Simple Solvents: Your Total Solution for Ethanol Ordering
Understanding the Qualities of Ethanol
Choosing the right ethanol requires an understanding of regulation along with the goal of the project. Impressively, ethanol (ethyl alcohol) provides versatility used across industries from pharmaceuticals to cosmetics to fuel production. But not all ethanols are equal – their quality can differ depending on the source, production method, and purity level.
Generally, food-grade, pharmaceutical-grade, and industrial-grade ethanols sell on the open market with certain restrictions imposed by Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). Interestingly, food-grade ethanol powers the food and beverage industries. Second, pharmaceutical-grade produces botanical extracts, medicines and pharmaceuticals. Lastly, industrial-grade serves to produce fuels, solvents, and cleaning solutions.
Lab Testing Methods for Quality
Various laboratory testing methods verify the quality of ethanol. Two common ones include FCC (Food Chemicals Codex) and USP (United States Pharmacopeia) monographs. Hence, they specify quality standards and purity requirements for food ingredients, including ethanol. Subsequently, these monographs also apply to medicines and medical devices that utilize this substance.
Types of Denatured and Undenatured Ethanol
Choosing the right ethanol factors in pure ethanol, specially denatured alcohol and completely denatured alcohol.
Primarily, CDA (Completely denatured alcohol) is ethanol treated with chemicals like methanol to make it unfit for human consumption. CDA products have no excise taxes and are mainly in industrial applications like paint production or varnish manufacturing.
[For more information on CDA, read our blog here]
Secondarily, SDA (Specially denatured alcohol) is denatured ethanol blended with chemicals that make it unfit for human consumption. SDA formulas are popular in sanitizers, disinfectants, and other personal care products.
[For more information on SDA, read our blog here]
Lastly, undenatured ethanol refers to pure alcohol with zero additives. Uses for pure ethanol include food and supplement manufacturing and as a solvent in pharmaceutical or botanical oil extraction industries.
Choosing the Right Ethanol for Your Application
For optimal results, it is crucial to carefully consider its quality, purity, and denaturing requirements.
[To learn more about the different grades of ethanol, click here]
Contact us for more information. We are here to help with any questions about ethanol and solvents.
