Description

Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) — Pharmaceutical, Cosmetic & Industrial Grade Polymer Supplier

Polyethylene glycol, commonly referred to as PEG, is one of the most broadly utilized synthetic polymers in the world, with applications spanning pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food processing, personal care, and industrial manufacturing. The remarkable versatility of PEG stems from its ability to exist in a continuum of molecular weights — from low-viscosity liquids (PEG 200, PEG 400) through waxy pastes (PEG 1500, PEG 4000) to hard crystalline solids (PEG 6000, PEG 8000, PEG 20000) — each physical form offering distinct functional properties while sharing the fundamental characteristics of water solubility, biocompatibility, low toxicity, and chemical inertness that define the PEG polymer family. Davar ChemTech supplies a comprehensive range of PEG grades from its Vadodara operations, enabling manufacturers across India to source their complete PEG requirements from a single, technically supported supply partner.

The significance of PEG’s molecular weight diversity becomes apparent when considering the dramatically different roles it plays across industries. In pharmaceuticals, PEG 400 functions as a water-miscible solvent and co-solvent for poorly soluble active pharmaceutical ingredients, while PEG 3350 serves as the active ingredient in prescription laxative formulations, and PEG 6000 acts as a lubricant in tablet compression. In cosmetics, PEG 400 provides humectancy and solubility enhancement in liquid formulations, PEG 4000 delivers cream viscosity and stability in ointment bases, and PEG stearate functions as an emulsifier in cream and lotion systems. This single-polymer, multiple-functionality characteristic makes PEG one of the most cost-effective and formulation-flexible ingredients available, but it also demands that procurement teams accurately specify the PEG molecular weight grade they require, as substituting one PEG grade for another will almost certainly alter formulation performance. Davar ChemTech’s inventory covers the full PEG molecular weight range, and our technical team can assist with grade selection based on specific application requirements.

PEG Grade Range Available

• • Liquid PEG:
    PEG 200 (fully liquid), PEG 300, PEG 400 (clear, colorless liquids) used as solvents, plasticizers, humectants, and co-solvents in pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications

• • Semi-solid PEG:
    PEG 1000, PEG 1500 (waxy, paste-like consistency) used as ointment bases, suppository vehicles, and thermoplastic binder formulations
  • Solid PEG:
    PEG 4000, PEG 6000, PEG 8000, PEG 20000 (hard, crystalline flakes) used as tablet excipients, lubricants, film formers, and sustained-release matrix materials
  • PEG Derivatives:
    PEG stearate, PEG distearate, PEG hydrogenated castor oil (Cremophor) as emulsifiers and solubilizers in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations
  • Macrogol Grades:
    PEG 3350 and PEG 4000 conforming to pharmacopoeial macrogol specifications for use as osmotic laxatives and pharmaceutical bases

Industrial Applications

Cross-Industry PEG Applications

The pharmaceutical industry is the most demanding consumer of PEG, utilizing multiple molecular weight grades across different dosage form types. In oral solid dosage formulations, PEG 6000 and PEG 4000 function as water-soluble lubricants that reduce friction between the tablet granules and die wall during compression, preventing sticking, picking, and capping. Their effectiveness as tablet lubricants derives from their low melting point (approximately 60°C for PEG 6000), which allows them to melt during the compression event and form a thin lubricating film on die surfaces.

In liquid dosage forms, PEG 300 and PEG 400 serve as water-miscible co-solvents that improve the solubility of poorly water-soluble APIs, enabling the formulation of stable oral solutions and suspensions. As an osmotic laxative, PEG 3350 draws water into the colon through osmotic action, softening stool and promoting bowel movement without causing electrolyte imbalance — a mechanism that has made macrogol 3350 one of the most widely prescribed laxatives worldwide. Davar ChemTech supplies pharmacopoeial-grade PEG meeting USP, EP, and BP monograph specifications, with complete impurity profiling including ethylene oxide and dioxane residue testing.

