carbonate, also known as glycol carbonate or 1,3-di-oxolan-2-one, was originally only obtainable from glycol and phosgene by double elimination of HCl. In 1943, IG Farben discovered a new route using ethylene oxide and CO₂:

Hüls developed this process to industrial maturity and started up a smaller production unit in West Germany. There are two plants operating in Rumania using the same process with a total capacity of 8000 tonnes per year. Tertiary amines, quaternary ammonium salts or active carbon impregnated with NaOH are all suitable catalysts. The process is conducted at 160-200°C and 70-100 bar. A 97-98% yield is obtained. Texaco and Dow produce ethylene carbonate commercially in the USA.