Propylene Glycol (PG) Uses and Market

Data
06 November 2007 14:29 Source:ICIS

Propylene glycol (PG) is used to make unsaturated polyester resins (UPRs), deicing and
antifreeze fluids, food industry coolants, non-ionic detergents, plasticisers and hydraulic
brake fluids. It is also an excellent solvent and extractant, and used as a humectant. In PG
manufacture,monopropylene glycol (MPG) is the main product followed by dipropylene
glycol (DPG) and tripropylene glycol (TPG).

The largest outlet for MPG is UPRs which are consumed primarily in the construction,
marine and transportation industries. Nearly three-quarters of UPR is reinforced with fibre
glass or mineral fillers to form fibre glass reinforced plastics (FRPs), which are tough,
lightweight composites.

In residential and commercial construction, FRPs are used primarily to make building panels,
bathroom components, fixtures and corrosion-resistant tanks, pipes and ducts. Other markets
include the production of pleasure boats, passenger cars and trucks as well as recreational
vehicles and major appliances.

In the US, western Europe and Japan, the UPR market is mature and growth has been
slowing. However, general economic conditions are the main driving force behind demand
and purchases of products containing FRP components are often among the first to be
postponed or cancelled in an economic recession.

In addition, demand for UPRs could be hit by increased penetration from dicyclopentadiene
(DCPD)-based resins. These resins use DCPD and ethylene glycol instead
of phthalic anhydrideand propylene glycol.

Another major use of PG is its use as an ingredient in engine coolants, deicing fluids and
antifreeze. It has replaced ethylene glycol as the base fluid for aircraft deicing formulations
and a coolant in the food industry. Propylene glycol is preferred over ethylene glycol due to
its much lower toxicity.

Industrial grade PG is used in the production of polyglycols for hydraulic and brake fluids.
Propylene glycol is used as a solvent and extractant. Solvent applications include alkyd
resins, printing inks and coatings.

Propylene glycol finds broad use as a humectant in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, animal food
and tobacco industries. Cosmetics include personal care products such as antiperspirants and
deodorants. In these applications, PG keeps the moisture content of the materials in a narrow
range despite fluctuations in environmental humidity.

A major use for DPG is speciality plasticisers, in particular dipropylene glycol dibenzoate.
DPG and TPG have many applications in the fragrance, cosmetic and personal care industries
while a fragrance-grade DPG is used as a carrier for cosmetics and fragrances. DPG is also
used in the manufacture of UPRs.

Propylene glycol may see some substitution by glycerine in antifreeze and deicing
applications as well as a replacement as a humectant in food applications. Glycerine is
produced as a byproduct in biodiesel manufacture and the past boom in biodiesel projects has
led to concerns of oversupply of glycerine.

In Europe, PG demand had been growing at 2-2.5%/year before the economic downturn. The
European market is generally balanced in terms of supply and demand. However, demand in
the UPR sector collapsed in late 2008/2009 driven by the downturn in the construction and
automotive sectors. The US pharmaceutical (USP) grade market has been steady while the
demand in the deicing/antifreeze sector picked up in 2010 due to bad weather across Europe.

Growth in the US had been around 2%/year before being impacted by the economic
downturn. The UPR sector had been growing at 1.5%/year with personal care segment doing
somewhat better at 2.5%/year.

Asia is the world’s fastest growing region at about 6-7%/year over the longer term. Most of the
new capacity planned is located in the region. China’s Zhenhai Refining and Chemical opened a
100,000 tonne/year PG plant at Zhejiang, downstream of its joint propylene oxide (PO) plant
with LyondellBasell. The Siam Cement-Dow group plans to add a PG unit to its PO project
inThailand. Dow is also studying a PG plant at its joint venture complex with Saudi Aramco
inSaudi Arabia.

In addition, there are a number of companies looking to produce PG from glycerine which is
expected to become increasingly available as a byproduct of biodiesel manufacture. Archer
Daniels Midland (ADM) will start up in 2010 a 100,000 tonne/year PG plant at Decatur, Illinois,
using glycerine and sorbitol as raw materials. However, the Ashland Chemical-Cargill joint
venture for a 65,000 tonne/year glycerine-based PG facility in Europe is believed to have been
postponed. Huntsman and Dow Chemical have announced plans to make glycerine-based PG
available to customers.

Propilen glikol (FI III, 1979 : 534)

Nama Resmi : PROPYLEN GLYCOLUM
Nama Lain : Propilen glikol
RM/BM : C3H8O2/76,10
Pemerian : Cairan kental, jernih, tidak berwarna, tidak berbau, rasa agak manis,
Higroskopik.
Kelarutan : Dapat campur dengan air, dengan etanol (95%) P. Dan dengan
kloroform P., larut dalam 6 bagian eter P. Tidak dapat campur dengan eter minyak tanah P.
Dan dengan minyak lemak.
Penyimpanan : Dalam wadah tertutup baik
Kegunaan : pengawet
Incomp : Incomp dengan agen pengoksida kuuat dan Kalium Permanganat.
Range : 10%