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In 2023–2024, the United States, Germany, and South Korea were the leading exporters of Ethylene Oxide, collectively accounting for over 45% of global exports by value, while China, India, and Brazil emerged as the largest importers, driven by domestic demand in surfactants, pharmaceuticals, and sterilization applications. Global Ethylene Oxide trade volumes remained relatively stable year-on-year, though regional shifts in sourcing—particularly increased imports by Southeast Asian nations—and tightening supply constraints contributed to upward pressure on Ethylene Oxide prices.
Ethylene oxide is a colorless, highly volatile, flammable gas at ambient temperature with a faintly sweet, ether-like odor; it is commonly handled as a liquid under pressure or refrigeration (boiling point: 10.7 °C, melting point: –111.3 °C). It is a cyclic ether and a key organic chemical intermediate. Its primary industrial use is in the production of ethylene glycol (for antifreeze and polyester fibers), nonionic surfactants (e.g., alcohol ethoxylates), ethanolamines, and glycol ethers. These derivatives serve critical roles in polymers, coatings, agrochemical formulations, pharmaceutical excipients, and personal care products.
Ethylene oxide is widely used as a sterilizingagent; as a fumigant; as a propellant; in theproduction of explosives; in the manufactureof ethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, gly-col ethers, crown ethers, ethanolamines, andother derivatives; and in organic synthesis.
Ethylene oxide is the simplest cyclic ether. It is a colorless gas or liquid and has a sweet, etheric odor. Ethylene oxide is a flammable, very reactive and explosive chemical substance. On decomposition, vapors of pure ethylene oxide mix with air or inert gases and become highly explosive. Ethylene oxide, is used in large scale as an intermediate in the production of monoethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, triethylene glycol, poly(ethylene) glycols, ethylene glycol ethers, ethanolamine, ethoxylation products of fatty alcohols, fatty amines, alkyl phenols, cellulose, and poly(propylene glycol). It is also used as a fumigant for food and cosmetics, and in hospital sterilization of surgical equipment and heat sensitive materials.
This chemical is included in Basic Chemicals - Ethylene Glycol Industry. See more about what is Ethylene Oxide and Ethylene Oxide SDS information.
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