This section provides an overview for glycolic acids as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 23 glycolic acid manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked glycolic acid companies as of November, 2024: 1.DuPont., 2.ChemScence, 3.Kumar Industries.
Table of Contents
Glycolic acid, also known as hydroxyacetic acid, is a naturally occurring α-hydroxy acid found in sugar crops. Its chemical formula is C2H4O3, and it is a colorless crystal with hygroscopic properties. Glycolic acid can be produced by hydrolyzing chloroacetic acid with barium carbonate and is soluble in water, ethanol, and ether.
Glycolic acid is used extensively in the beauty industry as a peeling agent due to its exfoliating properties. It is also used as a raw material for organic synthesis, as a sanitizing and exfoliating agent, in biodegradable resin production, and the leather industry as a dyeing and tanning agent. It serves as a pH adjuster and has applications in cleaning agents for surfaces like concrete and metals. In the medical field, polyglycolic acid, a derivative, is used as a suture material.
Glycolic acid has a melting point of 167°F (75°C) and forms glycolic acid anhydride when heated to 212°F (100°C). At temperatures above 392°F (200°C), it forms glycolide and polyglycolide. It can be irritating to skin and mucous membranes and is metabolized into toxic oxalic acid when ingested.
With the IUPAC name 2-Hydroxyethanoic acid, glycolic acid is a carboxylic acid with a hydroxy group. It has a molar mass of 76.05 g/mol and a density of 1.27 g/cm3.
Found in sugarcane, pineapple, sugar beets, unripe grapes, and cantaloupe, glycolic acid is a key component in various natural sources.
In organic synthesis, glycolic acid is used as an intermediate in esterification and redox reactions, and as a monomer for biocompatible copolymers. Polyglycolic acid, a biodegradable thermoplastic, is derived from condensation polymerization of glycolic acid.
Glycolic acid is part of the α-hydroxy acid family, which also includes β-hydroxy acids, γ-hydroxy acids, and δ-hydroxy acids. These hydroxy acids are more acidic than common carboxylic acids and are synthesized from corresponding keto acids by the action of various dehydrogenases.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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ChemScence, LLC., established in 2006, is an American manufacturer based in Monmouth Junction, New Jersey, specializing in building blocks and fine research chemicals. The company offers approximately 45,000 building blocks and intermediates, as well as thin layer chromatography, screening libraries, bioactive small molecules, and isotope compounds. ChemScence also provides dye and biochemical assay reagents, peptides, and natural products like glycosides, and steroids. Catering to a diverse clientele including universities, research institutions, as well as pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, ChemScence extends its services to include custom chemistry solutions. Furthermore, the company offers technical expertise in the domain of new drug development.
Silver Fern Chemical is a US-based chemical supplier, established to source and distribute a diverse range of hard-to-find industrial chemicals. The company was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas. With extensive industry experience, the company offers a wide spectrum of chemicals for various applications, including adhesives, coatings, and personal care products. Silver Fern Chemical boasts excellent logistics solutions, expertise, and products that meet the demands of its customers. The company serves many industries including agriculture, specialty chemical manufacturers, personal care, coatings and adhesives food and pharmaceutical, as well as household and industrial cleaning.
DuPont de Nemours, Inc., commonly shortened to DuPont, is an American multinational chemical manufacturer headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware, and established in 1802. The company offers adhesives and coatings for electronic components, commercial inkjet inks for printing solutions, surfacing materials and insulating foam sealants for building constructions, chromatography resins for protein purification, as well as lubricants and fluids for various electronic component applications. They also provide specialty enzymes and proteins for food production, thermal management materials, and microbial control products for industrial hygiene. DuPont serves various industries, including automotive, building and construction, energy, packaging and printing, as well as water management.
Kumar Industries, a manufacturer of metal framing systems based in California, USA, was established in 1980. The company specializes in producing Nu-Strut metal framing systems designed for structural support and commonly used in various industries. Custom metal products are also manufactured and tailored to the specific needs of its customers. The company serves several industries, including laboratories, glazing, precast, and solar. The company offers a range of products, including strut channel systems, laboratory furniture, pipe supports, and various metal products. Its products are used in construction, structural support, and other applications.
Global Chemical Resources, established in 2003, is a supplier of specialty chemicals, headquartered in Toledo, OH, the US. The company carries a wide range of chemical products for almost any industrial application, including cosmetics, oil, fire retardants, plating/manufacturing, paint/coating and many more. It specializes in delivering bulk chemicals of all kinds. This option allows its customer to make economical purchases with more flexibility. It also offers specialty chemical products based on customer specifications. With partners in China, Korea, India and Europe, and with partnerships among domestic manufacturers as well, it is able to offer a wide array of competitively priced chemicals.
Wego Chemical Group was founded in 1978 and headquartered in Great Neck, New York. WEGO is a full-service supplier and distributor of chemicals, minerals, and other raw materials to clients around the world. Markets and segments include agriculture & animal care, chemical & material manufacturing, construction & building materials, electronics, food & beverage, “household, industrial & institutional”, mining, oil & gas, personal care & pharmaceutical, paper & packaging, surface treatment, textiles, and water treatment.
Parchem was founded in 1999 and headquartered in Rochelle, New York. Parchem is a distributor of industrial chemicals. Parchem serves nutritional, personal care, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. Parchem offerings include coatings, adhesives, elastomers, industrial products, petrochemicals, oleochemicals, plastics, rubber, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, consumer products, catalysts, metallic salts, rare earths, flavors & fragrances, industrial & institutional, textiles, other food-related chemicals, dyes, finishes, chemicals for aerospace, oil gas drilling chemicals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Junsei Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of chemical reagents and chemical products, including commissioned synthesis of chemical products. Some of the products it makes include Sodium chloride solution, concentrated glycerin, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and nitric acid. The chemical products have a wide range of applications and can be used in pathological examination, as food additives, for analysis, and in the pharmaceutical industry. All its plants, including its research institute, are ISO4001 and ISO9001 certified, while its Saitama and Ibaraki plants are equipped with buildings that comply with GMP.
