Heavy isoparaffinic · C12–C19 branched-alkane carrier fluid · European procurement
Heavy isoparaffinic covers the C12–C19 branched-alkane range. Boiling 182–308°C, flash +68 to +127°C, aromatic content typically below 0.01 wt%. Evaporation is slow to very slow, the profile is closer to carrier fluid than solvent. The commercial position is defined by what heavy is not: not DG-regulated in most commercial grades. Flash point above the Flam. Liq. 3 boundary (60°C) takes the cluster outside Class 3 transport entirely, which materially simplifies bulk storage, road transport and site handling.
Isoparaffinic solvents split into three commercial clusters. Light (C7–C10) is the DG-regulated fast-evap cluster. Medium (C10–C14) is the Flam. Liq. 3 workhorse. Heavy (C12–C19) is the non-DG carrier cluster. Heavy is where the isoparaffinic family meets cosmetic, pharmaceutical, lubricant and personal-care routes, applications where the handling envelope and purity profile matter more than evaporation speed. Context lives in the isoparaffinic solvents hub.
Fast commercial starting point
What you typically want from a heavy isoparaffinic enquiry
A good first response should immediately tell you whether the requirement is workable for your volume and destination, and whether the cluster can be supplied under current market conditions.
At a glance
What heavy isoparaffinic is commercially
Heavy isoparaffinic is a dearomatised branched-alkane hydrocarbon fluid in the C12–C19 range. Boiling 182–308°C, flash +68 to +127°C. Density 790–820 kg/m³. The branched-alkane structure gives a viscosity / pour-point / solvency profile suitable for carrier fluid applications, distinct from mineral oils and white oils that cover similar boiling ranges with different purity and structure.
Procurement position: heavy isoparaffinic is the non-DG carrier cluster. Unlike light and medium, which trade primarily on solvency and evaporation characteristics, heavy trades on low-aromatic purity, non-DG transport regime, and suitability for declared routes (cosmetic, pharmaceutical, food-contact). This is where procurement conversations often touch pharmacopoeial grades, USP / Ph. Eur. declarations, and food-contact route documentation. The volume is smaller than medium but the per-kg value and documentation requirements are typically higher.
Selection framing
Four decision scenarios that drive most heavy isoparaffinic enquiries. The first two are where the cluster genuinely fits; the second two are where a different cluster or product family typically produces a better outcome.
Fits · 01
Cosmetic, personal care and pharmaceutical routes
Carrier fluid in cosmetic formulations, personal care products, pharmaceutical process steps. Pharmacopoeial (USP / Ph. Eur.) and cosmetic-declared routes typically available. Low-aromatic purity, non-DG handling and documented route traceability are the procurement drivers.
Fits · 02
Specialty lubricant, release oil and carrier applications
Base fluid in specialty lubricant formulations, release oils for plastics and food-packaging manufacture, carrier fluids in polymer processing where slow evaporation matters. Also used as a cleaner alternative to mineral oils where low-aromatic specification is required.
Substitute · 03
Mineral oil or white oil would fit
Where the application tolerates the broader-boiling mixed structure and higher aromatic tolerance of mineral oil or technical white oil, those fluids are typically lower cost. Heavy isoparaffinic is preferred where the tighter aromatic specification and branched-alkane structure are specifically required.
Substitute · 04
Active solvency or faster evap required
Where the application actually needs a solvent rather than a carrier, real dissolution work, flash-off controlled dry-down, medium isoparaffinic (C10–C14, moderate evap, Flam. Liq. 3) is typically the correct cluster. Heavy at 182–308°C boiling will not produce the evap profile most solvent applications need.
Typical properties
The values below are indicative of the heavy isoparaffinic cluster (C12–C19) across European commercial supply. Individual grades within the cluster differ on boiling-range tightness and flash-point position. Final specification, SDS and CoA are issued directly by the relevant supplier at the point of offer.
