Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is primarily used in the production of coatings and unsaturated polyester resins (UPR); additionally, it serves as an antifreeze agent—replacing ethylene glycol in applications such as aircraft de-icing—and acts as a coolant in food products. Furthermore, substantial quantities of propylene glycol are utilized in the manufacture of plasticizers and hydraulic brake fluids. It is also employed in non-ionic detergents, as well as serving as a humectant in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, animal feed, and tobacco industries. Moreover, propylene glycol acts as an excellent solvent, finding application in areas such as inks and epoxy resins.
The application fields and distribution of propylene glycol are remarkably extensive: its use in the manufacture of unsaturated polyester resins (utilized in coatings and glass-fiber-reinforced resins) accounts for 27% of the total; the production of functional fluids (antifreeze, de-icing agents, and heat-transfer fluids) accounts for 20%; applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics account for 20%; use in liquid detergents accounts for 17%; the paint and coatings sector accounts for 5%; use as a humectant in tobacco accounts for 2%; and other applications—including plasticizers—account for approximately 9%. Notably, the application of propylene glycol in the cosmetics and liquid detergent sectors continues to experience rapid growth, with annual growth rates exceeding 3% and 3.5%, respectively. Cosmetic manufacturers utilize it as an emollient ingredient in personal care products, including antiperspirants, deodorants, sunscreens, shaving creams, and beauty creams. In liquid detergents, propylene glycol functions as both an enzyme stabilizer and a solvent.