Propylene Glycol Production from Glycerol (Vapor-Phase Process)
Propylene Glycol Production Costs Report | Issue A | Q3 2024
Report Details |
120 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages |
This report presents a cost analysis of a 120 kta (kilo metric ton per annum) United States-based plant. You can add a customized cost analysis, assuming another location (country), when ordering a premium edition of this report.
Report Abstract
This report presents the economics of Propylene Glycol production from glycerol in the United States. The process presented occurs in vapor-phase, similarly to Davy Technologies process.
The report provides a comprehensive study of Propylene Glycol production and related Propylene Glycol production cost, covering three key aspects: a complete description of the Propylene Glycol production process examined; an in-depth analysis of the related Propylene Glycol plant capital cost (Capex); and an evaluation of the respective Propylene Glycol plant operating costs (Opex).
The Propylene Glycol production process description includes a block flow diagram (BFD), an overview of the industrial site installations, detailing both the process unit and the necessary infrastructure, process consumption figures and comprehensive process flow diagrams (PFD). The Propylene Glycol plant capital cost analysis breaks down the Capex by plant cost (i.e., ISBL, OSBL and Contingency); owner's cost; working capital; and costs incurred during industrial plant commissioning and start-up. The Propylene Glycol plant operating costs analysis covers operating expenses, including variable costs like raw materials and utilities, and fixed costs such as maintenance, labor, and depreciation.
Process Overview

Products
Propylene Glycol. Propylene Glycol (a.k.a. Propane-1,2-diol) is a clear, colorless, non-corrosive, but strongly hygroscopic difunctional alcohol in such a way that it must be protected from exposure to the atmosphere. Unique among the glycols, Propylene Glycol has low toxicity to humans. The largest application of Propylene Glycol is in the production of polyester resins, although it also has a wide application in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries. Propylene Glycol also has great solvent properties for several polar organic materials, such as phenols, alcohols, dyes, natural products, and even some resins. Moreover, due to its property of reducing the water freezing point, PG has been used as an option for aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluids. This commodity was first manufactured in 1859 by the hydrolysis of propylene glycol diacetate However, it was only in 1931 that it was first commercialized and used as a substitute for glycerol in pharmaceuticals.
Ethylene Glycol. Ethylene glycol, also known as monoethylene glycol or MEG, is the simplest diol, with chemical formula C2H6O2. Like other glycols, ethylene glycol undergoes reactions common to monohydric alcohols forming esters, acetals, ethers, and similar products. Most of monoethylene glycol has been produced from ethylene via ethylene oxide intermediate, generating di- and tri-ethylene glycol as well. Commercially, ethylene glycol is available in three grades: fiber grade, with min. 99.8% of purity; industrial grade with min. 99.5% of purity and antifreeze grade with min. 98% of purity.
Raw Material
Glycerol. Glycerol is a versatile, naturally-derived compound widely used in pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and food industries as a humectant, sweetener, and solvent. It also serves as a raw material for the production of resins and polyols used in polyurethane foams. Glycerol is primarily obtained as a byproduct from biodiesel production or through the hydrolysis of fats and oils. It is stored as a viscous liquid at ambient conditions and is highly valued for its non-toxicity and biodegradability.
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Production Process Information
Process Consumptions
Labor Requirements
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Operating Cost Summary
Production Costs Datasheet
Plant Capital Cost Details
Operating Cost Details
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Plant Capacity Assessment
Process Flow Diagrams
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Content Highlights
Plant Capital Cost Summary
Summary outlining the capital cost required for building the Propylene Glycol production plant examined
Plant Capital Cost Details
Detailing of fixed capital (ISBL, OSBL & Owner’s Cost), working capital and additional capital requirements
Plant Cost Breakdowns
Breakdown of Propylene Glycol process unit (ISBL) costs and infrastructure (OSBL) costs; plant cost breakdown per discipline
Operating Costs Summary
Summary presenting the operating variable costs and the total operating cost of the Propylene Glycol production plant studied
Operating Cost Details
Detailing of utilities costs, operating fixed costs and depreciation
Plant Capacity Assessment
Comparative analysis of capital investment and operating costs for different Propylene Glycol plant capacities
Production Process Information
Block Flow Diagram, descriptions of process unit (ISBL) and site infrastructure (OSBL)
Process Consumptions
Raw materials and utilities consumption figures, by-products credits, labor requirements
Process Diagrams
Process flow diagrams (PFD), equipment list and industrial site configuration
Other Propylene Glycol Production Cost Reports
Propylene Glycol Production from Glycerol (Liquid-Phase Process)
This study presents the economics of Propylene Glycol production from glycerol using a liquid-phase process similar to Suppes process in the United States. In this process, glycerol is submitted to hydrogenation, yielding propylene glycol.
Details: 120 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue B From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 120 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
Propylene Glycol from Chlorine and Propylene
This report presents the economics of Propylene Glycol production from chlorine and chemical grade (CG) propylene in the United States, via a typical hydration process. In this process, chlorine, propylene and water are combined to make propylene chlorohydrin, which reacts with inorganic base to yield the oxide. The oxide is then hydrolyzed to propylene glycol.
Details: 200 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue C From $1,199 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 200 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
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This report presents the economics of a process for Technical Grade Glycerol production from crude glycerol in the United States. This treatment consists of pretreatment and vacuum distillation steps.
Details: 120 kta United States-based plant | Q3 2024 | 107 pages | Issue A From $799 USD
The cost analyses presented in this report target a 120 kta (kilo metric ton per annum per annum) United States-based plant. For those interested in cost analyses considering other plant capacities and/or locations, Intratec offers a customized analysis as an optional feature.
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