Dow introduces Propylene Glycol Renewable (PGR)

The Dow Chemical Company has introduced a monopropylene glycol derived from renewable resources. Propylene Glycol Renewable (PGR) is made with glycerin, which is generated as a byproduct of the biodiesel manufacturing process. Dow said it is currently conducting trials for PGR, and expects to have limited commercial quantities available later this year.

“PGR provides environmental benefits and is cost competitive,” noted Dow’s Propylene Oxide/Propylene Glycol global product director Mady Bricco. “It also offers the same outstanding characteristics in terms of quality and performance as our existing PG products.”

Bricco also explained that based on laboratory tests, manufacturing PGR will require less fresh water than conventional PG. PGR will be used in various applications such as unsaturated polyester resins (UPR) for boat hulls and bathroom fixtures.

“Manufacturers in several downstream industries are demanding the ability to provide more sustainable products to their customers,” said Bricco. “Using PGR will enable customers to exercise their commitment to technologies that consume less fossil fuel and other finite resources.”

Dow is one of the world’s largest producers and marketers of industrial grade PG. The company has contracted with Dow Haltermann Custom Processing (DHCP) to produce PGR from crude glycerin generated from biodiesel production.

DHCP is a Dow business unit comprised of operations within Dow and Johann Haltermann, Ltd. The firm will conduct pilot trials and, eventually, full-scale production of PGR at a Houston facility.