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This section provides an overview for ethylene oxide as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 12 ethylene oxide manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ethylene oxide companies as of December, 2024: 1.Balchem Corp., 2.SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp, 3.Pollution Systems, Inc..
Table of Contents
Ethylene oxide is a two-carbon organic compound with a cyclic ether structure.
It is also known as epoxyethane, and oxirane. It is a gas at room temperature and is soluble in water and organic solvents.
Ethylene oxide is used either in its raw state or as a raw material for synthesizing other compounds.
In its raw state, ethylene oxide is used as powerful disinfectant. It is used in a disinfection process called ethylene oxide sterilization, and is effective in sterilizing items with low heat resistance that cannot withstand sterilization at high temperatures.
When used as a raw material for synthesis, it is often used as a raw material for polyethylene oxide, which is a polymerization of ethylene glycol and ethylene oxide. In addition, it is also used as a raw material for ethanolamine, ethylene carbonate, and alkyl ethers.
Because polyethylene oxide are highly hydrophilic, it can be combined with hydrophobic alkyl groups to form surfactants, which can be used as nonionic surfactants in detergents.
Ethylene oxide has the molecular formulaCH2CH2O, has the molecular weight of 44.05, and is a gaseous organic compound at room temperature and pressure, with a specific gravity of 0.8711 at 20°C. It has a flash point of -17.8°C, a boiling point of 10.7°C, and freezing point of -111.3°C. It is well soluble in water, acetone, ether, etc.
It has a cyclic ether structure, and ring-opening polymerization creates polyethylene oxide, a polyether. It generally reacts readily with active hydrogen compounds.
Ethylene oxide are synthesized by contact oxidation of ethylene with oxygen. Although air (mixed gas with nitrogen) can be substituted for oxygen, the oxygen method, which uses oxygen as the raw material, is currently the most common method.
A mixture of ethylene gas and oxygen (ethylene concentration 20~35%) is introduced into a multi-tube reaction column filled with a silver catalyst and reacted under conditions of 230~315℃ and pressure of 851~2,127kPa. Afterwards, ethylene oxide of high purity are obtained through several stages of washing and separation, followed by further distillation. The yield of this production method is about 80%.
Main reaction formula: C2H4 + 1/2O2 → C2H4O (ethylene oxide)
Sub-reaction: C2H4 + 3O2 → 2CO2 + 2H2O
The most common method is to oxidize ethylene with oxygen, but hydrolysis neutralization of ethylene chlorohydrin (C2H4ClOH) was also used. Although this method has high yield, it is no longer used because of its high cost and lower purity compared to the method of direct oxidation of ethylene.
Handling
Ethylene oxide has fairly wide explosion range of 3.0~100%, and decomposition and explosion may occur even in the absence of oxygen. Not only is fire strictly prohibited, but it should be stored in a cool, well-ventilated, dark place out of direct sunlight.
Since its vapor density is heavier than air at 1.52, if it leaks, it will stay underfoot and the odor will likely go unnoticed. Strict control is essential because of the danger of explosion caused by the slightest addition of energy.
Toxicity
Ethylene oxide has been judged to be equivalent to "a substance known to be toxic to humans for reproduction" due to several reports of increased miscarriages from epidemiological studies, as well as clear effects such as germ cell mutagenicity from animal studies.
Other acute toxic effects include blistering if it adheres to the skin, keratitis may occur if it gets into the eyes, and inhalation of large amounts of the vapor may cause anesthetic effects and death. Protective eyewear, protective gloves, and gas masks for organic gases should be worn when handling this product.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Pollution Systems, established in 2006 and headquartered in Houston, TX, solves air emission challenges so manufacturers can focus on their production efforts. The company offers thermal oxidizers, catalytic oxidizers, enclosed flares, wet particulate scrubbers, and chemical scrubbers for various industrial applications such as microelectronic manufacturing, food and beverage production, ethylene oxide treatment, and critical material recycling & recovery for EV processes. Their comprehensive air pollution control solutions are tailored to each client’s business and technical needs. Pollution Systems’ custom system designs help reduce environmental impact and ensure compliance for HAPs, VOCs, PM, and odors, prioritize safety and safe system operation, conserve energy and natural resource use, balance total cost of ownership, and provide a longer system life when properly maintained.
3M Company was founded in 1902 and is headquartered in St. Paul, Minnesota. 3M provides diversified technology services globally. 3M operates through four segments: Safety and Industrial, Transportation and Electronics, Health Care, and Consumer. The Safety and Industrial segment offerings include industrial abrasives, masking, and natural and color-coated mineral granules for shingles. The Transportation and Electronics segment offerings include ceramic solutions, light management films, and electronics assembly solutions. The Healthcare segment offerings include wound care, dentistry and orthodontia solutions, and filtration and purification systems. The Consumer segment offerings include consumer bandages, picture hanging, and stationery products.
