isopropyl alcohol - Profile

What are the generic sources for isopropyl alcohol and what is the scope of patent protection?

Isopropyl alcohol is the generic ingredient in one branded drug marketed by Zurex Pharma and is included in one NDA. There are five patents protecting this compound. Additional information is available in the individual branded drug profile pages.

Isopropyl alcohol has forty-one patent family members in sixteen countries.

Summary for isopropyl alcohol

International Patents:	41
US Patents:	5
Tradenames:	1
Applicants:	1
NDAs:	1

DrugPatentWatch^® Estimated Loss of Exclusivity (LOE) Date for isopropyl alcohol

Constraining patent/regulatory exclusivity:

8,703,828

Dosage:

SOLUTION;TOPICAL

^*The generic entry opportunity date is the latter of the last compound-claiming patent and the last regulatory exclusivity protection. Many factors can influence early or later generic entry. This date is provided as a rough estimate of generic entry potential and should not be used as an independent source.

US Patents and Regulatory Information for isopropyl alcohol

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	TE	Type	RLD	RS	Patent No.	Patent Expiration	Product	Substance	Delist Req.	Exclusivity Expiration
Zurex Pharma	ZURAGARD	isopropyl alcohol	SOLUTION;TOPICAL	210872-001	Apr 26, 2019		OTC	Yes	Yes	9,629,368
Zurex Pharma	ZURAGARD	isopropyl alcohol	SOLUTION;TOPICAL	210872-001	Apr 26, 2019		OTC	Yes	Yes	9,844,654		Y
Zurex Pharma	ZURAGARD	isopropyl alcohol	SOLUTION;TOPICAL	210872-001	Apr 26, 2019		OTC	Yes	Yes	10,688,291		Y

Expired US Patents for isopropyl alcohol

Applicant	Tradename	Generic Name	Dosage	NDA	Approval Date	Patent No.	Patent Expiration
Zurex Pharma	ZURAGARD	isopropyl alcohol	SOLUTION;TOPICAL	210872-001	Apr 26, 2019	8,226,971
Zurex Pharma	ZURAGARD	isopropyl alcohol	SOLUTION;TOPICAL	210872-001	Apr 26, 2019	9,011,897

International Patents for isopropyl alcohol

Country	Patent Number	Title	Estimated Expiration
Australia	2014254271
Australia	2019201266
Brazil	112015026482

Supplementary Protection Certificates for isopropyl alcohol

Patent Number	Supplementary Protection Certificate	SPC Country	SPC Expiration	SPC Description
0289349	SPC/GB04/007	United Kingdom		PRODUCT NAME: ISOPROPYL(+)-(Z)-7-((1R,2R,3R,5S)-3,5-DIHYDROXY-2-(3-OXODECYL)CYCLOPENTYL)-5-HEPTENOATE; REGISTERED: CH 55634 01 20010329; UK PL00101/0667 20031112
1448186	29/2010	Austria		PRODUCT NAME: "(-)-EPIGALLOCATECHIN GALLAT MIT ISOPROPYLMYRISTAT"; NAT. REGISTRATION NO/DATE: 1-29000 20100217; FIRST REGISTRATION: DE 73486.00.00 (MITTEILUNG) 20090908
1920764	2012/033	Ireland		PRODUCT NAME: TRAVOPROST (ALSO CALLED FLUPROSTENOL ISOPROPYL ESTER); NAT REGISTRATION NO/DATE: EU/1/01/199/001-002 20011129; FIRST REGISTRATION NO/DATE: EU/1/01/199/001-002 20011129; PAEDIATRIC INVESTIGATION PLAN: P/0298/2013 PROCEEDINGS UNDER SECTION 37 OF THE PATENTS ACT, 1992 RESTORATION ORDER DATED 12TH JANUARY 2016, WAS MADE RESTORING THE PATENT MENTIONED BELOW S85583 PAUL DOYLE A RE-USABLE BAG SYSTEM RESTORATION ORDERS DATED 16TH FEBRUARY 2016, WERE MADE RESTORING THE PATENTS MENTIONED BELOW S86133 MERVYN GREENE MULTI PURPOSE TANK STAND WITH COMPLEX LOCKING MECHANISM 86119 MPC GREEN LIMITED ANEW BIN