In cosmetics and personal care formulations, PEG’s humectant properties make it a valued ingredient in skin care, hair care, and oral care products. PEG molecules attract and retain water molecules through hydrogen bonding, which helps maintain skin hydration, improve product spreadability, and prevent drying of cosmetic films on skin and hair. PEG 400 is used as a solubilizing agent that enables incorporation of small amounts of oil-soluble active ingredients (such as vitamins, fragrances, and UV filters) into water-based formulations.

In toothpaste, PEG serves as a humectant that prevents the product from hardening in the tube, while also contributing to smooth texture and controlled dispensing. The regulatory framework for PEG in cosmetics requires control of residual ethylene oxide (a known carcinogen) and 1,4-dioxane (a suspected carcinogen) to levels well below 1 ppm. Davar ChemTech’s cosmetic-grade PEG meets these stringent impurity requirements, with residual analysis documented on every Certificate of Analysis.

In industrial applications, PEG’s unique combination of water solubility, thermal stability, and lubricating properties makes it an effective processing aid across multiple manufacturing sectors. In rubber compounding, PEG acts as an internal lubricant that reduces the viscosity of uncured rubber compounds, improving processability and mold flow during compression and injection molding. In plastics processing, PEG serves as an anti-static agent that dissipates electrostatic charge on polymer surfaces, preventing dust attraction and handling difficulties.

In the production of ceramic glazes and refractories, PEG functions as a temporary binder that holds ceramic particles together during forming operations and burns out cleanly during firing, leaving no carbonaceous residue. These industrial applications typically utilize technical-grade PEG where the impurity specifications are less stringent than pharmaceutical or cosmetic grades, offering a cost advantage for non-regulated applications.

Technical Specifications

Storage, Handling & Safety

PEG is classified as a non-hazardous material and does not require special storage or transport permits. Liquid PEG grades (200–600) should be stored in sealed containers at temperatures above 15°C to prevent crystallization during cold weather — if crystallization does occur, gentle warming to 40–50°C with stirring will restore the liquid form without affecting product quality. Solid PEG grades (4000–20000) should be stored below 30°C in sealed containers protected from moisture, as PEG is hygroscopic and may absorb atmospheric water leading to caking. Workers handling PEG powder or flakes should wear dust masks to prevent inhalation of fine particles and protective gloves to minimize skin contact, particularly for pharmaceutical and cosmetic grades. Although PEG is widely used in pharmaceutical and food applications and is generally regarded as safe, some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from prolonged contact with concentrated PEG solutions. PEG is biodegradable and environmentally benign at typical industrial use concentrations.

Supply & Technical Services

Davar ChemTech’s Vadodara warehouse maintains one of the widest PEG grade inventories in western India, covering liquid, semi-solid, and solid grades along with key PEG derivatives. Our customer base includes pharmaceutical companies across Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka, cosmetic manufacturers in Mumbai and Delhi, food processing companies throughout India, and industrial users in rubber, ceramics, and plastics sectors. We offer both pharmacopoeial-grade PEG (USP/EP/BP) for regulated applications and technical-grade PEG for industrial processes, with transparent pricing that reflects the different purity and testing requirements of each grade. Each shipment includes a Certificate of Analysis, technical data sheet, and MSDS. For pharmaceutical customers, we provide additional documentation including manufacturer GMP certificates and DMF references.

Vendor Excellence

Davar ChemTech differentiates itself as a PEG supplier through three core capabilities: inventory breadth across the molecular weight spectrum, pharmacopoeial-grade quality documentation for regulated applications, and formulation guidance that helps customers select the correct PEG grade for their specific process. We understand that for pharmaceutical formulators, PEG is not a commodity but a critical excipient whose quality directly affects drug product performance and regulatory compliance. Our commitment to maintaining pharmaceutical-grade quality systems, complete traceability documentation, and responsive technical support makes Davar ChemTech a preferred PEG supply partner for quality-conscious manufacturers across India.

Sourcing PEG across multiple molecular weight grades? Contact Davar ChemTech for pharmaceutical and cosmetic-grade PEG with full regulatory documentation and pan-India delivery.