Glycerin, a by-product of biodiesel production, has saturated the market due to the growing demand for biodiesel fuel. Its oversupply and impurities have caused its value to drop, but its diverse range of uses in industries such as cosmetics, food, and pharmaceuticals make it a valuable commodity. Researchers are investigating further uses for glycerin, including as an additive for animal feed and a replacement for propylene glycol.
Glycerin, also known commercially as glycerol, is a by-product of the transesterification process for the production of biodiesel fuel. This is a fortunate fact due to the growing worldwide demand for biodiesel fuel and the widespread uses of glycerin in industry. Established uses include in many cosmetics and foods, and in a variety of soaps. It is also being evaluated as a useful ingredient in animal feed.
As the biodiesel fuel market skyrockets, glycerine waste from its production has saturated the market. In the United States, biodiesel production was approximately 75,000,000 gallons per year (284,000,000 liters) in 2004. As of 2008, that volume had increased to 650,000,000 gallons per year (2,461,000,000 liters). With every ton of biodiesel produced, 220 pounds (100 kilograms) of the glycerine byproduct are also produced. Estimates put current production of glycerine as a waste product of biodiesel alone at approximately 1,224,000 tonnes, with global demand slightly below that of 900,000 tonnes.
While this is a boon for industries that source it for their products, using glycerin from alternative fuels isn’t the best choice. It is typically about 80% pure when acquired as a byproduct of biodiesel production, while intentionally refined glycerin is 99.5% pure. Due to its level of impurities and oversupply on the world market, its value has dropped to almost zero, and some biodiesel producers have to pay for it to be taken away as waste and incinerated.
When supply and demand balance out, prices will rise, as glycerin has such a diverse range of uses. It is commonly used as an artificial sweetener in low-fat foods and as a thickening agent. It can be made into industrial foam and replaced with polypropylene plastic, which is derived from petroleum. Glycerin is a key ingredient in many industrial chemicals, including explosives, hydraulic fluids and coolants. It is also one of the leading plasticizers in industry, a material that gives plastics better flexibility, softness or stickiness.
Aside from these common uses, one of the largest markets for many years has been cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and health and beauty products. Glycerin is regularly added to cough syrup, lotions, toothpaste, and more. Runners sometimes take glycerin as a way to stay hydrated in hot weather. Studies have shown that it can increase endurance to levels of between 22% and 32% and even Olympic athletes have used it for this reason. Stomach remedies for babies are also often made with liquid glycerin capsules.
As production levels increase, many researchers and companies are looking for further uses for the substance. Two major areas under investigation are as a 5% additive for chicken and other livestock feed and as a suitable replacement for the propylene glycol market. Propylene glycol (PG) is currently used in pet foods, paints, cosmetics and many other compounds, and the PG market is approximately 1,000,000 tons (907,184,740 kilograms) annually and growing. Because glycerin is developed for these uses, it’s making its way into everything from fortified milk to ethanol and antifreeze.
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