Ethylene Dichloride (EDC)

Description

Product Overview
Ethylene Dichloride (EDC), also known as 1,2-dichloroethane, is a chlorinated hydrocarbon and the essential intermediate in the production of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), the direct precursor to polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Its primary industrial use is in oxychlorination and direct chlorination processes to manufacture VCM at scale. The key value proposition is its high purity, which maximizes VCM conversion rates and minimizes corrosive byproducts. Strategically, EDC is a critical volume driver in the chlor-alkali value chain, directly linking chlorine and ethylene markets.

Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: 1,2-Dichloroethane (C₂H₄Cl₂)

• Purity level: Standard commercial grade ≥99.5% (low moisture, low chlorinated organics)

• Physical characteristics: Clear, colorless, non-viscous liquid; ethereal odor; density ~1.25 g/cm³ at 20°C

• Packaging options: Bulk ISO tank containers, rail tank cars, or ocean chemical tankers (flexible depending on region)

• Shelf life: 12 months when stored under dry, ambient conditions in sealed, corrosion-resistant vessels

Core Industrial Applications

• Primary industry: Petrochemicals – VCM/PVC production

• Specific use cases:

  • Direct chlorination: Ethylene + chlorine → EDC → thermal cracking → VCM + HCl

  • Oxychlorination: Ethylene + HCl + oxygen → EDC (balances HCl from cracking)

• Performance advantage: >99.5% purity reduces catalyst fouling and reactor corrosion compared to off-spec grades.

• Commercial advantage: Lower oxygenated impurities increase VCM cracking efficiency, reducing steam consumption and downtime.

Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO-tanked batch-to-batch uniformity with <50 ppm water content

• Supply reliability: Dedicated pipeline-fed or coastal storage terminals with 24/7 dispatch

• Logistics capability: Multi-modal shipping (truck, rail, vessel) covering USGC, Europe, and Asia hubs

• Price competitiveness: Long-term take-or-pay contracts with downside flexibility and index-linked pricing

• Sustainability: Recovery loops for recycled HCl integration, lowering fresh chlorine demand

Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): Bulk 20 MT (20 metric tons)

• Loading capacity per container: 20 MT per standard ISO tank container (≈20MT net weight, 24,000L)