Propylene glycol prices showed notable regional variation during August 2026, with North America recording the highest price at USD 1.93/KG, followed by the Middle East at USD 1.64/KG, Southeast Asia at USD 1.56/KG, Europe at USD 1.52/KG, and Northeast Asia at USD 1.28/KG. The market displayed divergent regional movements, with Northeast Asia declining by 3.8%, while Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and North America recorded increases.
The market remained influenced by propylene feedstock economics, plant operating conditions, inventories, logistics, and demand from downstream applications. Propylene glycol consumption across unsaturated polyester resins, food and beverage formulations, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, and industrial applications supported the market. Procurement teams continued to assess regional availability, production economics, and delivered costs when planning purchases.
Regional Propylene Glycol Prices Outlook – August 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?
- Northeast Asia: USD 1.28/KG (-3.8% ↓ Down)
- Europe: USD 1.52/KG (11.8% ↑ Up)
- Middle East: USD 1.64/KG (7.9% ↑ Up)
- Southeast Asia: USD 1.56/KG (9.1% ↑ Up)
- North America: USD 1.93/KG (2.1% ↑ Up)
North America recorded the highest propylene glycol price at USD 1.93/KG, while Northeast Asia recorded the lowest at USD 1.28/KG. The regional spread reflected differences in propylene feedstock availability, manufacturing capacity, operating rates, import requirements, transportation costs, and downstream demand.
The Middle East maintained the second-highest price, while Southeast Asia and Europe occupied intermediate positions. Northeast Asia remained comparatively competitive, despite its downward monthly movement. These differences encouraged buyers to monitor regional sourcing economics, inventory positions, and supplier availability when managing procurement.
Regional Price Analysis of Propylene Glycol Prices – August 2026
Northeast Asia
Northeast Asia recorded propylene glycol prices of USD 1.28/KG, representing a decline of 3.8%. The downward movement reflected changing regional supply-demand conditions, feedstock economics, inventories, and production activity.
Demand from industrial formulations, food processing, cosmetics, personal care, and pharmaceutical applications remained relevant. Buyers benefited from comparatively lower pricing but continued to monitor inventory requirements and supplier availability before committing to larger purchases.
Europe
Europe recorded propylene glycol prices of USD 1.52/KG, representing an increase of 11.8%. Pricing was influenced by upstream propylene conditions, production economics, regional inventories, and logistics.
Demand from pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care, food applications, coatings, and industrial formulations remained important. Procurement teams continued to evaluate supplier quotations and inventory levels while accounting for changes in delivered costs.
Middle East
The Middle East recorded propylene glycol prices of USD 1.64/KG, with prices increasing by 7.9%. Regional pricing remained influenced by feedstock availability, petrochemical production conditions, export flows, and logistics.
Demand from industrial, pharmaceutical, personal care, coatings, and chemical applications supported consumption. Buyers continued to assess regional availability and trade flows when managing procurement requirements.
Southeast Asia
Southeast Asia recorded propylene glycol prices of USD 1.56/KG, representing an increase of 9.1%. Market conditions reflected changes in production availability, feedstock economics, inventories, and regional trade flows.
Demand from food and beverage, personal care, pharmaceuticals, resins, and industrial applications remained significant. Procurement activity focused on balancing supply reliability with inventory requirements and regional price movements.
North America
North America recorded propylene glycol prices of USD 1.93/KG, the highest among the tracked regions, with prices increasing by 2.1%. Pricing remained influenced by domestic production economics, propylene availability, operating rates, logistics, and downstream demand.
Demand from pharmaceuticals, food processing, personal care, coatings, resins, and industrial applications remained important. Procurement teams continued monitoring production availability and supplier pricing while maintaining appropriate inventory levels.
Supply and Demand Overview – August 2026
Propylene glycol supply remained closely connected to propylene feedstock availability, petrochemical plant operations, production capacity, inventories, maintenance schedules, and regional trade flows. Differences in integrated production infrastructure and import requirements contributed to variations in delivered prices across markets.
Demand intensity across key downstream industries remained as follows:
- Pharmaceuticals: Strong and consistent demand
- Food and Beverage: Strong demand
- Personal Care and Cosmetics: Strong demand
- Unsaturated Polyester Resins: Stable demand
- Industrial Applications: Moderate to strong demand
The overall supply-demand balance remained regionally differentiated. Northeast Asia experienced a downward price movement, whereas other tracked markets recorded increases. This divergence highlights the importance of regional production conditions, feedstock costs, inventories, and downstream purchasing cycles in determining procurement economics.
Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective
- Raw Material Availability: Propylene availability and upstream petrochemical economics directly influence propylene glycol production costs and supplier pricing.
- Downstream Demand: Pharmaceutical, food, personal care, resin, coatings, and industrial applications provide important sources of propylene glycol consumption.
- Logistics: Freight, port handling, storage, and inland transportation costs influence delivered prices, particularly in import-dependent markets.
- Energy Costs: Energy requirements associated with petrochemical processing and manufacturing affect overall production economics.
- Trade Dynamics: Import and export flows, regional production capacity, and supplier availability influence local supply-demand balances.
Recent Developments (August Highlights)
- Northeast Asian propylene glycol prices declined as regional supply-demand conditions softened.
- European prices increased significantly amid changing production and procurement conditions.
