We manufacture Propylene Glycol, Dipropylene Glycol, and Poly-Chill Fluid.
Propylene Glycol
• Antifreeze and Coolants: An important property of propylene glycol is its ability to lower the freezing
point of water. This results in its use in the formulation of antifreeze mixtures. Propylene glycol is about
90% as efficient as ethylene glycol in antifreeze applications, but it is much less toxic. It is frequently
used in applications where toxicity is a consideration.
Solutions of inhibited propylene glycol (propylene glycol containing a corrosion inhibitor) can replace
salt and calcium chloride brines in air cooling systems where the corrosive effects of the coolant are
important considerations. The nontoxic properties of propylene glycol are particularly advantageous.
They permit its use as a coolant in the refrigeration systems of dairies, breweries and food processing
plants where a leak in the system could cause the refrigerant to come into contact with the products.
• Deicing Fluids: Propylene glycol can be formulated with other glycols into fluids that are brushed or
sprayed onto aircraft wings and surfaces to remove or prevent the formation of ice. These deicing fluids
can also be used to remove ice from automobile windshields.
• Hydraulic Fluids: Propylene glycol is formulated into all types of hydraulic and brake fluids, primarily
to inhibit the swelling of rubber. In addition, it is a good solvent for corrosion inhibitors as well as other
brake fluid components, and it functions over a wide range of temperatures.
• Food and Tobacco Products: Propylene glycol (USP grade) is employed as a humectant,
preservative, solvent and lubricant by the food processing and tobacco industries. Propylene glycol is
employed as a hygroscopic agent for tobacco. It is used as a humectant in baked goods and shredded
coconut to maintain freshness, and is added to cereals to improve friability and firmness.
Because of its mutual solvent properties, both aromatic chemicals and essential oils can be dissolved in
propylene glycol and then diluted with water. Propylene glycol is used to extract flavor from natural
flavoring materials. In soft drinks, it is employed as a syrup flavor solvent and imparts smoothness, body
and sparkle to the final product.
Propylene glycol can be used to lubricate food packaging machinery; ordinary lubricants are prohibited
because of their toxic effects. Some types of food products, such as dates, can be prevented from
sticking to process machinery by washing them with solutions of propylene glycol.
• Cosmetics and Pharmaceuticals: In cosmetic and pharmaceutical formulations, propylene glycol
(USP grade) acts as a softening agent, ointment base, preservative, humectant and emollient.
Propylene glycol is a component of many cosmetic ingredients. Many grease-like materials can be
presented in attractive form through the proper use of this product. Propylene glycol assists in the
formation of oil-in-water emulsions. It couples lanolin, oil and soap into water in cold creams and
cleansing creams, helps to overcome flaking and rolling in vanishing creams, and generally prolongs the
shelf life of most cosmetic formulations. It is also an excellent solvent for dyes and most perfumes,
allowing the dispersion of these materials throughout the preparation.
Addition of propylene glycol to hand lotions ensures complete and rapid absorption of the protective
ingredients by the skin. Propylene glycol is also used in toothpastes and shaving creams to maintain
the proper degree of moisture content. Many cosmetic formulations using lemon or other natural fruit
juices contain propylene glycol as an inhibitor of mold growth.
Propylene glycol is often employed in the formulation of biological elixirs, antiseptics, salves and
ointments. It is a solvent for many organic chemicals used for medicinal purposes and for some
water-soluble vitamins. As a drug vehicle, propylene glycol acts as an antioxidant and stabilizer.
• Polyester Resins: Propylene glycol reacts with maleic, fumaric or similar dibasic acids to form
polyester. These polyesters, when cross-linked with a vinyl-type monomer such as styrene, form
resins which are useful for low pressure laminating.
Polyesters of propylene glycol and dibasic acids such as phthalic, adipic and sebacic are used as
plasticizers, primarily in vinyl compounding. These plasticizers are resistant to migration and extraction
by gasoline, oil and water.
• Urethanes: Polyesters containing propylene glycol and adipic acid are intermediates, together with
isocyanates, in the manufacture of both flexible and rigid urethane foams. Propylene glycol is also an
intermediate in the syntheses of urethane elastomers.
• Plasticizers: Propylene glycol is a nontoxic plasticizer and humectant, widely used in cellophane film.
It is also used as a plasticizer in phenolic resins. As a component of dry adhesive formulations,
propylene glycol acts as a plasticizer and humectant to maintain a constant moisture content and to
help the adhesive to wet out quickly at the time of use. Propylene glycol is also used as a conditioning
agent for the cork linings in bottle caps.
• Inks: Propylene glycol's high boiling point, dye solvency and strong penetrating properties make it an
ideal ingredient for the formulation of high speed steam-set inks. The nontoxic properties of propylene
glycol are important when formulating ink for printing cloth, paper and plastic film food wrappers.
