030). This growth is being driven by rising demand for eco-friendly alternatives in industries like antifreeze, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and food additives, coupled with stringent environmental regulations and a shift toward renewable feedstocks from sources such as glycerin and sorbitol.

As the chemical industry pivots toward sustainability and bio-based materials to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the focus intensifies on producers who innovate in green chemistry, enhance supply chain efficiency, and deliver high-purity biobased products. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Biobased Propylene Glycol Market—a blend of agricultural processors, chemical giants, and specialized bio-manufacturers propelling the sector toward a greener future.


🔟 1. Orison Chemicals

Headquarters: Qingdao, China
Key Offering: Biobased propylene glycol from refined glycerin and sorbitol

Orison Chemicals stands out as a key player in the Asian biobased propylene glycol landscape, specializing in the production of high-quality, renewable glycols derived from vegetable oils and agricultural byproducts. The company serves a diverse range of applications, including unsaturated polyester resins for composites and antifreeze formulations for automotive uses. With a strong emphasis on cost-effective manufacturing processes, Orison has expanded its production capacity to meet the surging demand in emerging markets, where sustainability is increasingly tied to economic viability. Their biobased products meet international standards for purity and performance, making them a preferred choice for manufacturers seeking drop-in replacements for petroleum-derived glycols. Furthermore, Orison’s integrated supply chain from raw material sourcing to final distribution ensures reliability, particularly in regions like East Asia and Southeast Asia, where rapid industrialization drives glycol consumption.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Utilization of waste glycerin from biodiesel production to minimize environmental impact

  • Certifications for bio-preferred products under global sustainability programs

  • Investments in R&D for next-generation bio-feedstocks to reduce carbon footprint

Download FREE Sample Report: Global and Regional Biobased Propylene Glycol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Houghton Chemical

Headquarters: Boston, Massachusetts, USA
Key Offering: Industrial-grade biobased propylene glycol for antifreeze and deicing

Houghton Chemical is a veteran distributor and producer in the North American market, focusing on biobased propylene glycol solutions tailored for harsh weather applications like aircraft deicing fluids and automotive coolants. The company’s expertise lies in blending and customizing glycols to enhance freeze protection while maintaining low toxicity profiles, which is crucial for environmental compliance in sensitive areas. Over the years, Houghton has built a robust network of suppliers and end-users, ensuring steady availability of biobased variants that outperform traditional options in biodegradability. Their commitment to quality control is evident in rigorous testing protocols that align with ASTM standards, helping clients in the transportation and aviation sectors meet regulatory requirements. As demand grows for non-toxic alternatives, Houghton’s strategic positioning allows it to capture significant shares in the U.S. and Canadian markets, where cold climates amplify the need for reliable antifreeze products.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Promotion of biodegradable glycols to reduce waterway contamination risks

  • Partnerships with renewable feedstock providers to support circular economy principles


8️⃣ 3. Oleon NV

Headquarters: Ertvelde, Belgium
Key Offering: Biobased propylene glycol from vegetable oils for cosmetics and detergents

Oleon NV, a subsidiary of Avient Corporation, excels in the European biobased propylene glycol segment, leveraging its oleochemical expertise to produce glycols from renewable palm and rapeseed oils. These products find extensive use in personal care formulations, where natural origins appeal to eco-conscious consumers, and in household detergents for their mild, skin-friendly properties. Oleon’s production facilities emphasize energy-efficient processes, reducing the overall environmental load compared to synthetic routes. The company has invested heavily in expanding its bio-based portfolio, responding to EU directives that favor sustainable chemicals. By integrating advanced hydrogenation technologies, Oleon ensures its glycols are indistinguishable in performance from petrochemical versions, yet with a significantly lower carbon footprint. This positions them well in markets prioritizing green chemistry, such as pharmaceuticals and food processing, where purity and traceability are paramount.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • RSPO-certified sustainable palm oil sourcing to prevent deforestation

  • Life cycle assessments to quantify and minimize emissions across the value chain

  • Collaboration with industry consortia for bio-based standard development


7️⃣ 4. Cargill Incorporated

Headquarters: Minnetonka, Minnesota, USA
Key Offering: Bio-PG from corn-derived dextrose for food and pharmaceutical applications

