Applications

Ethylene oxide (EO) is typically used as an intermediate for many organic syntheses. Derivatives of EO (especially ethylene glycol) are commonly used in the plastics industry for manufacturing bottles and to produce polyester fibers for clothing and furniture, automotive coolants, industrial coolants, heat transfer fluids, detergents and surfactants. EO is also an intermediate used in the manufacture of flexible and rigid polyurethane foams, brake fluids and water-soluble solvents.

Products derived from EO have many different uses. They include:

  • Monoethylene Glycol: Production of polyethylene terephthalate (polyester fibers, films and bottles), antifreeze and coolants for engines, heat transfer liquids and aircraft and runway anti-icing and deicing fluid.

  • Diethylene Glycol: Polyurethanes, polyesters, softeners (cork, glue, casein and paper), plasticizers, gas drying and solvents.

  • Triethylene Glycol: Lacquers, solvents, plasticizers, gas drying and humectants (moisture-retaining agents).

  • Poly(ethylene) Glycols: Cosmetics, ointments, pharmaceutical preparations, lubricants (finishing of textiles, ceramics), solvents (paints and drugs) and plasticizers (adhesives and printing inks).

  • Ethylene Glycol Ethers: Brake fluids, detergents, solvents (paints and lacquers) and extractants for SO2, H2S, CO2, and mercaptans from natural gas and refinery gas.

  • Ethanolamine: Chemicals for textile finishing, cosmetics, soaps, detergents and natural gas purification.

  • Ethoxylation products of fatty alcohols, fatty amines, alkyl phenols, cellulose and poly(propylene glycol): Detergents and surfactants (nonionic), biodegradable detergents, emulsifiers and dispersants.

Dow supports the sale of ethylene oxide for use in industrial applications only. Dow will not knowingly sell into non-supported applications.

For more specific product and application support, including Sales Specifications and Material Safety Data Sheets (SDS), please Contact Us.

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