Butyl Glycolate, chemically known by its formula C6H12O3, finds use in various industrial applications, often as a component in solvents, coatings, and chemical synthesis. The material comes from the family of glycolic esters and blends unique physical and chemical properties into one package. The substance takes a colorless to faintly yellow appearance, carrying a mild, fruit-like odor that gives it an identity distinct from many other industrial chemicals. I have seen it delivered in drums and bulk tanks, and its consistency can show up as a liquid, manageable but denser than water, with a typical density hovering near 1.02 g/cm³. Not all markets rely on liquid forms—sometimes, demand runs for dried powders or crystalline forms, but this depends on process and storage conditions. The HS Code for Butyl Glycolate generally clocks in at 2915.39, making tracking and trade straightforward for customs and regulatory requirements.
Touching the surface of Butyl Glycolate, one notices its clearly low viscosity for an ester, which makes pumping and mixing straightforward on the factory floor. In talking with operators who handle the raw material, one detail jumps out: unlike many volatile organics, Butyl Glycolate does not evaporate rapidly at room temperature. This matters in practice because the product can be poured, weighed, and injected into reactors with minimal fume loss, making it safer in busy industrial settings. Beyond that, it dissolves easily in standard organic solvents and has limited solubility in water, so it works well as a blending agent in paints, inks, and even agricultural solutions. Its boiling point hovers around 210°C, a temperature sufficiently high to avoid most losses during moderate heating but low enough to allow recovery through standard distillation in closed systems.
The structure of Butyl Glycolate features a glycolic acid backbone esterified with a butyl group, creating a molecule that supports both hydrophilic and lipophilic characteristics. This duality means that industrial chemists often lean on Butyl Glycolate when looking for an emulsifier or as a carrier for actives in formulations where both water and oil compatibility come into play. I have seen formulas where switching to Butyl Glycolate enabled much more efficient emulsification, cutting down on other chemical additives and streamlining product design.
When sourcing Butyl Glycolate, clients ask about specific forms: powder, flakes, pearls, liquid, or crystal. The vast majority of industrial orders—at least from what crosses my desk or supply chain queries—go for liquid form, supplied in steel drums or IBC totes. That makes handling easier, especially when operating large-scale mixing or reaction setups. Solid forms do exist, but they’re far less common, usually surfacing in specialty chemical applications that call for minimal moisture or require precise dosing. From a materials science perspective, the ability to supply a high-purity (often >99%) liquid, clear and without visible haze or sediment, means quality control stays high. Some batches come with additional testing for acidity, water content, and hue, parameters that determine use in high-end manufacturing.
Safety deserves a serious focus, since Butyl Glycolate, like most esters, counts as a chemical hazard under several global regulatory regimes. On the shop floor, I have watched teams learn that skin contact can cause irritation. Prolonged inhalation of high concentrations, especially if spilled or released in a poorly-ventilated area, may lead to headaches or respiratory discomfort. Storage guidelines emphasize tightly-sealed containers, stable temperatures, and good ventilation. MSDS reports flag it as flammable above 90°C, though in practice it rarely meets ignition sources under regular industrial workflows. For transportation, the HS Code eases cross-border identification, but care is still needed—plenty of regions classify it as a harmful substance and require documentation for large-scale handling. Spill kits and wash stations are part of any serious facility’s plan, and local environmental rules may dictate containment systems to catch leaks or prevent ground contamination.
In formulation labs, Butyl Glycolate has earned a spot as a key building block thanks to its solvency, volatility, and ease of blending. Coatings manufacturers look for the right volatility curve—products that dry fast without leaving residues or causing film imperfections. I have worked with paints based on Butyl Glycolate and noticed smoother application and improved finish durability. In addition to coatings, it acts as a raw material for synthesizing specialty esters, corrosion inhibitors, and chemical intermediates involved in plastics, adhesives, and cleaning agents. As a material, it brings flexibility, but not all raw ingredients play so nicely with both polar and non-polar substances. This versatility keeps it in regular rotation during product scale-ups and reformulation sprints, especially when environmental requirements rule out more hazardous or environmentally persistent options.
Industry conversations about Butyl Glycolate press forward into greener processes—companies want biodegradable, less hazardous esters to support cleaner production. Regulatory pressure against volatile organics means labs continue to seek out safer alternatives, and Butyl Glycolate’s relatively manageable profile gives it a leg up, at least for now. The chemical’s use in agriculture, cleaning, and manufacturing highlights just how much the small quirks of a molecule—boiling point, density, reactivity—can ripple across entire markets of finished products. As supply chains shift and innovation targets safer, more responsible sourcing, I expect demand for high-spec Butyl Glycolate to remain strong, so long as vendors and producers handle safety, purity, and regulatory compliance with the seriousness that modern industry demands.