Cargill, a global agribusiness powerhouse, plays a pivotal role in the biobased propylene glycol market by converting corn and other starches into high-purity glycols suitable for direct human consumption. Their products are integral to food additives, where they act as humectants in bakery items and confections, and in pharmaceuticals as excipients in liquid formulations. Cargill’s vertically integrated operations, from farming to fermentation, allow for consistent quality and scalability, addressing the challenges of fluctuating raw material prices. The company’s focus on innovation includes developing low-calorie bio-glycols for the health food sector, aligning with consumer trends toward natural ingredients. In regions like North America and Europe, Cargill’s supply chain resilience has helped it maintain leadership amid supply disruptions, while their emphasis on non-GMO options caters to premium markets. Overall, Cargill’s contributions bolster the market’s growth by bridging agriculture and chemical applications seamlessly.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Regenerative agriculture practices to enhance soil health and reduce inputs

  • Goal to source 100% renewable energy for production by 2030

  • Bio-based certification programs ensuring traceability from farm to factory

Download FREE Sample Report: Global and Regional Biobased Propylene Glycol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Ashland Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Specialty biobased propylene glycols for unsaturated polyester resins and electronics

Ashland Inc. is renowned for its specialty chemicals division, where biobased propylene glycol serves as a critical building block in resin production for marine coatings and composite materials. The company’s glycols, derived from refined glycerin, offer superior solvency and freeze-thaw stability, making them ideal for demanding applications in construction and electronics manufacturing. Ashland’s research-driven approach has led to patented processes that improve yield and purity, reducing waste in production. They cater to global clients by providing customized formulations that comply with REACH and FDA regulations, ensuring safety in end-use products. As the market evolves, Ashland is expanding into Asia-Pacific, where infrastructure booms increase resin demand. Their ability to integrate bio-glycols into existing supply chains without compromising performance has earned them trust among manufacturers transitioning to sustainable materials. This strategic foresight positions Ashland as a bridge between traditional chemistry and bio-innovation.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of water-soluble bio-glycols to lower VOC emissions

  • Net-zero emissions target by 2040 through renewable sourcing


5️⃣ 6. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Bio-based propylene glycol for detergents, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals

BASF SE, the world’s largest chemical producer, leads in biobased propylene glycol through its advanced biotechnology platforms, utilizing sorbitol and glycerin to create versatile intermediates. Their products enhance formulation stability in cosmetics, where they function as moisturizers, and in detergents as non-toxic surfactants. BASF’s scale enables competitive pricing, making bio-glycols accessible for mass-market applications. The company invests in digital twins for process optimization, cutting energy use by up to 20% in manufacturing. In Europe and North America, BASF collaborates with regulators to certify their glycols under green chemistry frameworks, fostering adoption in sensitive sectors like food contact materials. Their global footprint supports seamless distribution, while ongoing R&D explores hybrid bio-synthetic routes for even greener profiles. BASF’s holistic approach not only drives market penetration but also sets benchmarks for sustainability in the chemical industry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Climate-neutral production roadmap with 25% bio-based portfolio by 2030

  • Partnerships with biotech firms for novel enzyme-based conversions

  • Recycling programs for glycerin byproducts to close the loop


4️⃣ 7. Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)

Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
Key Offering: Biobased PG from corn glycerin for antifreeze and food uses

ADM dominates the biobased propylene glycol arena with its vast agricultural resources, transforming corn-derived glycerin into premium glycols for antifreeze solutions and food preservatives. Their integrated biorefineries produce millions of tons annually, supplying industries that require USP-grade materials. ADM’s glycols excel in hygroscopic properties, vital for humid environments in electronics and pharmaceuticals. The company’s commitment to innovation includes scaling up fermentation technologies to diversify feedstocks, mitigating risks from crop variability. In South America and North America, ADM benefits from abundant biomass, positioning it to meet rising demand from electric vehicle coolants and natural cosmetics. By emphasizing traceability, ADM assures customers of ethical sourcing, aligning with global sustainability goals. This end-to-end control from field to product enhances reliability and supports the market’s expansion into emerging applications like biodegradable plastics.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Sustainable farming certifications covering over 80% of supply chain

  • Carbon capture integration in biorefineries to offset emissions


3️⃣ 8. DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: High-purity bio-PG from renewable sources for pharmaceuticals and electronics

