Ethanol Importation & Distribution
As a leading provider of high-quality ethanol, we source our products from reputable suppliers worldwide. We offer comprehensive services that include seamless import logistics, managing the entire import process from customs clearance to efficient transportation. Our reliable warehousing and distribution network ensures timely delivery to your customers, while our unwavering commitment to quality assurance guarantees the purity and consistency of our ethanol products, meeting the highest industry standards.
Ethyl Alcohol
Ethyl alcohol is a versatile industrial chemical with diverse applications. It functions as a solvent, a reagent in the synthesis of other organic compounds, and an additive to automotive gasoline. Additionally, ethyl alcohol is the principal intoxicating component of alcoholic beverages, including beer, wine, and distilled spirits.
Synonyms
Ethanol, TSDA I 1-hydroxyethane I EtOH
Chemical Formula
C2H6O
CAS Number
64-17-5
Characteristics
Molar Weight
46,07 g/mol
Melting Point
-114,1 °C
Boiling Point
78,37 °C
Flash Point
14 °C
Density
0.79
Forms
Liquid (clear)
Key applications
Ink, toner and colourant
Food additive
Sanitizers
Preservative
Solvents
Cosmetic products
Beauty products
Paint and Coatings
Industrial use of Ethanol
Ethyl alcohol, commonly known as alcohol, is also designated as TSDA or 1-hydroxyethane. This aliphatic, monohydric alcohol has the molecular formula C₂H₆O and the semi-structural formula C₂H₅OH, and is frequently abbreviated as EtOH.
Ethyl alcohol occurs naturally in various plant species, including carrots, onions, and rosemary, and is also a product of sugary fruit fermentation. It is even present as a trace component in human blood.
Commercially, ethyl alcohol is produced on a large scale, primarily for the alcoholic beverage industry, encompassing wine, beer, and spirits. This production typically utilizes biomass derived from sugar- or starch-containing crops. The natural production process involves alcoholic fermentation catalyzed by yeasts, whereby sugars react with these fungi to produce ethyl alcohol.
For industrial applications, ethyl alcohol is synthesized from ethene. It serves as a solvent in the production of medical and cosmetic products and functions as a precursor in the synthesis of other compounds, such as carboxylic acid ethyl esters. Furthermore, it is a significant component of biofuels.
Ethyl alcohol is a colorless, clear, highly flammable, and hygroscopic liquid characterized by a burning taste and a pungent odor. Classified as a linear n-alkanol, it is miscible with water, a process that results in volume contraction and heat generation. In the absence of airtight storage, ethyl alcohol can undergo oxidation to acetic acid. Notably, it is non-conductive.
Food industry
In controlled food production, wine is produced through the fermentation of grapes, while beer is derived from malt and hops. Unlike wine and beer, distilled spirits, including brandy, whisky, cognac, rum, schnapps, and vodka, contain alcohol concentrated through distillation. Liqueurs, also categorized as spirits, undergo the addition of sugar and flavorings post-distillation. The distillation of biomass is commonly referred to as "distilling."
Beyond its role in alcoholic beverage production, ethyl alcohol is widely utilized as a food additive, specifically for fortification. This process involves adding alcohol to halt fermentation at a desired stage, resulting in higher sugar concentrations and increased sweetness in products such as liqueurs and fortified wines. Ethyl alcohol is also employed as a flavoring agent and preservative in various food products.
Ethyl alcohol occurs naturally in trace amounts in numerous foods. For instance, sauerkraut can contain up to 0.5% alcohol by volume, a level comparable to that found in non-alcoholic beer. Apple juice may contain up to 0.4%, grape juice up to 0.6%, and bread up to 0.3%. Ripe bananas and kefir can exhibit ethyl alcohol concentrations of up to 1% by volume. For comparison, standard beers typically contain 3–5%, wines around 12%, and distilled spirits average approximately 40% by volume.
Pharmaceutical and Fuel
Bioethanol, or agricultural ethyl alcohol, is utilized as a fuel for gasoline engines, primarily in blends with gasoline, such as a 5% concentration (E5) or an 85% concentration (E85). It is produced from fermented sugars (e.g., sugarcane and sugar beet) and starches (e.g., maize and wheat). In addition to pure ethyl alcohol, its derivatives, employed to enhance gasoline's octane rating, are also utilized in the fuel sector.
In the pharmaceutical industry, the efficacy of ethyl alcohol as an antiseptic, particularly for hand disinfection, is dependent on its concentration in aqueous solution. Optimal antimicrobial activity is observed between 50% and 80% alcohol content, which disrupts bacterial cell envelopes, leading to pathogen inactivation. Ethyl alcohol exhibits limited virucidal activity and is ineffective against bacterial endospores. Furthermore, it is contraindicated for disinfecting open wounds.
Highly concentrated or anhydrous ethyl alcohol is employed in cancer therapy for the treatment of thyroid nodules and certain tumors, such as hepatocellular carcinoma. In liquid pharmaceutical formulations, ethyl alcohol serves as a solvent and preservative.
High-concentration ethyl alcohol solutions are also found in commercial products, such as rubbing alcohol, used to promote peripheral blood circulation.
Ethyl alcohol is also utilized in the treatment of methanol poisoning. Intravenous administration inhibits the conversion of methanol to the toxic metabolite methanal by competitively binding to the enzyme alcohol dehydrogenase. In cases of severe alcohol withdrawal, ethyl alcohol can be used to manage pre-delirium tremens.
Cosmetics and Household
Ethyl alcohol is an ideal solvent for cosmetic products. For example, it is a carrier for odorous substances in perfume, deodorant and fragrance spray.
Ethyl alcohol is an effective ingredient in cleaning agents for glass, chrome and plastic. It is also used in stain removers and car windscreen washes and as an antifreeze. Furthermore, ethyl alcohol is traded under the name of methylated spirits or hard alcohol as fuel for camping cookers.