Oxygenated Solvents · European B2B Sourcing
Alcoris helps qualify IPA enquiries for European industrial buyers and routes technically complete requests into the right commercial discussion. Pricing, grade and availability are then discussed directly between you and the supplier, in the context of your specific requirement, delivery country and volume.
Specification, pricing and availability are indicative and subject to confirmation at the time of enquiry. Industrial and B2B enquiries only.
Send an IPA enquiryProduct overview
IPA is one of the most widely purchased oxygenated solvents in European industry. Purity and water content are the parameters that drive most procurement decisions, not grade name alone.
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA, 2-propanol, CAS 67-63-0) is a short-chain aliphatic alcohol with a characteristic mild odour and a typical boiling point around 82°C. It is fully miscible with water and most organic solvents, making it versatile across cleaning, formulation and extraction applications. Within the aliphatic alcohol family, IPA is the most commonly used as a finished solvent; secondary butyl alcohol (SBA) is a related four-carbon alcohol with a different commercial role (primarily chemical intermediate, notably for MEK production) and a milder CLP classification.
At industrial grade, IPA is specified primarily by purity (by GC), water content and appearance. The key distinction for procurement is between standard industrial grades (~99.8 wt% min) and higher purity pharmaceutical or electronic grades, which carry different documentation, qualification and pricing implications.
IPA is classified as a VOC under EU Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions) and Directive 2004/42/EC. Buyers in regulated coating or cleaning environments should assess applicable VOC thresholds for their specific process and jurisdiction. See also the flash point vs boiling range guide for context on solvent handling classification.
Why grade selection matters
Purity by GC
The primary specification parameter. Industrial grade targets ~99.8 wt% min. Small deviations matter in cleaning and extraction applications where solvent residue or water carry-through is critical.
Water content
Specified separately from purity. A high-purity GC result does not automatically mean low water, water is measured independently and typically specified at ~0.1 wt% max for industrial grade. Critical for electronics and surface preparation.
Acidity and non-volatile matter
Low acidity (~0.001 wt% max as acetic acid) and negligible non-volatile residue are important where IPA is used in surface-sensitive applications, coatings, adhesives, or precision cleaning.
Source and documentation
For regulated applications, source consistency and documentation quality (TDS, SDS, regulatory summary) may be as important as the purity figure. These points are best clarified at the start of the commercial discussion.
Indicative specification
All values are indicative and based on typical sales specification data. Actual specification is subject to production batch, origin and supply route, and is confirmed only at the time of quotation. All numeric values are prefixed with ~ to reflect their indicative nature. This data is provided for orientation purposes only and does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of any kind.
| Property | Units | Indicative value | Test method (ref.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity by GC | wt% | ~99.8 min | DIN 55685 / GC |
| Appearance | , | Bright & Clear | Visual |
| Specific gravity at 20°C/20°C | , | ~0.7862 – 0.7870 | ASTM D 4052 / D 268 |
| Distillation range | °C | ~1.0 max, incl. 82.3°C | ASTM D 1078 |
| Water content | wt% | ~0.1 max | ASTM D 1364 / E 1064 |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | wt% | ~0.001 max | ASTM D 1613 |
| Non-volatile matter | g/100 ml | ~0.001 max | ASTM D 1353 |
| Colour (Platinum-Cobalt) | , | ~5 max | ASTM D 1209 / ISO 6271.2 |
| Water miscibility (visual) | , | Clear & Miscible | ASTM D 1722 |
| Benzene content (indicative HAP) | ppm | <50 (typ. below LOD) | GC |
| Toluene content (indicative HAP) | ppm | <200 (typ. <1) | GC |
Indicative reference: industry standard IPA sales specification. All values indicative, actual values are confirmed at the time of quotation only. TDS, SDS and CoA available on request prior to supply.
Industrial applications
IPA's combination of high solvency, water miscibility and fast evaporation makes it suitable across a broad industrial base. The grade requirement differs significantly by application.
Industrial cleaning & degreasing
Surface preparation, metal degreasing and parts cleaning. Purity and water content are both relevant, residue and carry-through can affect downstream process.
Typical: ~99.8 wt% min · low water spec
Electronics & precision cleaning
PCB cleaning, optical surfaces, contact cleaning. Requires very low water content, minimal non-volatile residue and consistent purity, documentation and source consistency matter.
Typical: ~99.8–99.9% · ultra-low residue
Coatings & paints
Solvent and diluent in industrial coatings, printing inks and surface coatings. VOC implications under EU Directive 2004/42/EC must be considered by formulators.
Typical: industrial ~99.8%
Adhesives & sealants
Solvent carrier in contact and structural adhesives. Low acidity and minimal non-volatile content are relevant where substrate compatibility is critical.
Typical: industrial, low acidity spec
Agrochemical formulation
Co-solvent and carrier in pesticide and herbicide formulations. Used as process solvent and co-formulant. Applicable EC regulation context depends on formulation type.
Typical: industrial, application-specific
Printing & inks
Solvent carrier in inkjet, flexographic and screen printing inks. Evaporation rate and water content both affect ink performance and drying behaviour.
Typical: industrial, purity-sensitive
Extraction & process chemistry
Extraction solvent in chemical processing. Miscibility with water enables aqueous/organic extraction processes. IPA can form azeotropes, relevant in recovery and distillation steps.
Typical: process-dependent
Automotive & OEM
Surface preparation before painting, adhesive bonding and component cleaning in automotive manufacturing. Consistent quality and documentation support quality system requirements.
Typical: industrial, consistent source
Application suitability is the buyer's responsibility. IPA is an industrial grade product and is not intended or supported for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications.
