Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE), commonly known as Butyl Glycol or 2-Butoxyethanol, is gaining continued attention from global chemical buyers as demand for high-performance solvents expands across coatings, inks, industrial cleaning, adhesives, resins, and other industries.

With its combination of good solvency, compatibility with water and organic compounds, and relatively high boiling point, EGBE CAS 111-76-2 has become a widely used solvent for industrial formulations.

For manufacturers and chemical distributors, the key questions are no longer simply what EGBE is, but where it is used, what grade is required, how to select a reliable supplier, and how to ensure stable international supply.

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What Is Ethylene Glycol Butyl Ether?

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE) is an important glycol ether solvent with the chemical name 2-Butoxyethanol and CAS No. 111-76-2.

It is also commonly known as:

• Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether
• Butyl Glycol
• 2-Butoxyethanol
• Butyl Cellosolve

Its molecular formula is C₆H₁₄O₂, with a molecular weight of approximately 118.17.

EGBE is typically a colorless, transparent liquid with good solvency and compatibility. Its boiling point is approximately 171°C, while its flash point is around 61°C. These properties make it suitable for solvent systems where controlled evaporation, good solvency, and formulation compatibility are important.

One of the most important characteristics of 2-Butoxyethanol is its molecular structure, which contains both an ether group and a hydroxyl group. This allows EGBE to interact effectively with both water and many organic substances, making it particularly useful in mixed solvent and water-based formulations.

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Why Is Butyl Glycol Important to Industrial Formulations?

Unlike specialty chemicals designed for a single application, Butyl Glycol is a versatile industrial solvent with applications across multiple industries.

Its commercial value is mainly associated with three characteristics.

1. Good Solvency

EGBE can dissolve or assist in dissolving a variety of resins, oils, and organic compounds. This makes it useful as a solvent or co-solvent in coatings, inks, cleaning products, and other industrial formulations.

2. Excellent Compatibility

Because of its chemical structure, 2-Butoxyethanol can be incorporated into formulations containing both water and organic components.

This property is particularly useful for manufacturers developing water-based coatings, cleaners, and other mixed solvent systems.

3. Relatively High Boiling Point

With a boiling point of approximately 171°C, EGBE is considered a relatively high-boiling solvent.

This makes it suitable for formulations where evaporation rate, flow, leveling, and application performance need to be carefully controlled.

Together, these properties explain why Butyl Glycol remains an important solvent for industrial and commercial formulations.

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Where Is Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether Used?

The broad application range of EGBE CAS 111-76-2 is one of the main reasons why global buyers continue to monitor its supply and availability.

1. Coatings and Paints

The coatings industry is one of the major application areas for Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether.

EGBE can function as a solvent or co-solvent in various coating systems, particularly formulations that require effective dissolution and compatibility of resins, pigments, and other components.

It can be used in selected industrial coatings, spray paints, varnishes, enamels, and other solvent-based formulations, where its solvency and relatively high boiling point can contribute to formulation and application performance.

For paint manufacturers, therefore, Butyl Glycol for coatings is an important solvent application.

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2. Printing Inks

EGBE is also used in printing inks and related formulations.

As a solvent, it can assist in dissolving resins and other formulation components while helping manufacturers adjust the overall solvent balance of an ink system.

Solvent selection can influence several important properties, including:

• Resin solubility
• Ink flow
• Coating performance
• Drying behavior
• Surface appearance

For this reason, Butyl Glycol for printing inks continues to be relevant to manufacturers looking for versatile glycol ether solvents.

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3. Industrial Cleaning Products

Another major application is industrial cleaning.

EGBE has good solvency for various organic substances and can therefore be incorporated into selected cleaning formulations, degreasers, paint removers, and metal cleaning products.

Industrial equipment, machinery, and metal components may accumulate grease, lubricants, oils, and other residues during production. Solvents with suitable solvency are therefore important components in many industrial cleaning formulations.

This makes Butyl Glycol for industrial cleaning an important long-tail application for chemical buyers.

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4. Adhesives and Resin Formulations

Ethylene glycol butyl ether can also be used in selected adhesive and resin systems.

Its solvency can help manufacturers adjust formulation viscosity and processing characteristics, depending on the specific formulation.

EGBE also has applications in selected resin-related products, organic synthesis, and other chemical formulations.

For manufacturers purchasing EGBE in bulk, product consistency and reliable supply are particularly important because solvent quality can directly affect formulation stability.

