Top 10 Companies in the Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Industry (2024-2030): Market Leaders Powering Global Beauty Formulations

In Business Insights
June 05, 2025

The Global Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market was valued at USD 38 million in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 50.34 million by 2030, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 4.10% during the forecast period (2024–2030). This growth is propelled by rising demand for natural cosmetic ingredients, increasing preference for safer emulsifiers, and expanding applications in premium skincare and makeup products globally.

As the beauty industry shifts toward clean-label formulations and sustainable ingredients, polyhydroxystearic acid has emerged as a versatile emulsifier with excellent safety credentials (risk coefficient 1). In this analysis, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market—blending established chemical specialists and innovative ingredient developers shaping the future of cosmetic formulations.


🔟 1. Innospec Inc.

Headquarters: Englewood, Colorado, USA
Key Offering: High-purity Polyhydroxystearic Acid (≥99%)

Innospec stands as a global leader in specialty chemicals, with its Performance Chemicals division supplying premium-grade polyhydroxystearic acid to major cosmetic brands. Their ingredient enhances emulsion stability in sunscreens, foundations, and anti-aging creams while meeting stringent international safety standards.

Innovation Portfolio:

  • Patent-protected purification processes eliminating residual contaminants
  • Customized viscosity grades for different formulation needs
  • REACH and FDA-compliant manufacturing facilities

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Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Guangzhou Panyu United Baoying Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Guangzhou, China
Key Offering: Cost-effective Polyhydroxystearic Acid solutions

As China’s leading producer, United Baoying has captured significant Asia-Pacific market share through competitive pricing and reliable supply chains. The company specializes in both ≥99% and sub-99% purity grades, catering to diverse formulation budgets.

Market Advantages:

  • Annual production capacity exceeding 5,000 metric tons
  • Strategic partnerships with local cosmetic OEMs
  • Rapid sample turnaround for formulation testing

8️⃣ 3. Croda International Plc

Headquarters: Snaith, United Kingdom
Key Offering: Crodamol™ PHSA (Cosmetic Grade)

Croda’s version of polyhydroxystearic acid is renowned for its batch-to-batch consistency and superior emulsification properties. The company integrates this ingredient into its broader portfolio of bio-based cosmetic actives.

Sustainability Edge:

  • 62% reduction in carbon emissions from production (2015 baseline)
  • 100% renewable energy at European manufacturing sites
  • Carbon-neutral shipping options available

7️⃣ 4. Evonik Industries AG

Headquarters: Essen, Germany
Key Offering: TEGO® Care PBS 6 (Polyhydroxystearic Acid variant)

Evonik’s health care business line has developed specialty grades of polyhydroxystearic acid that improve spreadability in high-end cosmetic formulations while maintaining exceptional skin compatibility.

Technical Superiority:

  • Low-irritancy profile validated by clinical studies
  • Enhances active ingredient delivery in serums
  • Compatible with organic certification standards

6️⃣ 5. Lubrizol Corporation

Headquarters: Wickliffe, Ohio, USA
Key Offering: Carbopol® polymer-compatible grades

Lubrizol has optimized its polyhydroxystearic acid offerings specifically for synergy with thickener systems common in modern cosmetics. Their technical support helps formulators maximize performance.

Application Expertise:

  • 250+ formulation scientists supporting customers
  • Accelerated stability testing protocols
  • Global regulatory compliance support
  • Read Full Report:
    Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


    5️⃣ 6. Nikkol Group (Nikko Chemicals Co., Ltd.)

    Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
    Key Offering: Nikkol PHP-SA (High-purity Japanese grade)

    Nikkol brings Japanese precision engineering to polyhydroxystearic acid production, with particle size control that enables superior blending in water-in-oil emulsion systems prevalent in Asian beauty markets.

    Quality Differentiators:

    • Sub-micron particle size distribution control
    • Medical-grade manufacturing standards
    • 24/7 customer formulation support

    4️⃣ 7. Kolkata Chemical Company

    Headquarters: Kolkata, India
    Key Offering: Budget-friendly cosmetic-grade acid

    This emerging Indian manufacturer has gained traction in price-sensitive markets by offering economical polyhydroxystearic acid without compromising on essential purity parameters for cosmetic applications.

    Market Position:

    • 30% cost advantage versus European suppliers
    • Strong distribution across Middle East and Africa
    • Small-batch production flexibility

    3️⃣ 8. BASF SE

    Headquarters: Ludwigshafen, Germany
    Key Offering: Eco-certified polyhydroxystearic acid

    BASF incorporates this ingredient into its broader care chemicals portfolio, offering formulation support alongside their market-leading preservative systems and UV filters.

    Sustainability Credentials:

    • ISO 16128 certified natural origin index
    • Mass balance approach for bio-based feedstocks
    • Life cycle assessment data available

    2️⃣ 9. Eastman Chemical Company

    Headquarters: Kingsport, Tennessee, USA
    Key Offering: Specialty ester-modified variants

    Eastman develops performance-enhanced versions of polyhydroxystearic acid tailored for demanding applications like long-wear makeup and waterproof sunscreens.

    Technical Innovations:

    • Enhanced water resistance in final formulations
    • Improved pigment dispersion capabilities
    • Reduced tackiness in high-load systems

    1️⃣ 10. Jeen International Corporation

    Headquarters: Fairfield, New Jersey, USA
    Key Offering: Ready-to-use emulsifier blends

    Jeen adds value by pre-combining polyhydroxystearic acid with complementary ingredients to accelerate formulators’ development cycles and simplify production scaling.

    Customer Solutions:

    • 100+ customized emulsifier systems available
    • Small-scale production batches for testing
    • Complete technical documentation support

    Download FREE Sample Report:
    Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report


    🌿 Market Outlook: The Future of Cosmetic Emulsification

    The cosmetic grade polyhydroxystearic acid market is evolving to meet growing demand for safer emulsifiers compatible with natural and premium formulations. While traditional suppliers dominate current production, bio-engineered alternatives and sustainable sourcing methods are gaining momentum.

    📊 Key Market Drivers:

    • Global clean beauty movement accelerating ingredient transparency
    • Growing preference for plant-derived alternatives to synthetic emulsifiers
    • Expansion of multifunctional ingredients reducing formulation complexity
    • Increasing regulatory scrutiny of conventional emulsifying agents

    Get Full Report Here:
    Cosmetic Grade Polyhydroxystearic Acid Market – View in Detailed Research Report