Application Scenarios of Glycerin

Glycerin is a versatile compound widely used across various industries due to its humectant, solvent, lubricating, and non‑toxic properties. Below are its key application scenarios:

1. Cosmetics & Personal Care

• Moisturizer: Added to creams, lotions, soaps, and hair care products to retain skin/ hair moisture.

• Solvent & Carrier: Dissolves active ingredients in cosmetic formulations.

• Softening Agent: Enhances texture and spreadability.

2. Pharmaceuticals & Healthcare

• Drug Delivery: Used as a solvent or excipient in syrups, elixirs, and topical ointments.

• Laxatives: An ingredient in suppositories or solutions for constipation relief.

• Cryoprotectant: Preserves biological tissues, vaccines, and cells during freezing.

3. Food & Beverage Industry

• Humectant & Sweetener: Keeps baked goods, candies, and processed foods moist; provides mild sweetness.

• Solvent & Carrier: Extracts flavors/colors and maintains food consistency.

• Preservative: Extends shelf life by reducing water activity.

4. Industrial & Technical Uses

• Antifreeze/Anti‑icing Agent: Low‑toxicity alternative in automotive cooling systems or airport runways.

• Plasticizer: Improves flexibility in plastics, films, and adhesives.

• Lubricant: Used in machinery, molds, and precision instruments.

• Polymer Production: Key raw material for manufacturing polyurethane, alkyd resins, etc.

5. Chemical & Laboratory Applications

• Reagent/Solvent: Common in chemical synthesis, chromatography, and sample preservation.

• Energy Sector: Used in biodiesel production (as a by‑product) and in some fuel cell technologies.

6. Agriculture & Animal Feed

• Feed Additive: Provides energy and improves pellet binding in livestock feed.

• Pesticide/Carrier: Serves as a solvent or dispersant in agrochemical formulations.

7. Emerging & Niche Uses

• E‑cigarettes/Vaping: Base liquid for e‑liquids (combined with propylene glycol).

• Printing & Inks: Controls viscosity and prevents drying in printing inks.

• Explosives: Stabilizer in dynamite (nitroglycerin).