This will be a long post, but I wanted to discuss where our VG is actually made (not merely who sells it). I also have a couple of questions at the end for anyone more versed in the topic than me.
I am in search of the highest grade of VG available. My goal was to discover who actually makes this stuff that different vendors sell. In any case, I ran across a few manufacturers, though my list probably isn't complete (I am sure there are a number of smaller manufacturers out there). Also this list is U.S. biased. Sorry, my European friends, but I am covering mostly U.S. based manufacturers here.
From my research, it appears that Dow's Optim (synthetic Glycerine that is UV spectroscopy analyzed) is likely the best available. Since it is synthetic it has less impurities than vegetable or tallow glycerine. The COA shows that Optim usually tests at 99.9% pure. However, good luck finding it anywhere. Dow appears to keep tight control of the supply chain and they have made it clear they will have nothing to do with the vaping industry.
Procter and Gamble (P&G chemical) makes a high grade of natural vegetable glycerin they call Superol KPO. It is non-GMO, 100% vegetable based, Kosher, USP/EP, etc. Just like with Dow, P&G does not do business with anything vaping or tobacco related. A number of years back some vapers here on ECF (and elsewhere) applied for free samples of the Superol. Some of them got free 5 gallon pails. After this went on for a while and more vapers learned about the samples, P&G caught on and stopped sending them. P&G has since made it clear they will not allow their products to be used for vaping. Of course, it would be possible to buy from a distributor (if they will sell it), but I haven't been able to find any.
Acme Hardesty is an oleochemical supplier based in the U.S. They do not "make" anything, but are merely distributors (i.e. they deal directly with the manufacturers). You can buy 1 gallon pails of glycerine from their site for $40 (free shipping) but I believe they only sell to businesses. They state it is manufactured by KLK (which is a Malaysian oleochemical manufacturer with plants in Asia and one in Germany). The trade name of KLK's glycerine is "Palmera" which, as the name implies, is based from palm oil. It is 99.7%, USP/EP/BP (United States, European, and British pharmacopeia) certified. Here is the description from Acme Hardesty's website:
Duda Diesel is an amazon seller of VG with very good prices. I contacted them by e-mail to ask a few questions. They told me they buy their glycerine from a large oleochemical distributor known as Brenntag who in turn sources it directly from ADM (Archer Daniels Midland). This glycerine is produced from soybean. It is 99.7% USP grade and made in the U.S. (ADM has two different plants that refine glycerine). ADM is big in the biodiesel industry (the largest player in the world) and it makes sense that they would have a large glycerol producing capacity. Duda Diesel has the original (photo copied) COA sheet on their website that clearly states it is produced by ADM. They are very transparent about where they get it and have nothing to hide. I like that.
Humco. Ah, the good old Humco. As you all know, this is the OTC pharmacy and Wal-Mart glycerine. The label states it is USP 99.5%. From my understanding, Humco does not actually make the glycerine but are distributors and packagers. Does anyone know where they source it? I would assume it is sourced from one of the "Big Ag" companies like ADM or Cargill (both produce large quantities of glycerine domestically) but that's just a guess.
Now a question for those of you in the know: Why is Humco advertising 99.5% purity while most others advertise 99.7%? According to my reading, the latest USP monograph only requires a 99% purity, so anything above that is not necessary to be in spec with the USP. Is this just marketing or does it have any real relevance?
Now, we get to Essential Depot. Does anyone know where they source their VG? Their COA sheet does not specify this as they have edited it with an "Essential Depot" background. I don't like this. I want my VG supplier to be transparent and post original copies of the COA -- not some generic reprinted version. This is not to say that ED's VG is of low quality -- I have no reason to believe that. But I would like to know where they source it. They claim it is 99.7%, USP, Kosher, non-GMO. Sounds a lot like the description above from Acme Hardesty who gets theirs from KLK in Malaysia. (Note: nothing against foreign produced glycerine, I am sure it passes all the specifications).
Bulk Apothecary does not list where they source their VG nor do they even supply a COA. Anyone know where they source it?
TL;DR
1) Why do some advertise 99.5% while some advertise 99.7%? Are these conforming to some standard I am not aware of?
