Product Profile Glyceryl triacetate is the triester of glycerol and acetic acid and is also known as triglyceride 1,2,3 triacetoxypropane is more generally known as triacetin and glycerin triacetate. It is an artificial chemical compound, commonly used as a food additive, for instance as a solvent in flavourings, and for its humectant function. Triacetin is also a component of casting liquor with TG and as an excipient in pharmaceutical products where it is used as a humectant, a plasticizer, and as a solvent. It is a synthetic compound that produces a clear, combustible, and oily liquid with a bitter taste that is used as a food additive Applications Application of glyceryl triformate in food sector in following industries: baked goods, beverages, chewing gum, confectionery, dairy desserts, hard candy. Its applications in Non-Food sector are in following industries solvent, fixative, perfumes, printing inks, (non-absorbent surfaces), plasticiser. Its high solvency power and low volatility make triacetin a good solvent and fixative for many flavours and fragrances. Other applications of glyceryl triacetate are: • Plasticizer applied to the cigarette filter; • Flavour and essence fixative and lubricate in cosmetics; • Excipient in pharmaceutical products as a humectants, a plasticizer and a solvent; • Fuel additive as an antiknock agent which can reduce engine knocking in gasoline; • Fuel additive to improve cold flow and viscosity properties of biodiesel. Production Process Triacetin is produced from a multi-stage reaction sequence involving glycerine, acetic acid and acetic anhydride as raw materials. In the first reaction, glycerine is esterified with acetic acid. In this first stage, the conversion is to mono1 di-acetin. Water is also formed and is removed from the reaction system by azeotropic distillation of the acetic acid/water mixture during the reaction. In the second stage, the products from the first reaction, namely mono1 diacetin are further esterified in an exothermic reaction with acetic anhydride. Triacetin and acetic acid are formed, the latter returning to the reaction system to be used as the reactant in the first reaction. Triacetin is produced in a fully closed system. Market scenario Triacetin is mainly used in tobacco, food, inks, cosmetics, casting, pharmaceuticals and dyes area. Currently, the global demand for triacetin is about 110 000 tons annually, of which China's demand accounts for about 35%. In China, the annual output of triacetin is about 55 000 tons, of which 385 000 tons is consumed domestically, and 16 500 tons is for export, and the price of triacetin is RMB10 000 - 12 000/t. In recent years, the demand for triacetin has grown 5% to 10% annually. In the future, the demand for it will continue to maintain fast growth. In recent years, the demand for triacetin has grown at around 5% annually.
