Due to its specific properties, propylene glycol can reduce the freezing point of water to -60°C, depending on dilution. This characteristic is of essential importance to airport and flight operators around the world, who need to keep the wings of their aircraft ice-free in order to maintain a regular service despite the most extreme winter conditions.
As essentially non-toxic, easily biodegradable, non-corrosive to metals, non-flammable and easy to handle, propylene glycol is today the chemical of choice for de-icing aircrafts and runways for most of the world's airlines and airports. On a consumer level, propylene glycol is used in automotive windscreen de-icers for safer driving.