ETHYLENE OXIDE
Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important building block for the preparation of a wide variety of EO derivatives. A major part of the ethylene oxide produced by INEOS Oxide is consumed internally for the production of ethylene glycols. Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is the main constituent in PET and polyester fibre production. Ethylene oxide is used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of a wide variety of EO derivatives such as surfactants, ethanolamines and glycolethers. Applications for ethylene glycols (MEG/DEG/TEG) include antifreeze, de-icing agents, lubricants, polyester resins and gas drying agents.
Propylene Oxide (PO)
Propylene Oxide (PO) is an important building block for the preparation of a wide variety of PO derivatives. A major part of the propylene oxide produced by INEOS Oxide is consumed internally for the production of propylene glycols. Monopropylene glycol (MPG) is the largest volume propylene glycol with MPG US Pharmacopeia (USP) also being an important part of our product range. PO is mainly used as a chemical intermediate for the production of other chemicals such as polyether polyols, propylene glycols, and specialty alkoxylates. INEOS Oxide’s propylene glycol unit produces mono-, di- and tripropylene glycols as well as smaller quantities of higher glycols. PO glycols can be found in a wide range of applications ranging from de-icing formulations to paints, inks and pharmaceuticals.
Ethanolamines
Ethanolamines are one of the most versatile members of the EO derivatives family. They are bifunctional molecules containing both amine and alcohol functional groups and are therefore capable of undergoing reactions at both groups. Many of their various industrial applications rely on these features.
Glycol ethers
Glycol ethers and their acetate esters combine the solubility characteristics of ethers and alcohols (or esters) as both functional groups are present in the molecule. Not only are they miscible in water and in most common organic solvents, they also combine powerful dissolving characteristics with low volatility.
Esters
The alkyl acetate range comprises n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate and isopropyl acetate, formed by reacting acetic acid with an alcohol resulting in the corresponding alcohol ester and water. These esters are versatile, oxygenated solvents which are primarily used in paints, coatings and inks formulations. They are also widely used in sealants and adhesives, in pharmaceutical applications, in the textile industry, in cleaning formulations and as extraction solvents.
Oxo Products
Oxo products include n-butanol, isobutanol and 2-ethylhexanol.
An oxide is a chemical compound that contains at least one oxygen atom and one other element in its chemical formula. The chart below shows the feedstocks and end products involved in this process.
