Value-added uses for crude glycerol--a byproduct of biodiesel production

Biotechnol Biofuels. 2012 Mar 14:5:13. doi: 10.1186/1754-6834-5-13.

Abstract

Biodiesel is a promising alternative, and renewable, fuel. As its production increases, so does production of the principle co-product, crude glycerol. The effective utilization of crude glycerol will contribute to the viability of biodiesel. In this review, composition and quality factors of crude glycerol are discussed. The value-added utilization opportunities of crude glycerol are reviewed. The majority of crude glycerol is used as feedstock for production of other value-added chemicals, followed by animal feeds.