Oxygenated Solvents · Ketone · European B2B Sourcing
Pricing, grade and availability discussed directly, in the context of your specific application, delivery country and volume. Fast-evaporating ketone solvent for coatings, adhesives, inks and polymer processing.
Specification, pricing and availability are indicative and subject to confirmation at the time of enquiry. Industrial and B2B enquiries only.
Send a MEK enquiryProduct overview
MEK evaporates nearly 8× faster than butyl acetate. That is its commercial strength and its main handling constraint, both of which should be understood before the purchase order.
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK, 2-butanone, CAS 78-93-3) is a fast-evaporating ketone solvent with a boiling range of approximately 79–81°C and a flash point below 0°C (closed cup). Its high evaporation rate, strong solvency for resins and polymers, and water miscibility make it one of the most widely used industrial ketone solvents in European markets. Industrial MEK is produced commercially by catalytic dehydrogenation of secondary butyl alcohol (SBA), which means MEK and SBA spot availability are linked through this production chemistry.
The flash point below 0°C is the defining characteristic for procurement and logistics. MEK is classified as Flam. Liq. 2 (H225, Highly flammable liquid and vapour) under CLP/GHS. This has direct implications for storage classification, ADR transport category, and site safety assessment, all of which should be reviewed against the current SDS before procurement.
For a detailed understanding of how evaporation rate and flash point interact in solvent selection, see the flash point vs boiling range guide. For buyers considering substitution with a lower-flammability alternative, dearomatized D-cuts or isoparaffinic solvents may be relevant, though they serve different solvency profiles.
Key procurement parameters
Flash point <0°C, handle accordingly
MEK's flash point below 0°C means it is highly flammable at ambient temperature. ADR transport classification, storage area classification (ATEX), grounding and bonding requirements, and ventilation design all require specific assessment. Review the current SDS before procurement and before any change to storage or handling infrastructure.
Purity and water content
Industrial grade MEK is specified at ~99.5 wt% min (GLC). Water content (~0.05 wt% max) matters in applications where moisture affects film formation, adhesion or reaction yield. Both are confirmed at the time of quotation.
Evaporation rate
MEK's evaporation rate of ~7.7 (relative to butyl acetate = 1) is a key formulation parameter. In coatings and inks, open time, levelling and film quality are all affected by solvent evaporation. This is one of the reasons MEK is blended rather than used alone in many systems.
Supply and pricing context
MEK pricing is linked to propylene and butylene feedstock costs. Availability can tighten seasonally or during production outages at key producers. Maintaining a second commercial contact is a common procurement risk mitigation step.
Indicative specification
All values are indicative and based on typical commercial specification data sourced from producer documentation. 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 for orientation only and does not constitute a guarantee or warranty.
| Property | Units | Indicative value | Test method (ref.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity by GLC | wt% | ~99.5 min | GLC |
| Colour (Platinum-Cobalt) | Pt-Co | ~10 max | ASTM D 1209 |
| Density at 20°C | kg/L | ~0.8035 – 0.8055 | ASTM D 4052 |
| Water content | wt% | ~0.05 max | ASTM D 1364 |
| Refractive index at 20°C | , | ~1.379 | ASTM D 1218 |
| Distillation range, IBP | °C | ~78.5 min | ASTM D 1078 |
| Distillation range, DP | °C | ~81.0 max | ASTM D 1078 |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | wt% | ~0.003 max | ASTM D 1613 |
| Non-volatile matter | g/100 ml | ~0.005 max | ASTM D 1353 |
| Flash point (closed cup) | °C | <0, Flam. Liq. 2 (H225) | CLP/GHS |
| Evaporation rate | , | ~7.7 (BuAc = 1) | Calculated |
| Vapour pressure at 20°C | mmHg | ~75 (calculated) | Calculated |
| Auto-ignition temperature | °C | ~476 | ASTM E 659 |
Source: Anno Chemicals NV MEK Specification Sheet; international producer SDS (referenced for cross-validation, not cited on this page).04 (August 2025). All values indicative, subject to batch, origin and supply route. TDS, SDS and CoA available on request prior to supply.
Industrial applications
MEK's fast evaporation and strong ketone solvency make it irreplaceable in certain formulation systems, and the wrong choice in others. Application context and flammability constraints matter.
Industrial coatings & lacquers
Carrier and co-solvent in fast-drying industrial coatings, automotive lacquers and maintenance paints. High evaporation rate enables fast recoat times. Often blended with slower solvents to control open time.
Typical: coatings for metals, plastics, wood
Adhesives & contact adhesives
Solvent carrier in contact adhesives and industrial bonding systems. MEK's strong solvency for polychloroprene, polyurethane and PVAC makes it a primary solvent in many adhesive formulations.
Typical: contact adhesives, structural bonding
Printing inks & packaging
Fast-drying solvent in flexographic and gravure printing inks for flexible packaging. Evaporation rate is a primary formulation variable, ink drying, laydown and adhesion are all affected.
Typical: flexo/gravure inks, packaging
Industrial cleaning & degreasing
Surface preparation and precision cleaning where strong solvency and fast evaporation are both required. Often used in metal cleaning, mould release and precision component preparation.
Typical: metal surfaces, precision cleaning
Polymer processing
Solvent for polymer dissolution, precipitation and processing. MEK dissolves a wide range of engineering polymers including polystyrene, ABS, PVC blends and polyurethane systems.
Typical: polymer casting, dissolution
Resin manufacturing
Reaction solvent and thinning agent in alkyd, epoxy and polyester resin manufacturing. MEK's ketone functionality can participate in condensation chemistry, process designers should verify compatibility.
Typical: resin synthesis, thinning
Agrochemical formulation
Co-solvent and carrier in professional-use agrochemical formulations. Formulator to confirm specific compliance requirements for the intended application and jurisdiction.
