refined glycerine

Types

Refined glycerine, also known as refined glycerol, is a colorless, odorless, and viscous liquid frequently used in various industries, such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food, and chemicals. Due to its highly versatile nature, glycerine has become an essential ingredient across these sectors.

Pharmaceutical Grade Glycerin

The pharmaceutical industry demands highly purified glycerine, where any impurity can lead to adverse effects. Thus, pharmaceutical-grade glycerine has a purity of 99.5% or higher. It works as a solvent, humectant, and thickening agent in drug formulations and is also a crucial component in the production of nitroglycerin and other glycerine-related drugs. Additionally, its non-toxic nature makes it suitable for medical applications where internal consumption may occur.

Food Grade Glycerin

The food and beverage industry also uses refined glycerine. This is because it acts as a sweetener, thickening agent, and preservative in food products. Glycerine is commonly found in low-fat and sugar-free food and drink products, helping to retain moisture. Notably, this grade has to conform to specific regulatory standards like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Here, it must be of food grade for safety in human consumption.

Industrial Grade Glycerin

The industrial domain employs refined glycerine as well, with less stringent purity requirements. In this context, it works as a solvent, lubricant, and plasticizer for diverse materials ranging from paints and coatings to antifreeze and de-icing solutions. While not as pure as its food or pharmaceutical counterparts, industrial-grade glycerine is still effective for many applications, particularly in the production of biodiesel, where it acts as a byproduct of the transesterification process.

Cosmetic Grade Glycerin

A highly refined, pure viscous liquid glycerol is used primarily in the cosmetics and personal care industries. Here, companies use it as a moisturizer in skincare products, a solvent for active ingredients in lotions, creams, and makeup, and a humidifying agent that helps maintain skin moisture. Because of its high purity and ability to dissolve various components, cosmetic-grade glycerine is commonly used in the formulation of serums, shampoos, and conditioners. It is also widely applied in both Western and Asian skincare products.

How to Choose

The selection of refined glycerine for diverse purposes depends on several factors relevant to buyers in various industries. Below are the critical aspects to focus on.

Purity and Quality

The required level of purity will mostly depend on the application in question. Pharmaceutical and food-grade glycerines require higher purity levels (99.5% or greater) to avoid contamination. Thus, buyers from these sectors prioritize glycerine products with certificates of analysis (COAs) to validate purity. However, buyers in the cosmetic and industrial sectors might accept slightly lower purity levels. These are because they have less stringent requirements for the product.

Sourcing and Supply Chain Reliability

Consistency in supply is vital for businesses depending on refined glycerine in large quantities. For this reason, companies vet potential suppliers to ensure they can regularly offer the needed volume while maintaining quality. This vetting may include assessing a supplier's production capacity, lead times, and historical performance in delivering materials on schedule.

Application-Specific Requirements

Pharmaceutical companies often need glycerine that complies with regulatory standards. Such standards are those set by authorities like the FDA or the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The same goes for food-grade products that have to satisfy GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) criteria. To meet these industry-specific needs, businesses usually opt for suppliers with proven track records of adhering to such regulatory guidelines.

Pricing and Economic Viability

The cost of refined glycerine will always be a top consideration, especially for businesses buying in bulk. This is because the product's price greatly affects the operational expenses of sectors such as manufacturing, where profit margins can be slim. Therefore, companies must strike a balance between price and quality when choosing their glycerine supplier. They will also look for potential cost savings through bulk purchases or long-term agreements with a certain supplier.

Sustainability and Certifications

Recently, sustainability has become a major factor in how people choose their suppliers. Businesses are prioritizing those suppliers who actively practice environmental responsibility. They also choose suppliers with certifications like RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil) to guarantee that their business activities have as minimal impact as possible on the earth as possible.

What to Consider Before Refined Glycerine

Several factors must be considered when buying refined vegetable glycerin to ensure that the product satisfies the end-use application requirements.

Purity and Grade

The product's purity level is one of the most critical factors to pay attention to. For example, pharmaceutical-grade glycerine must be at least 99.5% pure, as any impurities will probably lead to adverse effects. In this case, food-grade glycerine must also meet the same purity level, as it must be safe for human consumption. Conversely, industrial or lesser-grade glycerines can be slightly lower in purity. However, they should still lack toxic contaminants to ensure safety during application.

Packaging

Proper packaging of bulk glycerine is particularly crucial as it protects the product from contamination. That is why most businesses would prefer it to be packed in high-quality, chemical-resistant containers such as drums or IBC totes. This is especially so if the glycerine will be shipped in bulk. However, if it will be delivered in small quantities, companies will prefer it in bottles or jars. Other than this, the packaging must also ensure that there is a secure seal to prevent any leakage during the process of transportation.

Cost

Usually, the price of refined glycerine will depend on the quantity purchased. Therefore, buyers need to account for any minimum order requirements that suppliers may set. They also need to factor in the shipping costs, as these will affect the overall expenditure. Also, if buying bulk quantities, they should seek glycerine suppliers who can provide them with the product at wholesale prices.

Delivery Time

It is vital for the buyer to know the lead time for any bulk order they place. In this case, they must contact the supplier to get this information before placing the order. Doing so will enable the buyer to plan accordingly and avoid delays in their operations. Moreover, in situations where timely delivery is crucial (e.g., when the buyer needs to refill their stock), they will need to work with a supplier with guaranteed quick turnaround times.

