Ethanol supplier in Pakistan
technical guide & specifications
Ethanol is one of the most versatile industrial solvents and pharmaceutical chemicals in commercial use, supporting Pakistan’s pharmaceutical manufacturing, cosmetics, industrial cleaning, chemical synthesis, disinfection, laboratory operations, and food-processing sectors. This guide covers chemistry, grades, industrial applications, storage, and sourcing for Pakistani buyers.
Rectified spirit concentration used across industrial, perfumery, and export-oriented ethanol applications.
Flash point — ethanol is a highly flammable Class 3 liquid and requires controlled storage and transfer.
Optimal concentration range for many disinfection applications because water improves protein denaturation and contact performance.
What is ethanol (C₂H₅OH)?
Ethanol, also known as ethyl alcohol, is a simple primary alcohol with the molecular formula C₂H₅OH. It contains a two-carbon chain and a hydroxyl group, giving it a useful balance of polarity and solvent power across a wide range of industrial and pharmaceutical uses.
It is the same alcohol found in alcoholic beverages, but at industrial and pharmaceutical grades ethanol becomes a chemically important solvent, disinfectant, excipient, cleaning agent, and feedstock. Its amphiphilic nature allows it to dissolve both water-compatible and semi-organic substances, which is why it appears across multiple sectors at once.
Pakistan occupies a unique position in the ethanol market because it is not only a consumer but also a significant exporter, driven by its sugarcane and molasses base in Punjab and Sindh.
Chemical & physical properties of ethanol
| Property | Details |
|---|---|
| Chemical Name | Ethanol / Ethyl Alcohol |
| Common Names | Alcohol, Grain Alcohol, Spirit, EtOH, Rectified Spirit |
| Chemical Formula | C₂H₅OH (CH₃CH₂OH) |
| CAS Number | 64-17-5 |
| Molecular Weight | 46.07 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colourless, transparent liquid |
| Odour | Characteristic pleasant alcoholic smell |
| Boiling Point | 78.4°C |
| Melting Point | −114.1°C |
| Flash Point | 13°C |
| Auto-Ignition Temperature | 365°C |
| Density at 20°C | 0.789 g/cm³ |
| Vapour Pressure at 20°C | 59 mmHg |
| Explosive Limits in Air | 3.3–19.0% v/v |
| Miscibility | Fully miscible with water and many organic solvents |
| Refractive Index at 20°C | 1.361 |
| Viscosity at 20°C | 1.20 mPa·s |
| Azeotrope with Water | 95.6% EtOH / 4.4% water at 78.2°C |
| Heat of Combustion | 1,366 kJ/mol |
| UN Number | 1170 |
| Hazard Class | 3 (Flammable Liquid) |
| EINECS No. | 200-578-6 |
| OSHA PEL | 1,000 ppm TWA |
| NIOSH IDLH | 3,300 ppm |
| Packing Group | II (>24% alcohol); III (≤24%) |
How ethanol is manufactured
| Route | Feedstock | Typical purity | Key impurities | Pakistan context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molasses fermentation | Sugarcane molasses | 95–96% rectified spirit | Fusel alcohols, esters | Primary domestic production and export route |
| Grain fermentation | Corn, wheat, barley | 95–96% | Fusel alcohols, aldehydes | Limited in Pakistan |
| Ethylene hydration | Petrochemical ethylene | 99.5–99.9% | Very low impurities | Important for imported high-purity and pharma-grade material |
| 2G lignocellulosic | Agricultural residues | 95–96% | Fermentation byproducts | Emerging route globally |
Commercial grades & concentrations
| Grade | Concentration | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Rectified Spirit (Industrial) | 95–96% | Solvent, perfume base, industrial cleaning, chemical feedstock |
| Denatured Ethanol | 95–96% + denaturant | Industrial solvent, cleaning, fuel and general industrial applications |
| Grade | Concentration | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical Grade (BP / USP / EP) | 96% or 99.5–99.8% | API synthesis, excipient use, GMP disinfection, tinctures, regulated manufacturing |
| Grade | Concentration | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Food Grade (FCC) | 95–96% | Flavour extraction, food processing, beverage-related use, food equipment sanitation |
| Disinfectant Grade | 70% in water | Hospital, pharmaceutical, institutional and surface disinfection |
| Grade | Concentration | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Anhydrous / Absolute Ethanol | ≥99.5% | Dry synthesis, reagent use, fuel blending, moisture-sensitive applications |
| Lab Grade (ACS / HPLC) | 99.8–99.9% | Chromatography, analytical chemistry, research and laboratory work |
Industrial applications in Pakistan
Pharmaceutical manufacturing
Used in API synthesis, extraction, recrystallisation, tinctures, oral liquids, topical preparations, and GMP equipment and surface disinfection.
