Propylene Glycol (Food Grade, E1520) · Solvent, Humectant & Carrier for Flavors, Colors and Functional Ingredients

Key characteristics

• Chemical name: Propylene glycol (1,2-propanediol), a diol used as solvent and carrier.
• Functional role: Solvent, carrier, humectant and processing aid.
• Typical appearance: Clear, colourless liquid with low odour and mild taste at typical use levels.
• Solubility:
  • Miscible with water; blends well with many alcohols and polyols,
  • Strong solvency for many flavor components, extracts and some functional ingredients.
• Functional effects:
  • Improved solubility and stability in flavor and color systems,
  • Uniform dispersion and dosing in concentrates and premixes,
  • Moisture management in some bakery and confectionery applications.
• Process advantages:
  • Stable viscosity and pumpability for industrial handling,
  • Supports consistent batch-to-batch performance in liquid systems.

Atlas supports customers with grade selection and documentation aligned to end-use (flavor house, beverage concentrate, bakery or specialty formulation) and target market requirements.

Indicative specification points

Specifications depend on the selected standard and destination requirements. Typical quality control points for food-grade propylene glycol include:

• Assay (purity): high purity as defined by food-grade specification; confirmed on COA.
• Water content: controlled for consistent solvency and viscosity.
• Colour and clarity: maintained for clean appearance and formulation performance.
• Acidity: controlled to support stability and compatibility with flavors and colors.
• Impurities (e.g. diethylene glycol and related glycols): controlled within strict limits according to applicable standard.
• Heavy metals and contaminants: within applicable limits for food ingredients.
• Microbiological quality: generally low risk; controlled per GMP and packaging integrity.

Each lot is supplied with a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and technical data sheet. On request, Atlas can coordinate origin declarations, Halal/Kosher certificates, allergen statements and additional compliance materials depending on the supply chain and destination requirements.

Flavors, extracts and colors

• Flavor carrier: dissolves and stabilises many aroma compounds for consistent dosing in beverages and foods.
• Extracts and botanical systems: supports solubility and helps control precipitation in certain formulations.
• Color systems: used in some color preparations where improved solvency and uniform dispersion are needed.
• Premixes: supports uniform distribution of actives in liquid premixes and functional blends.

Beverages and concentrates

• Soft drink concentrates and syrups: carrier solvent for flavor components and actives, supporting stability and consistent dilution.
• Emulsified beverage flavors: used as part of carrier systems for flavor oils, depending on emulsion design.
• Functional beverages: supports solubility of certain ingredients where water solubility is limited.

Bakery and sweet systems (select uses)

• Icings and glazes: supports smooth texture and solvent function for flavors and colors.
• Confectionery and fillings: used in some systems as part of moisture management and carrier design.
• Bakery formulations: can be used in specific applications where humectancy and stability are targeted, subject to regulations.

Processed foods and specialty formulations

• Seasonings and coatings: used in some liquid seasoning systems to improve dispersion and dosing.
• Food processing aids: supports certain processing systems where solvency and controlled moisture are required.
• Cross-industry compliant supply: propylene glycol is widely used beyond foods; Atlas can align documentation to destination requirements where applicable.

Usage and formulation guidance

• Dosage: application-dependent and regulated; typical use is driven by carrier requirements and maximum permitted levels in the destination market.
• Formulation considerations:
  • Evaluate compatibility with flavors, colors, sweeteners and acids; stability can vary by pH and composition,
  • Monitor clarity and precipitation during shelf-life testing, especially in concentrates and beverage syrups.
• Process considerations:
  • Add under adequate mixing to ensure uniform dispersion,
  • Use appropriate packaging and handling to avoid contamination and water pickup (PG is hygroscopic).
• Labelling:
  • Often declared as “propylene glycol” or “E1520” where permitted and required; verify local naming conventions.

Quality and documentation

• Supplied as food-grade propylene glycol with high purity and controlled impurity profile aligned to applicable standards.
• Each lot includes a Certificate of Analysis (COA) and technical data sheet.
• Documentation can include origin declarations, Halal/Kosher certificates, allergen statements and contaminant profiles depending on supply chain and destination requirements.
• Manufacturing sites typically operate under recognised quality and food safety systems; certificates can be shared on request.
• Customers remain responsible for confirming permitted uses, maximum levels and labelling for E1520 in each target market.

Packaging, storage and logistics

• Standard packaging: commonly 215–230 kg drums, 1000 kg IBCs or bulk tank options depending on origin and route.
• Suitable for container shipments and consolidated loads with other food ingredients and carriers from the Atlas portfolio.
• Store in tightly closed original packaging in a cool, dry area; protect from contamination and water uptake.
• Shelf life is stated on the COA and specification; validate performance in your formulation and storage conditions.
• Shipments can be arranged under FOB, CFR, CIF or other agreed Incoterms with export documentation support coordinated from Ankara.

For a quotation, please share your application (flavor carrier, beverage concentrate, extract system, icing or specialty formulation), required standard/spec (food grade, pharmacopeia grade if required), annual volume, packaging preference (drum/IBC/bulk) and documentation requirements for your destination markets.