Crude Glycerol, a Low-Value Biodiesel Byproduct, Can Be Transformed On-Site into a High-value Bio-Derived Solvent Through Electrochemistry

    Scientists at a Loughborough University spin-out company, R3 Tech, have developed an electrochemical process that converts crude glycerol—a low-value by-product of the biodiesel industry—into a high-value bio-derived solvent that is commonly used in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and industrial sectors and as a fuel additive. The company is currently scaling up from its lab-scale project to a pilot demonstration project to be built and trialed at a biodiesel plant in the next five months. The scientists hope to make the process commonplace at biodiesel plants.

     Biodiesel is currently made from plant oils, animal fats, and recycled cooking oils. Crude glycerol is a waste product from biodiesel production. For every ton of biodiesel produced, about 100kg of glycerol is produced. That is over 10% of the weight of the biodiesel produced. Typically, the crude glycerol, which is full of contaminants, is shipped for very low cost to refiners who refine it to produce the solvent, solketal. Often it is shipped overseas. Thus, current crude glycerol management is energy-intensive and emissions-intensive. According to TechXplore:

“R3V Tech's electrochemical process will enable biodiesel producers to convert crude glycerol directly into high-value solketal on site, eliminating refining costs, even at small scale, and allowing them to use it or sell it for profit.”

“It removes the need to transport the by-product to other facilities, reducing transport emissions, and the Loughborough team's process operates at room temperature and atmospheric pressure, cutting both energy consumption and operational costs. The process also utilizes waste carbon dioxide, further reducing the environmental impact of refining crude glycerol.”

     The process involves filtering, mixing into solution, and saturating with CO2. It then enters a chemical reactor, which transforms it into solketal in a liquid state.

“The team's long-term goal is to deliver a self-contained, modular unit housing the electrochemical reactor and its supporting components—resulting in a plug-in system that allows biodiesel producers to easily start converting crude glycerol into solketal on site.”

"By integrating this new system, biodiesel producers can create a new revenue stream, reduce waste transport and processing emissions, and make their operations more sustainable," said Dr. Randi.

"R3V Tech's motto is 'Reduce, Reuse, Revalue' and this captures the spirit of the innovation: empowering producers to refine their own by-products and boost profitability while contributing to a circular, low-carbon economy."

 

    

    

References:

 

Scientists' electrochemical process enables biodiesel producers to transform waste into planet-friendly profit. Meg Cox. Tech Xplore. October 13, 2025. Scientists' electrochemical process enables biodiesel producers to transform waste into planet-friendly profit

R3Vtech. Website. R3V Tech – Reduce | Reuse | Revalue