Polyglycerol

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

Dyna Glycols supports polyglycerol with laboratory samples, current SDS, TDS and COA from the Kandla SEZ manufacturing network. Tell us the intended application, the substrate, the required moles or molecular weight, and any limits on colour, odour, cloud point, hydroxyl value, pH or residual feedstock. A matching catalogue grade of polyglycerol in the Esters family can then be confirmed, or a custom batch can be planned on the ethoxylation, esterification or related plant.

When you evaluate polyglycerol, send the competitor grade if one exists, the bath or emulsion conditions, and the tests your receiving laboratory will run. Pack options for polyglycerol typically include drums, IBCs and bulk where the viscosity and melting point of the selected grade allow safe handling from the Esters manufacturing line.

A first order of polyglycerol is easier when the purchase specification lists identity tests, not only a local trade name. Hydroxyl value, saponification value, acid value, cloud point, pH, water, colour and appearance are the numbers the Kandla QA laboratory can lock. If your QC uses a different solvent or a different cloud-point electrolyte for polyglycerol, write that method on the order so the COA speaks the same language.

Custom lots of polyglycerol are quoted after the hydrophobe or acid/alcohol pair, the target analytical window, the annual volume and the pack. Pilot batches are available when a catalogue point in the Esters range is close but not exact. Once a trial lot is approved, that TDS should be frozen so the tenth delivery of polyglycerol matches the first approved drum.

Storage of polyglycerol should follow the SDS: keep containers closed, protect hygroscopic grades from moisture, and warm high-melt or high-mole grades until uniform before sampling. FIFO rotation protects colour and odour. If a drum of polyglycerol has frozen or separated in transit, homogenise it before charging a batch; do not decant only the liquid layer.

Application advice for polyglycerol is given against the process you describe, not as a universal recipe. Share machine type, temperature, pH, electrolytes, fibre or hide type, and any ban on APEO, formaldehyde or food-contact lists. Dyna Glycols can then sample polyglycerol alone or as a pair with a sister grade from the same Esters family so compatibility is checked in one evaluation.

Documentation for polyglycerol is issued after a short verification of the company and the exact grade name. SDS covers handling; TDS covers typical properties; COA covers the shipping lot. If a customer audit needs extra tests on polyglycerol (for example residual feedstock, peroxide, formaldehyde or a pharmacopoeia-style identity), list those tests at the enquiry stage so they are built into release rather than added after dispatch.

Export packing and labelling of polyglycerol follow the transport class on the SDS. Regular industrial shipments from the Indian manufacturing network can be scheduled once the grade is approved. For development quantities of polyglycerol, laboratory samples are the correct first step; they let wetting, emulsification, retanning, finishing or textile handle be proven in your own equipment before a bulk campaign is booked on the Esters plant.