Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin (CAS 106-89-8), commonly abbreviated as ECH, is a reactive chlorinated epoxide monomer that serves as a foundational building block in polymer synthesis. Its bifunctional reactivity, combining an epoxide ring with a reactive chlorine, makes it indispensable for producing a broad range of crosslinked resins and specialty polymers.

ECH is the primary raw material in epoxy resin manufacturing, where it reacts with bisphenol A to produce the base resins used in coatings, adhesives, and structural composites. In the textile and paper industries, ECH-derived polyamide-epichlorohydrin resins are applied as wet-strength agents, improving paper durability under moisture and fixing dyes to fiber substrates.

Flame retardant formulations incorporate ECH as a reactive intermediate to introduce chlorine into polymer backbones, providing durable fire resistance in plastics and coatings. It also functions as a crosslinking agent in the production of glycerol, synthetic glycerin, and water treatment resins used for ion exchange applications.

Epichlorohydrin is supplied as a colorless liquid in bulk quantities, including ISO tank containers, drums, and intermediate bulk containers for industrial use. Technical grade is the standard commercial specification, with purity levels typically at 99% or above. Procurement volumes range from drum quantities to full bulk shipments.