Crude glycerine is a viscous liquid with a naturally sweet taste and light yellow to dark brown in color. It is the impure form of refined glycerine. Crude glycerine is derived from both natural and chemical feedstocks. Glycerine occurs in combined form in vegetable oils and fats as triglycerides. It is also found in animal fats. Crude glycerine is obtained as a byproduct from the biodiesel manufacturing plant and oleochemical industries.

Emphasis has been placed on the usage of renewable energy, resulting in an increase in the production of biodiesel. As crude glycerine is a byproduct in the production of biodiesel, there is a corresponding increase in the production of crude glycerine. Crude glycerine specification includes 80% glycerine and the rest is made up of impurities such as methanol, soap, catalyst, salts, non-glycerine organic matter, and water.

Manufacturing Process

Crude glycerine is produced on a large scale from palm-based oleochemicals industries as a by-product. The glycerine produced from this method is of a higher purity than that by the production of biodiesel. In the production of soap noodles, glycerine is produced as a by-product during the saponification of oils and fats with sodium hydroxide. In the production of fatty acids derived from palm oil, crude glycerine is also produced as a byproduct during the esterification of palm oils. Crude glycerine is obtained from 2 methods, the production of biodiesel and oleochemicals.