| Property | Typical value | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon range | C12–C19 | Branched-alkane plus some cyclic structure |
| Boiling range | ~182–308°C | Wider than light / medium clusters |
| Flash point (closed cup) | +68 to +127°C | Above Flam. Liq. 3 boundary in most grades |
| Density at 15°C | ~790–820 kg/m³ | Higher than light / medium clusters |
| Aromatic content | <0.01 wt% | Hydrogenation-dearomatised |
| Evaporation rate (n-BuAc=100) | <5 | Very slow; carrier fluid profile |
| CLP classification | Typically not Flam. Liq. | Lower-flash grades may be Flam. Liq. 3 |
| Transport classification | Non-DG (typical) | Outside Class 3 in most grades |
| Route declarations | Pharma / Food / Cosmetic | Available on specific supply routes |
CLP and transport rows are highlighted because non-DG classification is the defining commercial characteristic of the heavy cluster. However, the non-DG status is not universal: producer-specific grades near the lower flash-point end of the cluster may fall into Flam. Liq. 3. Where non-DG handling is operationally required, the specific grade flash point must be confirmed on the supplier's PDS/SDS/CoA before commitment.
Adjacent clusters
Within the isoparaffinic family, heavy sits furthest from "solvent" and closest to "carrier fluid." The most relevant procurement comparisons are medium isoparaffinic (where the evaporation speed difference drives the choice) and mineral oil / white oil alternatives (where the aromatic purity and branched structure drive the choice).
| Product | Carbon | Boiling | Flash | DG | Procurement axis vs heavy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy isoparaffinic (reference) | C12–C19 | ~182–308°C | +68 to +127°C | Non-DG (typ) | , |
| Medium isoparaffinic | C10–C14 | ~153–213°C | +40 to +70°C | UN 3295 PG III | Faster evap, lighter DG; workhorse solvent profile |
| Light isoparaffinic | C7–C10 | ~99–143°C | −8 to +6°C | UN 1262 / 3295 PG II | Fast evap; full DG regime; different application set |
| White oil / pharmaceutical white oil | C15+ | ~200–400°C | >+150°C | Non-DG | Mixed structure; USP Grade available; often lower cost |
| Technical mineral oil | variable | broad | variable | Non-DG (typ) | Mixed structure incl aromatics; tighter-specced heavy iso preferred for low-aromatic routes |
The heavy isoparaffinic ↔ white oil comparison is the most common cross-family consideration for pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal-care routes. Pharmaceutical white oil (USP / Ph. Eur. grade) is often the right fit where regulatory-declared purity matters and evaporation speed is not relevant; heavy isoparaffinic is preferred where the tighter aromatic specification (<0.01 wt% vs broader range for white oil) is specifically required.
Application context
Six application contexts where the heavy cluster is specified across European commercial supply. The common thread: branched-alkane low-aromatic carrier fluid profile, non-DG transport, often with a declared regulatory route.
Cosmetic & personal care
Carrier fluid, emollient, feel modifier
Carrier fluid in lotions, creams, sunscreens, and cosmetic emulsions where the low-aromatic branched structure supports skin feel and compatibility with active ingredients. Cosmetic-declared route required; sourced through qualified producers.
Pharmaceutical process
API process fluid, crystallisation
Process fluid in pharmaceutical intermediate and API manufacture where USP / Ph. Eur. pharmacopoeial grade is required. Route declaration and audit-trail documentation typical. Low aromatic content supports downstream residue-solvent compliance.
Specialty lubricant
Low-aromatic base fluid, specialty oils
Base fluid in specialty lubricant formulations where low aromatic content, non-DG handling and branched-alkane structure are specifically required. Used as cleaner alternative to traditional mineral oil base where purity specification matters.
Release oil
Food-packaging release, specialty release
Release oil in food-packaging manufacture, specialty plastic release applications, and industrial release fluids where food-contact declared route is required. Non-DG transport simplifies packaging-plant logistics.
Polymer processing carrier
Polymer diluent, compounding carrier
Carrier in polymer processing, compounding and specialty plastic formulations where slow evaporation and low-aromatic residue profile support downstream product characteristics. Industrial-grade routes typical.
Drilling fluid base
Low-toxicity mud, completion
Base fluid for low-toxicity drilling mud formulations and completion fluids. The combination of non-DG handling, low aromatic content and branched-alkane structure supports regulatory compliance in sensitive drilling environments.
Buying checklist
Pre-enquiry clarity on these six points shortens the quotation loop. For heavy isoparaffinic, the regulatory route typically matters more than the grade selection, flag it first.
01
Regulatory route declared.Technical / industrial, cosmetic-declared, food-contact declared, or pharmacopoeial (USP / Ph. Eur.). The route determines which producers can supply and what documentation package accompanies the material. Route decisions precede grade decisions in the heavy cluster.
