Epichlorohydrin

Epichlorohydrin (ECH) is a colourless, mobile liquid with a characteristic chloroform-like odour, formed by reacting chlorine obtained from the electrolysis of brine with a lime slurry. It is employed as a raw material for the manufacture of epoxy resins and a multitude of glycerol and glycidol derivatives used as plasticisers, stabilisers, elastomers, solvents, dyestuff intermediates, surface active agents and pharmaceuticals, as a cross-linking agent in modified starch and as intermediates for further synthesis.

Epichlorohydrin is also used for making polyamide resins for ion exchange, water treatment and for the paper industry, as well as flame-retardants, quaternary amines and in the production of Zeospan, a speciality polyether rubber used in automobiles.