Polyethylene Glycol 3350 finds its place in the world as a versatile chemical compound shaped by the polymerization of ethylene oxide. The substance stands as a white or off-white solid, turning into a waxy, flaky, or powdery material depending on its processing. Even the pharmaceutical world owes a lot to PEG 3350, as it shows up in a range of applications from excipients in tablets to key ingredients in solutions. The HS Code often tracked for Polyethylene Glycol 3350: 29094900, describing organic compounds shaped for industrial and medical use. In daily handling, it reveals a neutral odor and mild taste, adding to its adaptability.
Structurally, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 owes its reliability to its repeating units of ethylene oxide (—CH2CH2O—). Each chain loops and links, shaping a molecule with the formula H(OCH2CH2)nOH, where 'n' reflects the average number of monomer units. With an average molecular weight close to 3,350 g/mol, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 stands in the mid-range, balancing solubility and molecular heft. No extraneous odors, reactive groups, or unstable side-chains get in the way, meaning stability sits at the center of its chemical character. Density centers around 1.12 to 1.15 g/cm³ at room temperature. The solid form slides into water easily, forming a clear, viscous solution — a key reason it’s favored in pharmaceuticals, where predictability matters.
PEG 3350 transforms its look depending on use: as coarse flakes, fine powder, or even rounded pearls. Solid at standard temperature and pressure, it starts melting between 53°C and 58°C. A high water solubility rate means even dense solids quickly make way for use in both small and large batch applications. At higher concentrations, solutions remain clear, without any visible precipitation or clumping, critical for pharmaceutical compounding. This is not a brittle solid but moves with a slight waxy touch. In some cases, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 turns up as a thick, syrupy liquid below its melting point, but above room temperature — handy for those needing custom formulation.
PEG 3350 carries a reputation for being safe in controlled settings. It stands almost inert: it doesn’t react with most active pharmaceutical ingredients or excipients, and it’s not corrosive to standard materials of construction. Direct handling brings little or no skin or eye irritation for most people, though dust may trigger slight irritation in sensitive individuals, as with many fine powders. If someone asks about toxicity, the oral LD50 in rats floats over 20 g/kg, showing its low acute toxicity compared to many chemical raw materials. In normal use, Polyethylene Glycol 3350 is not considered hazardous under GHS or REACH rules, but good practice discourages inhaling fine dust or eating bulk material. Safe disposal often follows local wastewater guidelines, as PEG breaks down biologically over time. Spills in the lab wipe up easily with water. Even so, any raw material runs a risk if handled inappropriately — containers should stay closed between uses, and standard PPE cuts down exposure across shifts.
Pharma Grade Polyethylene Glycol 3350 carries certifications from BP (British Pharmacopoeia), EP (European Pharmacopoeia), and USP (United States Pharmacopeia). Each set of standards narrows allowable contaminants, so no surprising metals, free glycols, or organic byproducts sneak into the formulation. In pharma, tight control of purity can mean the difference between drug batches passing or failing regulatory submission. When you see BP/EP/USP on labels, it ties directly to validated analytical data: water content below 1%, heavy metals less than 5 ppm, and each certificate listing exactly what’s inside. This focus on transparency and traceability matters to everyone who counts on consistent medication: hospitals, manufacturers, and patients.
The backbone of PEG 3350’s utility comes from its substance as a chemical raw material. A lot of folks only see the final pharmaceutical products but miss the story behind the ingredient itself. PEG 3350 sits in cough syrups, laxatives, and topical gels, but it also stabilizes drugs, controls viscosity, and keeps moisture levels steady. Even outside pharma, you’ll spot it in cosmetics, food production, and lab reagents. The property of being nearly odorless, low-toxicity, and fully water-soluble gives production leaders a dependable base for innovation. Whenever companies scale up a new tablet or liquid formula, they depend on the certainty and compliance of pharma-grade PEG — especially for batches that stretch across continents or need tight shelf-life management.
Taking Polyethylene Glycol 3350 from a sack of material to a finished product involves more than just chemistry. Training, labeling, and clear storage protocols must stay current. Many labs now use closed transfer systems or weighing booths to catch every gram, cut costs, and keep airways clear. Samples for quality control get pulled from every batch, sometimes every few hours, because skipping a test could open the door to impurities. Regulatory compliance isn’t just a paperwork game — it keeps every shipment, every drum, and every pill meeting the same strict rules. For employees, this consistency matters because it means predictable work days, fewer surprises, and a known record of safety.
From a personal view, years spent in chemical manufacturing underline how trust grows around materials that deliver every single time. Polyethylene Glycol 3350 fits into daily routines, big and small, without drama. Solid oversight keeps health risks at bay, and selecting pharma-grade input secures outcomes across industries. As global demand for reliable excipients and safe raw materials grows, solid, tangible properties will stay at the core of every process. The blend of safety, versatility, and proven performance defines why so many companies put their trust in PEG 3350 year in and year out.