Competitiveness of biofuels lies in part in the value added by the main sec
ondary product: glycerol. Research has been carried out to find new applica
tions for glycerol in the fields of polymers, surfactants, and intermediate
s. These potential outlets are examined from a technical and an economical
point of view. The economical one is the most important, eliminating applic
ations that are technically worthwhile; corn gluten feed displacement for i
nstance. The remaining potential outlets, like polyglycerols, could develop
intensively in the near future. However, the markets concerned for most ap
plications would be niches.