Due to its ether bonds and ester group, butyl glycol acetate enters into the typical reactions of this class of substances.

By virtue of its good solvent power for many organic substances, its mild and pleasant odour, and its miscibility with other organic solvents, butyl glycol acetate is widely used in many branches of industry.
A selection of its main applications is given below. The most important application is in the coatings industry, where it improves the gloss and flow of coatings that have to be baked at temperatures of 150 – 200 ° C. In this application, its low volatility and good solvent power are great assets. Very small proportions of butyl glycol acetate improve the brush ability and flow of cellulose nitrate and cellulose ether lacquers and of paints formulated from chlorinated binders. Butyl glycol acetate is also a good solvent for urethane finishes.

Other applications a solvent are as follows:

* - for flexographic, gravure and screen printing inks
* - for dyes used to print and colour leather and textiles
* - for ball pen pastes
* - for dyes in furniture polishes and wood stains.