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GLYCOL ETHERS
Glycol ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers which can be from ethylene glycol or propylene glycol (these are commonly used in paints and cleaners).
Typically, these solvents have a higher boiling point.
Glycol ethers are categorized as two types which are “e-series” and “p-series” depending on whether they are made from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, respectively.
Glycol ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol commonly used in paints and cleaners.
These solvents typically have a higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols.
Glycol ethers, with both an ether and alcohol functional group in the same molecule, are one of the most versatile classes of organic solvents.
Glycol ethers are either "e-series" or "p-series" glycol ethers, depending on whether they are made from ethylene oxide or propylene oxide, respectively.
Glycol ethers belong to a very common group of chemical substances known as volatile organic compounds (VOCs).
This group of Glycol ethers includes more than 80 derivatives used in a wide range of everyday products and solvents due to their specific amphipathic physico-chemical properties (i.e. containing both hydrophilic and hydrophobic residues).
Examples of VOCs include benzene, styrene, and toluene.
Some of them are found in products such as water-based paints, wooden floor varnishes, cleaning products, hair dyes, cosmetic products, etc.
About 30 of these substances are currently used in industrial applications.
Glycol ethers can be divided into two chemical subtypes:
The ethylene series (e.g. ethylene glycol butyl ether or EGBE, diethylene glycol butyl ether or DEGBE), and the propylene series (e.g. propylene glycol monomethyl ether or PGME).
Most glycol ethers are water-soluble, and biodegradable.
Glycol Ethers is actively produced and traded in the US, Asia and Europe, so market participants must track activity across multiple regions to stay abreast of market dynamics.
Supply, demand and upstream costs, as well as import/export activity, are all key drivers of this market.
Any changes upstream, or production outages, can have a significant impact on negotiations.
The increased use of water-based surface coatings, in which Glycol ethers play an important role, has led to the growth of the entire glycol market.
These compounds are alkyl ethers which originate from either ethylene glycol (“E-series”) or propylene glycol (“P-series”).
Typically, these solvents have high boiling points.
Glycol ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol, also sometimes called Cellosolve.
Glycol ethers typically have higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower molecular weight ethers and alcohols.
The original Glycol ether is ethyl cellosolve.
Glycol ethers can be also derived of diethylene glycol (carbitols).
Acetates of glycols are a similar kind of potent solvents.
Glycol ethers are water soluble & biodegradable in nature with low toxicity.
This ether has excellent solvent properties for low molecular weight compounds including alcohol with higher boiling point.
Glycol ethers belong to the group of solvent which is based on alkyl ethers of ethylene or propylene glycol.
Members of the CELLOSOLVE and CARBITOL solvent families are also useful chemical intermediates.
These glycol ethers will undergo many of the same reactions as alcohols because they contain the hydroxyl (-OH) functional group.
Some typical examples are:
Reaction with carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid chlorides, anhydrides and inorganic acids to produce esters,
Reaction with organic halides to produce ethers, such as glymes,
Reaction with alkenes and alkynes to produce ethers,
Reaction with halogenating agents to produce alkoxy alkyl halides,
Reaction with epoxides to produce polyether alcohols,
Reaction with aldehydes and ketones to produce hemiacetals and acetals.
Glycol Ethers products are produced through continuous processes of selectively reacting alcohol and ethylene oxide.
Glycol ethers, as a class of chemicals having longer hydrocarbon-like alkoxide groups, display solubility more characteristic of hydrocarbons.
Glycol Ethers are a family of chemicals with key solvent properties used in various and diverse applications.
Manufacturers of these chemicals are members of the Oxygen Solvents Producers Association (OSPA), a branch of the European Solvents Industry Group (ESIG) which sits under the Cefic umbrella.
Glycol ethers form a varied family of more than 30 solvents.
All these glycol ethers have different properties – and are therefore fit for different uses.
They are an invaluable solution for industries but are also part of everyday life.
Traditionally, a distinction is made between two main groups of glycol ethers:
E series and P series, depending on whether they are made from ethylene or propylene.
In each group, different derivatives have been developed to provide the properties of solubility, volatility, compatibility and inflammability required for the applications.
Glycol Ethers have been used since the 1960’s as solvents and stabilizers in a variety of personal, household, and industrial products.
The use of glycol ethers has changed significantly over the past 30 years.
Low molecular weight E-series have been phased-out and progressively replaced by low molecular weight P-series whenever possible.
These substances are industrial chemicals, not expected to occur naturally in the environment.
Significant changes that have influenced the entire glycol ether market during the last decade.
The growth of water-based surface coatings as replacements for solvent-based coatings:
It seems that water-based coatings that mainly use glycol ethers as coalescing agents have been the major factor behind the growth of the entire glycol ether market.
