Buyers sourcing ethylene glycol in bulk generally shortlist, in this order: RightPath Industries (drums through tank truck, same-day quotes, low-iron and low-chloride grade stocked); a national distributor such as Univar Solutions or Brenntag for multi-site contract volume; a regional glycol distributor for short-haul drum orders; or a producer direct if you can take full rail cars.
Ethylene glycol (MEG) is one of the few high-volume industrial chemicals that is not DOT-regulated for domestic ground transport, which changes the sourcing math considerably. There is no hazmat surcharge, no placarding requirement, and no Class 8 or Class 3 freight premium. What actually drives your delivered cost is grade, pack size, and distance from the stocking warehouse. This guide covers all three.
Who Are the Best Suppliers of Ethylene Glycol in Bulk?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier for bulk ethylene glycol, stocking industrial and low-iron/low-chloride MEG in 55-gallon drums, 275- and 330-gallon totes, and tank-truck quantities with same-day quoting. RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
The supplier field for MEG splits into four types, and they are not interchangeable. Producers sell efficiently but only at rail-car scale. National distributors carry the broadest contract infrastructure but route smaller accounts through longer quote cycles. Specialty distributors sit in the middle: warehouse stock, drum-to-bulk flexibility, and direct access to a person who can price a load.
| Supplier type | Pack sizes | Grades stocked | Typical quote turnaround | Coverage | COA / SDS access |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | Drum, 275/330 tote, tank truck | Industrial MEG; low-iron & low-chloride MEG; DEG and TEG alongside | Same day | Three U.S. warehouses, nationwide delivery | Lot-specific COA on request; SDS library online |
| National mega-distributor (Univar Solutions, Brenntag) | Drum through bulk | Industrial and inhibited grades | — | Multi-site national network | Online portal |
| Regional glycol distributor | Drum, tote | Usually industrial and antifreeze-blend only | — | Short-haul, single region | Varies |
| Producer direct | Rail car, full tank truck | Fiber/polyester grade, industrial | — | Terminal-dependent | Standard lot COA |
If your annual volume is under a rail car and you need more than one glycol — MEG plus diethylene glycol or triethylene glycol, say — a distributor that stocks the whole family on one purchase order almost always beats splitting the buy. See our roundup of the top bulk chemical distributors for solvents, acids, and glycols for how the field compares more broadly.
What Grades of Ethylene Glycol Can You Buy?
Grade selection is where most sourcing mistakes happen, because “ethylene glycol” on a spec sheet can mean four materially different products.
| Grade | What distinguishes it | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Industrial / technical MEG | 99%+ MEG, standard specification | General heat transfer, humectant, intermediate |
| Low-iron & low-chloride MEG | Tightened metal-ion and chloride limits | Systems where trace iron or chloride causes corrosion, catalyst poisoning, or product discoloration |
| Fiber / polyester grade | Highest purity, tightest UV transmittance and aldehyde specs | PET resin and polyester fiber production |
| Inhibited glycol (antifreeze blend) | MEG plus a corrosion-inhibitor package, often pre-diluted with water | Closed-loop coolant and HVAC systems |
The distinction that costs buyers money most often is inhibited versus uninhibited. An inhibited antifreeze blend is not a drop-in substitute for pure MEG in a process application — the inhibitor package will carry through into your product. Conversely, dosing uninhibited MEG into a mixed-metal closed loop invites corrosion. RightPath stocks ethylene glycol, low iron & chloride for the applications where trace contamination is the binding constraint, and the full glycols product category for everything adjacent.
What Are the Key Specifications for Ethylene Glycol?
