White spirits market is estimated to be valued at USD 6.83 Bn in 2025 and is expected to reach USD 9.18 Bn by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.3% from 2025 to 2032.
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The white spirits market demand is driven by rising consumption of white spirits in paints, coatings, and other applications. Increasing construction activities, along with rapid industrialization in developing nations of the Asia Pacific, can also drive the market growth. Moreover, changing preference towards eco-friendly solvents from hazardous organic compounds can provide growth opportunities to the players. However, stringent environmental regulations regarding VOC emissions and the availability of substitutes can hamper the market growth.
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The global white spirit market has experienced notable price fluctuations from 2023 to 2025, driven by raw material costs, regional demand, and environmental regulations. In 2023, European industrial-grade white spirit was priced at approximately €930 per metric ton. By 2024, a 20-liter container in the UK ranged between £30 and £55 (around $37–$68 USD), while in the United States, a 1-liter bottle of artist-grade white spirit cost $33.69, and a 750ml bottle was available for $2.98. In the Asia-Pacific region, industrial-grade white spirit in India ranged from ₹250 to ₹600 per liter depending on purity and supplier, and in Ukraine, prices were approximately UAH 85–150 per liter, influenced by local production and demand.
In terms of material, the type 0 segment is estimated to contribute the highest market share of 56.9% in 2025, owing to its superior performance characteristics. Type 0 white spirit, also known as industrial spirit, has a low aromatic content and extremely low reactivity, making it suitable for a wide variety of industrial applications. Its chemical inertness allows it to act as an effective solvent, thinner, and cleaner without causing any unwanted chemical reactions. This purity and stability provide type 0 white spirit a significant advantage over other materials.
For instance, in September 2024, HighChem Co., Ltd. Collaborated with Shenzhen Prechem New Materials Co., Ltd., to introduce the high-performance solvent EEP (Ethyl 3-ethoxypropionate) in Japan this fall. Widely used as an industrial spirit or industrial solvent in automotive and industrial applications, EEP offers a high boiling point, strong dissolving power, and slow volatility, making it ideal for painting.
In terms of flash point, the low flash point segment is estimated to contribute the highest market share of 32% in 2025, owing to its enhanced safety benefits over other options. White spirit with a low flash point of around 24°C offers crucial advantages in industrial processing and storage environments. Its higher ignition temperature reduces flammability risks significantly as compared to medium and high flash point grades.
Low-flash-point white spirit is used as a cleaning solvent in industrial painting and surface finishing applications. The low flash point allows these activities to be carried out safely even in confined spaces like inside fuel tanks and engine components. Low-flash-point white spirit is also widely utilized as a cleaner in industrial processes like metal degreasing, parts washing, and electronics manufacturing.
For instance, Esti Chem offers ESTISOL 163, a low flash points white spirit alternative, which is utilized in metal degreasing and parts washing. This product is designed to evaporate quickly, facilitating efficient cleaning processes while maintaining safety standards.
In terms of application, the paint thinner segment is estimated to contribute 28.7% market share in 2025, owing to its excellent solvency properties. As an oil-based solvent, white spirit displays strong solvency abilities towards cured alkyd, polyurethane, and epoxy paints without reacting with the polymers. This allows it to smoothly break down paint films for stripping or maintenance work.
For instance, in March 2025, the General Company for Mining Industries, under the Ministry of Industry and Minerals, reported that a new solvent production facility in Salah al-Din province has reached 85% completion. Developed in collaboration with the private sector and adhering to global standards, the plant is slated to produce 1,000 tonnes per day of white spirit, a solvent commonly used as a paint thinner and cleaning agent.
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The white spirits market is anticipated to be dominated by Asia Pacific, with a projected 48.2% market share in 2025. This dominance is fueled by the region’s strong downstream industries, particularly paints, coatings, and chemicals, in major markets such as China and India. Rapid urbanization and large-scale construction projects, including India’s plan to invest around $1.3 trillion over the next seven years to build 60 million new homes, are significantly boosting demand for architectural coatings where white spirit is widely used as a thinning and cleaning agent.
In China, Paints and coatings giant Jotun has signed a letter of intent to invest $200 million in a new high-performance coating production plant in Jiangsu province’s Zhangjiagang Bonded Zone, aiming for an annual capacity of 200,000 metric tons. With the Asia-Pacific paints and coatings market valued at over $89 billion and dominated by China, the demand for white spirits is set to rise steadily, supported by robust economic growth, expanding housing needs, and continuous industrial investments across the region.
Europe region exhibits the fastest growth, led by countries such as Germany, and U.K. Germany’s chemical sector, generating €218 billion in 2023, fuels regional solvent supply, with government-backed subsidies aiming to support energy-intensive industries. The UK’s manufacturing activity recently hit a 26-month high, while its chemical sector returned to growth in early 2024. Both countries are advancing sustainable coatings and green chemistry initiatives, aligning with EU environmental goals and boosting demand for high-performance, eco-friendly solvent systems.
