2905.31.00.00 - Ethylene glycol (Ethanediol)

This HTS category, 2905.31.00.00, specifically covers Ethylene glycol, also known as Ethanediol. Ethylene glycol is a primary acyclic alcohol characterized by having two hydroxyl groups. It is a clear, colorless, odorless, and slightly viscous liquid with a sweet taste, though it is toxic. Its primary industrial uses include its role as an antifreeze in automobile cooling systems and as a raw material in the production of polyester fibers and resins, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Within the broader category of diols (acyclic alcohols with two hydroxyl groups), this subcategory is distinct from its sibling, 2905.32.00.00, which classifies Propylene glycol. The key differentiator lies in the molecular structure: ethylene glycol has two carbon atoms, whereas propylene glycol has three. Other diols not specifically enumerated fall under the "Other" subcategory (2905.39).

As this is a leaf node, there are no further subcategories under 2905.31.00.00. Classification at this level is determined by the specific chemical identity of ethylene glycol, based on its molecular structure and common industrial nomenclature. Exclusions would typically involve derivatives of ethylene glycol that are further processed or chemically modified and thus fall into different HTS headings.