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This section provides an overview for epichlorohydrin as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 epichlorohydrin manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked epichlorohydrin companies as of May, 2025: 1.GJ Chemical, 2.Richman Chemical Inc, 3.Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd..
Table of Contents
Epichlorohydrin is a highly reactive monomer with epoxy and chlorine groups. It is also known as 2-chloromethyloxirane, 1-chloro-2,3-epoxypropane, and gamma-chloropropylene oxide.
Epichlorohydrin is corrosive and irritates the eyes, nose, and throat. If inhaled, it can cause headache, dizziness, and other central nervous system disorders.
Epichlorohydrin is used as a synthetic raw material. In particular, it is often used as the main raw material for epoxy resins, which are widely used in the chemical industry, especially in the automotive and electronics industries. Epoxy resins are used in common paints in the field of coatings, electrodeposition coatings for automotive and industrial applications, and coatings for the inside of drums and cans.
In the field of electronics, they are used for printed circuit boards and coil insulating materials. In the field of civil engineering and construction, they are used for anticorrosion coatings, adhesives and sealants for concrete and steel.
Besides epoxy resins, they are also widely used as synthetic raw materials for glycerin and other products such as epichlorohydrin rubber and glycidyl methacrylate, and as solvents for cellulose acetate, cellophane and ester rubber.
Other applications include cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, surfactants, synthetic raw materials for ion exchange resins, fiber treatment agents, and solvents.
Epichlorohydrin has the molecular formula C3H5ClO, molecular weight 92.5, and is a colorless liquid at room temperature with a pungent odor similar to chloroform.
It is flammable with a specific gravity of 1.2058, a melting point of -26°C, a boiling point of 116°C, and a flash point of 31°C. It is slightly soluble in water and readily soluble in organic solvents such as alcohols, ether, chloroform, trichloroethylene, and carbon tetrachloride, but not in hydrocarbons.
Epichlorohydrin is unstable in the presence of acidic and basic substances. It reacts with a variety of substances because of its two highly reactive functional groups, an epoxy group and a chlorinated alkyl group. It is highly volatile with explosive limits ranging from 3.8 to 21% and tends to form explosive mixtures with air. Vapor is heavier than air and tends to stay in low places, so ventilation and local exhaust ventilation should be provided during use.
It reacts violently with metal powder, zinc, aluminum, alcohol, phenol, amines (especially aniline), organic acids, water, etc., causing fire or explosion.
Epichlorohydrin can be produced in two ways: from allyl chloride, obtained by the reaction of propylene and chlorine, or from allyl alcohol, obtained by the reaction of propylene and acetic acid.
1. Allyl chloride method
Allyl chloride is reacted with hypochlorous acid solution to obtain dichloropropanol. This is then reacted with alkali to produce crude epichlorohydrin by dehydrochlorination, and impurities are removed by distillation.
CH2=CHCH3 + Cl2 → CH2=CHCHCH2Cl + HCl (Synthesis of allyl chloride)
CH2=CHCH2Cl + HOCl → CH2ClCH(OH)CH2Cl
CH2ClCH(OH)CH2Cl → CH2CHOCH2Cl + HCl
2. Allyl alcohol method
Allyl alcohol is chlorinated with chlorine in hydrochloric acid solution to obtain dichloropropanol. This is then dehydrochlorinated by adding alkali to produce crude epichlorohydrin, which is distilled to yield the product epichlorohydrin.
2CH2=CHCHCH3 + 2CH3COOH + O2 → CH2=CHCHCH2OCOCH3 +H2O → CH2=CHCHCH2OH + CH3COOH (synthesis of allyl alcohol)
CH2=CHCHCH2OH + Cl2 → CH2ClCH(OH)CH2Cl
CH2ClCH(OH)CH2Cl → CH2CHOCH2Cl + HCl
*Including some distributors, etc.
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AFG Scientific LLC, established in 2017 in Northbrook, Illinois, USA, is a manufacturer of life sciences and scientific products. The company specializes in manufacturing antibodies, chemicals, ELISA kits, and chromatography products, serving the broad needs of research and diagnostics. It holds ISO 9001 certification, andc the features of its offerings include optimal specificity, sensitivity, and reproducibility, resulting in the accuracy of scientific analyses. These products find various applications in research laboratories, pharmaceutical development, and clinical diagnostics.
Richman Chemical Inc, Established in 1988 in Pennsylvania, is a manufacturer in the chemical industry. The company serves as a custom synthesis, chemical manufacturing, and raw materials sourcing provider to the life science and chemical sectors. With life science, specialty chemicals, and emerging technologies, Richman Chemical offers tailored solutions, including custom manufacturing, product sourcing, and project management. Operating primarily in North America, the company streamlines project management, reducing costs and accelerating time-to-market for clients' products. Their expertise in custom manufacturing and chemical sourcing positions them as a worthy partner for various 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.
