DL-Menthol (CAS: 1490-04-6) is a racemic mixture of the two enantiomers of menthol: D-menthol and L-menthol. It is a cyclic terpene alcohol with the molecular formula C₁₀H₂₀O and a molecular weight of 156.27 g/mol. The compound appears as colorless to white crystalline needles or a white crystalline powder with a characteristic minty aroma and cooling sensation. Unlike naturally occurring L-menthol, which is widely used in food, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, DL-menthol is synthetically produced and offers a less intense cooling effect — approximately 50% the intensity of pure L-menthol — making it a cost-effective and versatile alternative for applications where a milder cooling sensation is desired. DL-menthol is widely used as a flavoring agent, fragrance component, cooling agent, and topical analgesic across the pharmaceutical, food, oral care, and personal care industries.
The global DL-Menthol market continues to grow steadily. The market was valued at approximately USD 0.42 billion in 2024 and is projected to grow from USD 0.45 billion in 2025 to USD 0.68 billion by 2032, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% during the forecast period. This growth is driven by rising demand from the pharmaceutical, food and beverage, and personal care industries, as well as the growing popularity of menthol-flavored products and consumer preference for cooling sensations in oral care, cosmetics, and confectionery. Based on its chemical characteristics and industrial chain position, this article systematically analyzes international market dynamics of DL-Menthol, focusing on core application scenarios, competitive landscape, regional differences, regulatory trends, and future outlook, providing strategic references for industry participants.
Core Application Fields and Demand
Market demand for DL-Menthol is concentrated in four major sectors: pharmaceuticals (≈30-35% of global consumption), food and beverages (≈25-30%), oral care and personal care (≈20-25%), and cosmetics and tobacco (≈10-15%).
In the pharmaceutical sector, DL-Menthol is widely used as a flavoring agent or odor enhancer in confectionery, pharmaceuticals, and toiletry products. It functions as a topical analgesic, providing a local anesthetic and counterirritant effect on skin and mucous membranes. It is a common ingredient in throat lozenges, nasal inhalers, cough drops, chest rubs, balms, creams, gels, and ointments for relieving minor throat and muscle irritations. The compound also exhibits anti-inflammatory, anticorrosive, stimulation, and anesthesia properties. DL-Menthol is included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database for dental preparations, inhalations, oral aerosols, capsules, solutions, suspensions, syrups, tablets, and topical preparations. The rising prevalence of respiratory ailments globally drives demand for menthol-based products.
In the food and beverage industry, DL-Menthol functions as a flavoring agent and flavor enhancer. It is used extensively in confectionery, chewing gum, candy, mints, ice cream, baked goods, and beverages to impart a refreshing minty taste and cooling sensation. The compound is listed with FEMA number 2665 and is used as a synthetic flavoring agent in foods and pharmaceuticals. The growing popularity of menthol-flavored confectionery and chewing gums contributes significantly to market expansion.
In the oral care and personal care sector, DL-Menthol is a key ingredient in toothpastes, mouthwashes, and dental products, providing a clean, fresh sensation. It is also used in shampoos, lotions, body washes, shaving creams, aftershaves, foot sprays, and lip balms to add cooling and refreshing properties. The compound’s ability to provide a cooling sensation while masking unpleasant tastes makes it a popular ingredient in formulations designed to enhance the sensory experience of personal care products.
In cosmetics and tobacco, DL-Menthol is used as a fragrance component in perfumes, soaps, and cosmetic products. In tobacco products, it serves as a flavor enhancer in menthol cigarettes and other smokeless tobacco formulations. Additionally, DL-Menthol is employed in aromatherapy for its invigorating scent, which helps alleviate stress and promote relaxation.
Major Market Participants
The global supply system for DL-Menthol follows a pattern of large integrated chemical companies and specialized manufacturers, with production concentrated in Europe, Asia, and North America. Key players in the global DL-Menthol market include BASF, Lanxess, Hindustan Mint & Agro Products, and Lunarsun. The compound is generally supplied as a white to off-white crystalline powder with purity ranging from ≥95% to ≥99% (HPLC/GC), meeting USP and BP pharmacopoeial standards. It is available in pharmaceutical grade (suitable for topical analgesics, cough drops, and pharmaceutical formulations), food grade (FEMA 2665 compliant, for flavoring applications), and cosmetic grade (for personal care and fragrance applications).
