What Is Refined Glycerin 99.7%? Specifications, Production, and Uses
- Refined glycerin (glycerol, C3H8O3) is a thick, colorless, sweet-tasting liquid with a minimum glycerol content of 99.7%, used as a raw material in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.[1]
- Its specifications include a maximum moisture content of 0.3%, minimum specific gravity of 1.2612 at 25 °C, and maximum heavy metals of 5 ppm.[1][2]
- This product is obtained from splitting of vegetable oils (oleochemicals) and biodiesel transesterification, mainly from palm oil and palm kernel oil.[2]
- Pharmaceutical grade meets USP, BP, EP, JP, and FCC monographs, plus Halal, Kosher, HACCP, and GMP certification.[1]
- It is used as a sweetener, humectant, emollient, drug excipient, plasticizer, and polymer feedstock.[2]
Refined glycerin 99.7% is pure glycerol produced from by-products of the palm oil industry. Its high glycerol content makes it suitable for food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.
Table of contents
What Is Refined Glycerin?
Refined glycerin or glycerol is a trihydric alcohol with the chemical formula C3H8O3 and INCI name glycerin. The product is a viscous, colorless, odorless, sweet-tasting liquid with CAS number 56-81-5.[1]
On the market, glycerin is classified as crude glycerine with 80–88% glycerol still containing salts and methanol, and refined glycerine with 99.5% or 99.7% glycerol that meets pharmaceutical and food standards.[2]
This product is an important co-product of the oleochemical and biodiesel industries, so its availability is closely tied to production of palm oil and palm kernel oil.[2]
Product Specifications
Pharmaceutical-grade refined glycerin specifications are set based on glycerol content, moisture, specific gravity, ash, and contaminant limits. Wilmar markets it as Wilfarin Refined Glycerine USP997, Musim Mas uses the MASCEROL brand, and Mars Oleochemicals supplies refined glycerine from palm oil and palm kernel oil.[1][3][5]
| Parameter | Limit |
|---|---|
| Glycerin content (%) | Min. 99.7 |
| Moisture content (%) | Max. 0.3 |
| Specific gravity (at 25 °C) | Min. 1.2612 |
| Color (APHA) | Max. 10 |
| Chloride (ppm) | Max. 10 |
| Sulfate (ppm) | Max. 20 |
| Chlorinated compounds (ppm) | Max. 30 |
| Heavy metals (as Pb, ppm) | Max. 5 |
| Diethylene glycol (DEG, %) | Max. 0.1 |
| Ethylene glycol (EG, %) | Max. 0.1 |
| Sulfated ash (%) | Max. 0.01 |
| Fatty acids and esters (ml 0.5N NaOH/50 g) | Max. 1 |
| Grade | Glycerol content | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Crude glycerin | 80–88% | Industrial and livestock feed |
| Refined glycerine | Min. 99.5% | Polyurethane and resins |
| Refined glycerine | Min. 99.7% | Food, pharmaceutical, cosmetics |
Production
Glycerin is produced by triglyceride splitting (fat splitting) in the oleochemical industry, saponification, and transesterification of vegetable oils for biodiesel. These reactions yield fatty acids and glycerol as a co-product.[2]
Crude glycerin is then refined through multi-stage vacuum distillation, bleaching, and deodorization to remove water, salts, methanol, and other impurities, reaching 99.5–99.7% glycerol.[2]
Residue from the refining process is called glycerin pitch, which still contains glycerol at low concentration and other contaminants. This residue can be used further, for example in liquid soap formulations.[4]
Applications
In the food industry, refined glycerin is used as a sweetener, humectant, and solvent because of its sweetness and ability to retain moisture. In pharmaceuticals, glycerin is used as an excipient or carrier in oral and topical dosage forms.[1]
In cosmetics, glycerin serves as an emollient that helps maintain skin moisture. The product is also used in confectionery, tobacco, and explosive formulations.[2]
In the polymer industry, glycerin acts as a plasticizer for bioplastics, polyols, alkyd resins, and polyurethane. Its non-toxic nature and Generally Regarded as Safe (GRAS) status make it safe for food and pharmaceutical applications.[1][2]
Summary
Refined glycerin 99.7% is pure glycerol produced from vegetable oil splitting and biodiesel transesterification. With maximum moisture of 0.3% and minimum specific gravity of 1.2612, the product meets USP, BP, and EP standards and is used in food, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and polymers.
References
- Vance Bioenergy. Vance Refined Glycerine 99.7% Min. — USP/BP/EP/E422. https://www.vancebioenergy.com/product_glycerine.php
- CBIL Commodity Brokerage. Refined Glycerine USP/BP 99.7% (Food & Pharma Grade). https://www.commbril.com/commodities/oleochemicals/refined-glycerine-usp
- Wilmar International. Refined Glycerine USP997 — Wilfarin. https://www.wilmar-international.com/oleochemicals/products/personal-care/detail/refined-glycerine-usp997
- Warta PPKS (2025). Production and Utilization of Glycerin Pitch from Palm Oil-Based Oleochemical Industry. https://warta.iopri.org/index.php/Warta/article/download/236/125
- Mars Oleochemicals. Refined Glycerine Malaysia. https://www.marsoleo.com/refined-glycerine-malaysia.html