Abstract: An environmentally friendly, pre-reacted product of a polyol and monomeric or polymeric polycarboxylic acid or polyglycerol is provided. The pre-reacted product may include glycerol and esters of citric acid such a monoglyceryl citrate, diglyceryl citrate, and triglyceryl citrate as well as other citric acid-based esters. The pre-reacted product, when used in a binder, helps to speed the crosslinking reaction, induces faster water evaporation, decreases the viscosity of the binder, helps to reduce the amount of water needed for application of the binder, and decreases tackiness. The pre-reacted product may be used, for example, in the formation of insulation materials and non-woven chopped strand mats.