Investment Scenario, Market Dynamics, and Financial Trajectory for Isopropyl Alcohol (IPA)

Last updated: February 3, 2026

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Summary

Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), a widely used chemical solvent and disinfectant, has experienced fluctuating demand driven by healthcare, sanitation, and manufacturing sectors. This report analyzes its investment landscape, market drivers, competitive dynamics, and financial forecasts. With an estimated market size of USD 3.1 billion in 2022 and a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of approximately 4.5% through 2027, the IPA market offers both opportunities and risks for investors. Key considerations include supply chain considerations, regulatory environment, and shifts driven by global health trends.

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What is the Current Market Size and Structure of Isopropyl Alcohol?

Parameter	Details
Global Market Size (2022)	USD 3.1 billion
CAGR (2023-2027)	4.5%
Major Manufacturers	Dow, BASF, Shell, INEOS, LyondellBasell
Major End-Use Industries	Healthcare, disinfectants, cosmetics, electronics manufacturing, automotive cleaners

Key Market Segments

Segment	Market Share (2022)	Growth Drivers	Notes
Healthcare & Disinfectants	55%	COVID-19 pandemic, increased hygiene awareness	Sustained demand post-pandemic
Industrial & Manufacturing	25%	Electronics cleaning, automotive industry	Automation-driven demand
Personal Care & Cosmetics	10%	Growing cosmetic industry, demand for antiseptics	Niche but rising
Others	10%	Paints, adhesives, household cleaning	Steady but low growth

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Market Dynamics Influencing Investment

1. COVID-19 Pandemic Impact

The pandemic significantly boosted demand for disinfectants, leading to a surge in IPA consumption. According to Statista, disinfectant-related sales increased globally by over 20% in 2020-2021. While demand remains elevated, post-pandemic stabilization is observed, with a CAGR of 4.5% expected from 2023 to 2027 (source: MarketsandMarkets, 2023).

2. Regulatory Environment and Quality Standards

Regulatory agencies, including the U.S. FDA and EPA, enforce standards for disinfectant products to ensure safety and efficacy. Investors need to monitor updates on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) and environmental regulations, particularly concerning volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emissions linked to IPA manufacturing and usage.

3. Supply Chain Considerations

• Raw Material Dependency: Propylene, a key raw material for IPA, is derived from propylene steam cracking—an upstream process linked to petrochemical markets.
• Geopolitical Risks: Supply chain disruptions, especially in regions with concentrated manufacturing (e.g., US, China, Middle East), can affect price stability.
• Environmental Regulations: Stricter environmental policies may impact production costs and operational practices.

4. Price Trends and Volatility

Prices of IPA are influenced by crude oil prices, feedstock costs, and regional supply-demand balances. The average price per gallon ranged from USD 2.50 to USD 3.50 in 2022, with volatility reflecting broader petrochemical market dynamics.

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Competitive Landscape and Investment Opportunities

Major Players	Market Share (Est.)	Strengths	Challenges
Dow Chemical (US)	20%	Integrated production, R&D capabilities	High capital expenditure
BASF (Germany)	15%	Global distribution, product diversification	Regulatory compliance costs
Shell (UK/Netherlands)	12%	Large-scale manufacturing, commodity economies	Environmental regulations
INEOS (UK)	10%	Cost-efficient production, flexible supply chain	Market fluctuations
LyondellBasell (US)	8%	Strong raw material integration	Price pressures

Emerging Trends and Investment Outlook

• Bio-based IPA: Growing interest in sustainable and bio-derived IPA could provide a niche but promising growth avenue.
• Vertical Integration: Investment in raw material sourcing and downstream applications increases margins.
• Regional Expansion: Asia-Pacific remains a growth hub owing to expanding healthcare and manufacturing sectors.

