Stearic acid was oxyethylated with ethylene oxide (EO) in presence of a new Ca catalyst (0. 1-0.7% by mass) and a conventional NaOH catalyst. The reaction prod. was studied for contents of unconverted EO and 1,4-dioxane by-product, mol. mass of the oxyethylates, total content of poly(ethylene glycol)s, fractional compn., clouding. temp. and colour (iodine scale). The average oxyethylation rate was also detd. The optimum reaction temp. was 160 degrees C and the optimum Ca catalyst content 0.5% by mass.