The U.S. white spirits market is dominated by multinationals like ExxonMobil, Shell, and TotalEnergies, backed by strong global supply chains and capacity expansions. For instance, in February 2024, The United States produced an unprecedented 13.5 million barrels of crude oil per day, setting a national and possibly global record. Meanwhile, India is emerging as a key hub, with companies like Bharat Petroleum and Indian Oil adopting low-VOC formulations and expanding production. Projects like Hindustan Petroleum’s Barmer refinery highlight India’s growing role in the global supply chain.
China is a leading global producer of white spirits, supported by strong end-use industries like paints, coatings, automotive, and construction. The country’s manufacturing base drives both domestic use and significant exports to markets such as Vietnam, the U.S., and Russia. Producers are upgrading facilities to meet stricter quality standards and develop low-VOC variants, aligning with global environmental trends. This combination of high demand and improved production capabilities cements China’s position as a key supplier worldwide.
For instance, in May 2025, Shenzhen city unveiled a draft standard aimed at reducing volatile organic compound (VOC) content in cleaning agents used within the electronics assembly sector, imposing hazardous-chemical limits to address air quality and occupational safety concerns.
India is set to lead South Asia’s white spirits market growth, driven by a strong manufacturing push and infrastructure expansion. Recent developments include Safex Chemicals’ new Bharuch, Gujarat facility, boosting local production and supply. Gujarat remains the country’s chemical hub, contributing 46% of exports in FY 2024–25, supported by robust infrastructure and compliance systems. Initiatives like Petroleum, Chemicals, and Petrochemicals Investment Regions (PCPIRs) and government programs such as “Make in India” and “Atmanirbhar Bharat” are attracting investments, enhancing capacity, and positioning India as a key white spirits production and export hub in the region.
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The white spirits market value is undergoing a gradual yet discernible transformation, driven by evolving regulatory landscapes, shifting end-use dynamics, and an increasing emphasis on performance optimization in paints, coatings, and industrial applications. While traditionally dominated by solvent-based paint formulations, the segment’s growth trajectory is now significantly influenced by tightening VOC emission norms in regions such as the EU and North America, which has led to a pronounced shift toward low-aromatic and dearomatized grades. According to the European Chemicals Agency, low-aromatic white spirits with aromatic content below 2% have witnessed a double-digit increase in adoption across professional coatings over the past five years, reflecting a clear pivot toward compliance-driven demand.
Industrial cleaning remains a resilient application area, particularly in emerging economies where white spirits’ cost-efficiency and solvency power continue to outweigh environmental concerns. For instance, in Southeast Asia, the use of Type 3 white spirits in metal degreasing has grown steadily, supported by the expansion of automotive component manufacturing hubs in Indonesia and Thailand. Similarly, the Middle East has seen robust usage in oilfield maintenance, leveraging white spirits’ efficacy in dissolving heavy hydrocarbon residues, especially in upstream operations.
The long-term outlook hinges on the industry’s ability to align with environmental compliance without compromising performance benchmarks. Regions with active regulatory enforcement and high industrial innovation are expected to drive specialty-grade development, whereas cost-sensitive markets will likely remain dominated by conventional products. As such, strategic positioning—balancing compliance, cost, and performance will be the determining factor for competitive advantage in the next phase of market evolution.
| Report Coverage | Details | ||
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| Base Year: | 2024 | Market Size in 2025: | USD 6.83 Bn |
| Historical Data for: | 2020 To 2024 | Forecast Period: | 2025 To 2032 |
| Forecast Period 2025 to 2032 CAGR: | 4.3% | 2032 Value Projection: | USD 9.18 Bn |
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| Companies covered: |
ExxonMobil Corporation, Royal Dutch Shell Plc, Total S.A., Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd., Compañía Española de Petróleos, S.A.U. (CEPSA), Neste Oyj, Haltermann Carless Deutschland GmbH, DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH, Al Sanea Chemical Products, and GSB Chemical Co. Pty. Ltd. |
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Global economy has been steadily growing over the past few years, with many emerging and developing nations experiencing notably high GDP growth rates. Countries such as India and several Southeast Asian countries continue to urbanize at a rapid pace as their populations shift towards cities for employment and lifestyle opportunities. This high economic activity fueled by expanding populations has boosted infrastructure development across sectors. For instance,iIn April 2023, according to the World bank Population Division estimated that two-thirds of the global population will be living in urban centers by 2050. This increased population density and creation of new residential and commercial developments necessitate ongoing refurbishment and renovations, catapulting the paints and coatings industry and supporting white spirits demand.
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About Author
Vidyesh Swar is a seasoned Consultant with a diverse background in market research and business consulting. With over 6 years of experience, Vidyesh has established a strong reputation for his proficiency in market estimations, supplier landscape analysis, and market share assessments for tailored research solution. Using his deep industry knowledge and analytical skills, he provides valuable insights and strategic recommendations, enabling clients to make informed decisions and navigate complex business landscapes.
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