What Is Glycerin?
Glycerin, also known as glycerol or glycerine, plays a pivotal role in numerous industrial applications. With the chemical formula C3H8O3, this mainly colourless and odourless liquid (depending on grade) is composed of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms, and its unique chemical properties form the backbone of countless manufacturing processes and end products from pharmaceuticals and cosmetics to food and drink.
What are the two types of glycerine?
There are two different types of Glycerin: Vegetable (natural) and Petrochemical (synthetic).
1. Vegetable Glycerin is derived from plant-based oils such as coconut or soybean. As this material is obtained from vegetable fats it is considered to be more sustainable and environmentally favourable as it comes from renewable plant sources.
2. Petrochemical Glycerin, although now less common, is synthesised from petrochemical sources, primarily propylene or petroleum-based feedstocks.
different Grades of glycerine
| Grade | Purity | Primary Source | Main Applications | Regulatory Standards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical | 80–99% | Natural fats or synthetic | Industrial lubricants, chemicals, tobacco | No strict food/medical standards |
| Food | ≥99.5% | Vegetable oils | Food additives, sweeteners | FDA, EFSA, etc. |
| Pharmaceutical | ≥99.7% | Vegetable oils | Medicines, topical care, medical devices | USP, BP, EP, GMP |
| Cosmetic | 98–99.5% | Vegetable oils | Skincare, haircare, makeup | CTFA, EU Cosmetics Regulations |
| Reagent | ≥99.9% | Highly purified | Lab research, chemical synthesis | Low impurity standards for scientific use |
How to Choose a Grade
- Match the grade to the regulatory context of your end product: food and pharmaceutical grades require vegetable sourcing and documented purity.
- Check the specification relevant to your process - purity, water content, color (APHA), chloride and sulfate limits, and heavy metals.
- For cosmetics, verify compliance with regional ingredient regulations and, where applicable, certification requirements for plant sourcing.
- For laboratory use, reagent-grade glycerin minimizes interference from trace impurities.
If you are looking for a reliable supplier of liquid glycerin, GNEE BIO is here to meet your needs.
Contact us today to learn more about our product offerings, bulk pricing options, and how we can support your business with premium chemical solutions.
Why choose us?
✅ High monthly production capacity
✅ Certified quality (REACH, ROHS, ISO)
✅ Packaging options to fit your needs
✅ Fast, reliable shipping
✅ All paperwork included
about us
GNEE BIO is a professional supplier and exporter of chemical raw materials, with over 10 years of experience in international chemical trade. We work closely with qualified manufacturing partners to provide reliable products, competitive pricing, and consistent supply for customers worldwide.
Our products are supplied with supporting documentation such as COA, MSDS, and TDS, and selected products comply with international requirements including REACH, RoHS, and ISO standards.
Pricing:
Bigger orders = better prices. Tell us your volume for a competitive quote.
Packaging & Speed:
Get it your way: Drums, IBCs, or ISO tanks. Most orders ship in 15-25 days.
Safe & Compliant:
All products strictly adhere to international safety and environmental regulations.
Products Paperwork:
MSDS (SDS) and COA docs ready to go with every shipment.
