Descriptions of Diethylene Glycol

If you’ve ever dealt with moisture issues in production, wondered why your polyester resin isn’t curing right, or needed a coolant that won’t quit at high temps, you’ve probably already met diethylene glycol—you just didn’t know it yet.

Diethylene glycol (DEG) is what engineers reach for when Monoethylene glycol (MEG) isn’t quite enough, but Triethylene glycol (TEG) is overkill. Think of it as the Goldilocks of the glycol family. With its CAS number 111-46-6 and straight-chain structure (CH₂OHCH₂OCH₂CH₂OH), this clear, odorless liquid quietly powers everything from antifreeze formulations to the flexible foam in your car seats.

What makes DEG special? It’s aggressively hygroscopic—meaning it hunts down moisture like a heat-seeking missile—yet it’s stable enough to handle high temperatures without breaking a sweat. That combination is rarer than you’d think.

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Why DEG’s Properties Matter

Let’s cut through the chemistry textbook talk. Here’s what DEG’s specs mean for your floor operations:

For a DEG supplier, these numbers aren’t just specs—they’re promises. When your gas dehydration unit runs 24/7 or your resin batch is worth $50k, consistency isn’t optional.

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Where DEG Is Used (Application and Uses)

Solvent for Paints, Coatings, and Inks

Diethylene Glycol is widely used as a high-boiling solvent in paints, coatings, and printing inks. Its solvency power improves resin dissolution, viscosity control, and film formation. In automotive, industrial, and protective coatings, Diethylene Glycol contributes to smoother finishes, reduced surface defects, and improved drying consistency.

Chemical Intermediate in Resin Manufacturing

In unsaturated polyester resins, alkyd resins, and polyurethane systems, Diethylene Glycol functions as a chemical intermediate that enhances flexibility and mechanical durability. It is commonly used in fiberglass products, marine composites, construction panels, and flexible polyurethane foams where controlled elasticity is required.

Plasticizers and PVC Compounds

Diethylene Glycol is used in the production of DEG-based plasticizers for PVC applications such as cables, flooring, hoses, and technical films. These plasticizers provide long-term flexibility with low migration, improving product lifespan compared to lower-grade alternatives.

Antifreeze and Industrial Coolant Formulations

In antifreeze and heat-transfer fluids, Diethylene Glycol is blended with MEG to improve thermal stability and control freezing and boiling points. These formulations are used in HVAC systems, industrial chillers, mining equipment, and heavy machinery operating under variable temperature conditions.

Natural Gas Dehydration

Diethylene Glycol is applied in natural gas dehydration units to remove water vapor from gas streams and prevent hydrate formation. In low- to medium-pressure systems, DEG offers a cost-effective alternative to TEG due to lower regeneration energy requirements and reduced capital costs.

Humectant in Industrial Processing

Due to its hygroscopic nature, Diethylene Glycol is used as a humectant in controlled industrial processes where moisture retention is required, including specialty chemical production and technical formulations (excluding regulated consumer uses).

Aviation and Industrial De-Icing Fluids

Diethylene Glycol is used in aviation de-icing and anti-icing fluids to reduce freezing points while maintaining material compatibility with aluminum alloys and system components.

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DEG vs TEG: Which to Choose

This question comes up weekly. Here’s the straight answer:

Simple rule: If you’re making physical products (resins, coatings, coolants), DEG is usually your best bet. If you’re drying pipeline gas to meet utility specs, TEG often wins. But we’ve helped clients optimize with DEG in gas plants where economics favored it—every situation is different.

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Choosing a DEG Supplier

What Documents and certificates will  we provide you:

• Certifications that matter: REACH, ISO 9001, and COA for every batch

• Transparent specs: They share water content, acidity, and purity numbers upfront

• Logistics flexibility: ISO tanks for bulk, drums for trials, and everything in between

• Regional presence: A supplier of DEG in your hemisphere means faster delivery and lower freight costs

• Safety culture: They push SDS and handling training—not just the product

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Our DEG Supply Approach

We operate DEG terminals in Houston, Rotterdam, and Singapore—not because it looks good on a map, but because it cuts your lead time from weeks to days. Each facility stocks 5,000+ metric tons of industrial-grade DEG (99.5%+ purity), pre-tested and ready to ship.

