the invention relates to a process for reacting glycerin wherein the glycerin is reacted at temperatures above 150 ° c . in an aqueous , liquid solution of me hydroxide , wherein the concentration of the me hydroxide is greater than the saturation concentration at room temperature , wherein me is selected from the group consisting of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals and mixtures thereof , and said reaction affords at least one salt selected from the group consisting of formate , acetate , propionate , oxalate , lactate , butyrate , valerate , citrate , adipate , succinate , malate and carbonate and mixtures thereof and hydrogen gas or methane and mixtures thereof .