Frequently Asked Questions

What is glycerine?
How is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?
What does the term Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) mean?
Does OPTIM™ Glycerine contain GMOs?
How are tallow and vegetable-based glycerines manufactured?
Under what regulatory requirements is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?
What are the main applications for glycerine?
What are the primary advantages of OPTIM™ Glycerine product?
How should OPTIM™ Glycerine be stored?
Where is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?
What are important properties of OPTIM™ Glycerine?
For food use, what FDA regulations apply to OPTIM™ Glycerine?
What is the FCC?
What does "Good Manufacturing Practices" mean?

What is glycerine?

Glycerine is a 1,2,3 Trihydroxy propane, a trihydric alcohol. Glycerine is also commonly referred to as glycerol and glycerin.

How is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?

OPTIM™ Glycerine has a high degree of consistency and purity because Dow also manufactures the raw materials under highly controlled conditions. OPTIM™ Glycerine is manufactured synthetically.

What does the term Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) mean?

The term "genetically modified" is used to describe the application of biotechnology to genetically alter certain traits of microorganisms, plants, and animals. A "GMO" is any organism that has been genetically modified.

Does OPTIM™ Glycerine contain GMOs?

OPTIM™ Glycerine does not contain genetically modified organisms as it is manufactured from petrochemical raw materials.

How are tallow and vegetable-based glycerines manufactured?

Fat and oil-based glycerines are derived as by-products from a variety of industrial processes including soap making, fatty acids and alcohols, and methyl fatty acid esters. These industrial processes use triglycerides (vegetable oils and animal fats) as raw materials.

Under what regulatory requirements is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?

DOW Synthetic Glycerine products are manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices to meet the current requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia and Food Chemicals Codex and meets European food additive requirements. Plus, OPTIM™ Glyercine meets Kosher standards.

What are the main applications for glycerine?

Because of its unique set of physical properties, glycerine has been and is used in a very broad range of products. Primary applications include foods, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and polyurethane polyols.

What are the primary advantages of OPTIM™ Glycerine product?

OPTIM™ Glycerine products set the industry as the benchmark for purity and consistency. In addition to the physical purity and consistency, OPTIM™ Glycerine has superior sensory properties, i.e. virtually no odor and consistently sweet taste.

How should OPTIM™ Glycerine be stored?

Like any other organic compound, OPTIM™ Glycerine is subject to degradation if overheated. To optimize product quality, OPTIM™ Glycerine should be stored below 54°C (130°F) but above its freezing point, 16.7°C (62°F). Glycerine also is very hygroscopic, i.e. water-loving, and readily absorbs moisture from the air. To minimize water absorption, glycerine should be stored under a dry atmosphere.

Where is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured?

Dow manufactures OPTIM™ Glycerine at its Stade plant, Germany, according to current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP).

What are important properties of OPTIM™ Glycerine?

Important properties include: high humectancy (affinity for water), solvency, viscosity, sweet taste and virtual odorless state.

For food use, what FDA regulations apply to OPTIM™ Glycerine?

There are numerous food product specific FDA regulations, which describe the use of glycerine. Moreover, OPTIM™ Glycerine is classified as a multiple GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food substance under FDA Regulation 21 CFR 182.1320.

What is the FCC?

The FCC is the Food Chemicals Codex, a compendium of monographs for food-grade chemicals.

What does "Good Manufacturing Practices" mean?

Current GMPs are guidelines governing every aspect of the production and shipment of FDA and European Commission regulated products.

