Glycerol demand to soar by 2018

A new report says glycerol, a by-product of biodiesel production will be a $2.1 billion (€1.5 billion) industry by 2018.

The Transparency Market Research report says that the global demand for glycerol will reach 3,060 kilotonnes by 2018, generating more than $2 billion in revenues.

Over the last three years, glycerol has been progressively studied as a platform chemical for a host of renewable chemical intermediates. However, uncertainty of feedstock supply and low refining margins are key challenges for market participants.