For bulk DEG procurement, we offer:

• Custom FOB/CIF quotes tailored to your order volume and destination

• ISO tanks with steam heating coils (unloading DEG in winter is no joke)

• Flexitanks for one-way shipments—no tank cleaning fees

• IBCs and drums for trials or smaller production lines

Every shipment includes a multi-language SDS and batch-specific COA. And if your team needs handling training? We’ll do a video call walkthrough. It’s part of the service.

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Handling and Storage of Diethylene Glycol

Safety on the Floor

DEG is safe when respected. It’s not acutely toxic like some solvents, but ingestion or chronic exposure is serious business.

• Gloves: Nitrile—not latex. DEG penetrates latex over time.

• Eyes: Splash goggles, not safety glasses. A DEG drop in the eye burns.

• Breathing: If you’re heating DEG past 100°C, use a respirator. The vapors aren’t pleasant.

• Spills: Absorb with pads, not sawdust. DEG is water-soluble; a water rinse cleans concrete.

Storage Guidelines

• Keep it dry. DEG pulls moisture from the air, diluting itself.

• Use stainless or lined tanks. Carbon steel works short-term but rusts eventually.

• Label clearly. Someone will mistake it for MEG—guaranteed.

Shelf Life and Expiry

• Shelf Life: 24–36 months when stored in original, unopened containers at 15–25°C, away from moisture and direct sunlight.

• Expiry: Primarily driven by moisture absorption and potential oxidation, not chemical breakdown. Always check the COA manufacturing date.

• Best Practice: Retest water content and acidity if stored beyond 24 months. Once opened, use within 12 months for critical applications.

Transport

DEG ships as UN 3082 (Environmentally Hazardous Substance, liquid, n.o.s.). It’s not a DOT hazard class, but marine shipments need the “marine pollutant” label.

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Packing and Container Loading of Diethylene Glycol

Choosing the right packaging affects not just cost, but handling efficiency and product integrity. Here’s how we load DEG for maximum safety and economy:

Sea Freight (FCL) – 20ft Container

• 18 metric tons per 20ft FCL container (our standard loading capacity)

• Drums: 80–90 units of 220 kg steel/HDPE drums (total: 17.6–19.8 MT)

• IBCs: 18 units of 1,000 L IBCs (total: ~18 MT)

• Flexitanks: Single 20-ton flexitank (requires 20ft container with bulkhead)

Land Transport – Tank Truck / Turk

• 20 metric tons per rigid tank truck (Turk)

• Ideal for domestic or intra-regional deliveries

• Faster turnaround than containers for distances under 500 km

Bulk Options

• ISO Tank Containers: 20–22 tons with steam heating coils for easy unloading

• Seagoing Vessels: For mega-orders (1,000+ tons), delivered directly to your port terminal

Choosing the Right Option

• Trial orders: Start with drums (no commitment)

• Mid-scale production: IBCs balance volume and handling ease

• Full-scale manufacturing: FCL containers or tank trucks give you the best efficiency

Need help deciding? Our logistics team can model shipping costs and handling time for each option—just contact us.

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Get a Quote

Ready to order high-purity diethylene glycol? Request a quote today for:

• Free sample with COA (seriously, no charge)

• Multi-language SDS and technical data sheets

• Custom blending with MEG or TEG

• Emergency supply chain support

Contact our DEG specialists at Email: Info@causticsodaco.com or message us directly at WhatsApp: +971 50 720 9246. We respond the same day—because your production schedule doesn’t wait. (Contact Us)

TECHNICAL DATA SHEET OF DIETHYLENE GLYCOL (DEG)