Specialty Additives Available — Bulk Only

Propylene Glycol Alginate (PGA, E405)

PG / MPG
CAS 9005-37-2 · Formula (C9H14O7)n

A polysaccharide ester thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier derived from brown seaweed for food, beverage, and beer foam applications.

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HS Code
3913.10
At a Glance
Material Family
Specialty Additives
Record Type
Pure compound
Primary Role
Film Formation · Viscosity Modification
Functional Roles
PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE
BINDINGVISCOSITY CONTROLLING
Applications & Use Cases
  • Food & beverage: Thickener and stabilizer (E405)
  • Emulsions: Emulsion stabilizer in dressings and sauces
  • Brewing: Foam (head) stabilizer in beer
  • Cosmetics: Thickening and stabilizing agent
Safety & Handling
Full SDS available on request

A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.

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HS / Tariff Classification
Harmonized System (HS) Code — 6-digit international heading
3913 . 10
Chapter 39
Plastics and articles thereof
Heading 39.13
Internationally harmonized (WCO HS)
Subheading 3913.10
6-digit international code — national tariff line adds further digits
Chemical Identity
CAS Number
9005-37-2
Molecular Formula
(C9H14O7)n
INCI Name
PROPYLENE GLYCOL ALGINATE
Synonyms & Trade Names
PGA Propyl glycol alginate
Full Description

Propylene glycol alginate (CAS 9005-37-2) is a propylene glycol ester of alginic acid, a polysaccharide derived from brown seaweed. It is used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in food and beverage systems and as a foam stabilizer in beer.

Regulatory & registration requirements

  • TSCA (US):
  • REACH (EU): Not determined from public registry
  • EC number: 618-414-0

TSCA Inventory flag XU: a substance exempt from reporting under the Chemical Data Reporting Rule (40 CFR 711) (EPA flag legend).

Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12

Solutions Using This Product

Process-solution guides on this site that specify this chemistry:

Frequently Asked Questions

What is propylene glycol alginate used for?

Propylene glycol alginate (CAS 9005-37-2, E405) is a propylene glycol ester of alginic acid from brown seaweed, used as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in food and beverage systems. It is also a foam (head) stabilizer in beer and a thickening agent in cosmetics.

What is the difference between propylene glycol and propylene glycol alginate?

Propylene glycol (CAS 57-55-6) is a small-molecule diol, whereas propylene glycol alginate (CAS 9005-37-2) is a high-molecular-weight seaweed polysaccharide partially esterified with propylene glycol. They are chemically distinct: one is a solvent/humectant, the other a hydrocolloid thickener.

What is propylene glycol alginate made from?

It is made by esterifying alginic acid, extracted from brown seaweed, with propylene oxide to attach propylene glycol groups along the polymer chain. The degree of esterification affects its solubility and emulsifying performance.

What grades and packaging of propylene glycol alginate are available?

RawSource supplies food/beverage-grade propylene glycol alginate (E405) to manufacturers in bags and bulk, with viscosity and esterification specs confirmed on the CoA. Submit your target quantity and viscosity spec for a bulk quote.

What is the HS code for propylene glycol alginate?

It is classified under HS 3913.10 (alginic acid, its salts and esters). Confirm the exact tariff line with your customs broker for the destination country; an SDS is provided for handling information.

What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Propylene Glycol Alginate (PGA, E405)?

Propylene Glycol Alginate (PGA, E405) (CAS 9005-37-2) is listed as Active on the U.S. EPA TSCA Inventory; its REACH registration status is not determined from the public ECHA registry.

Disclaimer. Information on this page — including properties, identifiers, hazard, transport (DOT/UN) and tariff (HS) classifications, and applications — is provided for general reference and is compiled from authoritative public sources (e.g. PubChem/ECHA, 49 CFR 172.101, the Harmonized Tariff Schedule). Values are typical and are not a guaranteed specification; the Certificate of Analysis (CoA) for the lot purchased governs. Products are sold for industrial and professional use only. Nothing here is a medical, health, or efficacy claim or advice. Always consult the current Safety Data Sheet (SDS) before handling, storage, transport or disposal, and confirm regulatory status, classification and suitability for your application and jurisdiction. Hazard, transport and tariff classifications must be verified for your specific shipment. RawSource makes no warranty, express or implied, and assumes no liability for use of this information. Trademarks. Third-party trademarks and brand names are the property of their respective owners; any reference is nominative — used only to identify a comparable product — and does not imply affiliation with, sponsorship by, or endorsement by the trademark owner.