Glycerine is a colourless, odourless, sweet-tasting liquid is used as an emulsifier in food applications such as candy, baked goods, meats and cheese. It also has uses in pharmaceuticals and personal care products. Crude glycerine is a by-product of biodiesel production.
The agri-foods giant entered the glycerine market in 2006, when it opened its first refinery next to its 37.5m capacity biodiesel production plant in Iowa Falls, Iowa.
However the company says demand for the ingredient, is growing – a trend understood to be driven by novel uses opening up. To cater to this, Cargill began building a new refinery next to its biodiesel facility in Höchst Industrial Park in Frankfurt in September 2008. The refinery, which brings seven new jobs to the site, has now started production.
The company has not released details of its capacity at the new site, but to Iowa plant has a capacity of 30m pounds a year. Cargill executives could not be reached prior to publication of this article for more information in the global glycerine set up.
Jack van der Hoek, head of Cargill’s biodiesel operations in Europe, said that the location in Frankfurt means it is “very well located to serve the bulk of European refined glycerine demand”.
He added that the company can produce high value glycerine to customers’ specifications, and its product meets stringent food safety standards.
Glycerine uses
In food applications, glycerine is often used as a humectant, or softening agent, absorbing water and helping to keep products- such as candy and cakes- moist. It is also used as a solvent for flavours, such as vanilla, and food colouring, and as a filler in low-fat food products, such as cookies.
Other uses include the manufacture of mono- and di-glycerides for use as emulsifiers, and the manufacture of polyglycerol esters for shortenings and margarines.
Glycerine is also popular in a wide range of pharmaceutical and industrial applications, including cosmetics, plastics and paints.