Low molecular weight E-series (ethylene glycol derivatives) have been largely replaced with low molecular weight P-series (propylene glycol derivatives) over the last 35 years.
Glycol ethers (E series) include 2-methoxyethanol (EGME), 2-ethoxyethanol (EGEE), 2-butoxyethanol (EGBE), and their acetates.
Glycol ethers are considered a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol.
Glycol ethers typically have higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols.
The glycol ether product family is made up of more than 30 different types of solvents that can be categorized into two major groups, E-series and P-series, depending upon the starting material used (ethylene or propylene).
E-series comprises ethylene glycol butyl ether, ethylene glycol propyl ether, and ethylene glycol butyl ether acetate as key products.
These are used extensively as they have strong compatibility with diverse organic solvents and water.
Glycol ethers also have low volatility and strong solvent properties.
According to the World Bank, the construction industry expenditure in 2020 is likely to witness a growth of about 4.2% from that in 2019.
This, in turn, is likely to increase the demand for glycol ether during the forecast period.
Glycol ethers combine the solubility characteristics of both ethers and alcohols (or esters), as both functional groups (ether and hydroxyl [or carboxyl]) are present in the molecule.
Glycol ethers are organic solvents.
Many different glycol ethers are used for cleaning.
Glycol ethers are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and may be regulated.
Glycol ethers tend to emulsify well for cleaning and separate easily during recovery.
One method for disposal is to burn the solvent in an approved chemical incinerator.
The global demand for glycol ethers grew significantly during 2016–18, but started to slow in 2019, with a slowdown in the automobile production.
The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has caused a further 15% decline in worldwide demand.
As of 2020, the market has been described by the industry as long.
Coatings for the construction and automotive industries have been the hardest hit, while printing inks, agrochemicals, and industrial cleaners have been somewhat less affected.
Because of the oversupply situation, the prices of commodity glycol ethers such as EB and PM have been decreasing significantly.
As many countries have restarted their industrial activity following the lockdowns imposed during the first half of 2020, demand for glycol ethers is expected to start recovery in 2021 and to reach the 2017 level some time before 2025.
USES and APPLICATIONS of GLYCOL ETHERS:
-Adhesives, Cleaning Products, Degreasing Agent, Ink & dyes, Paints.
-Typically, e-series glycol ethers are found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water-based paints, while p-series glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives.
-Both E-series glycol ethers and P-series glycol ethers can be used as intermediates that undergo further chemical reactions, producing glycol diethers and glycol ether acetates.
-Dye solvents in the textile, leather and printing industries.
-Solvents for grease and grime in industrial cleaning and specialty formulations.
-Solvents for insecticides and herbicides for agricultural applications.
-Coupling solvents for hard-surface cleaners and other soap-hydrocarbon systems.
-Solvents and cosolvents for conventional lacquer, enamel and stains for industrial coating systems.
-Cosolvents for waterborne industrial coating systems.
-Fuel System Icing Inhibitor (FSII).
-Freeze-thaw agents in aqueous systems.
-Chemical reaction solvents.
-Chemical Intermediates.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for resins.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for lacquers.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for paints.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for varnishes.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for gum.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for perfume.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for dyes.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for inks.
-Glycol ethers can be used as a constituent of paint and pastes.
-Glycol ethers can be used as a constituent of cleaning compounds.
-Glycol ethers can be used as a constituent of cosmetics.
-Glycol ethers can be used as a constituent of hydraulic fluids.
-Glycol Ethers are used in , dyes, water based inks, and P-series of this compound finds Glycol Ethers's application in degreasers, adhesives, aerosol paints, and cleaners.
-Glycol ethers can be used as solvents for a variety of applications including paints, coatings, cleaners, pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes, degreasers, aerosol paints, and adhesives.
-Glycol Ethers are a group of solvents based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol commonly used in paints and cleaners.
Glycol Ethers typically have a higher boiling point, together with the favorable solvent properties of lower-molecular weight ethers and alcohols.
-P-series glycol ethers are mostly used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives.
-E-series glycol ethers are often found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water-based paints.
-Glycol ethers are mostly used as solvents.
-Solvency Properties:
Glycol ethers are characterized by their excellent solvency, chemical stability and compatibility with water and a number of organic solvents.
Mild-odored solvents for many resins, oils, waxes, fats and dyestuffs
Coupling agents for many water/organic systems
Miscible with a wide range of polar and non-polar organic solvents
Miscible with water in most cases
-Glycol Ethers uses range from pharmaceuticals and micro-electronics to domestic cleaning, personal care and printing.
-Glycol ethers have many uses; these include use as solvents and as an ingredient in cleaning compounds, liquid soaps, and cosmetics.
-Glycol Ethers are used as solvents for resins, lacquers, paints, varnishes, gum, perfume, dyes, inks, as a constituent of paints and pastes, cleaning compounds, liquid soaps, cosmetics, and hydraulic fluids.
