The global Glyoxylic Acid market exhibited divergent trends in the first half of January 2025, with prices remaining stable in North America while rising in China. In North America, balanced supply and steady demand from industries like cosmetics, agrochemicals, and pharmaceuticals kept prices in check. Meanwhile, the Chinese market experienced upward price fluctuations due to strong demand from the cosmetics sector.

The Chinese Glyoxylic Acid market experienced persistent upward price fluctuations in the first half of January 2025, driven primarily by robust demand from the cosmetics and haircare industries. This surge in demand is attributed to the increasing use of Glyoxylic Acid in personal care formulations, particularly in sunscreens, hair straightening and anti-frizz treatments. As consumer preferences shift towards premium cosmetic products, manufacturers have been actively securing raw material stocks to ensure uninterrupted production. Additionally, the Lunar New Year festivities have further fuelled consumption, as downstream producers ramped up operations to meet seasonal spikes in demand. On the supply side, a tightening market has added to the price inflation, with Glyoxylic Acid availability becoming increasingly constrained. This shortage stems from an operational slowdown in manufacturing facilities, as the people are busy with upcoming festivities. Further, frequent electricity cuts in the region have also hampered the production.  Reduced output from key suppliers has led to a supply-demand imbalance, intensifying competition among buyers and exerting upward pressure on prices. Moreover, fluctuations in the cost of raw materials, including Glyoxal, Nitric Acid and other key precursors, have further contributed to the price volatility.

The North American Glyoxylic Acid market remained stable in the first week of January 2025 owing to consistent demand but witnessed a slight price increase in the second week due to temporary supply shortages caused by severe winter conditions. Extreme cold temperatures disrupted operations, threatening pipeline integrity, instrumentation, and processing equipment while also straining the region’s power grid. Reports indicate that the US Gulf Coast chemical sector faced operational challenges as temperatures plunged below freezing. Despite these supply-side constraints, demand for Glyoxylic Acid from key industries including paints, coatings, adhesives, and construction remained steady, helping sustain market stability. Moving forward, potential weather-related supply disruptions and industrial activity fluctuations could influence Glyoxylic Acid price trends in the coming weeks.

As per ChemAnalyst, it is anticipated that the prices of Glyoxylic Acid may continue to increase further driven by ongoing supply chain disruptions and strong demand from downstream industries, particularly cosmetics and personal care, due to the approaching summer season. These factors are expected to exert upward pressure on Glyoxylic Acid prices.