Typical: professional-grade formulations
Metalworking & lubricant blending
Used in metalworking fluids and rolling oils as a diluent or process solvent. MEK functions in a supporting role in lubricant blending rather than as a final formulation component.
Typical: cutting fluids, lubricant process
Application suitability is the buyer's responsibility. Industrial and B2B applications only. Not intended or supported for food, pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications.
Ketone vs alcohol selection
MEK and IPA are both oxygenated solvents widely used in European industrial markets, but they serve different formulation roles. The choice is not interchangeable, solvency profile, evaporation rate, flammability and water miscibility all differ in commercially relevant ways.
MEK is the stronger solvent for resins, polymers and film-forming systems. IPA is the safer choice from a flammability standpoint (flash point ~12°C vs <0°C for MEK) and is preferred in cleaning and extraction applications where ketone reactivity is a concern.
In many real formulation systems, MEK and IPA are blended rather than used as alternatives, MEK provides solvency, IPA dilutes and moderates evaporation while keeping water miscibility. This is particularly common in coatings, adhesives and printing inks.
Both products can be enquired together. See also the IPA supplier page and the ethyl acetate supplier page for related oxygenated solvents.
Indicative comparison
| Parameter | MEK | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| CAS | 78-93-3 | 67-63-0 |
| Flash point | ~<0°C | ~12°C |
| Boiling range | ~79–81°C | ~82–83°C |
| Purity (industrial) | ~99.5% min | ~99.8% min |
| Evaporation rate (BuAc=1) | ~7.7 (fast) | ~1.8 (moderate) |
| Resin solvency | Strong (ketone) | Moderate (alcohol) |
| Water miscible | Yes (moderate) | Yes (full) |
| CLP flammability | Flam. Liq. 2 | Flam. Liq. 2 |
| Typical use | Coatings, adhesives, inks | Cleaning, formulation, extraction |
All values indicative. Actual properties subject to grade, batch and supply route confirmation.
Regulatory context
MEK carries a well-known regulatory profile, but its flammability classification requires specific attention in procurement, logistics and site management.
CLP / GHS, Flammability
MEK is classified Flam. Liq. 2 (H225, Highly flammable liquid and vapour) under CLP/GHS. Flash point <0°C. Also classified Eye Irrit. 2 (H319) and STOT SE 3 (H336, may cause drowsiness or dizziness). Full classification available in the current SDS.
Highly flammable, H225REACH Registration
MEK is registered under REACH. The specific registration number is available on request and subject to supply route. Based on current SDS documentation, this product does not contain Candidate List substances (SVHC) triggering obligations under REACH Articles 31 or 33. Subject to supply route and origin confirmation.
REACH registeredADR Transport Classification
Highly flammable liquid and vapour. Vapour is heavier than air and may accumulate. Transport classification under ADR must be confirmed per the current SDS. Limited quantity thresholds and specific packaging group apply, buyer to assess with their logistics provider and SDS.
Buyer to confirm per SDSVOC Classification, EU
MEK (2-butanone) is classified as a Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) under EU Directive 2010/75/EU on industrial emissions. Buyers in regulated sectors must assess applicable VOC emission limits for their specific process and jurisdiction.
VOC, buyer to assessStorage, ATEX & Safety
Flash point below 0°C means MEK is flammable at ambient temperature. ATEX zone classification, ventilation design, grounding and bonding requirements, and fire suppression all require specific assessment for storage and handling areas. Review with SDS and applicable site safety standards.
ATEX assessment requiredNational Inventories
2-Butanone (MEK) is listed on major national chemical inventories including TSCA (US), DSL (Canada), AIIC (Australia), ENCS (Japan) and IECSC (China). Subject to supply route and origin confirmation at the time of enquiry.
Listed, indicativeAll regulatory information is indicative and based on producer SDS documentation. It does not constitute legal advice. Buyers are solely responsible for assessing all regulatory, safety, transport and storage obligations applicable to their specific use, site and jurisdiction. Always consult the current SDS and applicable authorities.
Packaging & delivery
MEK is available in multiple packaging formats. Due to its flammability classification, packaging, transport and storage requirements are more specific than for lower-flammability solvents, confirmed at the time of enquiry.
Steel drums
200 L
Standard format for smaller volumes. UN-approved packaging required for flammable liquids. Suitable for trial, qualification or irregular demand.
IBC (tote)
1,000 L
Intermediate bulk container. Common for mid-volume buyers. Must be rated for flammable liquid service, confirmed per supply route.
Road tanker (bulk)
~20–24 MT
Most cost-effective per tonne for high-volume buyers. ADR-compliant tank vehicle required. Subject to receiving infrastructure and minimum volume.
ISO tank
~20 MT
For longer distance or export supply. Subject to origin, destination and current supply route availability. Flammable liquid rating required.
Enquiry process
From initial requirement to commercial response, handled directly, without automated routing or internal delay.
Requirement submitted
Product, purity, water content spec, delivery country, volume and packaging, submitted via the enquiry form. The more context included, the more specific and useful the commercial response.
Grade & supply context
The enquiry is reviewed against current market position, supply route options and the specific requirement. Purity, water spec, packaging and ADR delivery route are considered together from the start.
Commercial response
Pricing, availability, lead time and packaging route covered in a direct response. Most enquiries receive a response from the relevant supplier in the network. No automated replies, reviewed personally.
Documentation on request
TDS, SDS and regulatory documentation discussed as part of the enquiry, subject to supply route. The current SDS is essential for MEK given its flammability classification, flag this requirement early.
Frequently asked
Commercial enquiries
Pricing, availability and grade discussed directly, in the context of your specific application, 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.
MEK 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.