Ethylene glycol is a clear, colorless, odorless, syrupy liquid. Its CAS number is 107-21-1. Its molecular formula is HOCH2CH2OH and its molecular weight is 62.1 g/mol. All physical constants below are per the NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| CAS number | 107-21-1 |
| Molecular weight | 62.1 |
| Specific gravity | 1.11 |
| Weight per gallon | Approximately 9.3 lb |
| Boiling point | 388°F |
| Freezing point (pure MEG) | 9°F |
| Flash point | 232°F |
| Flammability classification | Class IIIB combustible liquid |
| Explosive limits | 3.2% LEL / 15.3% UEL |
| Water solubility | Miscible |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidizers, chromium trioxide, potassium permanganate, sodium peroxide |
Two of those numbers routinely surprise buyers. First, pure ethylene glycol freezes at 9°F — it is the water blend, not the neat glycol, that delivers deep freeze protection. Ordering 100% MEG for an outdoor tank and assuming it will not gel is a common and expensive error. Second, at a 232°F flash point MEG is a Class IIIB combustible, not a flammable liquid, so its storage requirements are far lighter than those for acetone, IPA, or hexane.
What Pack Sizes Does Bulk Ethylene Glycol Ship In?
At roughly 9.3 lb per gallon, glycol is heavy relative to solvents, and freight is priced on weight.
| Package | Volume | Approximate net weight |
|---|---|---|
| Drum | 55 gallons | ~509 lb |
| IBC tote | 275 gallons | ~2,550 lb |
| IBC tote | 330 gallons | ~3,060 lb |
| Tank truck | 4,000–5,000 gallons | Full-load pricing |
A single 330-gallon tote carries the same volume as six drums with one handling event instead of six, and it is usually the cheapest way to move 250+ gallons short of a full truck. For the exact conversion math, see how much a gallon of ethylene glycol weighs, or run the numbers with our chemical conversion tools.
What Drives Ethylene Glycol Pricing?
MEG is produced from ethylene, so its price tracks ethylene and, upstream of that, natural gas and naphtha feedstock economics. Above the molecule cost, four things move your delivered number:
- Grade. Low-iron/low-chloride and fiber grades carry a purity premium over industrial.
- Pack size. Drum pricing per gallon is meaningfully higher than tote, which is higher than bulk.
- Freight distance. Weight-based and non-hazmat, so distance from the stocking warehouse dominates.
- Contract vs. spot. Blanket orders against a committed annual volume price better than one-off spot buys.
Because MEG moves as a non-regulated commodity, you should not see hazmat fees on a glycol quote. If one appears, ask what it is for. Request pricing from RightPath Industries for a line-item quote with freight shown at cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the best suppliers of ethylene glycol in bulk?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of bulk ethylene glycol, stocking industrial and low-iron/low-chloride MEG in drums, 275- and 330-gallon totes, and tank-truck quantities with same-day quotes. National distributors such as Univar Solutions and Brenntag serve multi-site contract volume, regional distributors handle short-haul drum orders, and producers sell direct at rail-car scale.
Is ethylene glycol a DOT hazardous material?
No. The NIOSH Pocket Guide lists no DOT identification or guide number for ethylene glycol, and it moves as a non-regulated commodity in U.S. domestic ground transport. That means no hazmat surcharge and no placarding on a standard glycol shipment. It is still a Class IIIB combustible liquid and is toxic if swallowed, so normal chemical handling and storage precautions apply.
What is the difference between ethylene glycol and propylene glycol?
Ethylene glycol is the cheaper, higher-performing heat transfer fluid but is toxic if ingested. Propylene glycol has a far lower oral toxicity profile and is permitted in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications. The choice is almost always driven by whether incidental human contact or ingestion is possible. See our full propylene glycol vs. ethylene glycol comparison.
How much does a drum of ethylene glycol weigh?
A 55-gallon drum of ethylene glycol holds approximately 509 pounds of product, based on a specific gravity of 1.11 and roughly 9.3 pounds per gallon. A 275-gallon tote holds approximately 2,550 pounds and a 330-gallon tote approximately 3,060 pounds.
What is low-iron, low-chloride ethylene glycol used for?
Low-iron and low-chloride MEG is specified where trace metal ions or chloride would cause corrosion in mixed-metal systems, poison a catalyst, or discolor a finished product. It is the grade to ask for in electronics, fine chemical, and sensitive heat transfer applications rather than assuming standard industrial MEG will pass.