Top 10 Companies in the Polyquaternium-10 Industry (2026): Market Leaders Driving Cosmetic and Personal Care Innovation

In Business Insights
January 10, 2026


The Global Polyquaternium-10 Market was valued at USD 12 Million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 14 Million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 2.4% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This steady growth is underpinned by rising consumer demand for premium hair and skin care products, the global expansion of the personal care industry, and the unique conditioning and film-forming properties of Polyquaternium-10.

As the personal care and cosmetics sector continues to innovate with ingredients that offer superior performance and sensory benefits, the focus sharpens on the key chemical manufacturers driving the production and development of high-quality Polyquaternium-10. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Polyquaternium-10 Industry—a mix of global chemical giants and specialized manufacturers shaping the future of cosmetic formulations.


🔟 1. Dow Chemical Company

Headquarters: Midland, Michigan, USA
Key Offering: UCARE™ Polymer LR-400, UCARE™ Polymer JR-400

Dow is a leading global producer of specialty chemicals, including its renowned UCARE™ series of Polyquaternium-10. These polymers are widely used as primary conditioning agents in shampoos, conditioners, and lotions, valued for their exceptional detangling, anti-static, and moisture-retention properties.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Development of bio-based and sustainable variants of conditioning polymers

  • Strategic focus on high-performance ingredients for the Asia-Pacific personal care market

  • Extensive R&D in polymer science for enhanced formulation compatibility

Download FREE Sample Report:
Polyquaternium-10 Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Guangzhou Tinci Materials Technology Co., Ltd. (Tinci)

Headquarters: Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Key Offering: TinciCare PQ-10 (Various Viscosity Grades)

Guangzhou Tinci is a major player in the global surfactant and cosmetic ingredient market and a significant producer of Polyquaternium-10. The company supplies a wide range of viscosity grades to domestic and international personal care brands, capitalizing on its strong production capacity and cost-effective solutions.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Expansion of production capacity to meet growing global demand

  • Focus on providing customized polymer solutions for specific formulation needs


8️⃣ 3. KCI Ltd. (Kao Corporation)

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: Leoguard™ series, various Polyquaternium-10 grades

KCI, part of the Kao Group, is a respected supplier of advanced cosmetic ingredients. The company offers high-purity Polyquaternium-10 known for its excellent conditioning performance and low irritation, making it ideal for sensitive skin and hair care applications.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Strong emphasis on product safety and mildness for sensitive skin formulations

  • Integration of sustainability principles into manufacturing processes


7️⃣ 4. Zhangjiagang Guotai Huarong Chemical New Material Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Suzhou, Jiangsu, China
Key Offering: Polyquaternium-10 (Viscosity 300, 300-500, 500+)

This company is a specialized manufacturer of quaternary ammonium compounds and other fine chemicals. It has emerged as a reliable supplier of Polyquaternium-10, serving both the domestic Chinese market and export clients with consistent quality and competitive pricing.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Investment in production technology to ensure consistent polymer quality

  • Strategic positioning within the robust Asian personal care supply chain

Download FREE Sample Report:
Polyquaternium-10 Market – View in Detailed Research Report


6️⃣ 5. Haihang Industry Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Jinan, Shandong, China
Key Offering: Polyquaternium-10 for Hair Care and Skin Care

Haihang Industry is a global chemical supplier with a diverse portfolio that includes Polyquaternium-10. The company serves as a key distributor and supplier, connecting manufacturers with end-users in the cosmetics industry worldwide.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Extensive global distribution network facilitating easy access to ingredients

  • Focus on providing comprehensive technical support to formulators


5️⃣ 6. Nouryon

Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands
Key Offering: Formerly part of AkzoNobel, offers niche polymer solutions.

While not a primary producer of standard Polyquaternium-10, Nouryon’s expertise in cellulose-based polymers and sustainable chemistry positions it as an influential player in the broader conditioner polymer market. The company focuses on innovative and eco-friendly alternatives.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Pioneering work in biodegradable and renewable conditioning polymers

  • Strong R&D capabilities in derivative chemistries for enhanced performance


4️⃣ 7. Solvay

Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium
Key Offering: Specialty polymers for personal care, including conditioning agents.

Solvay is a global leader in advanced materials and specialty chemicals. Its portfolio includes a range of ingredients for personal care, and while its direct Polyquaternium-10 production is limited, its technological expertise in polymer science influences market standards and innovation.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Development of multi-functional polymers that combine conditioning with other benefits

  • Commitment to sustainability through its Sustainable Portfolio Management program


3️⃣ 8. BASF SE

Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
Key Offering: Comprehensive portfolio of cosmetic polymers and conditioning agents.

BASF, one of the world’s largest chemical companies, offers a vast array of ingredients for the personal care industry. Its expertise includes various cationic polymers used for conditioning, and it sets high benchmarks for quality and safety that influence the entire Polyquaternium-10 market.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Extensive investment in R&D for next-generation personal care ingredients

  • Focus on creating sustainable value chains for cosmetic raw materials


2️⃣ 9. Lubrizol Corporation

Headquarters: Wickliffe, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: CARBOPOL® and other advanced polymer systems.

Lubrizol is a premier specialty chemical company renowned for its polymer technologies. While its strength lies in acrylic-based polymers, its deep understanding of rheology modification and film formation provides valuable cross-over expertise relevant to the conditioning polymer market, including Polyquaternium-10 applications.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Leadership in polymer science for sensory enhancement and formulation stability

  • Strong technical service and customer collaboration model


1️⃣ 10. Ashland Global Holdings Inc.

Headquarters: Wilmington, Delaware, USA
Key Offering: Diverse range of specialty additives and conditioning polymers.

Ashland is a key global supplier of ingredients for consumer and industrial specialties, including personal care. The company offers various hair and skin conditioning agents and possesses the application knowledge that makes it a significant influencer in the market for polymers like Polyquaternium-10.

Innovation and Market Focus:

  • Development of nature-derived and performance-enhancing polymers

  • Comprehensive solutions approach for hair and skin care formulations

Get Full Report Here:
Polyquaternium-10 Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🧴 Outlook: The Future of Polyquaternium-10 is High-Performance and Sustainable

The Polyquaternium-10 market is evolving in response to changing consumer preferences and regulatory landscapes. While its fundamental benefits remain highly valued, the industry is increasingly focusing on sustainable sourcing, enhanced multifunctionality, and compatibility with modern formulation trends.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • Growing demand for “clean beauty” and naturally-derived polymer alternatives

  • Innovation in multifunctional ingredients that combine conditioning with UV protection or repair

  • Increasing regulatory scrutiny driving demand for high-purity, well-characterized ingredients

  • Expansion of the personal care market in Asia-Pacific and Latin America, creating new growth avenues

Get Full Report Here:
Polyquaternium-10 Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical cosmetic ingredient—they are at the forefront of developing the next generation of high-performance personal care formulations.