Ethylene Glycol via Glycol Esters

Published information on the technologies of Halcon and Kuraray for manufacturing ethylene glycol by ethylene oxidation to glycol esters followed by ester hydrolysis has been developed into process designs and economics.

The yields, investments, and production costs for the two methods appear to be essentially equivalent; therefore, a choice between the two may depend on such factors as catalyst replacement costs. Both give better yields on ethylene, lower glycol costs, and some saving in capital investment as compared with the conventional route to glycol via ethylene oxide.