Glycerol
CAS 56-81-5
EC 200-289-5
Formula C3H8O3
MW 92.09 g/mol
Alcohols & Glycols Personal Care & CosmeticsPharmaceuticals & HealthcareFood & NutritionPlastics & Polymers Humectant & MoisturizingCross-linking & CuringSolvent & CarrierAntioxidant & Stabilizer
Description
Glycerol (CAS 56-81-5), also sold as glycerin, glycerine, glyceritol, and propanetriol, is a trihydric alcohol derived from natural fats and oils or as a byproduct of biodiesel production. It carries no E-number designation and is registered under EC 200-289-5 with HS code 29054500.
In personal care formulations, glycerol functions as a humectant by drawing moisture from the environment into the stratum corneum, reducing transepidermal water loss. In polymer processing, it acts as a crosslinker and heat stabilizer, forming ester linkages within polymer networks to improve structural integrity and thermal resistance.
Glycerol is available in pharmaceutical grade (Ph.Eur., USP/NF), food grade (FCC), and technical grade, with purity levels typically ranging from 96% to 99.7%. It is fully REACH-compliant and supplied in IBC containers, drums, and bulk tankers to meet varying procurement volumes across European markets.
In personal care formulations, glycerol functions as a humectant by drawing moisture from the environment into the stratum corneum, reducing transepidermal water loss. In polymer processing, it acts as a crosslinker and heat stabilizer, forming ester linkages within polymer networks to improve structural integrity and thermal resistance.
Glycerol is available in pharmaceutical grade (Ph.Eur., USP/NF), food grade (FCC), and technical grade, with purity levels typically ranging from 96% to 99.7%. It is fully REACH-compliant and supplied in IBC containers, drums, and bulk tankers to meet varying procurement volumes across European markets.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | 20 °C |
| Boiling Point | 290 °C |
| Density | 1.2613 g/cm³ @ Temp: 20 °C |
| Flash Point | 320 °F |
| Appearance | Glycerol is a viscous colorless or pale yellow, odorless, syrupy liquid. |
| Color | APHA: ≤10 |
| Odor | Odorless. |
| Form | Viscous Liquid |
| Water Solubility | >500 g/L (20 ºC) |
| Vapor Pressure | <1 mm Hg ( 20 °C) |
| Refractive Index | n 20/D 1.474(lit.) |
| pH | 5.5-8 (25℃, 5M in H2O) |
| Log P | -2.32 |
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29054500 |
| UN Number | 1282 |
| ADR Class | 3 |
| Packing Group | II |
| Storage Class | 10 - Combustible liquids |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Other Names
propane-1,2,3-triolgroIFPRG-SGlyrolBulboldGlycerinGlycerineGlyceritol
Related Products
Raw Materials
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