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a reliable, quality-controlled supply chain for high-purity DL-Menthol (CAS 1490-04-6). Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent purity (≥98-99%) with low impurity profiles, fully complying with global pharmaceutical, food, and personal care standards. It is available in pharmaceutical grade (USP/BP compliant, suitable for topical analgesics, throat lozenges, and pharmaceutical formulations), food grade (FEMA 2665 compliant), and cosmetic grade (for personal care and fragrance applications). XinChem offers custom synthesis and contract manufacturing with flexible scaling from R&D to commercial tons, providing comprehensive documentation including MSDS, TDS, and COA to meet global safety and quality standards.
Regional Market Dynamics
Global demand for DL-Menthol shows regional differentiation: “Asia-Pacific is the fastest-growing region, North America and Europe are mature high-value markets, and Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth regions”.
Asia-Pacific, particularly China and India, is the world‘s fastest-growing market for DL-Menthol, driven by expanding pharmaceutical manufacturing, rising disposable incomes, and increasing consumer demand for premium personal care and flavoring solutions. The region‘s rapidly expanding food processing, oral care, and pharmaceutical industries continue to drive strong demand for high-purity menthol.
North America (United States and Canada) and Europe (Germany, France, United Kingdom, Netherlands) together account for the largest share of high-purity pharmaceutical and food-grade consumption (≥99%), driven by stringent regulatory standards and mature food processing, oral care, and pharmaceutical industries. Customer requirements in these regions are stringent: purity ≥98%, full traceability, compliance with FDA, EFSA, and REACH regulations, and comprehensive impurity documentation.
Latin America and Middle East & Africa are emerging growth regions with expanding food processing, personal care, and pharmaceutical activities. Price sensitivity is higher in these regions, and Asian suppliers dominate trade flows.
Regulatory and Environmental Considerations
DL-Menthol (CAS 1490-04-6) is subject to regulatory oversight in major economies, particularly when intended for pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic applications. The compound has an EINECS number of 216-074-4 and an HS code of 29061100.
In the European Union, DL-Menthol is registered under REACH. The compound is listed with FEMA number 2665 as a flavoring agent and is included in the JECFA database. In cosmetics, DL-Menthol is permitted under EU Regulation 1223/2009 as a fragrance ingredient and cooling agent. For pharmaceutical applications, DL-Menthol must comply with European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur.) monographs. The compound is classified with GHS hazard statements: H315 (Causes skin irritation) and H319 (Causes serious eye irritation). Precautionary measures include wearing protective gloves, protective clothing, and eye/face protection. Storage conditions: keep in a tightly sealed container in a cool, dry, dark place (recommended below 15°C). Transport information: UN 1888, Hazard Class 6.1, Packing Group III.
In the United States, DL-Menthol is regulated under TSCA. The FDA has approved DL-Menthol for use as a flavoring agent and as a component of pharmaceutical excipients. The compound is included in the FDA Inactive Ingredients Database for various dosage forms. For pharmaceutical use, adherence to USP/NF monographs is required; for food applications, compliance with FDA regulations and FEMA GRAS status applies.
In China, DL-Menthol is listed in the Inventory of Existing Chemical Substances (IECSC) and is permitted as a food additive and pharmaceutical excipient under GB standards. Manufacturers must comply with Chinese Pharmacopoeia monographs for pharmaceutical applications. The compound is also listed in the New Zealand Inventory of Chemicals (NZIoC).
Environmentally, DL-Menthol has low water solubility (slightly soluble) and is biodegradable under aerobic conditions. It requires responsible handling and disposal in accordance with environmental regulations. Manufacturing processes generate solvent-containing waste streams requiring proper treatment.
Future Outlook
The market outlook for DL-Menthol is tied to four core drivers: (1) sustained growth in global demand for menthol-based pharmaceutical products, driven by the rising prevalence of respiratory ailments and the continued use of menthol in cough drops, balms, and topical analgesics; (2) increasing consumer preference for menthol-flavored confectionery, chewing gum, and oral hygiene products; (3) the expansion of the personal care and cosmetics industry, where cooling agents and refreshing fragrances remain consistently popular; and (4) the rising demand for cost-effective synthetic alternatives to natural menthol in emerging markets. The global DL-Menthol market is projected to grow from USD 0.45 billion in 2025 to USD 0.68 billion by 2032, at a CAGR of 5.5%.
