Global Glycerol Monostearate Market Growth, Share, Size, Trends and Forecast (2025 - 2031)

• In March 2023, Croda International plc, represented in India by its Indian subsidiary ‘ Croda India’, announced the decision to invest USD 5.4 million in building a greenfield manufacturing facility in Dahej, Gujarat. The new facility will aid in catering to the rising consumption of pharma and consumer care products.

• In May 2022, Evonik Industries AG inaugurated its Applied Technology Center (ATC) in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The new facility would include new laboratories and two pilot plants, strengthening its interface & performance business line. Interface & Performance’s agro-business includes emulsifiers, wetting agents, antifoams, and dispersants. The facility is Evonik’s third regional Agro Hub after ones in the U.S. and Germany.

The Global Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) Market is segmented by Purity into 90% and >90% categories, each catering to specific industry needs. GMS with 90% purity is widely used in various applications due to its cost-effective nature and effective emulsifying properties, especially in food and beverage products, where high purity is not always required. This purity level is ideal for large-scale production, especially in processed foods, where the performance demands are moderate, and cost-efficiency is a priority. On the other hand, >90% purity GMS is preferred in industries that require superior emulsification, stabilization, and minimal contaminants. The higher purity ensures more consistent and high-quality performance, making it suitable for premium food products, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetic formulations, where higher standards of product quality are expected.

In terms of Application, the glycerol monostearate market is divided into several categories, including Emulsifiers, Thickening agents, Anti-caking agents, Stabilizers, and others. As an emulsifier, GMS is essential for ensuring uniformity and smooth texture in products like beverages, ice creams, and dressings. As a thickening agent, it helps increase the viscosity of liquids in various food products. In anti-caking applications, GMS prevents clumping in powdered ingredients and additives, enhancing the flowability and shelf life of products like powdered soups or spices. As a stabilizer, GMS helps in maintaining the desired consistency and texture of food and personal care products, especially in emulsions, preventing separation. Each application reflects the versatility of glycerol monostearate in both food-related and non-food-related uses.

The market is further segmented by End-User into Food & Beverage, Cosmetics, Pharmaceutical, and Others. In the Food & Beverage industry, GMS is predominantly used as an emulsifier, stabilizer, and thickener in products like baked goods, dairy, and processed foods. In the Cosmetic industry, GMS is utilized for its emulsifying and thickening properties in lotions, creams, and other personal care products, providing smooth texture and stability. For the Pharmaceutical industry, high-purity GMS is essential for drug formulations, particularly in capsules and tablets, where it acts as a stabilizer and binder. The Others category includes industrial applications such as textiles and paints, where GMS is used for its lubricating, emulsifying, and thickening properties. Each segment demonstrates the broad application of glycerol monostearate across diverse industries, where its functional versatility contributes to product enhancement and stability.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Segment Analysis

In this report, the Global Glycerol Monostearate Market has been segmented by Purity, Application, End User, and Geography.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Market, Segmentation by Purity

The Global Glycerol Monostearate Market has been segmented by Purity into 90% and >90%.

The Global Glycerol Monostearate Market is segmented by Purity into 90% and >90% categories, each catering to different industry requirements. Glycerol monostearate (GMS) with a purity of 90% is commonly used in a variety of applications due to its effective emulsifying and stabilizing properties at a lower cost. This level of purity is suitable for products such as baked goods, confectioneries, and non-food applications, where the performance requirements do not demand higher purity. It is often favored in industries where cost efficiency is a priority while still maintaining acceptable performance in emulsification and texture enhancement.

On the other hand, >90% purity glycerol monostearate is preferred for more demanding applications that require superior performance in terms of emulsification, stability, and texture. This higher purity grade is crucial in high-quality food products such as premium baked goods, dairy items, beverages, and processed foods, where the emulsifying agent must deliver consistent results and maintain product integrity over time. In addition, >90% GMS is used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and personal care products, where higher purity ensures minimal impurities, greater safety, and optimal functionality in product formulations.

