Polyglycerol is polymerised glycerol: a polyol with multiple hydroxyl groups, described by average degree of polymerisation (for example polyglycerol-3, -4, -6, -10). It is a hygroscopic, viscous liquid used as a humectant, as a chemical intermediate for polyglycerol esters, and as a building block in PEG-free emulsifier systems.
What polyglycerol are
Polyglycerol is polymerised glycerol: a polyol with multiple hydroxyl groups, described by average degree of polymerisation (for example polyglycerol-3, -4, -6, -10). It is a hygroscopic, viscous liquid used as a humectant, as a chemical intermediate for polyglycerol esters, and as a building block in PEG-free emulsifier systems. Dyna Glycols manufactures polyglycerol and the related polyglycerol esters in the esterification family.
Unlike PEG, polyglycerol contains no ethylene oxide in the backbone. Formulators who need polyol functionality without ethoxylation specify polyglycerol by hydroxyl value, viscosity, water content and average degree. Esterification of this polyol with fatty acids produces the polyglycerates described on the ethoxylate-adjacent polyglycerate page and supplied from the same ester plant.
How Dyna Glycols manufactures polyglycerol
Glycerol is condensed under controlled conditions to the target average molecular weight, then refined to the required colour, water and hydroxyl value. QA identity is hydroxyl number plus viscosity or refractive index as agreed.
When the customer actually needs a polyglycerol ester rather than the polyol, the enquiry should say so. The polyol alone is not an emulsifier; the ester is.
Typical grades in this range
Specify average polyglycerol degree, hydroxyl value and water. Ester grades are listed separately as polyglycerates or as custom polyglycerol esters.
- Polyglycerol polyols of agreed average degree (for example 3, 4, 6, 10)
- Hydroxyl value and viscosity windows to specification
- Polyglycerol esters of stearic, oleic, palmitic and coconut acids (see also polyglycerates)
- Custom colour and water content
Where polyglycerol are used
Personal care uses polyglycerol as a humectant in creams and gels, and more often uses its esters as PEG-free emulsifiers. Food-adjacent and technical polyol applications use polyglycerol where glycerol is too volatile or too crystallising.
The main industrial pull from Dyna Glycols customers is still the ester: W/O and O/W polyglycerol esters for creams, bakery-type systems and technical emulsions. The polyol is the intermediate and a humectant in its own right.
Resin, polyol and specialty chemical users may specify polyglycerol as a multifunctional alcohol. Share the hydroxyl target so the degree of polymerisation can be matched.
How to specify polyglycerol
For the polyol: average degree, hydroxyl value, viscosity, water, colour. For the ester: fatty acid, HLB or melting range, acid value. Do not mix the two specifications on one line.
If replacing a named competitor polyglycerol-3 or polyglycerol-10, send hydroxyl and viscosity from that TDS.
Quality, documents and supply
Lots are released against hydroxyl value, viscosity or degree, water, colour and appearance. SDS and COA follow verification. Samples support humectancy or, for esters, emulsion tests.
Polyglycerol is hygroscopic. Keep containers closed. Warm only as needed to pump; avoid scorching that darkens the polyol.
Practical notes on polyglycerol
Hydroxyl value falls as the polyglycerol chain grows. It is the practical identity test and should appear on every COA.
Water content affects both assay and the later esterification. Tight water specs are needed if the customer will esterify in their own plant.
Polyglycerol is not interchangeable with PEG of similar viscosity. Solubility, regulatory listing and ethoxylate status all differ. Label the polyol correctly.
Dyna Glycols can sample polyglycerol and a matching polyglycerol ester in one shipment so humectant and emulsifier can be evaluated together.
Colour should be pale for personal-care humectants. Industrial polyols may allow a wider Gardner range; say which is required.
For a first enquiry, state whether you need the polyol or the ester. Most “polyglycerol emulsifier” briefs are actually polyglycerol esters.
Ordering and evaluating polyglycerol
Send the application, the analytical window and the pack size when you request a laboratory sample of polyglycerol. SDS, TDS and COA follow a short company check. Handle and store the grade as the SDS describes.
Next step
Need a specification for this chemistry?
Tell us the substrate, EO/PO moles and the application. We will confirm a catalogue grade or a custom batch.