Glitter is made of tiny sparkly materials that are used to add sparkle to items, such as makeup, packaging, clothes, and shoes.
Glitter is also used in packaging, greeting cards, and in many crafts. Thousands of companies manufacture glitter globally.
In this blog, you will learn about different types of glitter and its manufacturers.
Top Stats
- The global glitter industry is valued at $1.49 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow to $2.1 billion by 2032.
- Glitter is traded in more than 118 countries, with over 205,000 shipments recorded recently.
- Around 2,000 manufacturers produce glitter globally, with varying product lines and production capacities.
- The United States holds 35% of the global cosmetic-grade glitter market.
- Asia Pacific holds 30% of the global glitter market, with China, Japan, and India as key contributors.
- Europe holds 25% of the glitter market and leads in the production of biodegradable, eco-friendly glitter.
- China has over 2,000 glitter factories, mainly concentrated in Zhejiang and Guangdong provinces.
- In the U.S., Meadowbrook Inventions (established in the 1940s) and Glitterex Corp (established in 1963) are major producers.
- Europe’s biodegradable glitter segment is valued at $41.8 million.
- Cosmetic-grade glitter is made from fine polyester and is safe for use on the skin, eyes, and lips.
- Craft-grade glitter uses larger plastic or aluminum particles and is used for arts and crafts.
- Biodegradable glitter is made from plant-based cellulose, such as eucalyptus or bamboo, and breaks down naturally.
What Is Glitter?
Glitter is made of small reflective particles. It’s a decorative material and comes in different shapes. These tiny particulars reflect the light and create a shimmery effect.
Definition and Composition
Glitter is a small particle that can be less than 1 millimeter in diameter. The size of these tiny particulars can be square, hexagonal, or irregular. When these particular items are added to the light, they reflect the light and create a visual impact for decorative reasons.
Material Used in Glitter: Glitter is typically made of plastic, with PVC or PET being the most commonly used plastics. In the making, aluminum is also used to give that reflective effect. In some glitter, polyester film is also used to make them more durable and heat-resistant.
Common Uses
- Glitter is commonly used in art and craft. It is used in the making of greeting cards, scrapbooking, and for decorative purposes. In the market, glitter is available in different sizes, colors, and it’s not expensive to use.
- Glitter is also used in cosmetics such as lipsticks, eyeshadow, body oils, and lip gloss. These glitter particles are very small and non-toxic.
- Glitter is widely used in the fashion industry, such as on clothes, accessories, and shoes.
- Glitter is also used in packaging, signal, and detection technology due to its reflective effect. These small particulars are also used in automotives for the finishing touch.
Sources: www.sciencefriday.com
Global Glitter Industry Overview
Market Size and Demand
The global glitter industry is valued at $1.49 billion in 2024, and this industry is expected to increase to 2.1 billion by 2032. As per regional distribution in Asia Pacific, the biggest countries, China, Japan, and India, are the fastest growing markets with the ratio of 7 to 7.2%. North America holds a large ratio due to its fashion, cosmetics, and craft industries. Europe also holds a big share in the glitter market due to its fashion and DIY industry.
According to the stats, the US holds 35% of the cosmetics-grade glitter market. Asia Pacific holds 30% of the glitter market. Europe holds 25% of the shares and is highly focused on alternative, environmentally friendly options.
Major Manufacturers
Here is the list of major manufacturers in the US:
- Glitterex Corp is the largest company in America, which ranks in the cosmetics glitter grade.
- Meadowbrook is the oldest company in the industry to make glitter since 1948.
- American Glitter is a well-established company in the US.
Role of regions
China
In the Asia Pacific region, China is the biggest supply rising country due to its craft, fashion, and textiles.
United States
The US has the largest market in North America due to its high demand for cosmetics.
India
India holds a significant share in the region due to its fast-growing demand. The demand is expected to increase by 20% annually.
Europe
Europe holds a good share of the glitter market due to its high demand in the fashion and cosmetics industry.
Sources: www.wiseguyreports.com
How Many Glitter Factories Are There?
Total Number of Glitter Factories Worldwide
There are many glitter factories around the world, but exact numbers are not available. According to data, there are around 2000 manufacturers of glitter that are producing different products on different scales.
As per the glitter export data, it has shown that the trade has expanded to 118 countries. China is the leading country, along with India and Vietnam. In recent months, 205,000 shipments were recorded.
Regional Breakdown
Here is the regional breakdown of glitter manufacturers:
North America
North America has the biggest company, Meadowbrook Inventions in New Jersey, since the 1940s, which makes different kinds of glitter, including biodegradable and holographic. The second most well-known company is Glitterex Corp, which makes cosmetic-grade glitter. This company came into existence in 1963 and makes polyester.
Asia
China is the largest glitter producer in Asia. There are 2,000 factories in different provinces, including Zhejiang and Guangdong.
The other main country in Asia is India, which is booming due to its middle class. Most people use it in crafts and DIY. Factories are mostly at a small scale and mainly focus on export.
Europe
Europe is contributing a small share, but they are more focused on eco-friendly making. Countries such as Germany and the UK are making biodegradable materials. The leading company in the UK is Ronald Britton Ltd, and in Denmark it is EcoStardust. These countries are more focused on EU microplastic glitter, which is biodegradable and valued at $41.8 million.
Sources:
What Do Glitter Factories Produce?
Types of Glitter
Here are different types of glitter:
Cosmetic-grade
This type of glitter is used in makeup to be used on skin, eyes, nails, and lips. This glitter is made of polyester and cut into very small pieces to avoid any scratches on the skin. The material is non-toxic and can be used on the skin. This glitter is used in eyeshadow, eyemakeup, nail paints, and lip gloss.
Craft-grade
This type of glitter is meant to be used in craft and school projects. The particles are big and sometimes coated in different colors. This glitter is made of plastic and aluminum.
Biodegradable glitter
This type of glitter is made of natural materials such as a plant’s cellulose, such as eucalyptus or bamboo. They do not use plastic, and for shine, mica is used. This glitter is intended to degrade into the natural environment within weeks or months. The brands like Bioglitter are making EU-certified glitter.
Customization and Specialty Products
There are various options for glitter, including the customization option. You can cut it into a square shape, stars, or hexagons.
The color of glitter can be customized, and there are many options, such as solid colors to metallic finishes. The color can be done through coating, dyes, and vacuum metallization.
Conclusion
Glitter is not just a decorative product anymore. There are many big countries that are playing a leading role in the production of glitter. The US has the biggest glitter manufacturer. In Asia, China is the country that has 2000 factories. Companies are now more focused on eco-friendly production by using organic materials, which are biodegradable within weeks or months.
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