The segmentation by purity also highlights the varying needs across industries. 90% GMS is suitable for large-scale commercial production where cost-effectiveness is a key factor, while >90% GMS is in demand for specialized formulations that require high performance and minimal contaminants. As the market continues to grow, the demand for higher purity GMS is likely to increase, driven by the growing focus on product quality, consumer safety, and the need for superior performance in both food and non-food applications.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Market, Segmentation by Application

The Global Glycerol Monostearate Market has been segmented by Application into Emulsifier, Thickening, Anti Caking, Stabilizer and Others.

The emulsification stands as one of the primary applications of glycerol monostearate, widely utilized in food processing to stabilize emulsions, enhance texture, and extend shelf life. Its effectiveness in forming and stabilizing oil-in-water emulsions makes it valuable in products such as baked goods, dairy products, and confectionery, where uniform texture and extended freshness are crucial.

Another significant application of glycerol monostearate is as a thickening agent, employed to impart viscosity and improve the consistency of products ranging from sauces and dressings to personal care items. Its ability to modify the texture and mouthfeel of these products enhances consumer appeal and facilitates better product performance. Additionally, glycerol monostearate functions as an anti-caking agent, preventing powdered substances from clumping during storage and ensuring flowability and ease of handling in products like powdered beverages, spices, and dry mixes.

Glycerol monostearate serves as a stabilizer in various applications, contributing to the uniformity and stability of formulations by preventing ingredient separation and maintaining product integrity over time. This property is particularly beneficial in the pharmaceutical industry for formulations requiring consistent dosage and efficacy. Beyond these primary applications, glycerol monostearate finds utility in a range of other uses, including in the production of plastics, textiles, and personal care products, where its versatile properties contribute to product quality and performance across diverse industrial sectors.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Market, Segmentation by End User

The Global Glycerol Monostearate Market has been segmented by End User into Food & Beverage, Cosmetic, Pharmaceutical and Others.

The Food & Beverage sector, Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) is widely utilized as an emulsifier and stabilizer in a range of products. It enhances texture and consistency in baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, and processed foods, contributing to improved mouthfeel and extended shelf life. GMS is also crucial in the production of margarine and sauces, where it prevents ingredient separation and maintains product homogeneity, thereby meeting consumer expectations for quality and sensory appeal.

In the Cosmetic industry, Glycerol Monostearate serves as an essential ingredient in skincare and personal care products. It functions as an emulsifying agent that helps blend water and oil phases, ensuring stable formulations and enhancing product texture. Lotions, creams, and various cosmetic preparations benefit from GMS’s ability to impart smoothness and uniformity, appealing to consumers seeking effective and aesthetically pleasing skincare solutions.

In the Pharmaceutical sector, Glycerol Monostearate plays a pivotal role as a pharmaceutical excipient. It is utilized as a lubricant in tablet manufacturing, facilitating the production process and ensuring tablet integrity. Additionally, GMS acts as a dispersing agent in ointments and creams, aiding in the uniform distribution of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) for consistent therapeutic outcomes. Its versatility in pharmaceutical formulations underscores its importance in enhancing drug delivery systems and ensuring product efficacy and patient compliance. Across these industries and others, Glycerol Monostearate continues to be a valuable ingredient, supporting product innovation and meeting stringent regulatory requirements globally.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Global Glycerol Monostearate Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Global Glycerol Monostearate Market Share (%), by Geographical Region, 2024

North America and Europe dominate the market due to the established food processing and personal care industries that extensively utilize Glycerol Monostearate. These regions have stringent regulatory frameworks that govern the use of food additives, ensuring high standards of product safety and quality.

Asia Pacific is a rapidly growing region in the Glycerol Monostearate market, driven by the expanding food and beverage sector and increasing consumer demand for processed foods. Countries like China, India, Japan, and South Korea are significant contributors to market growth, supported by rising disposable incomes, urbanization, and changing dietary preferences favoring convenience foods.

In the Middle East and Africa, as well as Latin America, the market for Glycerol Monostearate is experiencing steady growth due to evolving consumer lifestyles and preferences towards convenience and packaged foods. The personal care industry in these regions is also adopting GMS for its emulsifying properties in cosmetics and skincare products. Market growth in these regions is further fueled by improving economic conditions, urbanization, and increasing investments in food processing and manufacturing infrastructure. As global consumption patterns continue to evolve, these regional markets are poised to expand further, driven by the versatility and essential functions of Glycerol Monostearate across diverse applications.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Global Glycerol Monostearate Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Emulsifying properties
• Functional versatility

• Increased shelf-life : One of the primary drivers for the adoption of Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) in the global market is its ability to enhance shelf life across various products and industries. GMS functions as an effective emulsifier and stabilizer, crucial for maintaining product quality over extended periods. In food applications, GMS prevents fat crystallization and oxidation, thereby extending the shelf life of baked goods, confectionery, dairy products, and processed foods. By stabilizing emulsions and improving texture, GMS helps maintain product consistency and freshness throughout storage and distribution channels.

