VCM production
Process Role:
Thermal cracking feedstock
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Purity, water, chlorinated impurities, furnace compatibility
TECHNICAL PROCUREMENT INTELLIGENCE
Ethylene Dichloride (EDC / 1,2-Dichloroethane)
High-Hazard Feedstock Supply for VCM and PVC Manufacturing
Ethylene dichloride (EDC), or 1,2-dichloroethane, is the principal feedstock for vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) and therefore a critical upstream material in PVC production. It is a volatile, flammable and toxic chlorinated liquid; specification control, closed transfer, vapour management, hazardous-area design and compliant transport are fundamental to procurement.
For GCC and MENA buyers, technical suitability should be confirmed before shipment. OGSCM can coordinate specification review, manufacturer documentation, packaging format, batch traceability, dangerous-goods requirements where applicable, cross-border logistics and receiving-site constraints. Product claims such as food grade, pharmaceutical grade, oilfield grade, REACH/FCC/USP compliance or OEM approval should only be used when documented for the actual offered grade.
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Trusted by industries across GCC & MENA
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Manufacturing
Chemistry, Manufacturing Route & Material Behaviour
Industrial EDC is produced by direct chlorination of ethylene (C₂H₄ + Cl₂ → C₂H₄Cl₂) and/or oxychlorination using ethylene, hydrogen chloride and oxygen. In the balanced VCM process, purified EDC is thermally cracked to vinyl chloride and HCl; the HCl is recycled to oxychlorination. This integrated chemistry is why EDC impurity control and feed continuity are tightly linked to VCM furnace performance and downstream PVC production.
Process-Engineering & Grade-Selection Considerations
- VCM plants normally require high-purity EDC with controlled water, light ends, heavy ends and chlorinated impurities; use the buyer’s process specification rather than a generic “99.5%” assumption.
- Closed unloading, vapour control, grounding/bonding, explosion-protected electrical systems and secondary containment are core receiving requirements.
- EDC vapour is heavier than air and can accumulate in low areas; ventilation and gas detection should be designed accordingly.
- Packaging should never be selected only by commercial convenience. Bulk tank/ISO tank/drum solutions must be legally permitted, compatible and accepted by the receiving site.
- Because EDC is a suspected/possible carcinogenic occupational hazard depending on classification system, exposure control must prioritise engineering controls over PPE.
◎ Technical Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
Formula |
C₂H₄Cl₂ |
CAS |
107-06-2 |
Molar mass |
98.96 g/mol |
Boiling point |
≈83.5°C |
Freezing point |
≈−35°C |
Specific gravity |
≈1.24 at ambient temperature |
Flash point |
≈13°C / 56°F, method dependent |
Flammability range |
LEL ≈6.2 vol%; UEL ≈16 vol% |
Transport |
UN 1184; Class 3 with subsidiary toxic hazard 6.1; Packing Group II |
Primary use |
VCM manufacture |
Values shown are reference/typical values, not a sales specification. Final acceptance must be based on the offered manufacturer grade, test method, COA and buyer specification.
Applications
PVC value chain
Process Role:
Indirect upstream feedstock via VCM
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Supply continuity and integrated plant inventory
Chlorinated intermediates
Process Role:
Reaction intermediate in selected processes
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
Process-specific impurity and containment requirements
Controlled solvent/process use
Process Role:
Legacy/specialised solvent duty
Critical Procurement / Engineering Parameters:
HSE justification, exposure and emissions control
Storage, Handling, Materials Compatibility & HSE
Store only in approved closed systems in a cool, ventilated and secured hazardous area with ignition-source control. Prevent release to drains, soil and groundwater. Materials of construction, seals, pumps and gaskets must be selected for EDC service. Any packaging or bulk storage arrangement should be governed by the current SDS, applicable dangerous-goods code and the buyer’s site standard.
HSE control principle
Use the current product-specific SDS, local dangerous-goods requirements, receiving-site risk assessment and applicable engineering standards. Website text should never substitute for a supplier SDS or site procedure.
RFQ Specification Checklist
- VCM-grade or other intended application
- Minimum purity and full impurity schedule
- Maximum water content
- Required batch/lot COA and analytical methods
- Supply mode: bulk, ISO tank or approved package
- Receiving tank capacity, unloading connection and vapour-management requirements
- UN transport documentation, SDS, origin and customs documents
Quality Control, COA Parameters & Test Methods
A technically meaningful RFQ should define the key quality parameters that control EDC performance in the intended process. The following tests are representative, and the final test methods should always match the producer specification or customer process requirements.
Typical COA requirements include purity, water content, high-boiling residues, low-boiling impurities, acidity/HCl, colour and appearance, and density. Purity is commonly measured by GC to confirm main feedstock quality, while water content is determined using Karl Fischer analysis due to its impact on cracking/purification performance and corrosion behaviour.
High-boiling residues are evaluated by GC or residue methods to control heavy ends and potential furnace fouling, while low-boiling impurities are measured by GC for separation efficiency and process control. Acidity/HCl content is monitored using supplier-specific methods as an indicator of corrosion and degradation risks.
Additional quality checks include colour and appearance (visual inspection or APHA where specified) for contamination or ageing indication, and density measurement according to ASTM D4052 or equivalent methods for product identity and receiving verification.
Final COA requirements should be aligned with the producer specification, customer requirements, and intended application.
Why Choose OGSCM?
Application-Driven Solutions
We match the right grade to your process needs.
Reliable Supply Chain
On-time delivery with strong regional & global logistics.
Quality You Can Trust
Strict quality control and batch consistency.
Expert Support
Technical & commercial support throughout your procurement journey.
Regional Presence
Serving industries across GCC and MENA with local expertise.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. EDC is cracked to produce vinyl chloride monomer; VCM is then polymerised to make PVC.
Water affects purification, corrosion and downstream process control. VCM producers typically use a process-specific feed specification rather than only total purity.
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