Described are alkoxylated glycerol acetals according to Formulas (Ia) and (Ib)wherein R1 represents a linear or branched, saturated or unsaturated and optionally substituted hydrocarbyl residue comprising 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 to 3 double bonds, a benzyl or furfuryl radical, R2 is selected from hydrogen, an alkyl, alkenyl or hydroxyalkyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms or an acyl group having 6 to 22 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 to 3 double bonds, AO represents an ethylene oxide, a propylene oxide, a butylene oxide unit, or their mixtures, and n is an integer of about 1 to about 100.