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5. Textile, Agricultural and Fine Chemical Applications

Beyond coatings, inks, and cleaning products, 2-Butoxyethanol has applications in a range of other chemical formulations, including:

• Fiber wetting agents
• Pesticide dispersants
• Extraction applications
• Resin-related formulations
• Organic synthesis
• Cutting oil formulations
• Mineral oil emulsification systems

Its broad compatibility and solvency make EGBE a versatile solvent for multiple industrial applications.

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EGBE vs. Other Glycol Ether Solvents: Know the Difference

One issue frequently encountered during chemical procurement is confusion between similar product names.

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, and Butyl Glycol Acetate are different chemicals and should not be treated as interchangeable products.

For international procurement, CAS No. 111-76-2 should always be clearly specified when purchasing Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether. This simple step can prevent costly product-selection errors caused by similar chemical names.

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Why Are Overseas Buyers Looking for China Butyl Glycol Suppliers?

China has an established basic chemical and fine chemical manufacturing base, making Chinese suppliers an important sourcing option for international buyers.

For companies purchasing Butyl Glycol from China, price is only one consideration.

International buyers should also evaluate:

Product Quality

Confirm the required:

• Purity
• Appearance
• Water content
• Acidity
• Other key specifications

Quality Documentation

A professional chemical supplier should be able to provide relevant documents such as:

• COA – Certificate of Analysis
• SDS/MSDS
• TDS – Technical Data Sheet
• Product Specification

These documents can help buyers evaluate product quality and complete internal qualification procedures.

Packaging and Loading

For international shipments, packaging can have a significant impact on the final purchasing cost.

Depending on the order requirements, buyers may need to confirm:

• Drum size
• Number of drums
• Palletized or non-palletized loading
• Container type
• Total loading quantity

For this reason, overseas buyers should provide the required quantity, packaging preference, and destination port when requesting a quotation.

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What Is Driving Future Demand for Butyl Glycol?

The application base of EGBE remains relatively diversified.

Traditional markets such as paints, coatings, printing inks, and industrial cleaning products remain important consumption areas, while changing formulation requirements are creating additional demand for versatile glycol ether solvents.

In particular, manufacturers of water-based coatings, industrial cleaners, and blended solvent systems increasingly need to balance:

• Solvency
• Water compatibility
• Evaporation rate
• Formulation stability
• Application performance

This means future competition in the Butyl Glycol market is unlikely to be determined by price alone.

For chemical buyers, supplier reliability, consistent product quality, stable production capacity, documentation, packaging, and international logistics can all influence the overall purchasing decision.

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What Should Buyers Check Before Purchasing Butyl Glycol?

For companies with regular or long-term EGBE requirements, several points should be confirmed before placing an order.

1. Confirm the CAS Number

For Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether, the correct CAS number is 111-76-2.

Do not confuse it with Diethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (CAS 112-34-5) or Butyl Glycol Acetate (CAS 112-07-2).

2. Confirm Product Specifications

Different applications may have different requirements for purity and impurity levels.

Buyers should confirm the complete specification before requesting a final quotation.

3. Compare Total Landed Cost

For international procurement, the lowest FOB price does not necessarily mean the lowest final cost.

Buyers should compare:

Product Price + Packaging + Ocean Freight + Insurance + Destination Charges

When requesting quotations, clearly specify whether the preferred trade term is FOB, CFR, or CIF.

4. Evaluate Long-Term Supply Capacity

For paint, ink, adhesive, and cleaning product manufacturers, an interruption in solvent supply can affect production schedules.

Therefore, a reliable long-term Butyl Glycol supplier may provide greater value than a supplier offering only the lowest short-term quotation.

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Butyl Glycol: A Versatile Solvent for Global Industrial Applications

Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether (EGBE), CAS No. 111-76-2, remains an important glycol ether solvent because of its good solvency, compatibility, and relatively high boiling point.

From paints and coatings to printing inks, industrial cleaners, adhesives, resins, textiles, and fine chemicals, EGBE serves a wide range of industrial applications.

As global manufacturing and chemical formulation industries continue to develop, demand for reliable and consistent industrial solvents is expected to remain an important consideration for manufacturers and distributors.

For overseas buyers, choosing a China Butyl Glycol manufacturer or EGBE supplier should involve more than comparing unit prices. Product quality, documentation, packaging, supply capacity, export experience, and logistics support all contribute to the actual value of an international chemical supplier.

If you are looking for a Butyl Glycol supplier in China, Ethylene Glycol Monobutyl Ether manufacturer, industrial-grade EGBE supplier, or long-term 2-Butoxyethanol supply partner, contact us for product specifications, COA, SDS, packaging options, and the latest export quotation.