Bio-Ethylene Glycol Diacrylate (Bio-EGDA) has carved out a place as an important raw material used across coatings, adhesives, inks, plastics, and polymer industries. This chemical starts with bio-derived ethylene glycol, then reacts with acrylic acid, resulting in a diacrylate compound visualized by its two acrylate functional groups. Companies focusing on sustainable material sourcing tend to turn to this compound given its bio-based origins, looking to trim down environmental footprints wherever possible. The shift toward bio-based acrylates has grown in the industry as more data emerges on the wide impact of traditional fossil-fuel-driven chemical processing.
Bio-EGDA appears usually as a clear, colorless liquid, though slight yellow tinting isn’t unheard of, especially depending on the purity or synthesis method. Its molecular formula is C10H14O4, giving it a molecular weight of 198.22 g/mol. The density stays around 1.09 g/cm³ at 20°C, putting it in a similar bracket as other medium-weight monomers. Water solubility comes in low, so most laboratories and manufacturers keep it in bottles with secure lids, away from sources of moisture and excess air. In terms of melting and boiling points, crystalline forms remain rare under normal conditions; you’re more likely to encounter it in bulk as liquid, under nitrogen or inert atmosphere to prevent unwanted polymerization.
This monomer brings high reactivity, which means it’s ready to polymerize or crosslink when exposed to light or radical initiators. That property gets used in UV-curable or electron beam formulations—fast reactions, low energy input, durable results. Due to the acrylate groups, Bio-EGDA releases a bit of odor, and it’s worth remembering that all acrylate monomers demand respect for safe handling: splashes or vapors can irritate skin, eyes, and lungs. Personal experience working in labs shows that a splash of acrylate brings immediate discomfort, quick gloves and safety glasses always make life easier, and knowing the location of the eyewash station matters. Chemistry safety sheets rate Bio-EGDA as harmful or hazardous under GHS, pushing for closed-system transfers and ventilation during use.
Most commercial Bio-EGDA arrives in liters or bulk tanks as a stabilized liquid, with inhibitors added to stall self-polymerization. You won’t find Bio-EGDA in powder, flake, or pearl forms—those textures don’t fit its physical nature, which stays runny and syrupy at room temperature. Some researchers report partial crystallization below zero degrees or in highly concentrated, purified forms, but practical supply chains always select room-temperature storage. Bulk containers must be compatible with acrylates and tightly sealed. Listing the density on the invoice isn’t just habit; it tells plant managers what kind of pumps, mixers, or containers needed for each transfer and blend.
The HS Code for this chemical often falls under 2916.12 for international shipping, matching the diacrylate ester family—anyone handling logistics pays close attention to this number to ensure export-import compliance and fast customs clearance. Shipments need the right hazardous-materials paperwork because of the substance's status as a flammable, irritant liquid, and in some jurisdictions, special storage provisions get triggered above certain volume thresholds. From my conversations with logistics specialists, failing to label hazardous shipments properly leads to big delays and, at worst, trapped shipments at port.
Scan a Bio-EGDA molecule and you’ll find two acrylate “arms” hanging off a central ethylene glycol linkage—each offers a double bond primed for polymer growth or crosslinking. That dual structure guarantees flexibility in polymer chains and end-use properties like toughness, resistance, and gloss. Research into acrylate chemistry keeps turning up new crosslinking ideas, but Bio-EGDA holds up in the lab for classic quick-curing applications, especially where sharp mechanical performance or fast processing matter. Chemists use it to “tune” polymer properties—toughness, elasticity, or resistance—by adjusting the ratio against other monomers.
Raw materials for synthesizing Bio-EGDA start with ethylene glycol, produced via fermentation or direct dehydration of ethanol, and acrylic acid, which can now be sourced from biobased feedstocks thanks to advances in green chemistry. Some plants already claim life-cycle carbon savings by using renewable feedstocks for their glycol and acrylate building blocks. I’ve seen smaller producers in bioplastics fields advertising their green acrylates, and buyers ask for certificates of origin far more often than a decade ago.
Bio-EGDA’s properties require safe handling. Liquid acrylates demand gloves, goggles, and solid ventilation in work areas. Any uncontrolled polymerization may lead to gummy, unusable product or, worst-case, vessel rupture. Contact with skin leaves an itchy, burning tingle—the kind that lingers and makes it hard to focus, so no one skips the PPE. Its vapors can make eyes water and bring headaches without proper fume extraction. Storage containers need pressure relief and spark-free, grounded systems due to moderate flammability. Facilities commonly train staff on acrylate-specific chemical spills, and emergency plans require fast access to showers and eyewashes.
Bio-EGDA works by linking with other chemical monomer units—this functional flexibility has made it a preferred raw material for light-curing resins, dental materials, 3D printing formulations, specialty paints, electronics encapsulants, and industrial adhesives. Its eco-profile doesn’t mean weaker performance—if the reactivity gets managed well, the resulting polymers exhibit clarity, weather resistance, and strong mechanical behavior. Formulators using biobased acrylates, like Bio-EGDA, move one step closer to renewable and lower-carbon content in end-use goods, which helps meet new regulatory targets for sustainable production, especially in the EU and US.
Questions keep coming up around the long-term health and environmental impacts of all acrylate monomers, even biobased versions. Some customers want alternatives free of “monomer leaching risks,” but every chemistry brings trade-offs. Growing industry experience with safe acrylate management—continuous air monitoring, staff education, closed production lines—reduces risk, but never removes it entirely. The safest approach is always treating even renewable acrylates with the respect due to any potent, reactive chemical, and ensuring the right infrastructure and culture for handling, storage, and disposal.
Manufacturers can push for closed reactor loops and solventless processing to avoid evaporative loss or employee exposure. Regular equipment checks prevent inadvertent polymerization in pipes or valves, which saves both money and safety headaches. Green chemistry advances focus on improving inhibitor packages for stability and switching to recyclable or biodegradable stabilizers. More research is needed into lower-toxicity, less irritating acrylate systems, and synthetic biologists are experimenting with enzyme-based processes that slash waste and cut emissions. Packaging innovations—such as reusable drums and tamper-proof connections—protect workers, cut spillage, and drive down costs on the plant floor. For end-users, digital safety trainings, quick-read datasheets, and regular audits maintain vigilance amidst the rapid evolution of the acrylate landscape.
Bio-EGDA occupies a unique spot where bio-based chemistry, fast industrial processes, and relentless product demand intersect. Everyday experience in research and production points to the need for transparency, continual upskilling, and sustained investment in safety. From secure supply chains through final product use, handling Bio-Ethylene Glycol Diacrylate with up-to-date knowledge and sound respect forms the basis for reliable, sustainable chemical progress.