2) Where can I get Dow Optim or P&G Superol?
I am in search of the highest grade of VG available. My goal was to discover who actually makes this stuff that different vendors sell. In any case, I ran across a few manufacturers, though my list probably isn't complete (I am sure there are a number of smaller manufacturers out there). Also this list is U.S. biased. Sorry, my European friends, but I am covering mostly U.S. based manufacturers here.
From my research, it appears that Dow's Optim (synthetic Glycerine that is UV spectroscopy analyzed) is likely the best available. Since it is synthetic it has less impurities than vegetable or tallow glycerine. The COA shows that Optim usually tests at 99.9% pure. However, good luck finding it anywhere. Dow appears to keep tight control of the supply chain and they have made it clear they will have nothing to do with the vaping industry.
Procter and Gamble (P&G chemical) makes a high grade of natural vegetable glycerin they call Superol KPO. It is non-GMO, 100% vegetable based, Kosher, USP/EP, etc. Just like with Dow, P&G does not do business with anything vaping or tobacco related. A number of years back some vapers here on ECF (and elsewhere) applied for free samples of the Superol. Some of them got free 5 gallon pails. After this went on for a while and more vapers learned about the samples, P&G caught on and stopped sending them. P&G has since made it clear they will not allow their products to be used for vaping. Of course, it would be possible to buy from a distributor (if they will sell it), but I haven't been able to find any.
Acme Hardesty is an oleochemical supplier based in the U.S. They do not "make" anything, but are merely distributors (i.e. they deal directly with the manufacturers). You can buy 1 gallon pails of glycerine from their site for $40 (free shipping) but I believe they only sell to businesses. They state it is manufactured by KLK (which is a Malaysian oleochemical manufacturer with plants in Asia and one in Germany). The trade name of KLK's glycerine is "Palmera" which, as the name implies, is based from palm oil. It is 99.7%, USP/EP/BP (United States, European, and British pharmacopeia) certified. Here is the description from Acme Hardesty's website:
Duda Diesel is an amazon seller of VG with very good prices. I contacted them by e-mail to ask a few questions. They told me they buy their glycerine from a large oleochemical distributor known as Brenntag who in turn sources it directly from ADM (Archer Daniels Midland). This glycerine is produced from soybean. It is 99.7% USP grade and made in the U.S. (ADM has two different plants that refine glycerine). ADM is big in the biodiesel industry (the largest player in the world) and it makes sense that they would have a large glycerol producing capacity. Duda Diesel has the original (photo copied) COA sheet on their website that clearly states it is produced by ADM. They are very transparent about where they get it and have nothing to hide. I like that.
Humco. Ah, the good old Humco. As you all know, this is the OTC pharmacy and Wal-Mart glycerine. The label states it is USP 99.5%. From my understanding, Humco does not actually make the glycerine but are distributors and packagers. Does anyone know where they source it? I would assume it is sourced from one of the "Big Ag" companies like ADM or Cargill (both produce large quantities of glycerine domestically) but that's just a guess.
Now a question for those of you in the know: Why is Humco advertising 99.5% purity while most others advertise 99.7%? According to my reading, the latest USP monograph only requires a 99% purity, so anything above that is not necessary to be in spec with the USP. Is this just marketing or does it have any real relevance?
Now, we get to Essential Depot. Does anyone know where they source their VG? Their COA sheet does not specify this as they have edited it with an "Essential Depot" background. I don't like this. I want my VG supplier to be transparent and post original copies of the COA -- not some generic reprinted version. This is not to say that ED's VG is of low quality -- I have no reason to believe that. But I would like to know where they source it. They claim it is 99.7%, USP, Kosher, non-GMO. Sounds a lot like the description above from Acme Hardesty who gets theirs from KLK in Malaysia. (Note: nothing against foreign produced glycerine, I am sure it passes all the specifications).
Bulk Apothecary does not list where they source their VG nor do they even supply a COA. Anyone know where they source it?
TL;DR
1) Why do some advertise 99.5% while some advertise 99.7%? Are these conforming to some standard I am not aware of?
2) Where can I get Dow Optim or P&G Superol?
