A clear guide to glycerin — the difference between crude and refined, the grades available, and how each is used — from a US-based distributor.
Glycerin (glycerol, C₃H₈O₃) is a versatile humectant, emollient, and industrial feedstock. Stratus Chemical supplies crude glycerin (animal-feed energy source and industrial feedstock) and refined glycerin in USP and technical grades for personal care, pharmaceutical, food, and industrial use.
Glycerin is a clear, odorless, sweet-tasting liquid that holds moisture (a humectant) and blends easily into water-based systems. It is produced as a co-product of biodiesel and oleochemical manufacturing and then refined to higher purities for sensitive applications.
| Type | Grades | Typical Packaging | Common Uses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crude glycerin | By glycerin content | Totes, bulk tanker | Animal feed energy, industrial feedstock |
| Refined glycerin | USP, technical | Drums, totes, bulk | Personal care, pharma, food, industrial |
Crude glycerin is a co-product of biodiesel and oleochemical production supplied to spec on glycerin content; it is used in animal feed and as an industrial feedstock. Refined glycerin is purified to USP or technical grade for personal care, pharmaceutical, food, and industrial use.
Stratus supplies crude glycerin by glycerin content and refined glycerin in USP and technical grades, in drums, totes, and bulk.
Glycerin is used as a humectant and emollient in personal care, an excipient in pharmaceuticals, a humectant in food, an energy source in animal feed, and a feedstock across many industrial processes.
USP refers to United States Pharmacopeia standards; USP glycerin is appropriate for pharmaceutical and many food and personal care applications. Confirm your specific regulatory requirement when requesting a quote.
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