Glycolic Acid Price Trend and Forecast

About Glycolic Acid

Glycolic acid is a key industrial chemical widely used in cosmetics, textiles, and biodegradable polymers. Produced primarily from chemical feedstocks like chloroacetic acid or formaldehyde, it also has emerging bio-based routes using sugars or glycerol. Its small molecular size and high solubility make it effective in formulations for cleaning agents, leather processing, and chemical peels. Industrial interest is growing due to its biodegradability and performance, driving research into greener, cost-effective production methods for sustainable manufacturing.

Glycolic Acid Product Details

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Glycolic Acid Production Process

• Glycolic Acid Production by Hydrolysis: The production process of glycolic acid is initiated by the hydrolysis of monochloroacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. The production is initiated with the hydrolysis of monochloroacetic acid with sodium hydroxide. The chemical reaction between the two compounds is carried out at a controlled temperature that ranges between 90-130 °C. The reaction results in the formation of a mixture containing glycolic acid and sodium chloride. The salt formed is processed and removed by evaporation concentration, followed by acid extraction in the presence of acetone, which results in the production of glycolic acid as the end product.

Glycolic Acid Industrial Uses

Glycolic acid has diverse industrial applications across multiple sectors. In textiles, it improves dyeing and finishing processes. In metal treatment, it acts as a descaler and rust remover. The oil and gas industry uses it in well stimulation fluids. In leather processing, it aids in tanning and dye penetration. In skincare and cosmetics, it is valued for exfoliation and anti-aging effects. In the pharmaceutical industry, glycolic acid is used in drug formulations and as a monomer in bioresorbable polymers.

Methodology

The displayed pricing data is derived through weighted average purchase price, including contract and spot transactions at the specified locations unless otherwise stated. The information provided comes from the compilation and processing of commercial data officially reported for each nation (i.e. government agencies, external trade bodies, and industry publications).