Product Name

Propylene Glycol, Di-propylene glycol, Tri-propylene glycol

Applications

The family of propylene glycols, which includes propylene glycol, di-propylene glycol, and tri-propylene glycol, are colorless, viscous, hygroscopic liquids with a low degree of toxicity. The products are manufactured from a reaction of propylene oxide with water. 

This family of glycols is used in a variety of applications, including unsaturated polyester resins, cosmetics and personal care products, functional fluids and antifreezes, liquid detergents, food and beverage applications, plasticizers, and polyurethane formulations. 

Fast Facts

• Propylene glycols hold and attract water well, so they can be found as a wetting agent or humectant in many applications to maintain moisture. For example, they lock in moisture in products like canned dog food and tobacco to prevent them from drying out. They can also be found in many baked goods to keep them moist, and in cosmetic lotions to lock in moisture on the skin.  
• Their hygroscopic properties also facilitate homogenous distribution in mixtures. As an example, glycols can be used in baby medicines and salad dressings to keep flavors, colors, and other ingredients in the solution and distributed evenly throughout the bottle – and prevent settling over time. 
• Propylene glycols are more viscous than water, but because they mix with water so well, they can be used in applications where water is required, but where the flow of water needs to slow down. For example, propylene glycols are often mixed with water in fog machines to maintain controllable flow of the fog juice to the heating element.  
• A strong, versatile chemical intermediate, the propylene glycol family can react with acids to create unsaturated polyester resins or with oxides to create a building block for polyurethanes. Because of this, they can be used in a diverse array of applications, such as wind turbines, shirt buttons, bowling balls, construction adhesives and sealants, and many more applications.   

Monument’s Capabilities/Experience with This Product

Monument is one of the largest Midwest producers of the propylene glycol family, manufacturing all three products of propylene glycol, di-propylene glycol and tri-propylene glycol. Products are manufactured at our plant in Brandenburg, KY, which has been manufacturing glycols for over 60 years. 

Monument currently makes three different versions of propylene glycol – a USP grade, an Industrial grade, and a low iron grade. Monument also manufactures a fragrance grade di-propylene glycol.

Latest News

Monument recently invested several million dollars to rebuild the propylene glycol unit – which further enhanced our ability to provide excellent reliability and customer service.