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| Synonyms:PEG Macrogol Poly(oxyethylene) Polyoxyethylene glycol Molecular Formula:(C2H4O)nH2O Molecular Weight: 0 HS Code: 3404200000 Grade: Industrial grade99%， Hazard Class:General Cargo | |||||||||
25322-68-3
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25322-68-3
Poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG; CAS 25322-68-3) is a water-soluble polyether with the general structure H−(O−CH2−CH2)2−OH — and it is one of the most versatile workhorse polymers in industry. By choosing the chain length, PEG ranges from a clear viscous liquid to a soft waxy semisolid and a hard white solid in flakes and powder , all fully water-soluble, non-ionic, chemically stable and practically non-toxic. That combination powers a remarkable spread of roles: industrial lubrication, heat transfer and defoaming; plastics, textile and paper processing; personal-care and household formulations; food-processing aid E1521; agrochemical formulations; biotech laboratory tools; and specialty uses from archaeological conservation to energy materials. This page covers PEG strictly in its non-pharmaceutical applications. Supplied in liquid, flake and powder forms across industrial, food and specialty grades with full COA.
Core value propositions:
● Molecular-Weight Tunability: liquid, wax or solid — one chemistry across countless industrial processes;
● Water-Soluble & Non-Ionic: clean aqueous formulations without electrolyte interference;
● Food-Processing Approval: E1521 anti-foaming and processing aid for food and beverage lines;
● Green Process Chemistry: biodegradable, low-toxicity solvent and process aid replacing harsher media.
Item | Specification |
Chemical Name | Poly(oxyethylene) / poly(ethylene glycol) |
Synonyms | PEG; PEO; POE; polyoxyethylene; Carbowax |
CAS No. | 25322-68-3 |
EC No. (EINECS) | 500-038-2 (polymer) |
Molecular Formula | H(OCH₂CH₂)ₙOH (C₂ₙH₄ₙ₊₂Oₙ₊₁) |
Molecular Weight | 200 – 20,000+ g/mol (grade-dependent; M = 44.05n + 18.02) |
Appearance | Water-white viscous liquid (low MW) → waxy semisolid → white solid flakes/powder (high MW) |
Solubility | Soluble in water, ethanol, acetone, chloroform and most polar solvents; insoluble in diethyl ether and hexane |
Polyethylene glycol is a linear polyether built from repeating −O−CH₂−CH₂− units and terminated at each end by a hydroxyl group, giving the generic structure H−(O−CH₂−CH₂)ₙ−OH. The chain length spans a wide ladder from PEG 200 to PEG 20,000 and beyond (higher-molecular-weight materials are usually called polyethylene oxide, PEO), and the same repeating unit is also the hydrophilic block in many copolymers. The ether backbone is chemically stable and resistant to hydrolysis, while the two terminal hydroxyls make PEG a diol that can be esterified, etherified or crosslinked; methoxy-terminated variants (mPEG) carry a single reactive end for conjugation chemistry. Because it is strongly hydrophilic yet can be coupled to hydrophobic segments, PEG is the classic building block of non-ionic surfactants, amphiphilic block copolymers and hydrogels. It dissolves freely in water and most polar solvents, is insoluble in diethyl ether and hexane, and its aqueous solutions are neutral, colorless and virtually non-toxic.
● Fully water-soluble and non-ionic: clean aqueous systems, no electrolyte interference.
● Lubricity, humectancy and viscosity control across broad temperature and pH ranges.
● Green credentials: low toxicity, biodegradable, a preferred reaction medium and solvent replacement.
● Compatibility: stable with most industrial chemicals, salts and surfactants.
5.1 Industrial Processing, Lubrication & Heat Transfer (Core Application)
In industry, PEG is a multifunctional process aid — lubricant, coolant, solvent and defoamer in one:
● Metalworking and water-based lubrication: lubricating coatings for aqueous and non-aqueous surfaces.
● Heat-transfer fluid in electronic testers and thermal management equipment.
● Defoaming and anti-foaming in separation and distillation equipment.
● Polar stationary phase for gas chromatography; internal calibration standard in mass spectrometry.