®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow


Products Physical Properties Kosher Grades Applications Foods Nutraceuticals Pharmaceuticals Personal Care and Cosmetics Oral Care Other Applications Nutritional Information The OPTIM™ Advantage EU Directives Resources Why Glycerine USP? Literature Safety and Handling Physical Properties Density and Specific Gravity Density (100% to 91% Glycerine) Density (90% to 81% Glycerine) Density (80% to 71% Glycerine) Density (70% to 61% Glycerine) Density (60% to 51% Glycerine) Density (50% to 41% Glycerine) Density (40% to 31% Glycerine) Density (30% to 21% Glycerine) Density (20% to 11% Glycerine) Density (10% to 1% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (100% to 91% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (90% to 81% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (80% to 71% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (70% to 61% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (60% to 51% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (50% to 41% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (40% to 31% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (30% to 21% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (20% to 11% Glycerine) Specific Gravity (10% to 1% Glycerine) Dielectric Constant Dielectric Constant at 25°C Dielectric Constant at 20 to 100°C Food Additive Status /glycerine/applications/table1.htm Freezing Point Freezing Points Graph of Glycerine-Water Solutions Freezing and Flow Points Table of Glycerine-Water Solutions 9.65% to 67.55% Freezing Points Table of Glycerine-Water Solutions Heat of Solution Temperature Rise Molar Heat Heat of Vaporization Refractive Index Refractive Index - 21-40% Refractive Index - 41-60% Refractive Index - 61-80% Refractive Index - 81-100% Solubility Miscibility of Organic Solvents with Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Solubility of Various Compounds in Glycerine Specific Heat Specific Heats of Glycerine-Water Solutions Specific Heats at Various Temperatures Specific Heats of Various Compositions Thermal and Cubical Expansion Cubical Expansion of Glycerine-Water Solutions Thermal Expansion of Pure Glycerine Coefficient of Thermal Expansion for Glycerine Thermal Conductivity Thermal Conductivity - Composition-Temperature Curves for Glycerine-Water Solutions True Coefficient of Thermal Conductivity of Glycerine-Water Solutions Vapor Pressure and Boiling Point Volatility Properties (100 to 91 Parts Glycerine) Volatility Properties (90 to 81 Parts Glycerine) Volatility Properties (80 to 71 Parts Glycerine) Volatility Properties (70 to 0 Parts Glycerine) Vapor Pressure Viscosity Viscosity of Aqueous Glycerine Solutions Viscosity at Low Temperatures Viscosity of Supercooled Glycerine Calculated Temperatures Related to Viscosities Viscosity at High Temperatures Frequently Asked Questions Contact Us SAFECHEM OPTIM Glycerine Home	Frequently Asked Questions What is glycerine? How is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? What does the term Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) mean? Does OPTIM™ Glycerine contain GMOs? How are tallow and vegetable-based glycerines manufactured? Under what regulatory requirements is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? What are the main applications for glycerine? What are the primary advantages of OPTIM™ Glycerine product? How should OPTIM™ Glycerine be stored? Where is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? What are important properties of OPTIM™ Glycerine? For food use, what FDA regulations apply to OPTIM™ Glycerine? What is the FCC? What does "Good Manufacturing Practices" mean? What is glycerine? Glycerine is a 1,2,3 Trihydroxy propane, a trihydric alcohol. Glycerine is also commonly referred to as glycerol and glycerin. Back to Top How is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? OPTIM™ Glycerine has a high degree of consistency and purity because Dow also manufactures the raw materials under highly controlled conditions. OPTIM™ Glycerine is manufactured synthetically. Back to Top What does the term Genetically Modified Organism (GMO) mean? The term "genetically modified" is used to describe the application of biotechnology to genetically alter certain traits of microorganisms, plants, and animals. A "GMO" is any organism that has been genetically modified. Back to Top Does OPTIM™ Glycerine contain GMOs? OPTIM™ Glycerine does not contain genetically modified organisms as it is manufactured from petrochemical raw materials. Back to Top How are tallow and vegetable-based glycerines manufactured? Fat and oil-based glycerines are derived as by-products from a variety of industrial processes including soap making, fatty acids and alcohols, and methyl fatty acid esters. These industrial processes use triglycerides (vegetable oils and animal fats) as raw materials. Back to Top Under what regulatory requirements is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? DOW Synthetic Glycerine products are manufactured under current Good Manufacturing Practices to meet the current requirements of the United States Pharmacopoeia, European Pharmacopoeia and Food Chemicals Codex and meets European food additive requirements. Plus, OPTIM™ Glyercine meets Kosher standards. Back to Top What are the main applications for glycerine? Because of its unique set of physical properties, glycerine has been and is used in a very broad range of products. Primary applications include foods, pharmaceuticals, personal care products and polyurethane polyols. Back to Top What are the primary advantages of OPTIM™ Glycerine product? OPTIM™ Glycerine products set the industry as the benchmark for purity and consistency. In addition to the physical purity and consistency, OPTIM™ Glycerine has superior sensory properties, i.e. virtually no odor and consistently sweet taste. Back to Top How should OPTIM™ Glycerine be stored? Like any other organic compound, OPTIM™ Glycerine is subject to degradation if overheated. To optimize product quality, OPTIM™ Glycerine should be stored below 54°C (130°F) but above its freezing point, 16.7°C (62°F). Glycerine also is very hygroscopic, i.e. water-loving, and readily absorbs moisture from the air. To minimize water absorption, glycerine should be stored under a dry atmosphere. Back to Top Where is OPTIM™ Glycerine manufactured? Dow manufactures OPTIM™ Glycerine at its Stade plant, Germany, according to current Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP). Back to Top What are important properties of OPTIM™ Glycerine? Important properties include: high humectancy (affinity for water), solvency, viscosity, sweet taste and virtual odorless state. Back to Top For food use, what FDA regulations apply to OPTIM™ Glycerine? There are numerous food product specific FDA regulations, which describe the use of glycerine. Moreover, OPTIM™ Glycerine is classified as a multiple GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food substance under FDA Regulation 21 CFR 182.1320. Back to Top What is the FCC? The FCC is the Food Chemicals Codex, a compendium of monographs for food-grade chemicals. Back to Top What does "Good Manufacturing Practices" mean? Current GMPs are guidelines governing every aspect of the production and shipment of FDA and European Commission regulated products. Back to Top ®™^* Trademark of The Dow Chemical Company ("Dow") or an affiliated company of Dow
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