Triethylene Glycol
The higher-boiling glycol supplied by Chelora Chemicals — the industry-standard liquid desiccant for natural gas dehydration and a widely used air sanitiser and plasticiser raw material — exported from Indonesia as bulk liquid with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What Triethylene Glycol is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of the compound's chemistry, its role as the standard liquid desiccant in the gas industry, and the grade Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
Triethylene Glycol is a dihydroxy triether: three ethylene glycol units joined through two ether oxygens, with a hydroxyl group free at each end. Those two terminal hydroxyls give it the same esterification and polymer-forming reactivity as the shorter glycols in its family, while its longer, more flexible ether-linked backbone gives it a notably lower vapour pressure and stronger affinity for water vapour at a given temperature — the properties that make it the gas industry's desiccant of choice.
At room temperature it is a colourless, practically odourless, strongly hygroscopic liquid, fully miscible with water and most polar organic solvents. Its very low volatility relative to water means it can absorb water vapour from a gas stream with minimal loss of the glycol itself, which is the operating principle behind glycol dehydration units.
Where it fits in the value chain
Triethylene Glycol's best-known industrial role is as the circulating liquid desiccant in natural gas dehydration units, where it is contacted countercurrent with wet gas to absorb water vapour, then regenerated by heating to drive the water back off, ready for reuse. A second well-established use is as an air sanitiser and surface disinfectant, since TEG vapour has documented antimicrobial activity and is used in some HVAC and pharmaceutical cleanroom air-treatment systems. It is also used as a plasticiser raw material (particularly for cellulose-based and PVC formulations), a humectant, and a solvent in printing-ink and resin formulations.
Grade we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers Triethylene Glycol in industrial / gas-dehydration grade (99.5%+ purity) as bulk liquid, suited to gas dehydration units, plasticiser formulation and industrial solvent applications. The grade is supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis.
How Triethylene 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.
Triethylene Glycol is co-produced, like diethylene glycol, in the industrial hydration of ethylene oxide to monoethylene glycol. A small proportion of the ethylene oxide reacts beyond the diethylene glycol stage, adding a third ethylene oxide unit to extend the chain further: (HOCH₂CH₂)₂O + C₂H₄O → HO(CH₂CH₂O)₂CH₂CH₂OH.
The mixed glycol stream is purified by multi-effect evaporation to remove excess water, followed by vacuum fractional distillation, which separates monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol and triethylene glycol from one another and from heavier polyglycol fractions. Because the market for TEG is smaller and more specialised than for MEG or DEG, producers typically adjust hydration conditions and recycle streams to shift more of the product slate toward TEG when gas-dehydration demand calls for it.
Industries and processes that use it
Triethylene Glycol is consumed overwhelmingly by natural gas dehydration, with established secondary demand from plasticiser, humectant and air-sanitising applications. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Natural Gas Dehydration
The standard circulating liquid desiccant in glycol dehydration units, absorbing water vapour from wet natural gas before it enters pipelines.
Plasticiser Raw Material
Used to produce ester-type plasticisers for cellulose-based and PVC formulations, where its ether backbone contributes flexibility.
Air Sanitising & Surface Disinfection
Vaporised for documented antimicrobial activity in select HVAC and pharmaceutical cleanroom air-treatment applications.
Industrial Solvent & Humectant
A high-boiling, water-miscible solvent and humectant in printing-ink, resin and specialty industrial formulations.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
The two terminal hydroxyl groups, the long ether-linked backbone and the molecule's low vapour pressure govern almost all of its further use chemistry. Reaction classes and functional roles below account for most of the ways Triethylene Glycol is put to work.
Physical Water Absorption (Dehydration)
In gas dehydration, the molecule's hydroxyl groups hydrogen-bond with water vapour from the gas stream, a physical absorption process rather than a chemical reaction, reversed by heating in the regenerator to drive the water back off.
Esterification
Each terminal hydroxyl reacts with an organic acid or anhydride to build ester linkages, the route to TEG-based plasticisers.
Further Ethoxylation
Reaction with additional ethylene oxide extends the chain further, giving tetraethylene glycol and higher polyglycols.
Thermal Decomposition Limits
Prolonged exposure to temperatures well above its normal regeneration range can degrade the glycol, which is why gas-plant regenerator temperatures are kept below the molecule's thermal-stability limit.
Triethylene Glycol against other glycols we supply
Buyers sourcing TEG for gas dehydration or plasticiser chemistry often need a related, shorter-chain glycol. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Triethylene Glycol | 112-27-6 | Ether diol (C2 glycol trimer) | The product on this page — the standard liquid desiccant for natural gas dehydration. |
| Diethylene Glycol | 111-46-6 | Ether diol (C2 glycol dimer) | A related, lower-boiling glycol used in unsaturated polyester resins — see its product page. |
| Mono Propylene Glycol | 57-55-6 | C3 glycol | A related glycol from propylene oxide hydration, widely used in food and pharma-grade applications — see its product page. |
| Propylene Oxide | 75-56-9 | Alkylene oxide | The epoxide analogue of ethylene oxide, this family's underlying building block — 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 Triethylene 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.
Causes serious eye irritation (concentrated / repeated contact).
Classified with a comparatively low acute toxicity profile relative to other industrial glycols.
Combustible at elevated temperature; not classified as a flammable liquid under normal handling.
Strongly hygroscopic; absorbs moisture from air if left in open containers, which affects gas-dehydration performance.
Chemical-resistant gloves and safety glasses are the baseline for routine handling.
Avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures above the glycol's thermal-stability limit in regeneration service.
Fully water-miscible; contain and absorb spills to prevent entry into drains and watercourses.
Warning — GHS07 harmful pictogram applies where locally classified.
This compound has a comparatively low acute toxicity profile among industrial glycols but can cause eye irritation on concentrated or repeated contact, and should be handled with chemical-resistant gloves and eye protection as routine practice. It is strongly hygroscopic and should be kept in sealed containers between uses. 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 tightly closed containers in a dry, ambient-temperature area, away from strong oxidising agents. Because the material is strongly hygroscopic and its performance in gas-dehydration service depends on starting dry, containers should be kept sealed between uses. Re-check assay and water content on a batch held past its retest date 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 Triethylene Glycol leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay, colour and key 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 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 Triethylene Glycol used for?+
02What is the CAS number of Triethylene Glycol?+
03How is Triethylene Glycol made?+
04What purity grade does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05Is Triethylene Glycol hazardous?+
06Why is TEG specifically preferred for gas dehydration over the shorter glycols?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply other glycols as well?+
Need Triethylene 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.