ADM: Propylene Glycol - FAQs http://www.adm.com/en-US/products/evolution/Propylene-Glycol/Pages...

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Evolution Chemicals
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Propylene Glycol
Green Chemistry
Manufacturing Facility
Biobased Labeling
Life Cycle Analysis
Technical Information
Industrial
USP excipient Frequently Asked Questions
FAQs Propylene Glycol USP, Excipient Grade/EP, EVO-100
Dispersants
What makes your product biobased and what is it made from?
Our propylene glycol is manufactured from glycerin, a coproduct produced from vegetable oils during the
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manufacture of biodiesel or fatty acids. Glycerin is a vegetable oil derived product that contains 100% biobased,
plant derived carbon. ADMs process can also accommodate other carbohydrate feedstocks that are also 100%
biobased.

How can you be sure that your raw materials and propylene glycol are bio-based?
ADM manages the sourcing of the raw materials through our logistics network to maintain both biobased and
kosher integrity.

In addition, ASTM International, a globally recognized leader in international standards, has developed test
method D6866 as a way to tell the difference between new or biobased carbon versus fossil-carbon containing
compounds. This method is able to distinguish the biobased percentage of a compound or mixture.
http://www.astm.org/Standards/D6866.htm

How does ADMs biobased product compare to the petroleum derived propylene glycol?
ADMs propylene glycol meets the same USP specifications as petroleum based PG. The main difference is the
100% biobased carbon content in our product. Traditionally, propylene glycol has been derived from propylene
oxide, a petrochemical intermediate with no biobased content.

Is the functionality the same?

Yes. ADMs propylene glycol has the same molecular structure as petrochemical based PG.

Is your production reliable?

Yes. ADM took the necessary steps to ensure that reliable production of high quality product would be achieved.
To address these concerns, we piloted the necessary design modifications, reviewed and updated our operational
safety program and then implemented the improvements at scale to bring the facility online in late March, 2011.
Because ADM is committed to safely and reliably producing high-quality, biobased propylene glycol, we took time
to ensure our facility was getting the right results, the right way.

Is your product kosher?

Yes. ADM uses only verified kosher sources of feedstock for the production of propylene glycol and has
certification throughout our production and transportation network to produce propylene glycol that meets
kosher requirements.

Is your product natural?

No. While the raw materials used in the manufacture of ADM propylene glycol are naturally sourced biobased
products, propylene glycol itself is not a natural product because of the chemical conversion from one molecule
to another.

Is the product GMO?

Different countries have different criteria for labeling as GMO, therefore one should consult your national
legislation for labeling requirements. While the raw material may be derived from genetically modified crops, the
products themselves are distinct chemicals that go through thermochemical conversion followed by multiple
refining steps. Through this processing, the genetic material and protein, should it be present from the
agricultural source, is removed to non-detectable levels in the final product.

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Does your propylene glycol contain residual solvents?

ADMs USP-PG meets or exceeds all specifications set by USP, EP and JP, including limits established for residual
solvents.

Ive heard your process produces ethylene glycol. Is this a concern?

The chemical process used by ADM produces ethylene glycol as a minor coproduct. The ethylene glycol that is
produced is separated from propylene glycol through a distillation process. Our product meets or exceeds the
specification considered acceptable for excipients set by United States Pharmacopeia for ethylene glycol content.
United States Pharmacopeia lists ethylene glycol as a class 2 residual solvent with permitted daily exposure of
6.2 mg/day. USP defines permitted daily exposure as a pharmaceutically acceptable intake of residual solvents.
For more information, see United States Pharmacopeia, Chapter 467 Residual Solvents or contact the ADM
Technical Services team.

Is the impurity profile of ADM biobased Propylene Glycol identical to that of petroleum based PG?
No. Different chemical processes utilized to produce propylene glycol yield different impurities. Petroleum based
PG is produced by reacting propylene oxide to form PG and various other compounds. The material is then
refined to decrease impurities to specified levels. ADM biobased PG is produced by the catalytic conversion of
glycerin to form PG. Minor amounts of other compounds are also generated in this reaction, such as ethylene
glycol. The product is refined into a high purity Propylene Glycol leaving only trace impurity levels in the final
product. These impurities are reduced to a very low level in order to assure the quality and safety of the product.
The difference in trace impurities between biobased PG and petroleum based PG may be observed in
chromatographic testing you perform. For more specific information please contact the ADM Technical Services
team.

Does ADMs biobased Propylene Glycol meet the standard compendial tests utilized to test
petroleum based PG?
Yes. ADMs biobased Propylene Glycol meets all of the specifications set forth in the USP, EP, JP and FCC.

Based on these tests, biobased PG performs identically to the petroleum based material. Chromatographic test
results may appear dissimilar based on the difference in trace impurities in the petroleum based PG versus the
biobased PG. These differences are minor and do not impact the safety, quality or performance of ADMs
biobased PG.

When you say sustainable, what does that mean? Can I claim that on my product packaging?
Life Cycle Analyses (LCA) studies, reviewed and endorsed by third parties, show that propylene glycol produced
by ADM provides a 61% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions when compared to PG derived from
petrochemical production. In addition, ADM USP-PG was certified by the USDA as a 100% biobased product when
tested by ASTM D6866. Different countries have different criteria for using sustainable in marketing materials,
and one should consult your national legislation for marketing purposes.

What is Biopreferred? What is the USDA Biobased Labeling Program? How can the use of ADM
Propylene Glycol help me participate in these programs?
The USDA BiopreferredSM program promotes the purchase and use of biobased products by providing trusted
verification and making it easy for people to identify renewable natural resource alternatives, as opposed to
non-renewable synthetic or petrochemical derived ones. This program supports resourcefulness and self-reliance.

The USDA Biopreferred Voluntary Labeling Initiative is the consumer-focused labeling part of the USDA biobased
product program that also includes the Federal preferred purchasing program.

ADM can provide you with validation that our USP-PG is 100% biobased when tested by ASTM D6866. Please call
us to find out how we can help you increase the biobased content of your products.

Where can I find more information on this program?

The USDA BiopreferredSM Program has a very informative website: www.biopreferred.gov

Is ADM's biobased propylene glycol REACH registered?

Yes. ADM's propylene glycol is registered under CAS number 57-55-6. ADMs Only Representative Company
located in Europe is ADM Services BV. This company is fulfilling our REACH obligations for PG in Europe. Please
contact the ADM Sales team for more information regarding importation options into Europe.

The information contained herein is correct as of the date of this document to the best of our knowledge. Any recommendations or
suggestions are made without guarantee or representation as to results and are subject to change without notice. We suggest you
evaluate any recommendations and suggestions independently. We disclaim any and all warranties, whether express or implied, and
specifically disclaim the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. Our responsibility for
claims arising from any claim for breach of warranty, negligence, or otherwise shall not include consequential, special, or incidental
damages, and is limited to the purchase price of material purchased from us. None of the statements made here shall be construed as a
grant, either express or implied, of any license under any patent held by Archer Daniels Midland Company or other parties. Customers are
responsible for obtaining any licenses or other rights that may be necessary to make, use, or sell products containing Archer Daniels
Midland Company ingredients.

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