Kishida Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1924 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of reagents and high-purity chemicals and also does drug discovery support activities. Its product portfolio includes fine chemicals, research chemicals, ionic liquid, organic micro-analytical reagents, and chemical reagents for analysis. The products support several industries, including reagent business, battery material, drug discovery, and life science. The company is ISO 14001 certified and supplies several companies worldwide, including Meterion Advanced Chemicals Inc., Acros Organics, ChemBridge Corporation, Decon Laboratories, and InerBioScreen Ltd.
Fengchen Group Co., LTD is based in Qingdao, China. The company is a manufacturer and supplier of speciality chemicals for several industries around the world including natural resources, hydrogeology, drilling, geophysics, and environmental & geotechnical services. The company’s chemical product categories include APIs, amino acids, micronutrients, package materials, and enzymes. The company also offers services including specialized transportation, samples of compounds, shipping documents needed for pharmaceutical products, and international customs support.
PENTA Chemicals, established in 1990 and headquartered in Prague, Czech Republic, is a manufacturer and supplier of pure, laboratory, pharmaceutical, and special chemicals. The company offers a wide array of organic and inorganic chemicals in significant quantities, varying in quality from technical to pure, to A.G. and ACS standards. Among their products are acetaldehyde, acetamide, bromine, brilliant green, and white spirit. The company's commitment is underscored by numerous awards and certificates, including ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and the Responsible Care certificate for conscientious business practices within the chemical industry.
Merck, started in 1668 and based in Darmstadt, Germany, is a supplier of solutions and services for research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biotechnological drug therapies. The company serves the life science industry and has a broad portfolio of 300,000 products, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial microbiology, reagent, life science research, and water purification products. It is available in 66 countries, brings together six brands, and has several ISO certifications, including ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO 50001.
Messer SE & Co. KGaA, established in 1898 and based in Bad Soden, Germany, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial, medical, and specialty gases. The company's product range includes industrial gases, specialty gases, medical gases, food gases, and hydrogen. These products find applications in welding and cutting technology, decarbonization processes, environmental protection, and additive manufacturing. The company primarily serves the chemical manufacturing, pharmaceutical, food, and research sectors. Its services consist of global product distribution, application technology optimization for gases, and turnkey solutions.
Hubei Shengling Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2014 and based in Laohekou City, Xiangyang, China, is a manufacturer and supplier of medical intermediates, pesticide intermediates, and fine chemicals. The company's product range includes acrolein, glutaraldehyde, vinyl ether, ligustral, and lyral. These products are used in the medical and agricultural sectors. They primarily serve industries such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, high polymer materials, and fine chemical production. The company introduces new techniques and materials, collaborates with universities like Tsinghua University, invests heavily in equipment purchasing, and seeks to expand its industrial chain.
Nacalai Tesque Inc., founded in 1846 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of research chemicals, fine chemicals, diagnostics, and the related instruments. Some of its products include cytokines, nucleic acid electrophoresis, cell dissociation reagents, and sialic acid-related products, and it also offers custom and bulk service for bulk reagents and cell culture media. The company has more than 50 domestic distributors and several worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certified, while the Kyoto South brand and Tesque factory are ISO 14001 certified.
RX Chemicals was founded in Mumbai, India, in 2011. RX Chemicals sells chemical-based products for many sectors including automobile, agriculture, airline, detergents, drain cleaning products, electrical gear, floor care, fuel treatment, gasses, personal care, laundry chemicals, medicine, oil spill chemicals, and accessories, as well as tools. RX Chemicals also provides a range of services including chemical inspection, logistics, chemical usage supervision, as well as tank cleaning. The company sells to customers both in India and customers internationally.
CABB Group GmbH is a contract development and manufacturing company (CDMO) for starting materials, active ingredients and advanced intermediates. Headquartered in Sulzbach, Germany, the company was founded in 2003. CABB Group specializes in producing a diverse range of specialty chemicals, including intermediates, active ingredients, and custom manufacturing solutions. Its products cater to various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals, and performance chemicals. The company offers comprehensive services including custom synthesis, process development, and technical support, serving its customers' unique chemical needs.
ChemPoint, established in 1999 and a subsidiary of Univar Solutions Inc., is a fine and specialty chemical distributor headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. The company runs ChemPoint, a personalized e-distribution platform that enables the marketing and sales of specialty and fine chemicals in North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The platform features MarketConnect, a web-based tool that offers market transparency to customers and allows producers to review sales processes. ChemPoint offers a diverse range of specialty chemical products, including adhesives, lubricating fluids, polymers, sealants, and thermoplastics.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | DuPont. |
12.2%
|
2 | ChemScence |
10.7%
|
3 | Kumar Industries |
9.1%
|
4 | ChemPoint |
6.7%
|
5 | Silver Fern Chemical |
6.3%
|
6 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
6.3%
|
7 | Global Chemical Resources |
5.0%
|
8 | Wego Chemical Group Inc |
4.6%
|
9 | Fengchen Group Co.,Ltd |
4.3%
|
10 | Hubei Shengling Technology Co., Ltd. |
3.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the glycolic acid page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 7 | 36.8% |
Japan | 4 | 21.1% |
Germany | 4 | 21.1% |
China | 2 | 10.5% |
India | 2 | 10.5% |