The present invention relates to a process for the production of acrolein, comprising the following steps: (a) bringing into contact of an aqueous glycerine phase in an acrolein reaction area to obtain an aqueous acrolein reaction phase; (b) depleting the acrolein from the acrolein reaction phase to obtain an acrolein phase and a depleted acrolein reaction phase; (c) conducting back at least a part of the depleted acrolein reaction phase into the acrolein reaction area. The invention further relates to a process for production of acrylic acid as well as of water-absorbing polymer structures, composites, in particular hygiene articles, comprising these water-absorbing polymer structures, a process for production of the composites and further chemical products based on the acrylic acid obtained by the inventive process and also the use of this acrylic acid in chemical products.