Skip to main content
EN

Oxides

Oxides include ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as well as their derivatives. Supplemented by norbornenes, oxo-alcohols and acetate esters. This extensive product portfolio plays an essential role in the day to day life of millions of people. The manufacture of polyesters, antifreeze/coolants and polyesters, paints and coatings, aircraft de-icing, antifreeze and industrial coolants all depend on this chemistry. 

oxides-banner.jpg

Ethylene Oxide

Ethylene oxide (EO) is an important building block for the preparation of a wide variety of EO derivatives. A major part of the ethylene oxide produced by INEOS Oxide is consumed internally for the production of ethylene glycols. Monoethylene glycol (MEG) is the main constituent in PET and polyester fibre production. Ethylene oxide is used as a chemical intermediate for the synthesis of a wide variety of EO derivatives such as surfactants, ethanolamines and glycolethers. Applications for ethylene glycols (MEG/DEG/TEG) include antifreeze, de-icing agents, lubricants, polyester resins and gas drying agents.

Propylene Oxide (PO)

Propylene Oxide (PO) is an important building block for the preparation of a wide variety of PO derivatives. A major part of the propylene oxide produced by INEOS Oxide is consumed internally for the production of propylene glycols. Monopropylene glycol (MPG) is the largest volume propylene glycol with MPG US Pharmacopeia (USP) also being an important part of our product range. PO is mainly used as a chemical intermediate for the production of other chemicals such as polyether polyols, propylene glycols, and specialty alkoxylates. INEOS Oxide’s propylene glycol unit produces mono-, di- and tripropylene glycols as well as smaller quantities of higher glycols. PO glycols can be found in a wide range of applications ranging from de-icing formulations to paints, inks and pharmaceuticals.

Ethanolamines

Ethanolamines are one of the most versatile members of the EO derivatives family. They are bifunctional molecules containing both amine and alcohol functional groups and are therefore capable of undergoing reactions at both groups. Many of their various industrial applications rely on these features.

Glycol ethers

Glycol ethers and their acetate esters combine the solubility characteristics of ethers and alcohols (or esters) as both functional groups are present in the molecule. Not only are they miscible in water and in most common organic solvents, they also combine powerful dissolving characteristics with low volatility.

Esters

The alkyl acetate range comprises n-butyl acetate, isobutyl acetate and isopropyl acetate, formed by reacting acetic acid with an alcohol resulting in the corresponding alcohol ester and water. These esters are versatile, oxygenated solvents which are primarily used in paints, coatings and inks formulations. They are also widely used in sealants and adhesives, in pharmaceutical applications, in the textile industry, in cleaning formulations and as extraction solvents.

Oxo Products

Oxo products include n-butanol, isobutanol and 2-ethylhexanol.

An oxide is a chemical compound that contains at least one oxygen atom and one other element in its chemical formula. The chart below shows the feedstocks and end products involved in this process.  

Flowchart_INEOS-Oxide_feedstocks_products-01.png

Learn More

Businesses

INEOS Oxide

INEOS Oxide are Europe's largest producer of ethylene glycol.

INEOS Group

Product Finder

INEOS products make a significant contribution to saving life, improving health and enhancing standards of living for people around the world.

Markets

Construction

Continuous development of new construction techniques and technologies is essential to advance energy efficiency, safety, cost and aesthetics. INEOS products form the basis for many construction materials, contributing to performance, longevity and improved sustainability.

Markets

Agriculture

INEOS products are used in agrochemicals, helping to protect crops and improve yields. They also provide key components in the production of animal feed supplements, contributing to the health and wellbeing of livestock.

Markets

Packaging

Cost, shelf life, security, sustainability and aesthetics all shape consumers’ buying decisions – a choice that can be influenced as much by the package as its contents. We provide innovative products to meet the needs of our packaging customers' worldwide.

Markets

Food

INEOS products include speciality intermediates that are used in a diverse number of food applications from flavours to fragrances, to agrochemicals and animal feed. We also manufacture salt to stringent hygiene standards for use in foods.

Markets

Textiles

Rapid advances in the development of new fibres and processes to improve textile characteristics rely on a high degree of specialisation.

Markets

Automotive

Innovation in the automotive sector delivers ever safer and more efficient vehicles. From lightweight plastics to efficient synthetic engine oils, our businesses provide many raw materials necessary to meet the needs of the automotive sector.