Glycerol

Glycerol, also known as glycerine or glycerin, is a clear, colorless, odorless and highly viscous liquid that is widely used as a versatile raw material across the food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic, personal care, chemical and industrial sectors. With its excellent water solubility, strong hygroscopic properties, low volatility and good chemical stability, glycerol can function as a humectant, solvent, plasticizer, carrier, viscosity modifier and chemical intermediate in a wide range of formulations and manufacturing processes. Commercial glycerol is available in several grades, including crude glycerol, technical grade glycerol, refined glycerol, food grade glycerol and pharmaceutical grade glycerol, allowing buyers to select the appropriate quality according to the requirements of their production process. Glycerol is commonly obtained as a valuable co-product during biodiesel manufacturing, where vegetable oils or animal fats are converted into fatty acid esters and glycerol through a transesterification process, while additional glycerol can be obtained from soap manufacturing and oleochemical processes. The resulting crude glycerol contains glycerol together with varying amounts of water, methanol, salts, soaps, fatty materials and other impurities, so further purification is normally required when a higher-purity product is needed. Industrial purification can include separation, neutralization, evaporation, filtration and vacuum distillation, with the selected process having a direct effect on the final glycerol purity, color, water content, ash level and overall product quality. Refined glycerol is typically supplied as a clear and colorless liquid with high glycerol concentration and consistent physicochemical properties, while technical and crude grades may have different color, odor and impurity profiles depending on the feedstock and production process.

Glycerol has a broad range of commercial applications because its combination of moisture retention, solvency, viscosity and chemical functionality makes it suitable for both finished products and industrial formulations. In the food industry, food grade glycerol is commonly used as a humectant, moisture-retaining agent, solvent and texture modifier in products such as confectionery, bakery products, fillings, processed foods and other formulations where maintaining moisture and improving consistency are important. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use high-purity glycerol in syrups, liquid formulations, capsules, topical products and other pharmaceutical preparations because it provides useful solvent, humectant and viscosity-modifying properties. In cosmetics and personal care products, glycerol is one of the most widely used moisturizing ingredients and can be found in creams, lotions, soaps, shampoos, toothpaste, skin-care products and other formulations where moisture retention and a smooth product texture are required. Glycerol is also an important raw material and chemical intermediate for producing glycerol derivatives, esters, ethers, polyols and other specialty chemicals, while its multifunctional hydroxyl groups make it useful in the manufacture of alkyd resins, polyurethanes and other polymeric materials. Technical grade glycerol is generally selected for industrial applications where extremely high purity is not essential, whereas refined, food and pharmaceutical grades are preferred for applications requiring tighter specifications and controlled impurity levels. Crude glycerol can also be utilized in selected industrial processes, but its suitability depends on its composition and the levels of methanol, salts, soaps, water and other components present in the material. For B2B purchasing, the required glycerol grade should therefore be determined according to the final application, required purity, processing conditions and applicable quality specifications.

Commercial glycerol is supplied in different packaging formats to accommodate the requirements of manufacturers, distributors and large-volume industrial buyers, with common options including HDPE drums, plastic drums, intermediate bulk containers and bulk tank trucks.

Parameter	Typical Specification / Value
Chemical Name	Glycerol / Glycerine
Chemical Formula	C₃H₈O₃
CAS Number	56-81-5
Molecular Weight	92.09 g/mol
Appearance	Clear, colorless, viscous liquid
Odor	Odorless or practically odorless
Purity	Typically 80–99.5%+ depending on grade
Density at 20°C	Approximately 1.26 g/cm³
Boiling Point	Approximately 290°C
Melting Point	Approximately 18°C
Water Solubility	Completely miscible
Main Commercial Grades	Crude, Technical, Refined, Food, Pharmaceutical

IF YOU ARE WILLING TO BUY GLYCEROL ROM IRANIAN SUPPLIERS, PLEASE SCROLL DOWN AND SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST.

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FAQ Glycerol

Glycerol is a clear, colorless, viscous and hygroscopic liquid with excellent water solubility, low volatility and strong moisture-retention properties, making it useful in food, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and industrial applications.

The main commercial grades include crude glycerol, technical grade glycerol, refined glycerol, food grade glycerol and pharmaceutical grade glycerol, with purity and impurity levels varying according to the intended application.

Glycerol is mainly obtained as a co-product of biodiesel production and oleochemical processing, followed by purification processes such as separation, neutralization, evaporation, filtration and distillation when higher purity is required.

Glycerol is widely used as a humectant, solvent, plasticizer, carrier and chemical intermediate in food products, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, personal care products, polymers, resins, textiles and specialty chemicals.

Commercial glycerol can be supplied in HDPE drums, plastic drums, IBC tanks and bulk tank trucks, with the appropriate packaging depending on order quantity, transportation requirements and storage facilities.

For finding suitable Iranian glycerol suppliers and comparing available manufacturers or exporters, buyers can use Irancorps to connect with Iranian suppliers based on the required grade, specification, quantity and application.