Ethyl acetate is a solvent used in a wide range of applications, including printing inks, varnishes and car care chemicals and in the production of enamels, plastics and rubber.

Ethyl acetate is used in the food industry in the production of synthetic flavouring and in the pharmaceutical industry it is used as an extraction solvent in the production of pharmaceuticals.

Ethyl acetate is widely employed as a solvent for nail varnishes and nail varnish removers.

Industrially, it is used to decaffeinate coffee beans and tea leaves.

In chemistry, it is often mixed with a non-polar solvent such as hexanes as a chromatography solvent. It is also used as a solvent for extractions.

It is used in confectionery and perfumes. It is used in perfumes because it confers a fruity smell (as do many esters) and evaporates quickly, leaving the scent of the perfume on the skin.

It is used in paints as an activator or hardener.