New polyglycerol (PGL) partial esters (I) with polyhydroxystearic acid (PHSA) and polyfunctional carboxylic acids are obtained by esterification of a PGL mixture with (a) PHSA, (b) di- and/or tricarboxylic acids and/or dimer fatty acids and (c) 6-22C fatty acids. An independent claim is included for the preparation of (I).