02
Is heavy actually the right cluster?If the application needs real solvency rather than carrier-fluid behaviour, medium isoparaffinic (C10–C14, moderate evap) is typically the correct cluster. Heavy is for carrier and base-fluid applications, not active dissolution.
03
Non-DG handling strictly required?Most heavy grades are non-DG, but lower-flash grades (~+68–80°C) may be classified Flam. Liq. 3. Where non-DG handling is operationally binding, flag the minimum flash-point requirement so the producer can route to an unambiguously non-DG grade.
04
Viscosity / pour-point specification.Heavy grades span a wide viscosity range depending on carbon position within the cluster. For lubricant and carrier-fluid applications, viscosity spec drives grade selection more than boiling range.
05
Packaging, volume, destination.IBC (1000L), drum (200L) or bulk tanker; monthly or project volume; delivery country. Non-DG bulk supply into pharmaceutical or food-packaging sites may have route-specific delivery requirements.
06
Documentation package.SDS, TDS, CoA, REACH registration reference, plus route-specific declarations (cosmetic, pharmacopoeial USP / Ph. Eur., food-contact). Heavy cluster enquiries often have the most extensive documentation requirements; flag the full package up front.
FAQ
Heavy isoparaffinic is a dearomatised branched-alkane hydrocarbon fluid in the C12–C19 range. Boiling point ~182–308°C depending on grade, flash point +68 to +127°C. Aromatic content typically <0.01 wt%. Flash point position is above the CLP Flam. Liq. 3 threshold (60°C), which means heavy isoparaffinic transports non-DG in most commercial grades. Density ~790–820 kg/m³.
Heavy isoparaffinic is the carrier fluid cluster. Typical applications: cosmetic and personal care carrier fluids (pharmacopoeial or food-contact routes often required), lubricant base oil alternative in specialty lubricants, drilling fluid base for low-toxicity mud formulations, polymer processing carrier, release oil, personal care formulations. Where moderate evaporation is required, medium isoparaffinic (C10–C14). Where fast evaporation is required, light (C7–C10).
Heavy isoparaffinic grades have flash points above the CLP Flam. Liq. 3 boundary (60°C). That places them outside the dangerous goods (Class 3) classification for transport in most commercial grades. This is the defining commercial characteristic of the heavy cluster: bulk storage, road transport, and site handling all follow non-DG rules, which materially simplifies logistics compared with the light and medium clusters. Some producer-specific heavy grades near the lower flash boundary may carry DG classification, verify on CoA.
Mineral oils are typically broader-boiling-range lubricant base cuts with higher viscosity, typically containing some aromatics and mixed structure. Heavy isoparaffinic is narrower-boiling-range, branched-alkane-specific, with low aromatic content (<0.01 wt%) and tighter purity specification. Heavy isoparaffinic is preferred in applications that require a clean, low-aromatic, low-toxicity carrier fluid; mineral oils are used in applications that tolerate the wider specification and accept the different regulatory profile.
Yes, via specific supply routes with explicit producer declaration. Heavy isoparaffinic food-contact, pharmacopoeial (USP / Ph. Eur.) and cosmetic-declared routes are commercially available for applications including food-packaging release oils, cosmetic carrier fluids, and pharmaceutical process fluids. The route is declared at enquiry and typically sourced through qualified producers with the appropriate documentation package.
No. Alcoris does not sell, stock or distribute any product. Alcoris is an independent sourcing platform that structures and qualifies industrial buyer enquiries, then connects them to qualified third-party suppliers in the European supply network. Any resulting supply contract is concluded directly between the buyer and the third-party supplier. Alcoris is not a party to the contract. Details in the Legal Notice.
Commercial enquiries
Serious industrial enquiries only. Start with regulatory route (technical, cosmetic, food-contact, pharmacopoeial). For heavy isoparaffinic the route determines supplier eligibility more than the grade does. Each enquiry is reviewed for cluster-fit coherence, if medium isoparaffinic or a pharmaceutical white oil would fit the application better, we say so directly rather than routing the enquiry on the wrong basis.
All indicative values on this page are subject to confirmation at the point of offer. Buyers remain responsible for verifying product suitability, REACH and CLP compliance, transport classification (non-DG status must be verified on supplier CoA for lower-flash grades), food-contact and pharmacopoeial documentation where applicable, and all other regulatory obligations applicable to the intended use.
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