Propylene glycols
Shell chemicals companies are a leading supplier of propylene glycols 鈥� monopropylene glycol (MPG) and dipropylene glycol (DPG) - which are derivatives of propylene oxide. Bowling alleys, bathrooms and boat yards are all places where we can find things made of unsaturated polyester resins, one of the main materials that can be made using propylene glycols.
Product overview
MPG and DPG are produced in a two-step process. The first step is the reaction of propylene oxide with water into a mixture of MPG and DPG and the second step is the distillation and purification of the mixture into its two separate components.
MPG
MPG is the largest volume propylene glycol. It is a colourless, viscous, odourless liquid. It is highly hygroscopic and miscible in all ratios with water, alcohols, esters, ketones and amines. It has limited miscibility with halogenated hydrocarbons and is not miscible with aliphatic hydrocarbons.
MPG's most important end use is in the production of unsaturated polyester resins which, in turn, are used to make everyday items such as bath tubs, small boats and water/chemical tanks and pipes.
Other end use application areas are paints and coatings, aeroplane de-icers/anti-icers, antifreeze and industrial coolants, detergents, hydraulic fluids and cosmetics.
We also supply United States Pharmacopia (USP) grade MPG that meets strict product quality and handling standards for applications such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and foodstuffs.
DPG
DPG is also a colourless, hygroscopic liquid, miscible with water in any ratio and highly soluble in most organic solvents. The end uses of DPG include unsaturated polyester resins, plasticisers, alkyd resins, cosmetics and urethane polyols.
What are our key strengths in the propylene glycol sector?
- Well-established presence across the globe through a strong supply network
- Strong, integrated position in Asia Pacific
- Strong product stewardship commitment
Product data
| Product/Grade | Description | Download |
|---|---|---|
| Dipropylene glycol | Dipropylene glycol (C6H14O3) (CAS 25265-71-8) is a mixture of the isomers 1,1'-oxidi-2-propanol (CAS 108-61-2), 2-(2'-hydroxypropoxy)-1-propanol (CAS 106-62-7) and 2,2'-oxidi-1-propanol (CAS 110-98-5). It is a colourless, hygroscopic liquid, miscible in water in any ratio and highly soluble in most organic solvents. | Datasheet (PDF) |
| Monopropylene glycol | Monopropylene glycol (C3H8O2), also known as 1,2-Propanediol or 1,2-propylen glycol (CAS 57-55-6), is a colourless, viscous, odourless liquid. It is highly hygroscopic and miscible in all ratios with water, alcohols, esters, ketones and amines. It has limited miscibility with halogenated hydrocarbons and is not miscible with aliphatic hydrocarbons. | Datasheet (PDF) |
| Monopropylene glycol (USP) | MPG - USP is the US Pharmacopoeia compliant grade of monopropylene glycol (MPG). It is a clear, colourless and practically odourless, hygroscopic liquid, completely soluble in water. MPG - USP is miscible in all proportions with low molecular weight aliphatic alcohols and ketones. It is slightly to moderately soluble in aromatics hydrocarbon solvents and only slightly miscible with aliphatics hydrocarbon solvents. | Datasheet (PDF) |
| Dipropylene glycol (LO) | Dipropylene glycol LO is the low odour grade of dipropylene glycol (DPG). It鈥檚 main application is as a solvent in fragrances and cosmetics. | Datasheet (PDF) |
History in PO and derivatives
Substantial capacity growth has been fuelled by continual developments in our proprietary SM/PO technology and world-scale, integrated manufacturing assets strategically placed to meet customer needs.
This same commitment drove the establishment of our polyurethanes research and technology centre in Bangalore, India, providing our customers with practical advice and support on the issues that matter to their industries.
Substantial capacity growth has been fuelled by continual developments in our proprietary SM/PO technology and world-scale, integrated manufacturing assets strategically placed to meet customer needs.
This same commitment drove the establishment of our polyurethanes research and technology centre in Bangalore, India, providing our customers with practical advice and support on the issues that matter to their industries.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1957 | First propylene oxide plant acquired in Carrington, 麻豆传媒 |
| 1959 | First polyether polyols produced in Carrington |
| 1964 | New polyol plant starts up in Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1970 | New TDI/MDI joint venture plant starts up in Antwerp, Belgium (halted production in 2003) |
| 1971 | Major polyol plant expansion at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1980 | First SM/PO plant starts commercial production in Moerdijk, The Netherlands |
| 1988 | New "product" laboratory opened in Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium |
| 1990 | Polyols and SM/PO de-bottlenecking in The Netherlands |
| 1997 | Shell Seraya Research Laboratory opens in Singapore |
| 1997 | SM/PO, polyols, MPG plants start up in Singapore |
| 1998 | New rigid polyols facility starts up at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 1999 | New SM/PO plant starts up in Moerdijk, The Netherlands |
| 1999 | New polymer polyol capacity becomes available |
| 1999 | Shell/Huntsman strategic alliance on rigid foam urethanes |
| 2002 | New SM/PO, polyols plant starts up in Singapore |
| 2003 | New styrene acrylonitrile (SAN) polymer polyol plant in The Netherlands |
| 2006 | SM/PO and derivatives plants come on-stream at CSPCL Nanhai in China |
| 2007 | Closure of polyether polyols plant at Carrington 麻豆传媒 |
| 2008 | Opening of new R&D centre in Bangalore, India. Expansion of polyols plant at Pernis, The Netherlands |
| 2009 | Shell Chemicals celebrates 50 years of polyols |
| 2011 | Modifications at Pernis increases capacity of CASE polyols |
