Leading the way ADM is one of the largest agricultural processors in the world—a global
leader in turning crops into products that serve the vital needs of a growing
population. Our integration into major agricultural building blocks makes
possible a biobased propylene glycol that meets both USP excipient and
industrial specifications.
Innovative technologyOur technology uses a catalytic process known as hydrogenolysis to
efficiently convert glycerin into propylene glycol. The reaction between
glycerin and hydrogen takes place at high temperatures and pressure over
a unique catalyst to produce propylene glycol and water. Following the
reaction section, propylene glycol is purified to both industrial and USP
specification grades.
Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol
Soy Processing
Hydrogenolysis
Glycerol
HO OH
OH
Corn ProcessingHO
OH OH
OHOH OH
Sorbitol/Dextrose
HO
OH
Propylene Glycol
Chemistry from nature by ADM.
Meeting the sustainability challengeThe challenge today is to find renewable alternatives to petroleum-
based products.
End-use consumers, governments, leading retailers and innovative corporations
are driving their suppliers to provide products that are more environmentally
friendly. Propylene glycol from Evolution Chemicals is made from 100%
biobased renewable carbon content and provides customers with a
number of benefits.
Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol sustainability benefits: • Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol meets the ASTM standards for
100% biobased renewable carbon content enabling customers to
uniquely market and label their end-use products. The USDA‘s Bio-
PreferredSM program will help consumers, businesses and governments
easily identify biobased products, and also act as a marketing tool for
the product manufacturers and vendors.
• A life cycle analysis shows a reduction of up to 61% in greenhouse
gases compared to the propylene oxide route to propylene glycol,* enabling
customers to make progress on meeting corporate sustainability goals.
• Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol reduces dependency on petroleum
feedstocks, which improves our global energy balance.
Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol
* Life Cycle Analysis study performed by ADM. Michigan State University professors Bruce E. Dale and Seungdo Kim reviewed the study and endorsed the results and conclusions.
Manufacturing and global distribution ADM’s first propylene glycol plant manufactures industrial grade and USP
specifications grade propylene glycol from renewable sources. The plant’s
capacity is 100,000 metric tons.
Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol is backed by one of the world’s largest
transportation systems. ADM operates a dedicated railcar fleet and its
own trucking fleet with seven day loading capabilities to provide its customer
with enhanced logistic services. ADM’s specialized distribution network
provides white room drumming capabilities and local service to add even
more service options for ADM’s propylene glycol customers.
Advantages:• Quick turn-around from a newly constructed Midwestern
location with seven day loading capabilities
• Uninterrupted availability made possible with feedstock flexibility
• USP specifications grade products derived from a patented process
• Product quality maintained with dedicated industrial and USP specifications grade trucking
• 100% biobased renewable carbon content
• Reduces dependence on petroleum derivatives
• Reduces greenhouse gasses based on a life cycle analysis compared with petroleum-based counterparts
• Creates market opportunities with governments, formulators and end-use customers looking for petroleum derivative alternatives
Product characteristics and specificationsPropylene Glycol, Industrial (PGI) is an organic compound (a diol) with
formula C3H8O2. It is a colorless, water-soluble hygroscopic liquid with a
medium viscosity, low vapor pressure and low toxicity.
Propylene glycol plays a significant role in many market segments due to
its wide range of practical applications. Glycols are found in such diverse
products and applications as:
Unsaturated Polyester Resins Paints, Coatings and Printing Inks
Antifreeze/Coolants Heat Transfer Fluids
Aircraft Deicing Fluids Plasticizers
Detergents and Cleaners
Propylene Glycol USP Specifications (excipient) Evo-100™ is a
colorless, odorless, slightly viscous, water-soluble and hygroscopic liquid
with low vapor pressure and is produced and handled in compliance
with current Good Manufacturing Practice (cGMP) guidelines.
Propylene glycol USP/EP specifications grade complies with
pharmaceutical, cosmetic and food regulations in the global markets
where it is sold. It is Kosher certified and Halal certified. Applications include:
Cosmetics and Personal Care Pharmaceutical Excipient
Food Pet Foods and Animal Feed
Propylene Glycol USP, Excipient Grade/EP
© 2010 Archer Daniels Midland Company
866-660-7336 | [email protected] | www.adm.com/evolution
The information contained herein is correct as of the date of this document to the best of our knowledge. Any recommendations or suggestions are made without guarantee or representation as to results and are subject to change without notice. We suggest you evaluate any recommendations and suggestions independently. We disclaim any and all warranties, whether express or implied, and specifically disclaim the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Our responsibility for claims arising from any claim for breach of warranty, negligence, or otherwise shall not include consequential, special, or incidental damages, and is limited to the purchase price of material purchased from us. None of the statements made here shall be construed as a grant, either express or implied, of any license under any patent held by Archer Daniels Midland Company or other parties. Customers are responsible for obtaining any licenses or other rights that may be necessary to make, use, or sell products containing Archer Daniels Midland Company ingredients.
Evolution Chemicals Propylene Glycol
Speficication Limit Method
Assay 99.5 % ADM-PL4
Water 0.2 % USP
Color (PtCo) 10 Max APHA
Chlorides 1.0 Max ppm ADM-PL4
Sulfates 60 Max ppm ADM-PL4
Acidity, as acetic acid 0.002 Max % FCC
Appearance, Clear, free of suspended matter
Pass USP
Iron 0.5 Max ppm ADM-PL4
Odor Essentially odorless
ADM-PL4
Heavy Metals 5 Max ppm USP
Specific Gravity @ 25˚C 1.035-1.037 USP
Residue on Ignition 50 Max ppm JP
Bio-based Carbon 100 % ASTM-6866
The USDA BioPreferred program promotes the purchase and use of
biobased products by providing trusted verification and making it
easy for people to identify renewable natural resource alternatives,
as opposed to non-renewable synthetic or petrochemical derived
ones. This program supports resourcefulness and self-reliance.
The USDA BioPreferred Voluntary Labeling Initiative is the consumer-
focused labeling part of the USDA biobased product program that
also includes the Federal preferred purchasing program.
The USDA BioPreferred SM Program has a very informative website:
www.biopreferred.gov.