PrCOOBu, fatty acid Me esters (biodiesel), triglycerides, tech. lanolin and beeswax were directly oxyethylated with oxirane on Ca and oxide Al-Mg catalysts (concn. 0.3%) at 180 degrees C to prep. resp. ethoxylates. The beeswax showed the highest reactivity and highest ethoxylation degree. PrCOOBu was the less reactive. The chromatog. was not efficient when the product contained some high-mol. compds.