Cargill to Commercialize Renewable Propylene Glycol from Glycerin

12/10/06 Cargill is leading efforts to commercialize a proprietary process for using glycerin -- an abundant, low cost co-product of biodiesel production – as feedstock for a platform of biobased products, beginning with renewable propylene glycol (PG). Through a new company being formed, the venture will provide commercially competitive PG from renewable feedstocks manufactured in multiple geographies.

The new proprietary process increases production efficiency and lowers manufacturing costs with better yields and fewer byproducts than other renewable and non-renewable routes to propylene glycol production. PG is commonly used in a variety of resins, food ingredients, lubricants, cosmetics, paints, detergents and antifreeze.

“Cargill already sells glycerin from its biodiesel plants and has ready access through its supply chain and other sources to enough glycerin for world-scale production of PG,” said Jim Stoppert, senior director of Industrial Bioproducts for Cargill. “We are confident that our approach to manufacturing price-competitive, renewable PG on a large commercial scale will be highly desired by the chemicals industry.”

Initial indications are that the new company’s PG will not require reformulation prior to downstream use. In addition, Cargill’s strong global presence and glycerin supply chain expertise will allow market rollout to occur quickly.

“We anticipate continued, steady growth in the PG market,” said Stoppert. “Current capacities remain tight and the fluctuation of propylene prices continues to batter the industry. These market dynamics create a ripe opportunity for a new, renewable and stable product offering.”