Grade selection
IPA is available across a range of purity levels in the European market. The commercial and practical differences between grades are more significant than the small numerical gap in purity figures suggests.
For most industrial applications, cleaning, formulation, extraction, standard industrial grade (~99.8 wt% min) is the right starting point. The discussion should centre on water content, source documentation and supply route consistency, not on chasing 99.9% purity where it adds no process benefit.
For electronics, pharmaceutical-adjacent or high-sensitivity applications, the grade discussion changes: documentation requirements, source qualification, analytical traceability and batch-to-batch consistency become the primary criteria. These points are best discussed in context, not resolved from a specification sheet alone.
Standard industrial purity. Water content typically ~0.1 wt% max. Suitable for the majority of industrial cleaning, formulation and extraction applications. Most volume in the European market is traded at this specification.
Typical use: cleaning, coatings, adhesives, agrochemical, printing, process chemistry
Tighter purity and water specification. Different documentation profile. Carries a price premium and may involve longer lead times or different supply routes. Most meaningful for electronics cleaning, precision applications or regulated process chemistry.
Typical use: electronics, precision cleaning, specific process chemistry
Pharmaceutical and pharmacopoeial grades (USP, EP) involve separate qualification, documentation and supply chain requirements. These are not covered by Alcoris. Industrial enquiries only.
Not supported, industrial B2B only
Regulatory context
IPA carries a well-established regulatory profile in European industrial markets. Key points for procurement are summarised below, based on indicative information from producer documentation.
REACH, Candidate List (SVHC)
Based on indicative information from producer regulatory documentation, IPA (CAS 67-63-0) does not contain Candidate List substances at levels triggering obligations under REACH Articles 31 or 33. Subject to producer confirmation and supply route.
No SVHC, indicativeREACH Annex XVII, Restrictions
IPA is subject to Annex XVII Entry 3 (liquid substances with hazard classification) and Entry 40 (flammable liquids categories 1–3). Buyers are responsible for assessing compliance with applicable conditions of restriction for their specific use.
Buyer to assess per useVOC Classification, EU
IPA is classified as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) under Directive 2010/75/EU (industrial emissions) and Directive 2004/42/EC (decorative paints / vehicle refinishing). Industrial users in regulated sectors must assess applicable VOC thresholds and emission limits.
VOC, buyer to assessCLP / GHS Classification
IPA is classified as a flammable liquid (Category 2) under CLP/GHS. Classification and labelling information is available in the product SDS. Flash point ~12°C (closed cup), classified as highly flammable.
Flammable liquid Cat. 2Transport Classification (ADR/IMDG)
IPA is regulated as a dangerous good for transport: UN 1219, Class 3 (Flammable liquid), Packing Group II. Standard ADR (road) and IMDG (sea) provisions apply for European movements. Confirmed on the SDS and shipping documentation per consignment.
UN 1219, Class 3, PG IINational Inventories
Based on indicative producer documentation, IPA is listed on key national chemical inventories including TSCA (US), DSL (Canada), AIIC (Australia), ENCS (Japan), KECI (Korea) and IECSC (China). Subject to supply route confirmation.
Listed, indicativeNo animal-derived substances
Produced entirely from petrochemical sources. No animal-derived substances or GMOs, based on indicative producer information. Subject to confirmation at supply route level.
Petrochemical origin, indicativeAll regulatory information is indicative and based on available producer documentation. It does not constitute legal advice. Buyers are solely responsible for assessing regulatory obligations applicable to their use, process and jurisdiction. Always verify with the current SDS and applicable regulatory authority.
Packaging & delivery
IPA is available in multiple packaging formats for European industrial buyers. The appropriate route depends on volume, destination, application and current supply position, confirmed at the time of enquiry.
Steel drums
200 L
Standard format for smaller volumes. Suitable where IBC or bulk is not practical. Typical for trial, qualification or irregular demand.
IBC (tote)
1,000 L
Intermediate bulk container. Common format for mid-volume buyers. More efficient logistics than drums at comparable volumes.
Road tanker
~20–24 MT
Bulk supply for high-volume industrial buyers. Most cost-effective per tonne. Subject to receiving infrastructure, destination and minimum volume.
ISO tank
~20 MT
Suitable for longer distance or export supply. Subject to origin, destination and current supply route availability.
Enquiry process
From initial requirement to commercial response, handled directly, without automated routing or internal delay.
Requirement submitted
Product, purity requirement, delivery country, volume and any specification context, submitted via the enquiry form or by email. The more context provided, the more specific the response.
Grade & context review
The enquiry is reviewed against current market position, supply route options and the specific requirement. Grade, purity, water spec and packaging are considered together, not separately.
Commercial response
A commercial response covering pricing, availability, lead time and packaging route. Most enquiries receive a direct response from the relevant supplier in the network. No automated replies, reviewed personally.
Documentation on request
TDS, SDS and relevant regulatory or compliance documentation are discussed as part of the enquiry, subject to product and supply route. Documentation is provided before supply, not after order confirmation.
Frequently asked
Commercial enquiries
Pricing, availability and grade discussed directly, in the context of your specific requirement, delivery country and volume. Most enquiries receive a commercial response from the relevant supplier in the network.
Enquiries are reviewed and responded to personally. No automated reply system. If your requirement falls outside our current sourcing capability, we will say so directly.
IPA enquiry received.
Your requirement has been received and will be reviewed directly. You can expect a personal commercial response from the relevant supplier in the network.
Submission could not be completed.
Please try again, or contact us directly at enquiries@alcoris.eu.
Important note, all specifications indicative
All product information, specification data and regulatory summaries on this page are provided for general orientation purposes only. They are based on indicative information derived from producer documentation and do not constitute a guarantee, warranty or representation of any kind.