Which Propylene Glycol Do You Need? Answer Three Questions
Reading a PG Label and COA Without a Chemistry Degree
| What you see | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| USP / BP / Ph. Eur. | Quality meets that pharmacopoeia, which matters for medicines and exports |
| IP | Indian Pharmacopoeia grade, usually what Indian pharma units are audited against |
| Food grade / INS 1520 | Suitable as a food additive, with a food-safety declaration |
| Industrial / technical | For non-edible uses such as resins and heat transfer |
| Assay (purity) | The headline number, often 99.5% or higher for pharma-type grades |
| Water (KF) | Moisture by Karl Fischer test; lower is better for sensitive products |
| Dipropylene glycol | A related impurity; pharma and food users want it very low |
| Colour (APHA) | Lower is clearer; important in cosmetics and clear liquids |
Ask any supplier for a sample COA before ordering. A reliable propylene glycol manufacturer in Maharashtra will gladly share one.
You can read the full chemical profile on PubChem and the pharmacopoeia details on the Indian Pharmacopoeia Commission site.
What Propylene Glycol Actually Does in Each Industry
In medicines and nutraceuticals, PG dissolves ingredients that do not dissolve in water, and keeps syrups, drops and gels stable. In food and flavours, it carries flavour and colour and keeps products moist. In cosmetics and personal care, it works as a humectant, holding moisture in creams, lotions and shampoos. In unsaturated polyester resins, it is a key raw material for boat, tank and pipe composites. In coolants and heat-transfer fluids, it is the lower-toxicity choice where accidental contact with food or people is possible, as in dairies, breweries and food plants. In detergents, paints and inks, it works as a solvent and coupling agent.
If you buy several of these materials together, take a look at our Cyclohexane range, We also supply Mono ethylene glycol (MEG) for coolant and fibre buyers.
Propylene Glycol vs MEG vs Glycerine: Which One Wins?
| Propylene glycol | MEG | Glycerine | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toxicity | Low, accepted in food and pharma | Toxic if swallowed | Very low |
| Feel | Thin to slightly thick | Thin | Thick and syrupy |
| Best for | Pharma, food, cosmetics, safer coolants | Polyester, PET, standard antifreeze | Moisturising, sweetness, soaps |
| Cost | Mid | Usually lowest | Varies with market |
The honest summary: if people may come into contact with the product, PG is usually the safer pick over MEG. If you only need a cheap industrial coolant or polyester raw material, MEG is generally better value. We supply both, so we have no reason to push the wrong one.
Where We Suit You, and Where We Don’t
A good match: you need steady PG in drums or IBCs, you want a COA that matches your pharmacopoeia, and you are in or near Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Karnataka or Madhya Pradesh, where our freight and transit time work best.
Probably not a match: you need a few hundred millilitres of lab reagent (a lab chemical dealer will serve you better), or your specification is tighter than we can meet. We would rather say that on the first call than after you have placed an order.
Storage and Handling: Easy, but Not Careless
PG is far gentler than most industrial chemicals, but a few habits matter:
- Keep drums tightly closed. PG absorbs water from the air, which ruins a pharma-grade lot.
- Keep it away from strong oxidisers and heat. It is combustible, not highly flammable, with a flash point around 99 °C.
- Clean spills fast. A glycol spill makes floors very slippery.
- Do not mix grades. Never top up a pharma or food drum from an industrial drum or the other way round.
- Dispose of waste properly. Large amounts in drains use up oxygen in water bodies. Follow the SDS and the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board rules.
For food use, check the rules on the FSSAI website. For medicines, check CDSCO and your state FDA requirements.
How Orders Usually Go
Send us the grade, pharmacopoeia, monthly volume, packing (drums or IBC) and delivery location through our Contact Page. We reply with the specification, price and lead time, normally within a working day. If you want to validate first, we arrange a sample. After you confirm, the lot goes out sealed with the COA, SDS and invoice. Regular users can ask for Monthly Contract Supply to avoid running short.
Propylene Glycol Manufacturer in Maharashtra: Questions We Hear on Calls
Question 1: Will it end up in or on a person?
If yes (a syrup, tablet coating, cream, lotion, toothpaste, flavour or vape liquid), you need a pharma or food grade with matching documents. If no (resin, de-icing, heat transfer), industrial grade is usually enough and costs less.
Question 2: Which rulebook does your auditor follow?
Indian pharma units usually ask for IP, exporters often ask for USP, BP or Ph. Eur., and food makers look for food grade (INS 1520) with a food-safety declaration. Tell us the one you follow before you ask for a price.
Question 3: How tight is your water and impurity limit?
PG pulls moisture from the air, so water content and impurities such as dipropylene glycol matter in sensitive formulations. Share your limits and we will tell you straight away whether we can meet them.
Not sure of your answers? Send us two lines about your product through our Contact page and we will point you to the right grade, even if that is the cheaper one.
Who is a reliable propylene glycol manufacturer in Maharashtra?
Choose one who gives a batch COA that matches your pharmacopoeia, clean paperwork and dependable delivery. Shivam Industries offers this from Maharashtra and supplies buyers across India.
What is propylene glycol used for?
It is used as a solvent, humanectant and carrier in medicines, food, cosmetics, resins, coolants, detergents and paints.
What is the CAS number of propylene glycol?
57-55-6.
Is propylene glycol safe?
Pharma and food grades are widely accepted for approved uses at controlled levels, and regulators in many countries class it as a safe additive. It is much less toxic than ethylene glycol. Industrial grade is not meant for anything people eat or apply.
What is the difference between USP, IP and industrial grade PG?
USP and IP are pharmacopoeia grades with strict purity and testing rules. Industrial grade is for non-edible uses and is not tested to the same limits.
Is propylene glycol the same as MEG or ethylene glycol?
No. They are different chemicals. PG has a much lower toxicity profile, while MEG is toxic if swallowed.
Is propylene glycol vegetable-based or petroleum-based?
Most commercial PG is made from propylene oxide, which comes from petrochemical sources. Bio-based PG made from glycerine exists, and if you need it, ask us what is available.
Can I buy small quantities?
Yes, drum quantities are available. Contact us with your requirement.
Do you deliver outside Maharashtra?
Yes, across India, including Gujarat, Karnataka, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi NCR, subject to route and regulatory requirements.
Looking for a propylene glycol manufacturer in Maharashtra who matches your grade to your audit and delivers on time? Tell us your pharmacopoeia, monthly volume and delivery location, and we will send specifications and a quote, usually within one working day.