Project: "Technology for bio-based propylene glycol of pharmaceutical grade"

PROJECT CO-FINANCED BY THE EUROPEAN UNION FROM THE EUROPEAN REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND within the Smart Growth Operational Programme 2014-2020

Action 1.2: R&D Sector Programmes 

Mediating institution: National Centre for Research and Development

Beneficiary name: Institute of Heavy Organic Synthesis "Blachownia"

Agreement number: POIR.01.02.00-00-0041/17
Project value: 6 412 126,23 PLN
EU subsidy: 4 068 185,76 PLN
Duration: 01.01.2018 - 31.12.2020

Description of the project:

The aim of the project is the development of an innovative technology for the production of bio propylene glycol of pharmaceutical grade from a by-product of biofuel production which is glycerine. The project assumes product downstreaming where the low-value product is processed into more valuable products, which is in this case propylene glycol of pharmaceutical grade that can be used in cosmetics, personal care and food industry.

The project assumes the development of a new method based on the heterogeneous catalyst developed in ICSO and dedicated for this particular process. One of the novelties of the proposed technology is that propylene glycol is currently produced from petrochemical products where propylene is first converted to propylene oxide and then hydrated to propylene glycol. The technology developed by ICSO is a one-step process where a direct two-step hydrogenolysis of glycerol to propylene glycol is carried out in a reactor with high efficiency and selectivity, and later the hydrogenation product is separated from the catalyst and purified by distillation.

The new technology is based on the technology of industrial grade bio propylene glycol patented by ICSO. The new technology will utilize the research infrastructure used during development of previous technology, where it is planned to upgrade the infrastructure with more efficient filters and distillation columns, and optimize the hydrogenation unit to avoid the identified technology weaknesses.

The result of the project is the development of a complete technology of producing a Pharmacopeia grade propylene glycol from bioglycerine and demonstration of technology in pilot scale. The obtained results will confirm the data gathered in the laboratory scale research and will minimize the investment risk of potential customers. The developed technology will be owned by ICSO and sold under license. 

Project manager:
MSc Jan Wójcik
phone +48  77 4873453
fax +48 77 4873060

e-mail: jan.wojcik(at)icso.lukasiewicz.gov.pl

Contact person:
Magdalena Krowicka
phone + 48 77 4873160
fax +48 77 4873260

e-mail: magdalena.krowicka(at)icso.lukasiewicz.gov.pl