What Are They?
Polyethylene glycol compounds are widespread in household products from skin care and cosmetics, to baby wipes and cleaners. They are used as thickeners, softeners, moisture-carrying agents, penetration enhancers, and surfactants.
The raw materials used to produce polyethylene glycol are by-products from petroleum refining and can also be derived from natural gas or coal. These are non-renewable sources. Synthesizing PEG compounds can follow multiple different routes, depending on the desired end-product. However, the process always involves ethylene oxide.
