Bio Propylene Glycol (BioPG)

What is BioPG technology?

BioPG technology converts glycerin into bio-sourced propylene glycol using liquid-phase hydrogenation. It provides a renewable alternative to petrochemical methods with significant environmental benefits.

As a global technology partner, Air Liquide Engineering & Technologies delivers this BASF-licensed process, helping industries decarbonize their supply chains while maintaining top-tier product quality.

Key advantages and performance data

• Significant emissions reduction: Up to 70% lower greenhouse gas emissions compared to conventional petrochemical production.
• Cost-effective feedstock: Glycerin offers a renewable alternative to fossil-based materials.
• Production capacity: Standalone, flexible units designed to produce 50 to 300 tonnes per day (tpd), operating independently from petrochemical basins.
• High product purity: The output is free from oligomers and polypropylene glycols. It yields pharma-grade propylene glycol as the main product, and technical-grade as a co-product.
• Reduced risk: The process entirely avoids the use of hazardous chemicals like propylene oxide.

A highly efficient and proven purification process

The BioPG process relies on liquid-phase hydrogenation over a copper catalyst inside serial fixed-bed reactors (operating at 175–195°C and 75–200 bar). The crude product then undergoes an advanced separation process in an optimized distillation unit to systematically reach pharmaceutical-grade purity. This technology is already proven with industrial-scale reference plants worldwide.

Seamless integration for a sustainable future

Transitioning to sustainable chemistry requires reliable pathways. By substituting traditional propylene glycol — a key ingredient in unsaturated polyester resins, paints, de-icing solutions, food solvents, deodorants, and toothpaste — with BioPG, manufacturers can significantly reduce their carbon footprint with a "drop-in" solution that requires no changes to their existing formulations.