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 (H2) or methane (CH4) and mixtures thereof.