Abstract: The production technologies and market forecast of ethylene glycol (EG), a chemical product with high added value, are discussed. This paper focuses on the analysis and comparison of the characteristics and costs of coal to EG process via oxalate and ethylene to EG process. The former has outstanding comprehensive economic benefits but unstable UV quality of the EG product. At present, EG production enterprises are faced with continuously emerging competitors. In order to reduce EG imports and improve the competitiveness of enterprises, some polyester plants adopt the mixing mode of two production processes, i.e. coal to EG process and ethylene to EG process.

Key words: ethylene glycol/EG, coal to EG, ethylene to EG, market prospect of EG