Glycerol, also known as glycerin or glycerine, is a simple polyol compound. It is normally derived as a by-product of biodiesel production, soap making and transesterification of vegetable oils. Glycerol has various industrial uses due to its chemical and physical properties. It is highly soluble in water and organic solvents, hypoallergenic, non-toxic and has high flash point. Over the years, glycerol has emerged as one of the most important biomolecules used across many industries for production of various commercial products.
Chemical Properties and Production of Glycerol
Glycerol is a trihydroxy alcohol that contains three hydroxyl groups. It has chemical formula C3H8O3. Glycerol can be produced through both natural and synthetic routes. However, the most common commercial production method involves hydrolysis of fats and oils in the presence of water and pressure at high temperature. This process yields crude glycerol and fatty acids. The crude glycerol obtained as by-product is further purified and refined to meet industrial standards. Soybean, palm, canola and coconut oils are the major feedstocks used for global glycerol production. This article will provide an overview on the Global Glycerol Market.
Glycerol Applications in Personal Care Industry
Glycerol finds widespread usage in personal care products such as soaps, toothpastes, mouthwashes, shampoos, conditioners and skin/hair care creams due to its humectant and moisturizing properties. It has strong affinity for water and helps retain moisture on skin surface. Glycerol prevents water loss from skin and hair, thereby keeping them supple and smooth. Its hypoallergenic nature makes it a popular ingredient in cosmetic formulations. Glycerol helps in thickening of liquids and provides a smoother texture to various hair and skin creams.
Glycerol in Pharmaceuticals
In pharmaceutical industry, glycerol is mostly used as an excipient and sweetening agent. As an excipient, it helps solubilize, stabilize and disperse active drugs in liquid medications. Glycerol also acts as preservative due to its hygroscopic nature. It helps prevent microbial growth in syrups, elixirs and injectable drugs. Glycerol is widely employed in manufacturing of cough syrups, expectorants, antacids and controlled drug delivery formulations like suppositories. Almost 90% of injectable drugs contain glycerol to achieve appropriate viscosity and solubilize lipophilic drugs.
Glycerol Applications in Food Industry
Glycerol discover widespread applications in various food products as humectant, solvent, sweetener and texturizer. It maintains moisture in baked goods, processed meats, candies, chocolates, chewing gums, etc. and extends their shelf-life. In candy making, glycerol prevents sugar crystallization. It provides body and mouthfeel to fillings, syrups and icings. Glycerol is used as sweetener in sugar-free food items and beverages. Other food uses include flavour emulsifier, browning agent and anticaking agent. Glycerol also acts as preservative owing to its hygroscopic nature and prevents microbial spoilage of foods.
Glycerol in Various Industrial Applications
Apart from personal care, pharma and food industries, glycerol also finds numerous applications in other industrial sectors. In tobacco industry, it is also used as humectant in Marijuana Cigarette manufacture. As solvent, glycerol is employed in paints, inks, resins and dye industries. Due to its high flash point, glycerol acts as non-toxic antifreeze and deicing fluid at commercial scale. In explosives sector, it serves as plasticizer in nitroglycerin synthesis. Other glycerol applications include usage as thickening agent, humectant and diluent in industrial chemicals production. It is also employed in polyester resin synthesis and as medium for cell and bacterial culture. Due to its versatility across industries, glycerol market is growing at a fast pace globally.
Market Outlook
The global glycerol market has been witnessing steady growth over the past few years and this trend is projected to continue in the coming years as well. Factors driving the market growth include increasing use of glycerol across industries as mentioned above, particularly in personal care and food & beverage sectors. Asia Pacific region currently dominates the glycerol market and China represents the largest producer and consumer globally. Europe and North America also have sizable market shares in research-driven glycerol applications. With growing biodiesel production and industrial usage, glycerol demand is forecast to increase substantially in near future.
In summary, glycerol has emerged as a versatile biomolecule with wide applications across multiple industries owing to its unique chemical and physical properties. Though initially a side-product in biodiesel and soap making processes, advancing research and development have opened new avenues for glycerol usage. Steady growth of industrial sectors where glycerol is employed coupled with its renewability from biomass will likely ensure a bright market prospect for this platform chemical in the coming years.