-Glycol ethers are a large group of organic solvents used in industry and the home as glass cleaners, carpet cleaners, floor cleaners and oven cleaners.
-Glycol Ethers are widely used industrial solvents.
-Each of them may be used alone, or as an ingredient in products such as coatings (paints, varnishes, dyes, stains, inks, and semiconductor chip coatings), cleaners (for degreasing, drycleaning, film cleaning, and circuit board manufacture), jet fuel de-icing additives, brake fluids, and perfumes and cosmetics.
-Mostly, p-series glycol ethers are used in degreasers, cleaners, aerosol paints and adhesives.
-On the other hand, e-series glycol ethers are found in pharmaceuticals, sunscreens, cosmetics, inks, dyes and water based paints.
-Glycol ethers are used extensively as solvents because they tend to be quite soluble in both water and organic liquids.
-General uses include inks and dyes, enamels, paints and as cleaning agents in the dry-cleaning and glass-cleaning industries.
-The semiconductor industry also uses these compounds extensively as solvents and cleaning agents.
-The ethylene glycol ethers are used widely as solvents for resins, lacquers, paints, varnishes, dyes and inks, as well as components of painting pastes, cleaning compounds, liquid soaps, cosmetics and hydraulic fluids.
-Propylene and butylene glycol ethers are valuable as dispersing agents and as solvents for lacquers, paints, resins, dyes, oils and greases.
-Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether is a solvent in the lacquer, printing, metal and chemical industries.
-Glycol Ethers is also used for dyeing and printing in the textile industry and as a leather-finishing agent, an anti-icing additive for aviation fuels, and a component of varnish removers and cleansing solutions.
-Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether is used for non-grain-raising wood stains, for brushing lacquers with mild odours, for stamp pad inks and for leather finishing.
In the paint industry, it is a coalescing agent for latex paint; and in the textile industry, it is used for printing, textile soaps and dye pastes, as well as for setting the twist and conditioning yarns and cloth.
-The solvents diethylene glycol monomethyl ether, diethylene glycol monoethyl ether and diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether serve as diluents in hydraulic brake fluids.
2-Phenoxyethanol is a fixative for perfumes, cosmetics and soaps, a textile dye carrier and a solvent for cleaners, inks, germicides and pharmaceuticals.
-2-Methoxyethanol is also a perfume fixative.
It is used in the manufacture of photographic film, as a jet fuel anti-icing additive, as a solvent for resins used in the electronics industry, and as a leather-dyeing agent.
-2-Methoxyethanol and propylene glycol methyl ether are useful for solvent-sealing of cellophane.
Ethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether is a solvent for protective coatings and for metal cleaners.
It is used in the textile industry to prevent spotting in printing or dyeing.
-Glycol ethers are known for having multiple highly beneficial qualities.
Glycol ether solvents are based on alkyl ethers of ethylene glycol or propylene glycol and have been used for industrial applications for decades.
From household consumer items to major industrial purposes, glycol ethers continue to be very popular across countless industries.
-In terms of usefulness, glycol ethers rank among the most beneficial solvents for countless industrial applications, including the use of ethylene glycol in paint.
-While applications run the gamut, a few of the more common industrial applications of glycol solvents are listed below:
*Brake fluids
*Coating
*Compounders
*Cosmetics
*Dyes
*Engraving
*Gypsum
*Lacquers
*Morticians
*Nitrocellulose
*Organic synthesis
*Paint
*Resins
*Soap and detergents
*Textiles
*Vegetable oils
*Wood staining
*Yarns and cloth
-Glycol ethers are often preferred because of their extreme versatility in industry, with functionality ranging from traditional paints and cleaners to lacquers and textiles.
-Glycol Ethers are used in antifreeze and deicing solutions for cars, boats, and aircraft; also used as a solvent for paints, plastics, photographic developing solutions, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and inks
-Glycol Ether is a solvent used in a wide range of industries.
-Glycol Ethers are an excellent solvent for household and industrial cleaners, rust removers, and disinfectant.
-Thus, Glycol Ethers are employed in applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, electronics, and personal care.
-P-series is majorly used in products that are used in treating metal and non-metal surfaces, laboratory products, and water treatment formulation.
-Glycol ether helps in the formation of a proper film during coating cure and acts as an active solvent in resins.
-Glycol Ethers help in optimizing the evaporation rate of the solvent in a coating.
-Glycol Ethers is also helpful in improving the flow out characteristics of the paint, and in eliminating brush marks during painting.
-The paints & coatings industry is the largest consumer of glycol ethers.
Paints and coatings are extensively used in various industries such as construction, automotive, and packaging.
Residential and commercial construction has been increasing significantly across the world.
