Recovering mono-ethylene glycol

A method for recovering mono-ethylene glycol from a mixture feed comprising bio-derived diols, wherein the mixture feed comprises mono-ethylene glycol in an amount of at least 80 weight % of the total weight of the mixture feed and wherein the mixture feed comprises mono-ethylene glycol, mono-propylene glycol, and butylene glycol, in an amount of at least 90 weight % of the total weight of the mixture feed, and wherein the method comprises:

• (i) providing the mixture feed into a distillation column, wherein a distillation process is carried out, wherein the distillation column comprises at least 85 theoretical stages and wherein the mixture feed is fed into the distillation column at a point, which is at a height of 5-20% of the total height of the distillation column as calculated from the top of the distillation column, wherein the total height of the distillation column is determined based on the number of theoretical stages, and wherein the distillation process is carried out with a reflux ratio of 20-200, and wherein the distillation process is carried out at a top temperature of 50 to 160° C. and a top pressure of 0.1 to 0.4 bar;
• and
• (ii) recovering mono-ethylene glycol.