Mono Ethylene Glycol
The simplest diol supplied by Chelora Chemicals — known in the trade as MEG, the essential co-monomer for PET polyester fibre, resin and film, and the base fluid for automotive and HVAC antifreeze and coolant — exported from Indonesia in drums or ISO tanks with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Mono Ethylene Glycol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the simplest and highest-volume industrial diol, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Mono Ethylene Glycol is the simplest diol: a two-carbon backbone carrying a hydroxyl group at each end. Both hydroxyls are equally reactive primary alcohols, free to condense with a diacid or diester at both ends of the molecule — exactly the bifunctional behaviour that makes MEG the standard glycol co-monomer for step-growth polyester polymerisation, alongside its long-standing role as a freezing-point-depressing and heat-transfer fluid.
At room temperature it is a colourless, odourless, viscous, hygroscopic liquid, fully miscible with water and many polar organic solvents. Its low freezing point in aqueous mixtures, high boiling point and good thermal stability are exactly the properties that make it effective as an antifreeze and heat-transfer fluid, quite apart from its larger-volume use as a polyester monomer.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
MEG's single largest use is as a co-monomer with purified terephthalic acid (PTA) or dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) in the polycondensation that produces PET resin, the polymer behind polyester textile fibre, bottle-grade resin and packaging film. Its other major use is as the base fluid for automotive and industrial antifreeze and coolant formulations and aircraft deicing fluid, exploiting its freezing-point-depression and heat-transfer properties. Smaller volumes go into polyester (alkyd) resin manufacture, humectants and other specialty formulations.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Mono Ethylene Glycol in industrial grade (≈99% assay) for antifreeze, coolant and general industrial use, and fibre/polymer grade (99.8%+, tightly controlled for UV transmittance, colour and trace aldehyde content) for PET fibre and resin manufacture. Both grades are supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Mono Ethylene Glycol 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.
Mono Ethylene Glycol is manufactured by the hydration of ethylene oxide with water: C₂H₄O + H₂O → HOCH₂CH₂OH, run with a substantial excess of water (uncatalysed, non-catalytic hydration) to favour the mono-glycol product and suppress further reaction of the glycol with more ethylene oxide, which would otherwise build up diethylene and triethylene glycol as co-products. Newer catalytic routes, such as processes proceeding via an ethylene carbonate intermediate, improve mono-glycol selectivity and reduce the water excess needed, lowering the energy required to concentrate the product afterward.
Why hydration of ethylene oxide is universal
Because ethylene oxide's strained ring opens readily with water even without a catalyst, direct hydration has been the standard commercial route to MEG since ethylene oxide itself became available at industrial scale, and remains dominant even as newer catalytic processes are adopted for their improved selectivity and lower energy consumption.
Industries and processes that use it
Mono Ethylene Glycol is consumed overwhelmingly by PET polyester manufacture, with significant further demand from antifreeze and coolant formulation. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
PET Polyester Co-Monomer
Polycondensed with purified terephthalic acid or dimethyl terephthalate to make PET resin for polyester fibre, bottle-grade resin and packaging film.
Antifreeze & Coolant Fluid
The base fluid for automotive and industrial antifreeze/coolant formulations, lowering the freezing point and raising the boiling point of water-based cooling systems.
Aircraft & Runway Deicing Fluid
Used as the active freezing-point-depressant in aircraft and runway deicing and anti-icing fluid formulations.
Alkyd Resin & Humectant Use
Used as a polyol building block in alkyd coating resins and as a humectant and heat-transfer fluid in specialty industrial formulations.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two equally reactive terminal hydroxyl groups govern almost all of this molecule's further reaction chemistry. Reaction classes below account for most of the ways Mono Ethylene Glycol is converted into a finished product or intermediate.
Polycondensation (PET Formation)
Both hydroxyl groups esterify with terephthalic acid (or transesterify with DMT) and then polycondense, building the long-chain PET polyester used in fibre, resin and film.
Freezing-Point Depression (Antifreeze Use)
Mixed with water, MEG disrupts ice-crystal formation, depressing the freezing point and raising the boiling point of the resulting coolant or deicing fluid.
Esterification (Alkyd Resin Chain)
Reacts with fatty-acid-modified polyacids to build the polyol backbone of alkyd coating resins.
Ring-Opening Hydration (Upstream)
Ethylene oxide opens with water to form MEG itself, the first and dominant step in the whole chain.
Mono Ethylene Glycol against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing Mono Ethylene Glycol for PET or antifreeze manufacture often need the upstream feedstock or the aromatic PET co-monomer. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mono Ethylene Glycol | 107-21-1 | Diol / glycol | The product on this page — the essential PET co-monomer and antifreeze base fluid. |
| Ethylene Oxide | 75-21-8 | Cyclic ether (epoxide) | The direct upstream feedstock, hydrated to MEG — see its product page. |
| Para-Xylene | 106-42-3 | PET co-feedstock | The aromatic co-feedstock for the same PET polyester chain — see its product page. |
| Mixed Xylenes | 1330-20-7 | C8 aromatic isomer blend | A related high-volume petrochemical intermediate — 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 Mono Ethylene Glycol.
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.
Harmful if swallowed.
Gloves and safety glasses are the baseline for routine handling; a face shield is recommended for bulk transfer.
Accidental ingestion, particularly by children or pets, is a recognised poisoning hazard due to its sweet taste — store and label all diluted (antifreeze) formulations accordingly.
Clean up spills promptly, as the liquid is slippery and attractive to animals because of its sweet taste.
Generally handled at ambient temperature; avoid prolonged heating near its flash point in enclosed, poorly ventilated spaces.
Readily biodegradable under most environmental conditions, though large spills should still be contained and reported per local regulation.
Compatible with most common storage materials; avoid strong oxidising agents.
Warning — GHS07 harmful pictogram applies.
This compound is harmful if swallowed, and accidental ingestion is a recognised poisoning hazard, particularly for children and pets, given its sweet taste. It should be handled with gloves and safety glasses, with spills cleaned up promptly, and any diluted (antifreeze) formulations stored and labelled to prevent accidental ingestion. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and should be read in full before this material is handled.
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 in a cool, dry area away from strong oxidizing agents, in tightly closed original packaging to limit moisture pickup given its hygroscopic nature. Keep diluted or formulated (antifreeze) product securely labelled and out of reach of children and animals due to the ingestion hazard. If a batch is held past its retest date, re-check assay, colour and water 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 Mono Ethylene Glycol 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 Mono Ethylene Glycol 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 Mono Ethylene Glycol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Mono Ethylene Glycol?+
03How is Mono Ethylene Glycol made?+
04What purity grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Mono Ethylene Glycol hazardous?+
06Why is Mono Ethylene Glycol used specifically as a PET monomer rather than a longer glycol?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply the upstream feedstock, Ethylene Oxide, as well?+
Need Mono Ethylene Glycol on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.