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 supplies Glycerine from Chennai to pharmaceutical formulators, cosmetic manufacturers, food processors, and industrial users across South India.
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 / BP / USP pharmaceutical grade: Typically ≥99.5% purity, meeting pharmacopoeial limits for impurities. Required for medicines, syrups, and pharmaceutical formulations.
- Cosmetic grade: High-purity material suitable for skin and personal-care products.
- 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 and Minimum Order
Glycerine is supplied in 250–280 kg HDPE drums (reflecting its high density) and bulk loads for larger requirements. MOQ depends on grade, packaging, and destination. For continuous production, share your monthly consumption so stock and dispatch can be planned ahead.
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 IP/BP/USP, cosmetic, and technical grade Glycerine to manufacturers across South India. Contact us for current pricing and grade availability, or browse our catalog.