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Financial Trajectory and Forecasts

Year	Market Size (USD billion)	Estimated Growth Rate	Notes
2022	3.1	—	Baseline
2023	3.24	4.5%	Increased demand from disinfectant sector
2024	3.39	4.5%	Steady growth anticipated
2025	3.54	4.5%	Potential for supply chain stabilization
2026	3.70	4.5%	Technological innovations may influence margins
2027	3.87	4.5%	Market maturity; growth plateauing at high levels

Revenue Projections for Leading Manufacturers (example)

Company	2022 Revenue	2025 Projection	Compound Growth Rate	Remarks
Dow	USD 620M	USD 800M	~12.1%	Investment in bio-IPA technology
BASF	USD 465M	USD 600M	~11.2%	Expansion in Asia-Pacific markets
Shell	USD 372M	USD 480M	~10.4%	Focus on sustainable products
INEOS	USD 310M	USD 395M	~12.2%	Cost efficiencies and raw material control

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Comparison: IPA Vs. Alternative Disinfectants

Parameter	Isopropyl Alcohol	Ethanol	Hydrogen Peroxide	Quaternary Ammonium Compounds
Market Price (2022)	USD 2.50-3.50/gal	USD 2.00-4.00/gal	USD 2.00-2.50/gal	USD 5.00-10.00/liter
Disinfectant Efficacy	Broad-spectrum	Broad-spectrum	Broad-spectrum	Limited to specific microbes
Regulatory Concerns	VOC emissions	Flammability concerns	Environmental impact	Skin and eye irritation
Supply Chain Stability	Petrochemical	Bio-based, renewable	Stable supply	Chemical manufacturing complexity

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FAQs

Q1: What are the main factors driving demand for isopropyl alcohol?
A1: The primary drivers include increased hygiene practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic, expanding use in healthcare disinfectants, electronics cleaning, and industrial applications.

Q2: How do raw material costs impact the profitability of IPA manufacturers?
A2: Raw material costs, mainly propylene derived from crude oil, directly affect production expenses. Fluctuations in crude oil prices lead to volatility in IPA prices and margins.

Q3: What stock or investment vehicles are suitable for gaining exposure to the IPA market?
A3: Direct investment is limited; exposure can be gained through chemicals sector ETFs, or buying shares in leading chemical companies such as Dow, BASF, or Shell.

Q4: What are the risks associated with investing in the IPA market?
A4: Risks include raw material price volatility, regulatory changes (e.g., environmental restrictions), supply chain disruptions, and shifts in demand due to technological or policy changes.

Q5: What are the notable technological innovations in IPA manufacturing?
A5: Advances include bio-based IPA production from renewable feedstocks, process optimization to reduce VOC emissions, and membrane separation technologies for higher purity products.

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Key Takeaways

• The IPA market is poised for steady growth driven by healthcare, industrial, and consumer sectors, with a CAGR of approximately 4.5% through 2027.
• Supply chain resilience and raw material costs are critical factors influencing profitability and pricing stability.
• Major players are investing in bio-derived IPA to meet environmental standards and consumer preferences.
• Regulatory developments, especially concerning VOC emissions and environmental impact, could create both risks and opportunities.
• Investors should consider technological innovation and regional expansion strategies as indicators of future growth.

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References

[1] MarketsandMarkets, "Isopropyl Alcohol Market by Application, Region - Global Forecast to 2027," 2023.
[2] Statista, "Disinfectant sales growth during COVID-19," 2021.
[3] U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, "VOC Regulations," 2022.
[4] Bloomberg Intelligence, “Chemical Sector Outlook,” 2022.
[5] Industry reports from Chemical Week and ICIS, 2022–2023.