Disinfection & sanitation
Used in hand sanitisers, 70% surface disinfectants, instrument sanitation, and healthcare or institutional hygiene systems.
Personal care & cosmetics
Acts as the primary solvent and carrier in perfumes, deodorants, aftershaves, toners, and alcohol-based beauty products.
Chemical manufacturing
Serves as a feedstock for derivatives such as ethyl acetate, acetic acid, acetaldehyde, diethyl ether, and selected synthesis intermediates.
Industrial solvents & cleaning
Used in paints, inks, coatings, adhesives, cleaning systems, and selected industrial degreasing applications.
Food processing
Used in flavour extraction, vinegar production, preservation-related use, and food-contact sanitisation in regulated settings.
Laboratories & research
Used in HPLC, chromatography, calibration standard preparation, extraction, and general laboratory cleaning.
Export-linked domestic market
Pakistan’s ethanol production ecosystem supports both domestic buyers and international export demand, especially from molasses-based distilleries.
Regulated industrial procurement
Grade choice matters because undenatured, denatured, food-grade, and pharmaceutical-grade ethanol operate under very different regulatory and commercial conditions.
Why buy from us
Clearly differentiated grades
We supply pharmaceutical, food, industrial rectified, denatured, and absolute ethanol according to your end-use and compliance requirements.
Regulatory understanding
Ethanol in Pakistan involves excise, licensing, and end-use documentation issues that require informed handling and compliant supply.
Documented quality support
COAs and grade-specific specification support are available where required for GMP, food, laboratory, and industrial procurement.
Explosion-conscious handling
Ethanol is a highly flammable liquid, so storage, packaging, and transport discipline are essential across all commercial volumes.
Flexible packaging formats
Supply can be arranged from small packs to drums and IBC-scale quantities depending on your application and operational volume.
Nationwide industrial delivery
We support buyers across pharmaceutical, industrial, cosmetic, sanitation, food, and laboratory sectors throughout Pakistan.
Supplying ethanol across Pakistan
We support ethanol buyers across Pakistan for pharmaceutical manufacturing, sanitiser production, cosmetics, industrial cleaning, food processing, and laboratory use. Supply can be arranged based on concentration, grade, denaturing status, and packaging requirement.
Storage, handling & safety
Storage requirements
- Store in stainless steel, HDPE, aluminium, or other compatible containers
- Keep storage areas explosion-proof and away from ignition sources
- Keep containers tightly sealed to minimise evaporation and vapour accumulation
- Maintain storage temperatures below 25°C and away from sunlight or hot surfaces
- Bond and ground metal containers during transfer to prevent static ignition
- Use secondary containment for bulk storage vessels
- Keep pharmaceutical and industrial grades clearly segregated and labelled
PPE & handling precautions
- Nitrile gloves and safety glasses for general handling
- Face shield, gloves, and apron for bulk transfer and drumming
- Organic vapour respiratory support where ventilation is poor or vapour load is elevated
- Full spill-response PPE for large accidental releases
Frequently asked questions
AMZ Industries — supply notes
We supply ethanol to buyers across Pakistan for pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial cleaning, cosmetics, food-related processing, sanitiser production, and laboratory use. Available options may include industrial rectified spirit, denatured industrial ethanol, pharmaceutical-grade ethanol, food-grade ethanol, disinfectant-grade 70% ethanol, and absolute ethanol depending on the application.
Supply can be arranged in multiple packaging formats with specification support and documentation available where required. We support buyers in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Multan, Rawalpindi, and other major industrial and regulated manufacturing zones across Pakistan.
