KLK OLEO Life Science - Macrogol/PEG Flyer

Macrogols / Polyethylene Glycols are the Swiss army knife of excipients, used for a multitude of functions and applications such as solubility enhancement, consistency adjustment, lubricant and binder. Known as Macrogols in the European and Chinese Pharmacopoeias and as Polyethylene Glycols in the United States Pharmacopoeia, we simplify by referring to them as “PEGs”. ​

​PEGs are synthesised by polymerisation of ethylene oxide, leading to a defined average polymer length and respective molecular weight, as indicated by a number. Low molecular weight PEGs up to PEG 1000 are liquids and commonly used as solubilising agent in liquid or semi-solid formulations. High molecular weight PEGs, like PEG 1500 and above, are pastes or solids and frequently applied as lubricants and binders for tabletting, or carrier and plasticiser for hot melt extrusion.​