DuPont brings decades of chemical engineering prowess to the biobased propylene glycol market, producing ultra-pure variants from dextrose for critical applications in drug delivery systems and semiconductor cleaners. Their glycols provide excellent thermal stability, essential for electronics assembly in cleanrooms. DuPont’s focus on R&D has yielded bio-catalytic processes that boost efficiency and reduce solvent use, appealing to eco-focused tech firms. Globally, they operate state-of-the-art facilities in the U.S. and Europe, ensuring supply for high-value sectors. As regulations tighten on chemical safety, DuPont’s low-impurity profiles give them an edge in pharmaceuticals, where bio-compatibility is non-negotiable. Their strategic acquisitions in biotech further strengthen feedstock security, enabling consistent growth. DuPont’s role underscores how legacy players are reinventing themselves for a bio-based era, driving innovation that balances performance and planet.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • 100% renewable electricity usage in key plants by 2025

  • BioPreferred program participation for federal procurement advantages

  • Collaborative research on algal glycerin sources for scalability


2️⃣ 9. Global Bio-chem Technology Group Company Limited

Headquarters: Hong Kong, China
Key Offering: Biobased propylene glycol from sorbitol for Asian industrial applications

Global Bio-chem Technology emerges as a dynamic force in Asia’s biobased propylene glycol production, utilizing sorbitol from tapioca starch to manufacture glycols for polyester resins and textiles. Their facilities in Malaysia and China leverage regional biomass abundance, offering cost advantages in Southeast Asian markets. The company’s glycols support the booming electronics industry, providing dielectric properties for coolants in data centers. With a push toward vertical integration, Global Bio-chem controls costs and quality, catering to export demands in unsaturated polyester for wind turbine blades. Their adaptation to local regulations, like China’s green manufacturing mandates, has fueled expansion. By focusing on high-volume, low-cost bio-glycols, they democratize access to sustainable materials, aiding small and medium enterprises in transitioning. This agility positions Global Bio-chem as a growth engine in the region’s chemical landscape.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Tapioca sourcing from sustainable farms to avoid monoculture issues

  • Energy-efficient distillation reducing water consumption by 30%


1️⃣ 10. LyondellBasell Industries

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Bio-based propylene glycol for resins, antifreeze, and cosmetics

LyondellBasell tops the list with its comprehensive biobased propylene glycol offerings, derived from refined glycerin and integrated into their vast petrochemical expertise for hybrid solutions. Their products power unsaturated polyester resins in automotive parts and antifreeze in heavy machinery, with global distribution reaching over 100 countries. LyondellBasell’s innovation centers develop drop-in bio-glycols that seamlessly replace synthetics, minimizing reformulation costs for clients. In Europe and the U.S., they lead in scaling production via partnerships with biofuel producers, addressing supply bottlenecks. Their glycols meet Kosher and Halal certifications for food uses, broadening market reach. As a pioneer, LyondellBasell invests in circular economy projects, recycling plastics back into glycols. This forward-thinking strategy not only secures market leadership but also accelerates the industry’s shift to renewables, influencing global standards for sustainable chemistry.

Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Commitment to 20% bio-based sales by 2030

  • Advanced recycling technologies linking glycols to plastic waste streams

  • Global alliances for SAF-like bio-feedstock diversification

Read Full Report: Global and Regional Biobased Propylene Glycol Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of Biobased Propylene Glycol Is Greener and More Versatile

The biobased propylene glycol market is experiencing transformative momentum. Although petroleum-based versions persist, investments in bio-production, process efficiencies, and diverse applications are reshaping the landscape toward lower emissions and resource conservation. With regulatory pressures from the EU’s Green Deal and U.S. clean energy incentives, the sector is poised for exponential growth, particularly in high-demand areas like electric vehicles and natural cosmetics.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Expansion of bio-feedstock capacities in North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific

  • Mandates for bio-content in chemicals, targeting 10-20% by 2030 in key regions

  • Digital tools for supply chain transparency and lifecycle carbon tracking

  • Strategic alliances between agribusiness and chemical firms for innovation

Read Full Report: Global and Regional Biobased Propylene Glycol Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies highlighted here are not just supplying biobased propylene glycol—they’re catalyzing the sustainable evolution of the chemical industry, one renewable molecule at a time.

Download FREE Sample Report: Global and Regional Biobased Propylene Glycol Market – View in Detailed Research Report