- Middle Eastern and Southeast Asian prices moved higher, reflecting evolving feedstock and regional supply conditions.
- North America maintained the highest reported price while recording a moderate monthly increase.
Overall, August 2026 reflected a divergent regional market, with most tracked regions recording price increases while Northeast Asia moved lower.
For detailed insights, charts, and forecasts, explore: https://www.imarcgroup.com/propylene-glycol-pricing-report/requestsample
Propylene Glycol Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement
The Propylene Glycol Price Chart for August 2026 highlights substantial regional differences, with North America positioned at USD 1.93/KG and Northeast Asia at USD 1.28/KG. The remaining markets occupied an intermediate range, although their monthly movements were predominantly upward.
- Early August: Pricing was influenced by propylene feedstock availability, plant operations, inventories, and downstream demand across major consuming industries.
- Mid-August: Regional markets continued to diverge as buyers balanced supply requirements against changing feedstock costs, production conditions, and logistics.
- Late August: North America, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and Europe maintained upward price movements, while Northeast Asia remained under downward pressure.
The price chart helps procurement managers compare regional price positioning and identify changes in sourcing economics. It can support supplier negotiations, inventory planning, purchasing schedules, and evaluation of domestic versus imported supply options.
Propylene Glycol Price Index & Historical Analysis
The Propylene Glycol Price Index during August 2026 reflected a mixed regional market. North America recorded USD 1.93/KG, the highest reported price, while Northeast Asia recorded USD 1.28/KG, the lowest. The difference demonstrates the importance of regional feedstock availability, production infrastructure, trade flows, and downstream demand.
Historically, propylene glycol pricing has remained connected to propylene economics, petrochemical production cycles, plant utilization, energy costs, and demand from pharmaceutical, food, personal care, resin, and industrial sectors. Inventory changes and logistics conditions can further influence regional purchasing behavior.
Key structural drivers include:
- Raw material availability: Propylene supply and feedstock economics influence production costs and market availability.
- Production and processing capacity: Plant utilization, maintenance activity, and regional manufacturing capacity affect supply conditions.
- Downstream manufacturing cycles: Pharmaceuticals, food processing, cosmetics, personal care, resins, and industrial applications influence demand intensity.
The August 2026 pricing structure demonstrates why procurement strategies need to account for regional market conditions rather than relying on a single global price reference.
What Is Propylene Glycol?
Propylene glycol is a clear, colorless organic compound widely used as a solvent, humectant, carrier, and chemical intermediate. It is generally produced from propylene-derived feedstocks and is valued for its versatility, miscibility, and broad compatibility with numerous formulations.
Its combination of functional properties makes it important across chemical, pharmaceutical, food, personal care, and industrial applications.
Key applications include:
- Pharmaceutical formulations
- Food and beverage products
- Cosmetics and personal care
- Unsaturated polyester resins
- Industrial fluids and formulations
Propylene glycol is strategically important because it serves both as a functional ingredient and as an intermediate across multiple industries. Its pricing can therefore influence formulation costs, manufacturing economics, and procurement strategies throughout downstream value chains.
Propylene Glycol Price Forecast – Next 12 Months
The propylene glycol price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain volatile, with regional differences likely to persist. Future price movements will depend on propylene feedstock economics, plant operating rates, inventory levels, downstream demand, energy costs, logistics, and trade flows.
Key growth drivers include:
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing demand
- Food and beverage consumption
- Personal care and cosmetics production
- Unsaturated polyester resin demand
- Industrial formulation requirements
Potential risks include:
- Propylene feedstock cost volatility
- Petrochemical plant disruptions
- Changes in downstream industrial demand
- Higher energy and logistics costs
- International trade and supply-chain disruptions
Overall, propylene glycol prices are expected to remain sensitive to upstream feedstock economics and regional supply-demand balances. Procurement teams will need to monitor plant operations, inventories, downstream consumption, and regional trade conditions to manage future purchasing requirements.
FAQs About Propylene Glycol Prices Insights & Market Analysis
What does the Propylene Glycol Price Index indicate in August 2026?
The Propylene Glycol Price Index indicates significant regional variation, with North America recording USD 1.93/KG and Northeast Asia USD 1.28/KG. Most tracked markets recorded increases, while Northeast Asia declined.
How does the Propylene Glycol Price Chart help procurement managers?
The Propylene Glycol Price Chart helps procurement managers compare regional pricing, evaluate supplier quotations, monitor supply-demand conditions, plan inventories, and assess sourcing economics.
What is the propylene glycol price forecast for the next 12 months?
Propylene glycol prices are expected to remain volatile, with future movements influenced by propylene availability, petrochemical production, downstream pharmaceutical and industrial demand, energy costs, logistics, inventories, and trade conditions.
How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help
The latest IMARC Group study, "Propylene Glycol Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of propylene glycol price trends and global market dynamics. The report covers price movements, regional developments, demand patterns, supply conditions, and the factors influencing current and future prices.
The analysis examines the relationship between raw material costs, production conditions, downstream demand, logistics, trade flows, and regional market developments. By exploring the interaction between supply and demand, the pricing analysis provides businesses with useful insights into current market conditions and future pricing dynamics.
Explore pricing intelligence across 500+ commodities: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pricing-intelligence
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