Butylene glycol
Butylene glycol suppliers and sourcing guide
Butylene glycol is a four-carbon diol sold as a clear, low-odor, slightly viscous liquid that mixes with water and alcohol. It is usually made petrochemically by aldol condensation of acetaldehyde followed by hydrogenation, and bio-based grades are also made by fermentation of plant sugars. Cosmetic brands buy it as a solvent and humectant, and it is a common carrier for botanical extracts.
- Also known as
- 1,3-Butanediol · 1,3-Butylene glycol · Butane-1,3-diol · CAS 107-88-0
- Facts checked
- November 2026
Forms and grades of butylene glycol
Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.
Cosmetic grade
High-purity 1,3-butanediol with low odor, sold for skin care, hair care and extract carriers.
Bio-based / naturally derived
Butylene glycol made by fermenting sugars, sold with a bio-based carbon claim and sometimes COSMOS approval.
Food / FCC grade
Grade meeting the Food Chemicals Codex monograph for use as a flavor solvent.
Extract carrier blends
Butylene glycol supplied premixed with water and botanical extracts by extract makers rather than sold neat.
What to check on the COA
Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.
- Identity
- IR spectrum or GC retention time against a reference.
- Assay
- 1,3-Butanediol content by GC, often 99% or higher.
- Water
- Karl Fischer titration.
- Odor and color
- Odor panel check and APHA color, since residual aldehydes give some lots an off-odor.
- Specific gravity and acidity
- Specific gravity at 20 °C and acid value, which flag dilution or oxidation.
- Heavy metals
- Lead, arsenic and other elements by ICP-MS or ICP-OES against the supplier's specification or the applicable USP, FCC or cosmetic-grade limit.
Storage, lots and expiry
Storage and shelf life
Store butylene glycol in closed drums or totes at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat and strong oxidizers. Keep containers sealed between uses because it picks up water. Shelf life comes from the supplier's specification, with retest of assay, water and odor for older stock.
Lots and expiry dates
Record the source (petrochemical or bio-based), assay, water and odor result for each lot. Odor can vary between producers, so keep a retained sample of an approved lot to compare new deliveries against.
Regulatory status
Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.
21 CFR 173.220 permits 1,3-butylene glycol of not less than 99 percent purity as a solvent for natural and synthetic flavoring substances.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)21 CFR 172.712 permits 1,3-butylene glycol made by aldol condensation of acetaldehyde and catalytic hydrogenation in the manufacture of sausage casings.
Source: ecfr.gov (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's List of Permitted Carrier or Extraction Solvents permits butylene glycol as a carrier solvent in flavours.
Source: canada.ca (opens in a new tab)Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists 1,3-butylene glycol with an acceptable daily intake of up to 4 mg/kg bw/day, citing WHO JECFA.
Source: webprod.hc-sc.gc.ca (opens in a new tab)
This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.
Butylene glycol suppliers
Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.
We are checking butylene glycol suppliers now
Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.
Sell butylene glycol? Request a listingFrequently asked questions
What forms of butylene glycol can brands buy?
Common forms include cosmetic grade, bio-based / naturally derived, food / FCC grade and extract carrier blends. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.
What should the COA for butylene glycol include?
Expect identity, assay, water, odor and color, specific gravity and acidity and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.
How should butylene glycol be stored?
Store butylene glycol in closed drums or totes at room temperature, protected from moisture, heat and strong oxidizers. Keep containers sealed between uses because it picks up water. Shelf life comes from the supplier's specification, with retest of assay, water and odor for older stock.
What is the regulatory status of butylene glycol?
21 CFR 173.220 permits 1,3-butylene glycol of not less than 99 percent purity as a solvent for natural and synthetic flavoring substances. 21 CFR 172.712 permits 1,3-butylene glycol made by aldol condensation of acetaldehyde and catalytic hydrogenation in the manufacture of sausage casings. Health Canada's List of Permitted Carrier or Extraction Solvents permits butylene glycol as a carrier solvent in flavours. Health Canada's Natural Health Products Ingredients Database lists 1,3-butylene glycol with an acceptable daily intake of up to 4 mg/kg bw/day, citing WHO JECFA.
More cosmetic bases, emollients and surfactants
- GlycerinGlycerol · Glycerine
- Propylene glycol1,2-Propanediol · Propane-1,2-diol
- Propanediol1,3-Propanediol · Trimethylene glycol
- Pentylene glycol1,2-Pentanediol · Pentane-1,2-diol
- Cetearyl alcoholCetostearyl alcohol · Alcohols, C16-18
- Cetyl alcohol1-Hexadecanol · Palmityl alcohol
- Stearyl alcohol1-Octadecanol · Octadecyl alcohol
- Behenyl alcoholDocosanol · 1-Docosanol
- Caprylic/capric triglycerideMedium-chain triglycerides · MCT
- Isopropyl myristateIPM · Tetradecanoic acid, 1-methylethyl ester
- Isopropyl palmitateIPP · 1-Methylethyl hexadecanoate
- Coco-caprylateCoco-caprylate/caprate (related grade) · Coconut alcohol caprylate
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