G.J. Chemical is a family-owned company based in Newark, New Jersey. G.J. Chemical serves chemical distributors, laboratories, and a variety of end users with high purity chemical products and custom services. G.J. Chemical capabilities include testing, bulk storage, custom blending, liquid bulk handling, and purifying. G.J. Chemical’s chemical products include reagents, acrylate monomers, hand sanitizers, and isopropyl alcohol. These are made to USP, FCC, Reagent ACS, military grade, and other standards.
Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc., founded in 1956 and headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, is a manufacturer and supplier of life science solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, laboratory products, and biopharma services. Through its brand names, including Invitrogen, Fisher Scientific, Patheon, Applied Biosystems, and Gibco, among others, the company provides a wide range of products, which include chromatography systems, thermal cyclers, automated cell counters, fermenters, and DNA polymerases. The company’s annual revenue is over 40 billion USD, and it serves several fields, including customers working in clinical diagnostic labs, research institutions, hospitals, government agencies, and pharmaceutical/biotech companies.
TRInternational Inc., founded in 1994 and headquartered in Edmonds, Washington, is a supplier of ingredients, raw materials, and services in North America. Its diversified product portfolio includes chemicals, rubber, and paints used in industries like metalworking, water treatment, and industrial cleaning. It has over 20 stocking and import points across the United States and offers additional services like custom manufacturing, contract packaging, and proprietary formulation. The company is SBA, WOSB, and LGBTBE certified, and in 2018, it was ranked number 70 in the Top 100 Chemical Distributors in North America.
The Chemical Company (TCC) was founded in 1988 in Jamestown, Rhode Island. TCC is a distributor of chemicals, composites, and plastics. TCC strategically sources materials to provide customers with secure product supply to ensure longterm supply security. TCC’s product categories include C.A.S.E. (coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers) such as adipic acid and casein, flame retardants such as dicyandiamide and calcium chloride, silanes, acid such as boric acid and citric acid, water treatment such as melatonin and nicotinamide, intermediates such as acetone, fertilizer & crop nutrition such as ammonium sulfate, and polymer additives such as resorcinol and zinc borate.
Osaka Soda, established in 1915 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of basic and functional chemical products. Starting with commercializing caulk soda using electrolysis, the company's range now includes basic chlor-alkali chemicals used in pharmaceutical products, agricultural chemicals, painting materials, and functional chemicals mainly manufactured from allyl chloride and epichlorohydrin including DAP resin, synthetic rubber and pharmaceutical purification materials. It also offers healthcare products like enzymes, fatty acids and environmental products such as modifiers for energy saving tires and highly durable electrodes. The company complies with ISO 9001 standard and follows ICH-GMP guidelines for active pharmaceutical ingredients.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Biosynth is a Swiss manufacturer of life science reagents established in 1966 and headquartered in Staad. The company sources and manufactures biochemical products such as carbohydrates, nucleosides, and enzyme substrates, as well as various peptides and biologics. They also operate as a contract manufacturer offering custom synthesis and manufacturing services for their clients in the pharmaceutical, diagnostic, food, and agrochemical sectors. Biosynth has regional sales offices and specialized facilities in Europe and North America, including in the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and United States.
TCI America (TCI) was founded in 1946 and is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty organic chemicals. The company produces organic laboratory chemicals as well as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional materials. TCI’s product segments include Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, and Custom & Bulk. For materials science, the company manufactures battery materials, nanocarbon materials, and magnetic materials. For life sciences, the company produces antibodies, reagents, and chemicals for cancer research. The company produces HLC, NMR, various chemicals, and resins and media for analytical chemistry.
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.
Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. (SCC) is a Japanese manufacturer and distributor of various chemical products that was established in Chuo-ku, Tokyo in 1913. The company primarily offers chemical products for use in plastics, information technology, and energy production. These include battery materials, synthetic resins, liquid crystal polymers, and optical films. These are used by manufacturers and OEMs in various industries, including in consumer electronics, automotives, aviation, and construction. SCC operates internationally, with a network of 203 affiliates and subsidiaries operating in six continents as of March 2023.
Independent Commodity Intelligence Services (ICIS) is a provider of independent market intelligence and analysis for the global energy and chemicals sectors that was founded in 1909 and is headquartered in London, UK. ICIS offers a wide range of products and services, including price assessments, news and analysis, market research, and consulting. The company has over 1,000 employees and operates in over 100 countries. ICIS's customers include energy and chemicals companies, financial institutions, governments, and regulators. ICIS is a source of market intelligence for the global energy and chemicals sectors.
Ranking as of May 2025
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | GJ Chemical |
15.9%
|
| 2 | Richman Chemical Inc |
10.4%
|
| 3 | Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd. |
9.8%
|
| 4 | AFG Scientific LLC |
8.6%
|
| 5 | SAE Manufacturing Specialties Corp |
6.1%
|
| 6 | Independent Commodity Intelligence Services |
5.8%
|
| 7 | Biosynth |
5.8%
|
| 8 | Covalent Chemical |
5.5%
|
| 9 | Osaka Soda |
5.5%
|
| 10 | Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the epichlorohydrin page as of May 2025. 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
|
8 | 66.7% |
|
Japan
|
3 | 25.0% |
|
Switzerland
|
1 | 8.3% |
