Abstract: Supported nickel catalysts were used to improve the UV transmittance of ethylene glycol (EG) through hydrogenation. The physico-chemical properties of the catalyst were investigated with XRD，SEM and BET. The optimum preparation conditions were confirmed through experiments. Experiments found that promoters and Ni contents had direct relation with EG quality. When Ni content was 11.8%，Mg content was 1.8%，activation temperature was 773 K，activation time was 8 h，the catalyst had the highest activity. The UV transmittance of ethylene glycol at 220 nm，275 nm and 350 nm was increased from 49.8%，88.4% and 97.8% of control sample to 83.5%，95.2% and 99.6% .