GLYCERINE

The main source of glycerin in industry are vegetable and animal fats, which, when reacted with alkaline solutions, are hydrolyzed to glycerin and soaps. Also, the transesterification reaction used to produce the methyl esters provides large amounts of glycerine as a by-product. Glycerine is also found in some fruits and vegetables.

Glycerine is used in the pharmaceutical, food and leather industries.

Glycerine is used in the production of cosmetics, also thanks to its moisturizing properties. It is an important raw material for the synthesis of many chemical compounds, including certain types of soap.

Glycerine is used in the production of dyes, brake and cooling fluids.