High quality PEG is utilized in the form of dispersing agents, solvents, ointments, in suppository bases, and as laxatives in medical, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries. They can prevent foaming and therefore used in preparations in the food industry. Low molecular weight PEGs are preferred products for formation of ink solvents and lubricants for printing. These are also important for cosmetics and preferred in preparation of skin creams, lubricants and ointment bases due to their friendliness to the skin, not causing irritation and easily removable by water.
PEGs are important ingredients for the preparation of topical, oral, ophthalmic and rectal preparations. They are used as film coating agents and lubricants in several medical applications. Solid grade PEGs are especially preferred as plasticizers. In the forming process of tablets, PEGs can prevent rupture or damage of the coating film.
In toothpastes, PEGs work as water binding agents that keep xanthan gum distributed uniformly in the toothpaste.
Due to their good water solubility, PEGs are used in several scientific applications including applying osmotic pressure in biochemistry and biomembrane experiments. PEG’s characteristic fragmentation pattern makes it a preferred material for mass spectrometry experiments.
At last, PEG can be used as a coating material on wood since it is resistant to warping and shrinking, especially when the material is placed in underwater conditions.
