PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927127
PUBLISHER: The Business Research Company | PRODUCT CODE: 1927127
Polyethylene glycol (PEG) is a synthetic polymer created through the polymerization of ethylene oxide molecules, forming ethylene glycol units linked by an ether linkage. It functions as a laxative by retaining water in the stool, easing passage, and is commonly used for bowel preparation before medical procedures due to its versatility and safety profile, making it widely used across various industries.
The main types of polyethylene glycol are categorized by molecular weight (MW) as less than 1000, between 1000 and 10,000, and greater than 10,000. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a molecular weight (Mw) less than 1000 usually refers to low molecular weight PEGs, available in forms such as opaque liquid, powder, flakes, and white waxy solid. These are utilized in diverse applications including medical and pharmaceutical, automotive, building and construction, plastics, aerospace, among others.
Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report's Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.
Tariffs have impacted the polyethylene glycol market by increasing costs for ethylene oxide, specialty catalysts, and imported PEG intermediates. These tariffs have affected pharmaceutical, automotive, and construction applications, especially in North America and Europe where pharmaceutical-grade PEG imports are significant. Asia-Pacific producers have faced trade-related pricing fluctuations. Positively, tariffs have encouraged domestic PEG manufacturing, improved supply security for medical-grade polymers, and accelerated innovation in high-value and specialty PEG formulations.
The polyethylene glycol market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides polyethylene glycol market statistics, including polyethylene glycol industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with a polyethylene glycol market share, detailed polyethylene glycol market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the polyethylene glycol industry. This polyethylene glycol market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenario of the industry.
The polyethylene glycol market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $4.81 billion in 2025 to $5.1 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.9%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to pharmaceutical excipient demand, laxative usage growth, polymer processing needs, industrial lubricant consumption, chemical manufacturing expansion.
The polyethylene glycol market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $6.25 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to biopharmaceutical growth, advanced drug delivery systems, medical procedure demand, specialty polymer applications, sustainable polymer development. Major trends in the forecast period include growing use in pharmaceutical formulations, increasing demand for peg in drug delivery, expansion of peg in industrial lubricants, rising adoption in plastics processing, focus on high-purity peg grades.
The rising demand for medication is expected to propel the growth of the polyethylene glycol market going forward. Factors contributing to the increasing demand for medication include the growing prevalence of chronic illnesses, aging populations, advancements in medical treatments, expanding healthcare coverage, and heightened consumer awareness of healthcare options. Polyethylene glycol functions as a key component in pharmaceutical formulations, supporting drug delivery systems, improving solubility, and enhancing treatment effectiveness. For instance, in June 2025, data published by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, a US-based federal agency, showed that prescription drug spending rose 11.4% to $449.7 billion in 2023, outpacing the 7.8% growth in 2022. Therefore, the rising demand for medication is driving the polyethylene glycol market.
Major companies operating in the polyethylene glycol market are focusing on developing innovative solutions such as reactive polyethylene glycols for high-performance concrete and specialty polymers to meet growing demand for enhanced durability, sustainability, and chemical functionality. Reactive polyethylene glycols differ from traditional PEGs by incorporating functional end-groups that enable chemical bonding, making them suitable as building blocks in advanced superplasticizers and polymer formulations. For instance, in May 2025, BASF SE, a Germany-based chemical company, introduced Pluriol A 2400 I, a reactive polyethylene glycol designed for manufacturing third-generation superplasticizers used in construction. The product enhances the flow characteristics and durability of concrete mixtures, retains the water solubility and biocompatibility of standard PEG, and supports wider industrial applications compared to conventional PEGs.
In July 2023, Vector Laboratories Inc., a US-based biotechnology company, acquired Quanta BioDesign Ltd. for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition strengthens Vector Laboratories Inc.'s polyethylene glycol (PEG) capabilities, expands its product offerings, and provides additional chemistries for therapeutic and diagnostic advancements. Quanta BioDesign Ltd. is a US-based developer and distributor of life science reagents and assays, including polyethylene glycol.
Major companies operating in the polyethylene glycol market are Exxon Mobil Corporation, Mitsui Chemicals Inc., BASF SE, Dow Chemical Company, Saudi Basic Industries Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Merck KGaA, INEOS Group, Evonik Industries AG, Solvay S.A., Arkema S.A., Huntsman Corporation, PETRONAS Chemicals Group, Clariant, Croda International Plc, Ashland, Liaoning Oxiranphex Inc., India Glycols Limited, GFS Chemicals Inc., Saibaba Surfactants PVT LTD, Tokyo Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Noah Chemicals, Carl Roth, Dynalene Inc.
Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the polyethylene glycol market in 2025. The regions covered in the polyethylene glycol market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa
The countries covered in the polyethylene glycol market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain
The polyethylene glycol market consists of sales of pharmaceutical excipients, personal care ingredients, industrial chemicals, lubricants, surfactants, and polyurethane foam. Values in this market are 'factory gate' values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.
The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).
The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.
Polyethylene Glycol Market Global Report 2026 from The Business Research Company provides strategists, marketers and senior management with the critical information they need to assess the market.
This report focuses polyethylene glycol market which is experiencing strong growth. The report gives a guide to the trends which will be shaping the market over the next ten years and beyond.
Where is the largest and fastest growing market for polyethylene glycol ? How does the market relate to the overall economy, demography and other similar markets? What forces will shape the market going forward, including technological disruption, regulatory shifts, and changing consumer preferences? The polyethylene glycol market global report from the Business Research Company answers all these questions and many more.
The report covers market characteristics, size and growth, segmentation, regional and country breakdowns, total addressable market (TAM), market attractiveness score (MAS), competitive landscape, market shares, company scoring matrix, trends and strategies for this market. It traces the market's historic and forecast market growth by geography.
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