Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000)
The polyether family supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as PEG, spanning liquid (PEG 400), waxy (PEG 4000) and solid (PEG 6000) grades used as plasticisers, suppository/ointment bases and solubilisers — exported from Indonesia in drums and bags with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the polymer family's chemistry, its multiple roles across plasticising, base-forming and solubilising, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Polyethylene Glycol is a linear polyether built from repeating ethylene oxide units, terminated at both ends by a hydroxyl group. Because it is simply characterised by its average molecular weight, the same basic chemistry spans a huge physical-property range: low-molecular-weight grades such as PEG 400 are clear, viscous, water-miscible liquids at room temperature, while higher-molecular-weight grades such as PEG 4000 and PEG 6000 are waxy to hard, white solids, even though all are built from the identical repeating unit.
All PEG grades are water-soluble and also soluble in many organic solvents, are chemically inert and highly stable under normal storage and processing conditions, and are compatible with a very wide range of active pharmaceutical ingredients and other excipients, which is a large part of why the family is used so broadly across formulation types.
Where it fits in the formulation chain
Liquid PEG 400 is widely used as a solubilising co-solvent for poorly water-soluble drugs in liquid and semi-solid formulations, and as a plasticiser in film-coating formulations (often alongside HPMC). Solid PEG 4000 and PEG 6000 are used as suppository and ointment bases, as a binder/lubricant aid in certain solid-dosage processing, and as a carrier polymer in solid-dispersion solubility-enhancement formulations.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Polyethylene Glycol in PEG 400 (liquid), PEG 4000 (waxy solid) and PEG 6000 (solid flake) grades compliant with USP/EP/JP monographs, suitable for plasticiser, base and solubiliser applications, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
Polyethylene Glycol is manufactured by the ring-opening polymerisation of ethylene oxide, initiated with water or a small glycol (such as ethylene glycol or diethylene glycol) under base catalysis, with the degree of polymerisation controlled to hit the target average molecular weight: n (CH₂CH₂O) + H₂O → H(OCH₂CH₂)ₙOH. The polymer is then purified and, for the higher-molecular-weight solid grades, cooled, flaked or prilled to the required physical form.
Why controlled ethylene-oxide polymerisation is the standard process
Because the molecular weight of PEG is set directly by how much ethylene oxide is added per initiator molecule during polymerisation, controlling that ratio precisely is what lets a single manufacturing process produce the entire PEG grade range, from PEG 400 through PEG 6000 and beyond, using the same basic chemistry.
Industries and processes that use it
Polyethylene Glycol is consumed across film-coating, suppository/ointment base and solubility-enhancement manufacture, where the grade range's versatility is the main draw. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Film-Coating Plasticiser (PEG 400)
Used as a plasticiser in tablet film-coating formulations, often alongside HPMC, to improve film flexibility and reduce cracking.
Solubilising Co-Solvent (PEG 400)
Used as a water-miscible co-solvent to improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble drugs in liquid and semi-solid formulations.
Suppository & Ointment Bases (PEG 4000/6000)
Used as water-soluble bases for suppositories and ointments, offering an alternative to fat-based bases with different melting and release characteristics.
Solid Dispersions (Solubility Enhancement)
Used as a carrier polymer in solid-dispersion formulations to improve the dissolution rate of poorly soluble active ingredients, typically using the higher-molecular-weight solid grades.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The linear polyether backbone, terminated by two hydroxyl groups, governs almost all of this family's functional behaviour across its different formulation roles. The mechanisms below account for most of how the PEG grade family performs its plasticising, base-forming and solubilising functions.
Ring-Opening Polymerisation (Upstream)
Ethylene oxide polymerises under base catalysis with a water or glycol initiator to form PEG chains of the target average molecular weight.
Plasticisation (Film-Coating Role)
Low-molecular-weight PEG 400 inserts itself between polymer chains in a film-coating formulation, increasing flexibility and reducing brittleness, much like a conventional plasticiser.
Water-Soluble Base Melting & Dissolution
Solid PEG 4000/6000 melts at body-relevant or processing temperatures to form a suppository or ointment base, then dissolves in aqueous body fluid to release the active ingredient.
Amorphous Solid Dispersion Formation
Higher-molecular-weight PEG grades can trap a poorly soluble drug in an amorphous, molecularly dispersed state within the polymer matrix, improving dissolution rate relative to the crystalline drug alone.
Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing PEG for coating, base-forming or solubiliser applications often need a related pharmaceutical excipient. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) | 25322-68-3 | Polyether plasticiser, base & solubiliser | The product on this page — a multi-grade family spanning liquid to solid forms. |
| Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose | 9004-65-3 | Cellulose-ether binder, film-former & release-modifier | Commonly film-coated alongside PEG 400 as a plasticiser — see its product page. |
| Mannitol | 69-65-8 | Sugar alcohol diluent & sweetener | A related water-soluble pharmaceutical excipient — see its product page. |
| Ethylene Oxide | 75-21-8 | Cracker-derived epoxide | The monomer PEG is polymerised from — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000).
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Not classified as hazardous under GHS for pharmaceutical-grade PEG under normal use; a long-established, widely used excipient family.
May cause mild eye irritation on direct contact with concentrated liquid grades.
No significant acute toxicity hazard under normal pharmaceutical handling across the grade range.
Liquid grades such as PEG 400 can absorb atmospheric moisture; not a safety hazard but affects storage and handling.
Standard gloves and good industrial hygiene are sufficient for routine handling across the grade range.
Keep sealed; liquid grades away from moisture pickup, solid grades away from excess heat that could cause softening/melting.
Follow standard pharmaceutical good manufacturing practice (GMP) for handling and cross-contamination control.
Not Classified — no significant GHS hazard pictogram applies to pharmaceutical-grade PEG under normal use.
Pharmaceutical-grade Polyethylene Glycol is not classified as hazardous under GHS for normal use and presents no significant acute toxicity hazard across the grade range, though concentrated liquid grades may cause mild eye irritation on direct contact. Liquid grades such as PEG 400 can absorb atmospheric moisture, which affects storage and handling rather than presenting a safety hazard. Standard gloves and good industrial hygiene are sufficient for routine handling. Full handling and storage guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and standard pharmaceutical GMP practice should be followed.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store liquid PEG 400 in sealed drums away from moisture ingress, and solid PEG 4000/6000 in sealed bags in a cool area away from excess heat that could cause softening or caking of the flake. All grades are chemically stable and comparatively straightforward to handle under standard pharmaceutical warehousing conditions. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check average molecular weight and moisture content before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) used for?+
02What is the CAS number of PEG?+
03How is PEG made?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Why is PEG supplied in such different physical forms?+
06Is Polyethylene Glycol hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply HPMC and Ethylene Oxide as well?+
Need Polyethylene Glycol (PEG 400 / 4000 / 6000) on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.