1,3-propanediol

1,3-Propanediol (CAS 504-63-2), also known as trimethylene glycol or PDO, is a bifunctional diol used as a monomer, solvent, and humectant across polymer, personal care, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. Its two terminal hydroxyl groups make it a reactive building block for polyesters and polyurethanes, while its solvent and moisture-retention properties support formulation work across multiple sectors.

In polymer production, PDO is the key monomer for polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT), a polyester used in carpet fiber, apparel, and engineering plastics. Personal care formulators incorporate it as a humectant. It is used in skin creams, serums, and hair conditioners, where it supports moisture retention and helps dissolve active ingredients. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use PDO as a carrier solvent in topical and oral formulations.

It is valued for its compatibility with a broad range of actives. In industrial coatings and adhesives, it functions as a cross-linking agent and reactive intermediate in polyurethane and UV-curable resin systems. 1,3-Propanediol is supplied as a clear, colorless liquid in drum and IBC quantities, with bulk tanker options for large-volume buyers. It is available in technical grade for polymer and industrial applications.

High-purity grades meeting USP and pharmaceutical specifications are also available. Bio-based PDO, produced via fermentation, is commercially available and increasingly specified in sustainable formulation programs.