🧪 GLYCERIN (GLYCEROL) – SUMMARY
🔹 What is Glycerin?
Glycerin (or glycerol) is a colorless, odorless, viscous liquid with a sweet taste.
Chemical formula: C₃H₈O₃.
It’s a trihydroxy alcohol and a key component of triglycerides (fats and oils).
🔹 How is Glycerin Produced?
By-product of:
Vegetable oil refining (especially during soapstock splitting and neutralization)
Biodiesel production (transesterification process)
Usually present as crude glycerin, which requires purification for many applications.
🔹 Types of Glycerin
| Type | Purity (%) | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Crude Glycerin | 60–80% | Industrial uses, combustion, feed additives |
| Refined Glycerin | 99.5%+ | Pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food |
| USP/Pharmaceutical Grade | 99.7%+ | Medicines, food flavoring, personal care |
🔹 Key Properties
Viscous, hygroscopic liquid
Soluble in water, alcohol, and ether
Non-toxic, biodegradable, non-flammable
🔹 Major Applications
| Industry | Uses |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical | Syrups, elixirs, cough medicines |
| Cosmetics | Moisturizers, lotions, toothpaste |
| Food & Beverage | Sweetener, humectant, preservative |
| Chemical | Production of nitroglycerin, plastics |
| Biodiesel | Purification and as a by-product |
| Animal Feed | Energy supplement |
🔹 Glycerin Production Process (From Biodiesel)
Transesterification of fats/oils with methanol produces:
Fatty acid methyl esters (biodiesel)
Crude glycerin as by-product
Separation of glycerin from biodiesel
Purification via neutralization, bleaching, distillation
🔹 Market Trends
Increasing demand in cosmetics and pharmaceuticals.
Growth driven by expanding biodiesel industry (sustainable fuels).
Demand for bio-based glycerin rising due to environmental concerns.
✅ Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Source | Vegetable oils, animal fats, biodiesel |
| Form | Liquid (viscous, sweet) |
| Purity | Crude (60-80%) to USP grade (>99.7%) |
| Applications | Pharma, food, cosmetics, industrial |
| Key Market Driver | Biodiesel production & green chemistry |