Methyl glycolate (methyl 2-hydroxyacetate, methyl hydroxyacetate, CAS: 96-35-5) is the simplest and most commercially significant α-hydroxy ester, with the molecular formula C₃H₆O₃. Its structure combines a primary hydroxyl group with a methyl ester on an adjacent carbon atom—a unique bifunctional architecture that provides both nucleophilic and electrophilic reactivity in a single compact C3 molecule. As a clear, colorless to pale yellow liquid with a mild fruity odor, methyl glycolate is completely miscible with water and most common organic solvents, with a boiling point of 149-151°C, density of 1.167 g/cm³ and a flash point of 67°C..
Among α-hydroxy ester intermediates, methyl glycolate occupies a strategic position at the intersection of green chemistry, advanced electronics, pharmaceutical synthesis and sustainable materials. It serves directly as the primary monomeric precursor for high-performance polyglycolic acid (PGA)—a biodegradable polyester with exceptional gas barrier properties, high tensile strength, and full hydrolytic degradability. In the pharmaceutical industry, it functions as a versatile building block for APIs including certain antiviral agents, anti-tumor chemotherapeutics such as the active pharmaceutical intermediate for temozolomide derivatives, and a range of other bioactive compounds.. In high-value fine chemicals, methyl glycolate is the essential raw material for the synthesis of glycolic acid (a leading α-hydroxy acid in premium cosmetic peels and skin rejuvenation formulations), as well as for ring-opening polymerization initiators, crosslinking agents, fragrances, and plant growth regulators. On the advanced application frontier, methyl glycolate is critical in the manufacturing of semiconductor photoresist strippers and ultra-purity cleaning agents (electronic grade), and in high-solid, low-VOC coating systems, as an eco-friendly reactive diluent..
Market demand for methyl glycolate is accelerating globally, driven by three powerful forces: the rapid scale-up of biodegradable plastic production (particularly PGA, which exhibits the best CO₂ and O₂ barrier performance among all biodegradable polyesters), the upgrade of China‘s electronics industry toward high-purity photoresist stripping solutions and advanced packaging, and the constant expansion of pharmaceutical and agrochemical pipelines. According to industry estimates, in 2023 China’s methyl glycolate production capacity reached approximately 28,000 tons/year with actual output exceeding 19,000 tons—a year-on-year growth of 14.3%—and a market size of RMB 620 million with a CAGR of 12.7% during 2021-2023.. Global market reports indicate the methyl glycolate market was valued at approximately US$ 23.2-34.9 million in 2024-2025, and is projected to grow at an exceptional CAGR of 56% to 61% to reach US$ 367-767 million by 2030-2032.. The extraordinary growth trajectory reflects the transformation of methyl glycolate from a niche intermediate into a strategically pivotal hub molecule on the global chemical stage.
China is the dominant force in global methyl glycolate production and supply. Domestic producers have aggressively scaled up capacity, with industrial-grade (≥99% purity) and high-purity pharmaceutical, electronic, and polymer grades supplied from large-scale facilities. Import dependence has dropped from 45% in 2020 to 22% in 2023.. Internationally, leading producers include Japanese and European chemical groups, while Chinese suppliers lead in both volume output and cost efficiency.
Shanghai XinChem Co., Ltd. (XinChem) has established a fully vertically integrated, quality-controlled supply chain for methyl glycolate. Our product is manufactured via the advanced coal- or petroleum-derived syngas route followed by ester exchange, or via selective hydrogenation of dimethyl oxalate (DMO). Under rigorous quality management systems, XinChem delivers high‑purity methyl glycolate (≥99.5% by GC) with extremely low residual moisture (<0.1%), low free acid (<0.5 mg KOH/g), low color (APHA <20), and critically for electronic grade applications, ultra‑low metal ion impurities (Na, Fe, Ca, K each <10 ppb).. Fully compliant with the most demanding specifications for electronic-grade chemicals, pharmaceutical excipients, polymer synthesis, and agrochemical intermediates. Ideal and essential building block for PGA polymerization, ethylene glycol and ethanol platform molecules, semiconductor cleaning agents, photoresist strippers, high-end coating reactive diluents, and a wide array of pharmaceutical API and fine chemical syntheses.
1. Technical Advantages
- High Purity & Ultra-Low Impurities: Our methyl glycolate achieves purity ≥99.5% (GC) for industrial grade, ≥99.9% for electronic/pharmaceutical grade, with water <0.1%, acid value <0.5 mg KOH/g, color (APHA) <20, and metal ions (Na, Fe, Ca, K) each ≤10 ppb for high-end electronics.
- Low Heavy Metal & Residual Solvent Profiles: Stringent control to meet semiconductor and biocompatible polymer specifications for trace residues and impurities.
- Secure Supply Chain & Dedicated Manufacturing: Integrated capacity and just-in-time delivery from temperature-controlled storage, backed by rigorous quality control protocols ensuring batch-to-batch consistency.
2. Product Advantages
- Bifunctional C3 Synthon: Hydroxyl and ester groups enable diverse transformations under mild reaction conditions, including hydrolysis, transesterification, reduction to ethylene glycol, and oligomerization to glycolic acid oligomers or directly to PGA via ring-opening polymerization.
- Excellent Thermal Stability & Solvent Compatibility: Suitable for use as a reactive diluent in high-solids coatings and as a monomer for high-temperature polycondensation reactions.
- Flexible Packaging: 200KG galvanized steel drums (industrial), 25KG HDPE drums (pilot), 5KG/1KG aluminum bottles (R&D), and bulk isotank shipments for high-volume orders.
- Reliable Supply Capacity: Annual volume allocation in the thousands of tons.
3. Application Fields
- Biodegradable Polymers: Primary monomeric building block for high-performance polyglycolic acid (PGA) resin, PGA copolymers (PLGA), and polyglycolide-based medical sutures, bone fixation devices, and drug delivery microspheres.
- Electronics (Electronic Grade): High-purity stripping solution and cleaning agent for photoresist removal in semiconductor wafer fabrication and advanced IC packaging; specialty solvent for LCD panel and OLED display manufacturing.
- Pharmaceutical Intermediates: Building block for antiviral APIs, anti-tumor chemotherapeutics (temozolomide derivatives), and other bioactive compounds; also starting material for glycolic acid and pharma-grade α-hydroxy acids.
- Agrochemicals: Key intermediate for plant growth regulators, herbicides, and fungicide synthesis.
- Coatings & Inks: Eco-friendly reactive diluent in high-solid, low-VOC coating systems and UV-curable formulations, improving flow, leveling, gloss and VOC compliance.
- Fine Chemicals: Precursor to glycolic acid (premium exfoliating AHA in cosmetics), flavor bases, fragrance compounds, and cross-linking agents.
- Platform Chemicals: Platform molecule for ethylene glycol, ethanol, and other C2 building blocks via hydrogenation.
4. Service Support
Our technical team provides impurity profiling (water, free acid, metals, GC assay), custom packaging, and comprehensive regulatory documentation (COA, TDS, MSDS, REACH, TSCA, RoHS). For pharmaceutical use: DMF preparation support. For electronic-grade: metal ion analysis (ICP-MS) reports. For polymer synthesis: purity certificate and monomer suitability statements.
5. Why Choose XinChem
- Professionalism: 20+ years in the chemical and advanced materials intermediates industry.
- Flexibility: Custom purity, metal ion spec, and packaging options.
- Cost‑effectiveness: High quality at competitive prices.
Contact us now to start cooperation!
Website: www.xinchem.com
Email: sales1@xinchem.com
WhatsApp: +86 18049800532
Post time: May-06-2026