Independent Chemical – Your Source for 1,3 Butylene Glycol
The global market for 1,3 Butylene Glycol (CAS 107-88-0) is projected to grow to $178.5 million by 2024, up from $127.8 million in 2017, according to a new study published by Research and Markets. Butylene glycol is a four-carbon alcohol widely used in cosmetics for moisture retention. It also sees use in food products for its antimicrobial properties and is used as a stabilizing agent in various pharmaceutical applications as well as in polymers and resins. Growth in the cosmetics industry, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, is expected to be the primary driver in demand growth over the next several years.
Improving healthcare infrastructure and rising disposable income are helping to fuel growth in demand for cosmetics and pharmaceutical products in Asian markets, driven primarily by India and China. Rapid urbanization is also helping to change consumer habits, and is producing increased demand for paints, coatings, and polymers which use butylene glycol. Thus, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead demand growth over the next five years, while North America and Europe are also expected to see healthy growth in demand for these respective product categories.
Pharmaceutical grade butylene glycol occupies the largest share of the market. It has superior antibacterial properties to other polyols such as glycerol, sorbitol, or propylene glycol. It also acts as a stabilizer to volatile compounds such as those found in flavors and fragrances, and it prevents products from drying out. Its good distribution coefficient also decreases the amount of preservative required for a given product. As the leading pharmaceutical companies continue to develop new product variants, butylene glycol is certain to play a large role in those development efforts.
Butylene glycol is non-toxic, but its production typically starts with fossil fuel-derived acetaldehyde, which is a toxin, an irritant, and a carcinogen. Promising recent efforts to develop alternative production methods have started to bear fruit, however. For example, Genomatica, a San Diego-based biotech company, recently demonstrated a bio-based fermentation process using sustainable plant-based ingredients. This process results in a final product that exhibits greater purity and has obvious appeal for cosmetic and personal care product applications.
Butylene glycol will assuredly continue to experience increasing demand, with cosmetic and pharmaceutical industry trends driving growth. Finding a reliable supplier is essential. Independent Chemical has been successfully supporting industries since 1948 and today distributes an ever-expanding range of products to support customers that include the world’s most sought after consumer and industrial brand names, in such product areas as nutrition, cosmetics, seafood and meat processing, baking, graphic arts, environmental services, and more.
Contact Independent Chemical to speak with one of our experienced sales representatives for any questions regarding availability and pricing. At Independent Chemical, we partner with our customers to create the services needed – whether in custom packaging, particle sizing, custom synthesis, or stocking at locations in the US or internationally.