Stories: Oleochemicals

Some ingredients quietly hold the world together. Glycerine is one of them. Found in food, skincare, medicine, and even industrial products, this clear liquid plays a role most of us barely notice, yet rely on every single day.

Its journey is as fascinating as its uses. Once seen mainly as an unwanted by-product, glycerine has become a backbone of modern formulations – valued for its ability to hydrate, stabilise, and protect. At GAR, we refine palm-based glycerine from palm oil, producing a versatile ingredient that enhances formulations from medicine to cosmetics to industrial products.

What glycerine is, and why you find it everywhere

Glycerine is simple in appearance, yet powerful in function. It is clear, odourless, and slightly sweet. Its ability to hold moisture, improve texture, and carry active ingredients makes it indispensable across industries.

What makes glycerine a universal ingredient?

At GAR, we produce palm-based glycerine – a renewable, plant-derived version created through our responsibly managed supply chain. Gentle, effective, and sustainable, it is an ingredient that speaks to the demands of both performance and principles

A second life: How glycerine is made from palm oil

Glycerine can come from different processes that transform palm oil by-products into valuable, high-purity ingredients. Here’s how to do it in three ways:

1. Molecular Unbinding (Direct hydrolysis)

Through hydrolysis, heat and water gently separate glycerol from the fat’s triglyceride bonds. It’s like opening a hidden package to reveal the useful core. This is the primary method used in GAR’s oleochemical plants to obtain palm-based glycerine.

2. Capturing Glycerine in Biodiesel Processing

One of the largest sources of glycerine today is the biodiesel process. When oils and fats are converted into Fatty Acid Methyl Esters (FAME) – the key component of biodiesel – through transesterification, crude glycerine naturally separates as a by-product.

Instead of being lost, this stream is carefully captured, purified, and refined into high-quality glycerine. Alongside glycerine formed from hydrolysis, biodiesel production offers a second reliable and efficient source of glycerine for GAR.

3. Alkaline Release

Saponification is a reaction where oils or fats meet an alkaline solution, producing both soap and glycerine at the same time.

While this process is well known and widely applied in soap making, it is not the route we use at GAR to obtain glycerine. We produce our glycerine mainly via hydrolysis and transesterification.

Every batch of crude glycerine produced through these routes undergoes careful refining. Distillation removes colour and odour, while filtration eliminates impurities. For applications that demand the highest purity, such as personal care and pharmaceuticals, we can add an ion exchange process to strip away trace salts and residual contaminants at the molecular level.

Glycerine in the world: Across industries and formulas

Each grade of glycerine has its own purpose, determined by the level of refining it has undergone. At GAR, we sell three key grades:

“The conversation has changed. Customers don’t stop at asking whether glycerine works,” explains Christopher Lee, VP, Head of Sales and Marketing for our oleochemicals business. They want to know its origin, its impact, and how it fits with their own sustainability goals. This is where our products fit in.”

The creation of glycerine is just one example of how palm oil by-products are transformed with care and science. Explore GAR’s broader oleochemical portfolio that power everyday essentials worldwide.