Product Applications-Ethylene Glycol CAS#107-21-1

Ethylene glycol is used directly in the polyester industry, where it undergoes a polycondensation reaction with purified terephthalic acid (PTA) to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET)—a material essential for the manufacture of fibers, films, and plastics. Ethylene glycol can also be employed to decolorize waste polyester fabrics; by treating the fabric with ethylene glycol at a mass ratio of 1:20 at 180°C for 40 minutes, a decolorization rate of up to 93.64% can be achieved. Even when the ethylene glycol is reused, the decolorization rate remains above 90%. Furthermore, ethylene glycol can react with ethylene oxide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst to synthesize polyethylene glycol (PEG). PEG is non-toxic and harmless, possessing excellent water solubility, hygroscopicity, and lubricity. In the cosmetics industry, it serves as a humectant and viscosity modifier, while in the pharmaceutical sector, it acts as a solvent for injectable drugs; clinically, PEG-interferon conjugates are used in combination with other medications to treat a variety of diseases. Additionally, PEG finds applications as a food additive and as a mold-release agent in metal processing.