IBI announces major new Glycerin plant in Brazil
The company says that it has secured a further $300,000 investment as part of a target capitalization of $1m to develop the facility, which is located 250kms west of Sao Paulo.
The facility is currently an existing shut-down chemical facility, which will be upgraded and renewed to accommodate the production of the glycerin, mainly as a byproduct of biodiesel production.
Full capacity by 2009
The plant is expected to produce 20,000 metric tons of glycerin byproduct a year, which should generate revenues of $22m by the year 2009, the company claims.
The company says it wants to develop further byproduct production capabilities for biodiesel as a means of bringing added value to a basic commodity that is already enjoying significant worldwide growth.
For cosmetic and personal care purposes the plant will be used to process distilled glycerin.
Glycerin is a 10 percent byproduct of biodiesel and is mainly used as a base ingredient for the production of soaps.
Lubricant and humectant
However, it can also be used as a lubricant and a humectant in a wider range of personal care products, including toothpaste, mouthwashes hair care and skin care formulations.
The facility will also be producing distilled glycerin for paint products, as well as glycerin carbonate, which is a renewable solvent that can also be used in a variety of personal care products, as well as being used as a resin for flavors and fragrances.
“We expect to be an active trader of glycerin in the international markets in addition to our biodiesel business,” said IVI VP of manufacturing Daniel Goncalves.
“We will continue to develop our chemical portfolio, which already includes epoxidized soybean oil and a plasticizer for the PVC industry.”
