Ethylene glycol, also called monoethylene glycol or MEG (CAS 107-21-1), is a clear, odorless glycol used mainly in antifreeze and heat transfer fluids, polyester production, and natural gas processing. Mixed with water, it pushes the freezing point far below 0°F. Meadows Chemical supplies ethylene glycol through both prime supply and Beneficial Reuse.
What Is Ethylene Glycol?
Ethylene glycol (C₂H₆O₂) is the simplest glycol: a colorless, odorless, slightly syrupy liquid that mixes completely with water. It’s made by reacting ethylene oxide with water. That same process also produces diethylene glycol (DEG) and triethylene glycol (TEG), the heavier glycols in the same family.
Most of the world’s ethylene glycol goes to two jobs. One is raw material for polyester fibers and PET resin. The other is freeze protection in coolants and heat transfer fluids. In oil and gas, it also protects gas lines from water and hydrates.
How Ethylene Glycol Lowers the Freezing Point
Pure ethylene glycol freezes at about 10°F (−12°C), so it isn’t much of an antifreeze by itself. Blended with water, it drops the freezing point dramatically. A 60/40 glycol-to-water mix freezes at about −49°F (−45°C).
Common industrial mixes run 30/70 or 35/65 glycol to water, depending on the protection the system needs. There’s a trade-off: ethylene glycol holds about half as much heat as water. A glycol blend usually needs a higher flow rate than plain water to move the same amount of heat.
That’s the practical reason EG shows up in so many winter supply conversations. Chillers, process cooling loops, HVAC systems, and field equipment all need the right blend before the first hard freeze.
Where Ethylene Glycol Gets Used
Ethylene glycol works across industries because it does a few things very well: it fights freezing, carries heat, pulls in water, and builds polymers. Here’s where Meadows Chemical customers put it to work.
Oil & Gas
In gas production, MEG is injected into pipelines and flowlines to keep hydrates (ice-like plugs of water and gas) from forming in cold conditions. It can be recovered and reused after treatment, which helps operators manage cost. It’s also used in heat transfer loops and freeze protection for field equipment.
Chemical Manufacturing
Ethylene glycol is a key building block for polyester fibers and PET resin, the plastic in most beverage bottles. It’s also an intermediate for other chemicals and a base for heat transfer fluids, hydraulic fluids, and de-icing formulations.
Paints & Coatings
In water-based paints, ethylene glycol helps the product survive freeze-thaw cycles in storage and shipping, and it can slow drying so the film levels properly.
Sourcing Ethylene Glycol: Prime Supply or Beneficial Reuse
Meadows Chemical offers ethylene glycol two ways. Prime supply is material straight from a manufacturer’s standard production run, for applications that need a tight, consistent spec. Beneficial Reuse is product redirected from another company’s excess or byproduct streams. It can offer a cost or availability advantage where the application’s spec allows it.
Timing matters too. Glycol demand climbs as temperatures drop, so buyers who lock in volumes in early fall usually have more options than buyers who call after the first freeze. Our winter chemical supply planning guide covers what to line up before the season turns.
Why Source Ethylene Glycol Through Meadows Chemical?
Meadows Chemical has been moving industrial chemicals out of Houston for more than 25 years, and we represent more than 30 manufacturers. When you buy ethylene glycol from us, you get one dedicated point of contact who knows your account, your specs, and your timeline, from the first quote through delivery and billing.
We also give you options most distributors can’t. Meadows helped pioneer Beneficial Reuse, so we can source glycol from prime supply or from secondary streams depending on what your application needs and what your budget allows. And as an ACD-verified distributor, we hold ourselves to the industry’s responsible distribution standards.
FAQs
What is the freezing point of ethylene glycol?
Pure ethylene glycol freezes at about 10°F (−12°C). Mixed with water, it freezes much lower: a 60% glycol, 40% water blend freezes at about −49°F (−45°C). Most industrial systems run 30–35% glycol, depending on the protection they need.
What’s the difference between ethylene glycol and propylene glycol?
Both lower the freezing point of water and both are used in heat transfer fluids. Ethylene glycol transfers heat more efficiently and usually costs less, but it’s toxic if swallowed. Propylene glycol is far less toxic, so it’s the usual choice where food, drinking water, or people could come into contact with the fluid.
Does Meadows Chemical sell ethylene glycol in bulk?
Yes. Meadows Chemical supplies ethylene glycol to industrial customers through both prime supply and Beneficial Reuse, with various packaging options. Contact our team for current availability, pricing, and documentation.