Balchem is a manufacturer established in 1967 and is headquartered in Montvale, New Jersey. The company's extensive network comprises sales offices, manufacturing sites, and R&D centers, predominantly across the US and Europe. The company delivers customized ingredient systems and key minerals and nutrients for the food, supplement, and pharmaceutical markets. Balchem also specializes in choline production, nutrient encapsulation, chelated minerals, and functional ingredients, catering to the Animal Nutrition & Health sector, as well as specialty-packaged chemicals for use in healthcare and other industries.
Based in Bayville, NY, SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp. is an ISO-certified supplier and manufacturer of industrial equipment, chemicals, components, ordinance, electronics, and systems for industries ranging from aerospace to high tech to law enforcement. Examples of product offerings include raw materials, chemicals, and lubricants for industrial purposes to finished products such as security helmets for law enforcement, and military ordnances. SAE also provides research and development as well as technical support for other companies in similar industries.
STERIS Corporation, established in 1985 with its headquarters in Mentor, Ohio, USA, is a manufacturer and supplier of medical equipment and services used in hospital & surgery centers, dental facilities, research & laboratory centers, and medical device, pharmaceutical & biotechnology manufacturing. It offers the research & laboratory sector with sterilizers, washing equipment, glassware washing detergents, VHP decontamination, and glassware washers & dryers. They also have a contract sterilization service department where they offer ethylene oxide sterilization, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and gamma electron beam and X-ray irradiation.
Nouryon has a history dating back to 1646 Sweden but was officially formed in 2018 after gaining independence from AkzoNobel. The company is a manufacturer of everyday consumer products including personal care and cleaning goods, as well as products for the agricultural, pharmaceutical, and building industries. The company’s brands include Dissolvine, Witbreak, Butanox, and Ferrazone. These brands manufacture products across five product segments: Bleaching and Oxidizing Chemicals and Technologies, Specialty Polymers, Surfactants and Chelating Agents, Polymer Production and Processing Chemicals, and Specialty Chemicals and Intermediates.
INEOS, established in 1998 with headquarters in the UK, is a global manufacturer of petrochemicals, specialty chemicals, and oil products, operating over 30 individual business units that have expanded across the chemical and oil and gas industries, with diversification into consumer brands. The company's consumer brands include INEOS Grenadier 4X4 vehicles, INEOS Hygienics, and Belstaff clothing. INEOS Group's oil and gas operations include the long-term extraction of natural gas, the INEOS FPS pipeline, and INEOS Shale for the exploration and extraction of shale. The company's chemical operations include the production of ABS-standard and styrenic specialties, acetic acid, and INEOS Aromatics.
Nippon Shokubai Co. LTD., established in 1941 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a chemical manufacturer providing diverse chemical materials. Some of its products include detergents, curing agents, heat-resistant resins, adhesives, and coatings for metal, and the products are used in various industries, including life science, ICT, consumer products, environment remediation, and energy. In 1941, the company started the first commercial production of Phthalic Anhydride, which led to the development of the vinyl chloride industry. It commercialized Ethylene Oxide in 1959 using domestic technologies and began mass-producing superabsorbent polymers in 1985.
BASF Corporation, established in 1986 as the North American affiliate of BASF SE, is a manufacturer of chemical products, headquarters in Florham Park, New Jersey. The company operates 11 divisions which specialize in six business segments, namely chemicals, materials (such as plastics and rubber), industrial solutions, surface technologies (including construction chemicals and coating solutions), nutrition (for human and animal), and agricultural solutions. BASF's products find extensive applications across diverse industries such as automotive and transportation, construction, consumer electronics, energy, and furniture. Additionally, the company serves the medical and pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, power tools, pulp and paper, as well as textile industries.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
LyondellBasell, formally established in 2009, is a global manufacturer of raw chemicals, polymers, and fuels, with regional headquarters in the USA, the UK, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. The company's products include basic chemicals, plastic resins, and advanced chemical composites, which are used across various industries such as sports and leisure, infrastructure, packaging, agriculture, and automotive. As one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies in the world, LyondellBasell's custom solutions range from client-specific product design and production to full plant design and start-up services.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Balchem Corp. |
18.3%
|
| 2 | SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp |
11.3%
|
| 3 | Pollution Systems, Inc. |
10.8%
|
| 4 | INEOS |
10.0%
|
| 5 | BASF |
8.4%
|
| 6 | Nouryon |
7.9%
|
| 7 | Shell Global |
7.6%
|
| 8 | 3M |
6.4%
|
| 9 | MilliporeSigma |
6.0%
|
| 10 | LyondellBasell Industries |
5.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ethylene oxide page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
United States of America
|
5 | 62.5% |
|
United Kingdom
|
2 | 25.0% |
|
Netherlands
|
1 | 12.5% |
