Glycerine — also written Glycerin or Glycerol — is one of the most versatile ingredients in industry. The same molecule serves pharmaceutical syrups, cosmetic moisturisers, food humectants, and industrial applications, with the deciding factor being grade and documentation rather than the chemical itself.
Supreme Petro Chemicals, an importer and distributor in Chennai, supplies Refined Glycerine (IP) and imported Glycerin USP to pharmaceutical, personal care and industrial formulation buyers across South India. Glycerine is CAS 56-81-5, HSN 2905 45 00; the IP line is packed in 250 kg HDPE drums and dispatched from our Redhills warehouse in Chennai, with a batch Certificate of Analysis supplied with every delivery. For DEG and EG testing expectations, see the regulatory guide.
What Is Glycerine?
Glycerine has CAS number 56-81-5 and molecular formula C3H8O3. It is a clear, colourless, odourless, viscous liquid with a sweet taste. It is fully miscible with water and alcohol, and is strongly hygroscopic — meaning it attracts and holds moisture, which is the basis for many of its uses.
Grades and Why They Matter
The single most important procurement decision for Glycerine is grade:
- IP (Indian Pharmacopoeia 2022): assay 98.0 – 101.0 % on the anhydrous basis; this is the grade of our Refined Glycerine (IP). USP / BP / EP: pharmacopoeial limits differ by monograph, so check the one on your specification; our imported Glycerin USP is certified to USP, BP and EP on one Certificate of Analysis.
- Personal-care use: formulators normally specify the pharmacopoeial grade by name; state the standard on your enquiry.
- Technical / industrial grade: Lower-cost material for industrial applications where pharmacopoeial purity is not required.
Specify the grade clearly on the purchase order. For pharmaceutical and cosmetic use, obtain a Certificate of Analysis with each batch and confirm the material meets your in-house and regulatory specification.
Industrial Uses of Glycerine in India
- Pharmaceuticals: Used as a sweetener, humectant, and vehicle in syrups, elixirs, and topical preparations.
- Cosmetics: A core moisturising ingredient in creams, lotions, soaps, and toothpaste.
- Food: Used as a humectant, sweetener, and processing aid where food-grade material is specified.
- Industrial: Used in antifreeze, plasticizers, polyols, and as a chemical intermediate.
- Tobacco and printing: Used as a humectant and moisture-control agent.
Packaging
Our glycerine is packed in 250 kg HDPE drums. Because glycerine is hygroscopic, keep drums closed. Tell us the grade, quantity and delivery location when you enquire and a batch Certificate of Analysis is supplied with every delivery.
Storage and Handling
Glycerine is stable, non-flammable, and low in toxicity, but because it is hygroscopic it should be stored in closed containers to prevent it from absorbing atmospheric moisture and diluting. Keep it clean and away from contamination, especially for pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades. Follow the product SDS and your site procedure.
Get a Glycerine Quote from SPC
Supreme Petro Chemicals supplies Refined Glycerine (IP) and imported Glycerin USP to manufacturers across South India. Contact us and we quote within 4 working hours, or browse our catalog.
Grades & Packaging
Glycerine is traded worldwide under a small set of well-established grade names rather than bespoke specifications, so knowing the correct commercial designation is usually enough to get the right material quoted. The notes below cover naming and packaging conventions only — always confirm exact purity and impurity limits against the batch Certificate of Analysis for your specific requirement.
- CAS number: 56-81-5, molecular formula C3H8O3 — the same substance is sold as "Glycerine", "Glycerin" and "Glycerol" depending on regional convention.
- IP / BP / USP grade: the standard pharmacopoeial designation referenced on purchase orders for pharmaceutical and food use.
- Cosmetic grade: commonly sold under the same generic pharmacopoeial designation where personal-care formulators specify it by name.
- Technical / industrial grade: the standard trade term for material intended for non-pharma, non-food industrial applications.
- Origin: Glycerine is produced either from vegetable oils (oleochemical route) or as a co-product of soap and biodiesel manufacture; origin and source are typically stated on the CoA where relevant to the buyer's specification.
- Standard small-pack format: HDPE drums, the conventional packaging for glycol- and glycerine-type liquids in Indian trade.
- Documentation: a Certificate of Analysis and SDS are standard accompaniments to every consignment, particularly for pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades.
FAQ
What is the CAS number of Glycerine, and is Glycerin the same chemical?
Yes. Glycerine, Glycerin and Glycerol all refer to the same compound, CAS 56-81-5, molecular formula C3H8O3. The naming varies by region and industry, but the underlying chemical — and therefore the base molecule you are buying — does not change between pharma, cosmetic and technical grades. What changes is purity, impurity limits and documentation.
What packaging is glycerine supplied in?
Our Refined Glycerine (IP) is packed in 250 kg HDPE drums. Share the grade, quantity and delivery location via the contact page and we confirm the arrangement.
How do I get a quote for Glycerine from SPC?
Share the required grade (IP or USP), quantity, packaging preference and delivery location via the contact page. Quotes are typically answered within 4 working hours, Monday to Saturday.