Customer Support

Reliable customer support is also important when buying refined glycerine in bulk. It is because there is always a need for effective communication throughout the purchasing process. Therefore, buyers must work with suppliers who respond to inquiries in a timely manner, handle any issues, and keep them updated on the status of their order.

Applications of Refined Glycerine

The uses of refined glycerine are countless. Below is a list of the most common ones.

Pharmaceuticals

Refined glycerine is crucial in the phamaceutical industry. Here, it serves as a solvent, humectant, and stabilizing agent in various formulations. For instance, it is used in cough syrups where it helps to soothe the throat and maintain moisture. Glycerine is also utilized in injectable drugs and ophthalmic solutions. The reason is that it acts as a preservative, helping to prolong the product's shelf life. Due to its non-toxic nature and biocompatibility, pharmaceutical-grade glycerine is vital in developing both topical and internal medications.

Cosmetics and Personal Care Products

In the cosmetics space, glycerine is renowned for its moisturizing properties. This makes it a staple ingredient in lotions, creams, and serums. Skilled practitioners add glycerine in skincare products to help the product hydrate the skin, thus preventing moisture loss. Additionally, it acts as a solvent for different cosmetic ingredients. As such, it is often found in makeup products and shampoos and conditioners. Here, it helps improve texture and provide smooth application. Because of these diverse applications, refined glycerine is also commonly regarded as the industry’s “king of humectants.” It is especially prevalent in both Western and Asian skincare formulations.

Food and Beverage Industry

The food and beverage industry also uses refined glycerine in numerous applications. These applications range from food additives to pharmaceutical usage in medicines. Here, glycerine acts as a sweetener, humectant, and preservative in various food products. These range from baked goods to confectionery. It helps maintain moisture and extend shelf life without significantly increasing calorie content. Because of this, low-fat and sugar-free foods and beverages commonly include glycerine. They use it to improve texture and sweetness. That aside, the pharmaceutical industry also uses glycerine in the production of medicinal syrups and elixirs.

Industrial Applications

Beyond the consumer goods space, refined glycerine has multifarious industrial uses. For instance, it is employed as a lubricant, anti-freeze agent, and in the manufacture of bio-based products. In the chemical industry, glycerine serves as a plasticizer and solvent, especially in paint and coating formulations. Companies also use it in polymer manufacturing and the production of glycerine-based antifreeze. This is often regarded as a more environmentally friendly option compared to traditional antifreeze formulations.

Something Refined Glycerine Buyers Should Know

There are some common questions buyers have about refined vegetable glycerin. Here are some of them along with the answers.

Is refined glycerine suitable for food applications?

Yes, there is food-grade glycerine that is specifically purified for use in the food and beverage industry. This grade complies with safety standards set by regulatory bodies like the FDA. Thus, it is safe to use as a sweetener, preservative, and moisture-retaining agent in numerous food products.

Can companies recycle glycerine?

Even though companies can recycle glycerine, it is often done on a small scale. What usually happens is that the glycerine gets purified and refined before it is used again. Sometimes, technologies like reverse osmosis and ion exchange are employed to remove any remaining impurities.

How do people refine crude glycerine?

The first step in the purification process is separating the non-glycerol components. Chemicals like sulfuric acid often get added to the crude glycerine. This causes the phospholipids to separate from the mixture. After this, a coagulated precipitate is formed. Then, the mixture gets heated to eliminate impurities such as methanol.

Are there any sustainable practices in the production of refined glycerine?

Yes. Suppliers are increasingly adopting sustainable practices to produce refined glycerine. For instance, some are using renewable feedstocks like palm oil or soybean oil to minimize the ecological footprint. Others have set up a system where they recycle glycerine to remove remaining impurities and thus offer a more eco-friendly product.

How to Store Refined Glycerine Properly

Properly storing bulk glycerine guarantees that the product stays pure and effective for a long time. Below are the tips on how to do so.

Keep It in a Cool and Dry Area

Glycerine should be stored in a location that is neither too hot nor too cold. The area should remain at a stable temperature. Both extreme heat and cold can affect the glycerine's viscosity and overall quality. Therefore, it is best to store the chemical in a climate-controlled environment that is cool, dry, and free from direct sunlight.

Hydration

Since glycerine is highly hygroscopic, it will readily absorb moisture from the surrounding air. This is even if it is just a little bit. That is why it is vital to keep it inside a sealed, airtight container. Doing this prevents moisture absorption and guarantees that glycerine maintains its intended purity levels. It will also ensure that there is no leakage when transporting the chemical.

Keep It Away from Contaminants

Refined glycerine is susceptible to contamination from various substances. These substances include chemicals, heavy metals, and any materials that may have been in touch with it. That is why it is important to store glycerine away from such items. Also, ensure that the storage container is in good condition to avoid contamination with any residue on the container.

Regularly Check for Signs of Damage

If the glycerine is in a drums or any other type of equipment, the buyer should frequently check for any cracks, rust, or leakage. Doing this will guarantee that the glycerine remains safe and continue to be effective for a long time. Also, if there are any warning signs of the drum break or any other storage equipment leaking, it is important to fix them immediately.

Monitor Temperature and Humidity

Since temperature fluctuations can affect glycerine’s viscosity, it is important to regularly check them. Furthermore, humidity levels should also be kept within a reasonable range to prevent glycerine's hygroscopic nature from affecting its quality. Roughly a 20-degree temperature variation or a more significant humidity fluctuation is acceptable. However, try to avoid such occurrences if possible. Otherwise, just ensure that the environment where the glycerine is stored experiences neither extreme heat nor cold.