Product Overview
Glycerin Technical Grade is a viscous, hygroscopic liquid used across manufacturing sectors as a humectant, plasticizer, solvent, and process additive. This product carries its listed grade designation; confirm the lot-specific COA against your requirements.
we distribute this product in our Taylor, TX warehouse and ship it daily in sizes from 1-quart bottles to 330-gallon IBC totes. Whether you're running a bench trial or feeding a production line, the volume you need is on our shelf.
Why This Grade
Technical Grade glycerin delivers the functional performance of glycerol at a lower price point than pharmaceutical or food-grade material. This product carries its listed grade designation; confirm the lot-specific COA against your requirements.
The trade-off is straightforward. Technical Grade is formulated for industrial performance, not for regulatory dossiers that demand pharmacopeial or food-additive compliance. If your process requires those certifications, specify the appropriate grade. If it does not, Technical Grade gives you the same core chemistry — hygroscopic, water-miscible, low-volatility glycerol — at a more practical cost for high-volume use.
Chemical Profile
Glycerin (CAS 56-81-5, molecular formula C₃H₈O₃, molecular weight 92.09) is a colorless to brown liquid with a mild odor. It is denser than water at 1.261 g/mL at 68 °F and highly water-soluble — greater than or equal to 100 mg/mL at 64 °F, meaning it mixes readily in aqueous systems at virtually any ratio encountered in practice. Vapor pressure is very low at 0.0025 mmHg at 122 °F, climbing to 40 mmHg only at 388 °F, so expect negligible evaporation under normal storage and handling. The material is combustible but may require some effort to ignite, which is why it is handled with standard fire-prevention measures rather than the stringent protocols required for flammable liquids.
Industrial Applications
Glycerin Technical Grade serves a wide range of manufacturing processes. Its value comes from three properties: it absorbs and holds moisture, it dissolves a broad range of organic and inorganic compounds, and it acts as a flexible plasticizer in polymer systems.
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Humectant in formulation work. Glycerin draws moisture from the air and holds it. Formulators use it in cosmetic and personal-care manufacturing to maintain hydration levels in creams, lotions, and similar products during processing and shelf life.
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Solvent in pharmaceutical compounding. As a solvent, glycerin dissolves many active and inactive ingredients that are poorly soluble in water alone. Compounding operations use it to bring components into solution for consistent dosage forms.
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Plasticizer in polymer manufacturing. Added to polymer blends, glycerin increases flexibility and workability. It is used in the production of flexible films, coatings, and molded goods where rigid formulations would crack or break under stress.
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Antifreeze formulations. Glycerin lowers the freezing point of water-based systems. It is used in antifreeze and coolant blends, particularly in closed-loop systems where propylene glycol or ethylene glycol alternatives are specified.
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Emulsifier in food and beverage manufacturing. In food processing, glycerin acts as an emulsifier to stabilize mixtures of oil and water phases and as a humectant to control moisture in finished goods.
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General industrial solvent. Glycerin's low volatility and broad solvency make it useful as a carrier, lubricant, or process aid in textile finishing, ink formulation, and metal treatment baths.
Handling & Storage
Glycerin Technical Grade is not classified as hazardous under GHS based on available data (per the product's GHS classification). No GHS signal word applies to this material.
Standard industrial hygiene practices still govern safe handling. Wear chemical-resistant gloves and safety goggles when transferring or dispensing. In enclosed areas or during prolonged handling, ensure adequate ventilation to minimize any vapor or mist accumulation.
Store in original sealed containers — HDPE drums or IBC totes — in a cool, dry area out of direct sunlight. Glycerin is hygroscopic; an unsealed container will absorb atmospheric moisture and change concentration over time. Keep containers closed when not in active use. Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents, which can react with the material. Although glycerin is combustible, it requires sustained heat to ignite; nonetheless, keep it away from open flame and ignition sources in your storage area.
Hazmat & Shipping
Canonical transport status is not regulated. Review the current SDS and carrier requirements before shipment.
Documentation
A Safety Data Sheet (SDS) ships with every order. Our SDS for Glycerin Technical Grade is available in English, Spanish, French, and Japanese. A Technical Data Sheet (TDS) with full product specifications is also available on request.
We provide a lot-specific Certificate of Analysis (COA) for this product, documenting the analytical results for your specific shipment. Request your COA at the time of order or contact us after delivery — we keep records on file for every lot we ship.
Why Buy from Alliance Chemical
We ship glycerin daily from our warehouse in Taylor, TX. Every order — from a single quart to a full tote — is packed by hazmat-trained warehouse operators and inspected before dispatch. Our shipping and handling guidance is reviewed by Andre Taki, DOT Hazmat Specialist.
Inventory is on the shelf. We carry the full size range (quarts through 330-gallon totes) in stock, so your order ships the day it is placed. Documentation — SDS, COA, TDS — is available immediately, not after a back-and-forth with a supplier. When you need glycerin for a production run, you need it on your dock, not on backorder. That is what we do.