● Green reaction medium/solvent for organic synthesis, replacing volatile organic media.
5.2 Plastics, Textiles, Paper & Ceramics
PEG's lubricity, humectancy and binder behavior serve material processing across sectors:
● Polyurethane raw material: PEG polyols impart flexibility to elastomers, spandex fibers and foams.
● Technical ceramics: binder for green-body shaping and extrusion.
● Textile processing: softening, antistatic and sizing assistance.
● Paper coating and sizing: humectant, plasticizer and release control.
● Plastics processing: internal/external lubrication, mold release and antistatic additives.
5.3 Personal Care & Household Products
In cosmetics and household formulations, PEG acts as moisturizer, consistency modifier and dispersant:
● Skin care: humectant and texture modifier in creams and lotions (e.g., cetomacrogol emulsifier systems).
● Oral care: dispersant in toothpaste, keeping gums and actives uniformly distributed.
● Hair care and cleansing: viscosity and foam control in shampoos and body washes.
● Personal lubricants and household polishes.
5.4 Food & Beverage Processing
Approved as food additive E1521 (INS 1521), PEG supports processing and specialty food applications:
● Anti-foaming agent in food and beverage production lines.
● Coating and glazing aid for confectionery and dietary tablets.
● Carrier/solubilizer for flavors, colors and processing aids.
5.5 Agrochemical & Specialty Formulations
In crop science and specialty products, PEG is the leading water-soluble polymer class:
● Agricultural soil wetter: improves water retention and seedling establishment.
● Pesticide and fertilizer formulation additive: stability and application efficiency of actives.
● Slow-release and anti-drift systems in agrochemical products.
5.6 Conservation, Energy & Emerging Applications
● Archaeological conservation: stabilizes waterlogged wood and painted artifacts (Vasa ship, Terracotta Army).
● Energy materials: polymer host for solid electrolytes in battery and electrochromic research.
● Gas processing: dimethyl-ether PEG solvents (Selexol) remove CO₂ and H₂S from syngas.
● Propellant and pyrotechnic binder systems; silver-halide photographic emulsion additive.
● Emerging uses: liquid body-armor fluids and tattoo-based health monitoring research.
Packaging (customizable):
● Liquid grades (PEG 200–600): 220 kg steel/plastic drums, IBC totes;
● Semisolid/solid grades: 25 kg moisture-barrier bags, fiber drums or flakes/powder packs;
Storage:
● Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area; keep containers closed to avoid moisture uptake (hygroscopic).
● Avoid prolonged high temperature and contact with strong oxidizers.
● Keep food/cosmetic grades segregated from industrial materials.
● Factory-direct supply: own sourcing and distribution capability, transparent pricing, no middleman markup.
● Stable quality: every batch tested (viscosity, water content, pH, color, assay), COA with every shipment.
● Fast response: quotations and technical support; small trial orders accepted.
Q1: What are the main uses of polyethylene glycol?
PEG serves as an industrial process aid (lubrication, heat transfer, defoaming, green solvent), a raw material for polyurethanes and ceramics, a textile/paper processing agent, a personal-care and household ingredient, a food-processing aid (E1521), the leading water-soluble polymer in agrochemical formulations, a standard biotech laboratory reagent, and a specialty material in conservation and energy applications. One chemistry, dozens of industries.
Q2: How does molecular weight change PEG's properties?
Molecular weight controls physical form and handling: PEG 200–600 are clear viscous liquids used as solvents, humectants and lubricants; PEG 1000–2000 are soft waxy semisolids used in polishes, emulsions and release systems; PEG 3000–20,000 are hard white solids (flakes/powder) used as binders, extrusion aids and processing additives. All grades share the same chemistry and water solubility — pick the grade by the physical form and performance your process needs.
Q3: Is PEG safe for food and consumer-product use?
Yes: PEG is approved as food additive E1521 (INS 1521) for anti-foaming and processing uses, has very low acute oral toxicity, and is used extensively in cosmetics and household products. For industrial handling, routine hygiene applies — it is slippery when spilled, hygroscopic in storage, and molten material needs thermal protection. Food and cosmetic grades are produced and packed separately from industrial grades.