  In the personal care sector, Glycerol Monostearate is used to stabilize formulations in cosmetics and skincare products, preventing phase separation and maintaining product integrity over time. Its emulsifying properties contribute to the longevity of creams, lotions, and other cosmetic preparations by ensuring uniform distribution of active ingredients and maintaining desired texture and viscosity. This capability is crucial for meeting consumer expectations of product efficacy and quality.

  In pharmaceutical applications, GMS serves as a lubricant in tablet manufacturing and a dispersing agent in ointments and creams. Its role in pharmaceutical formulations helps enhance product stability and shelf life by facilitating uniform mixing of ingredients and improving overall product performance. This versatility across multiple industries underscores GMS's importance in addressing the need for longer shelf life, which is a critical factor in reducing product wastage and ensuring consumer satisfaction with consistent product quality over time.

Restraints

• Regulatory Compliance
• Price Fluctuations

• Raw Material Sourcing : Raw material sourcing for the Global Glycerol Monostearate Market involves obtaining key ingredients necessary for its production, primarily focusing on stearic acid and glycerol. Stearic acid, a saturated fatty acid derived from natural sources like vegetable oils (such as palm oil, soybean oil, and coconut oil) or animal fats, serves as the primary raw material for glycerol monostearate synthesis. The availability and cost of stearic acid significantly impact the production economics and market dynamics of glycerol monostearate.

  Glycerol, another essential raw material, is a byproduct of biodiesel production or derived from natural fats and oils through hydrolysis. It plays a crucial role in the esterification process that produces glycerol monostearate. The sourcing of glycerol depends on factors such as regional availability of biodiesel production facilities and the overall supply-demand balance in the glycerine market. Manufacturers often prioritize sourcing glycerol from sustainable and certified suppliers to align with environmental and regulatory standards.

  The global glycerol monostearate market's raw material sourcing strategy also considers the quality and purity requirements necessary for different end-use applications. Manufacturers may engage in strategic partnerships with suppliers to ensure a consistent and reliable supply chain of raw materials. Moreover, advancements in extraction technologies and sustainable sourcing practices continue to influence sourcing decisions, promoting efficiency and minimizing environmental impact throughout the glycerol monostearate production process.

Opportunities

• Functional Foods
• Clean Label

• Personal Care : In the Global Glycerol Monostearate Market, the personal care industry plays a significant role as a major consumer of this versatile ingredient. Glycerol Monostearate (GMS) is widely utilized in personal care products for its emulsifying properties, which help stabilize formulations and ensure consistent texture. In cosmetics and skincare products, GMS facilitates the blending of water and oil phases, allowing for the creation of smooth, uniform creams, lotions, and emulsions. Its ability to enhance product consistency and stability makes it a preferred choice in moisturizers, sunscreens, and various other skincare formulations.

  Glycerol Monostearate acts as a lubricant and thickening agent in personal care products, contributing to the overall sensory experience and efficacy of the product. It helps improve the spreadability and absorption of topical applications, ensuring that active ingredients are evenly distributed and absorbed into the skin. This characteristic is particularly valuable in formulations aimed at providing hydration, anti-aging effects, and protection against environmental stressors.

  The personal care industry's reliance on GMS extends beyond basic skincare products to include hair care items such as conditioners and styling products. In these applications, GMS helps enhance the smoothness and manageability of hair by reducing friction and static electricity. As consumer demand for multifunctional and performance-driven personal care products grows, Glycerol Monostearate continues to be a favored ingredient for its versatility, effectiveness, and ability to meet diverse formulation requirements in the global market.

Key players in Global Glycerol Monostearate Market include:

• Alpha Chemicals Private Limited
• Kao Corporation
• Evonik Industries AG
• ACM Chemicals
• BASF SE

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis