Products

Monoethylene Glycol

MEGlobal’s monoethylene glycol (MEG) is a basic building block used for applications that require:

  • Chemical intermediates for resins
  • Solvent couplers
  • Freezing point depression solvents
  • Humectants and chemical intermediates

Application Usage

These applications are vital to the manufacture of a wide variety of products, including:

  • Resins
  • Deicing fluids
  • Heat transfer fluids
  • Automotive antifreeze and coolants
  • Water-based adhesives
  • Latex paints and asphalt emulsions
  • Electrolytic capacitors
  • Textile fibers
  • Paper
  • Leather

Ethylene glycol (monoethylene glycol) in its pure form, is an odorless, colorless, syrupy liquid.

Production

Ethylene glycol is produced from ethylene, via the intermediate ethylene oxide
Ethylene oxide reacts with water to produce ethylene glycol according to the chemical equation

  C2H4O + H2O → HOCH2CH2OH

This reaction can be catalyzed by either acids or bases, or can occur at neutral pH under elevated temperatures. The highest yields of ethylene glycol occur at acidic or neutral pH with a large excess of water. Under these conditions, ethylene glycol yields of 90% can be achieved. The major byproducts are the ethylene glycol oligomers diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, and tetraethylene glycol.

Precautions: Carefully review Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS). Overexposure through improper storage, handling or use could lead to serious health risks.

MEGlobal supports the sale of MEG for use in the traditional standard industrial applications only.

MEGlobal does not knowingly market its ethylene glycol products into non-supported applications.

Visit our Diethylene Glycol page for products that can supplement our monoethylene glycol portfolio.

Learn about REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals regulation), the single regulatory system for chemicals management in the European Union (EU).

Supplemental Products