Challenges include: fluctuations in raw material prices for synthetic menthol precursors, stringent regulations regarding the use of menthol in certain products (particularly tobacco-related products), competitive pressures from natural L-menthol, and technical formulation issues due to the lipophilic nature of the compound. Enterprises should focus on securing high-purity (≥99%) production capabilities, maintaining rigorous impurity documentation for global regulatory filings, ensuring compliance with USP, BP, and pharmacopeial standards, and building long-term supply partnerships with pharmaceutical manufacturers, food and beverage companies, and personal care product developers.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem)
As a world-leading supplier of pharmaceutical intermediates, flavor ingredients, and specialty chemicals, Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has always focused on the innovative needs of the pharmaceutical, food, and personal care industries. Relying on core advantages in sourcing, quality assurance, and global logistics, we provide high-quality DL-Menthol (CAS 1490-04-6) to global customers. Our product is manufactured under strict quality management, achieving consistent specifications for pharmaceutical, food, and industrial grades. Fully compliant with USP/BP, FDA, FEMA 2665, and international quality standards, it is an ideal synthetic menthol building block for pharmaceutical formulations, food flavoring, oral care products, and personal care applications.
1. Technical Advantages
High Purity & Consistency: Our DL-Menthol achieves purity levels of ≥98-99% (verified by GC analysis), supplied as colorless to white crystalline powder or needle-like crystals, molecular weight 156.27 g/mol, melting point 34-36°C, density 0.89 g/mL at 25°C.
Low Impurity Profile: Strict control of residual solvents, heavy metals, and related substances ensures high performance for pharmaceutical, food, and personal care applications. Meets USP and BP pharmacopoeial standards.
Multiple Grades Available: We offer pharmaceutical grade (USP/BP compliant, suitable for topical analgesics, throat lozenges, and pharmaceutical formulations), food grade (FEMA 2665 compliant), and cosmetic grade (for personal care and fragrance applications).
Batch-to-Batch Uniformity: Rigorous analytical testing (GC, HPLC, melting point, optical rotation) guarantees consistent quality and reproducible performance across all production lots.
2. Product Advantages
Versatile Synthetic Menthol Building Block: Directly used in pharmaceutical formulations (topical analgesics, throat lozenges, nasal inhalers, cough drops, balms, creams, gels, ointments), food flavoring (chewing gum, confectionery, candy, ice cream, beverages), oral care (toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental preparations), personal care products (shampoos, shower gels, lotions, deodorants), cosmetics (fragrance component), and tobacco (flavor enhancer).
Cost-Effective Cooling Agent: Provides a milder cooling sensation (approximately 50% the intensity of pure L-menthol), making it suitable for applications where a less intense cooling effect is desired, while offering cost-effective and consistent quality.
High Solubility: Soluble in acetone, benzene, and most organic solvents; very slightly soluble in glycerin; practically insoluble in water.
Flexible Packaging: 1kg, 5kg, 10kg, 25kg fiber drums (R&D/industrial); full custom packaging available.
Reliable Supply Chain: Annual capacity in the multi-ton range, with dedicated warehousing (cool, dry, light-protected, sealed containers) and just-in-time delivery capabilities.
3. Application Fields
- Pharmaceuticals: Topical analgesics, throat lozenges, nasal inhalers, cough drops, chest rubs, balms, creams, gels, ointments, syrups, tablets, and capsules.
- Food & Beverage: Chewing gum, confectionery, candy, mints, ice cream, baked goods, beverages, and flavor enhancers.
- Oral Care: Toothpastes, mouthwashes, dental preparations, and oral hygiene products.
- Personal Care & Cosmetics: Shampoos, shower gels, lotions, deodorants, aftershaves, shaving creams, foot sprays, lip balms, and fragrance components.
- Tobacco & Aromatherapy: Flavor enhancer in menthol cigarettes and smokeless tobacco; invigorating scent for stress relief and relaxation.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides impurity profiling, formulation guidance, and regulatory documentation (Certificate of Analysis, Technical Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet, USP/BP compliance, FDA compliance, FEMA compliance, REACH registration, TSCA certification). We offer custom packaging and just-in-time delivery.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the pharmaceutical, food, and flavor ingredient industries.
- Flexibility: Tailored to customer purity specifications, packaging sizes, and regulatory documentation needs.
- Cost-effectiveness: High quality at competitive industrial pricing.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: Aug-15-2026