Ethylene Dichloride (EDC)

Ethylene Dichloride (EDC) is made by the chlorination of ethylene via one of two processes: direct chlorination using pure chlorine and ethylene; or oxychlorination in which ethylene reacts with chlorine in hydrogen chloride. Many EDC/VCM plants employ a combination of chlorination and oxychlorination to consume the hydrogen chloride by-product from the cracking of EDC to VCM.

The chemical compound 1,2-dichloroethane, commonly known as ethylene dichloride (EDC), is a chlorinated hydrocarbon, mainly used to produce vinyl chloride monomer (VCM, chloroethene), the major precursor for PVC production. It is a colorless liquid with a chloroform-like odor. Ethylene dichloride is also used generally as an intermediate for other organic chemical compounds, and as a solvent. 

Ethylene dichloride is produced through the iron(III) chloride catalyzed reaction of ethene (ethylene) and chlorine.

EDC is used primarily as a raw material in the manufacture of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM). The vinyl chloride, in turn is used to manufacture polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. EDC is also used as an intermediate in the manufacture of chlorinated and fluorinated compounds. EDC has been used as a solvent in the textile, metal cleaning and adhesive industries.

​