This is also boosting the demand for glycol ether, as it is used in the production of architectural paints and coatings.
-Glycol Ethers's usage of glycol ethers in cosmetics and personal care products and high demand in the paints & coatings industry
-Over half of all glycol ether consumption (including E-series and P-series) is for use as a solvent in various formulations, such as paints, inks, and cleaning fluids.
-Nonsolvent uses for glycol ethers include hydraulic and brake fluids, anti-icing agents, and chemical intermediates.
-Glycol ether is a liquid substance derived from organic chemistry.
Properties, such as being soluble in water, mean that it is used as a solvent in a variety of domestic and industrial applications.
-A large proportion of glycol ethers go into the paints and coatings industry.
-Other uses include inks, cleaning products, pharmaceuticals, chemical intermediates, hydraulic and brake fluids, plasticizers, anti-icing agents and cosmetic/ personal care products.
-The use of glycol ethers as solvents in various formulations, such as paints, inks and cleaning fluids accounts for over half of all glycol ether consumption (including E-series and P-series).
-Glycol ethers are used in the semiconductor industry to strip photo-resist.
-Glycol Ethers also remove flux, solder paste, inks, greases, and oils.
-Glycol Ethers are often blended with other solvents for specific cleaning applications.
-The terms E-series and P-series are often used to refer to ethylene glycol ethers and propylene glycol ethers, respectively.
AMONG THE FEATURES WİDELY CONSIDERED TO BE IDEAL FOR INDUSTRIAL USE:
*Lower molecular weight
*Higher boiling point
*Notable versatility across applications
*When it comes to glycol ethers blending and packaging, and blend ethylene glycol ethers or others to your stipulations.
In many cases, glycol ethers can help you meet a range of industrial demands.
GLYCOL ETHER SOLVENTS:
*Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether (2-methoxyethanol, CH3OCH2CH2OH)
*Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether (2-ethoxyethanol, CH3CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Ethylene glycol monopropyl ether (2-propoxyethanol, CH3CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Ethylene glycol monoisopropyl ether (2-isopropoxyethanol, (CH3)2CHOCH2CH2OH)
*Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether (2-butoxyethanol, CH3CH2CH2CH2OCH2CH2OH), a widely used solvent in paintings and surface coatings, cleaning products and inks
*Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether (2-phenoxyethanol, C6H5OCH2CH2OH)
*Ethylene glycol monobenzyl ether (2-benzyloxyethanol, C6H5CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Propylene glycol methyl ether, (1-methoxy-2-propanol, CH3OCH2CH(OH)CH3)
*Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether (2-(2-methoxyethoxy)ethanol, methyl carbitol, CH3OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether (2-(2-ethoxyethoxy)ethanol, carbitol cellosolve, CH3CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Diethylene glycol mono-n-butyl ether (2-(2-butoxyethoxy)ethanol, butyl carbitol, CH3CH2CH2CH2OCH2CH2OCH2CH2OH)
*Dipropyleneglycol methyl ether
*C12-15 pareth-12 a polyethylene glycol ether used as an emulsifier in cosmetics
PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of GLYCOL ETHERS:
Appearance : Colorless to slight Yellowish
Boiling point : 120°C ~ 180°C
Specific Gravity : 0.925
Flash Point (Abels) : 34°C
Viscosity : 2.44 CPs
Water : Less than 1 %
COMMON GLYCOL ETHERS:
Chemical Name CAS Number
Diethylene glycol dimethyl ether 111-96-6
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate 124-17-4
Diethylene glycol monobutyl ether 112-34-5
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate 112-15-2
Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 111-90-0
Diethylene glycol monohexyl ether 112-59-4
Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 629-38-9
Diethylene glycol monomethyl ether 111-77-3
Ethylene glycol dibutyl ether 112-48-1
Ethylene glycol diethyl ether 629-14-1
Ethylene glycol dimethyl ether 110-71-4
Ethylene glycol monoacetate 542-59-6
Ethylene glycol monobutyl ether acetate 112-07-2
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether acetate 111-15-9
Ethylene glycol monoethyl ether 110-80-5
Ethylene glycol monohexyl ether 112-25-4
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate 110-49-6
Ethylene glycol monomethyl ether 109-86-4
Ethylene glycol monooctyl ether 10020-43-6
Ethylene glycol monophenyl ether 122-99-6
Ethylene glycol monopropyl ether 2807-30-9
Triethylene glycol 112-27-6
Triethylene glycol dimethyl ether 112-49-2
Triethylene glycol monoethyl ether 112-50-5
SYNONYMS:
propylene glycol monomethyl ether
1-methoxy-2-propanol
2-methoxy-1-methylethanol
propylene glycol
methyl ether
dipropylene glycol monomethyl ether
propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate
propylene glycol methyl ether acetate
1-methoxy-2-propyl acetate
