Other methods, not noticeably in use, include hydrogenation of oxalic acid, and hydrolysis of the cyanohydrin derived from formaldehyde.

Glycolic acid can be isolated from natural sources, such as sugarcane, sugar beets, pineapple, cantaloupe and unripe grapes.

[10] Glycolic acid can also be prepared using an enzymatic biochemical process that may require less energy.

[13] Glycolic acid is a useful intermediate for organic synthesis, in a range of reactions including: oxidation-reduction, esterification and long chain polymerization.

It is recycled by conversion to glycine within the peroxisomes and to tartronic acid semialdehyde within the chloroplasts.

[14] Because photorespiration is a wasteful side reaction in regard to photosynthesis, much effort has been devoted to suppressing its formation.