Technical Reference
An editorial reference for procurement managers, technical buyers and formulators working with industrial solvents in European supply markets. Organised by solvent family, with typical values for boiling range, flash point, density and aromatic content, and the application and regulatory context that drives grade selection at the specification stage.
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Alcoris is an independent information and enquiry-routing service. We publish technical and commercial reference material on hydrocarbon solvents and related industrial chemicals. We are not a trader, distributor, or supplier, and we do not sell product.
Enquiries submitted through the website are forwarded to one or more independent third-party suppliers in our network who operate in the relevant product category. Those suppliers may then offer to supply on their own commercial terms. Any resulting supply contract is concluded directly between you and the supplier. Alcoris is not a party to that contract.
Using this reference
The values shown on this page are typical across the European supply market and are provided for editorial orientation. They are not specification limits. The precise values for any specific delivery will differ depending on the producer, the route of supply, and the batch.
Authoritative specification, classification and batch-level data for a specific delivery is contained in the supplier's Product Data Sheet (PDS), Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Certificate of Analysis (CoA). These are issued directly by the supplier at the point of offer.
For a sourcing discussion against a specific grade or specification, send an enquiry.
Hub I · Hydrocarbon family
The hydrocarbon family covers aliphatic (paraffinic) solvents in multiple boiling ranges, dearomatised D‑cuts and DSP ranges, white spirit grades, pentane and light-aliphatic fractions, and naphthenic cuts. Grade code is not the specification. Within any boiling range, aromatic tolerance, flash point, evaporation rate and regional sales specification interact in ways the grade number alone does not capture, which is why hydrocarbon procurement is almost always a four-constraint conversation.
Hydrocarbon solvents hub →Hydrocarbon 01 · Sub-family
Dearomatised aliphatic solvents are hydrogenated paraffinic hydrocarbon cuts in which aromatic content has been reduced to below 0.01 wt% by catalytic hydrogenation. They cover the D-series by boiling range (D30, D40, D60, D80, D100, D120), plus dearomatised hexane, heptane, and DSP cuts. Typical uses include industrial cleaning, metal degreasing, adhesives, coating formulations, printing ink manufacture, and rubber processing, especially where low odour and minimal aromatic content are specified.
Typical characteristics
Aromatic content is typically specified at <0.01 wt% (100 ppm) or lower, and benzene is typically below 1 ppm. Densities are in the range 680–820 kg/m³. Flash points rise with boiling range, from sub-zero for very light cuts through ~30°C (D30), ~62°C (D60), ~80°C (D80) to ~120°C (D120). Aniline points are high (typically 60–90°C) reflecting weak solvency for polar resins but strong compatibility with aliphatic formulations. CLP classification load is materially lower than the non-dearomatised (white spirit) equivalents for the same boiling range.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling range | Flash point | Density | Typical application context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D30 | ~138–164°C | ~28°C | ~763 kg/m³ | Low-odour cleaning, adhesives, release agents |
| D40 | ~154–193°C | ~41°C | ~777 kg/m³ | Industrial cleaning, printing inks, adhesive blends |
| D60 | ~185–214°C | ~65°C | ~793 kg/m³ | Metal-working, industrial cleaning, coating formulation |
| D80 | ~203–240°C | ~79°C | ~807 kg/m³ | Medium-evaporation cleaning, rubber process oil extenders |
| D100 | ~235–265°C | ~103°C | ~822 kg/m³ | High-flash cleaning, drilling, industrial formulation |
| D120 | ~253–297°C | ~119°C | ~832 kg/m³ | High-flash process fluid, printing ink vehicles, rubber |
| n-Hexane (dearomatised) | ~66–69°C | ~−28°C | ~678 kg/m³ | Extraction solvent, adhesives, see REACH Annex XVII restrictions |
| n-Heptane (dearomatised) | ~94–99°C | ~−6°C | ~721 kg/m³ | Laboratory, chromatography, adhesive formulation |
Hydrocarbon 02 · Sub-family
White spirit is a mineral spirits / Stoddard solvent cut in the C9–C12 aliphatic range, with variable aromatic content depending on grade. Three commercial classifications are in common European use: Type 0 (standard, ~15–20 wt% aromatic), Type 1 (low-aromatic, <1 wt%), and Type 2 (de-aromatised, <0.1 wt%). Typical uses include alkyd paints, decorative coatings, household and industrial cleaning, polish formulation, and general-purpose solvent applications. Grade choice is driven primarily by aromatic-content constraints, odour requirements, and downstream VOC / mixture-classification obligations.
Typical characteristics
Boiling range for all three white spirit types is typically in the 140–210°C window. Flash points sit in the range ~30–65°C depending on the specific cut. Density is typically 770–800 kg/m³. The key specification differentiator is aromatic content, and with it, the associated CLP classification load and VOC reporting profile. Type 2 (fully de-aromatised) is effectively equivalent to a dearomatised D-cut at similar boiling range; Type 1 sits at a commercial mid-point where aromatic content is controlled but not eliminated.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling range | Flash point | Aromatic content | Typical application context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| White Spirit Type 0 | ~145–210°C | ~32°C | ~15–20 wt% | Standard alkyd paints, decorative coatings, cleaning |
| White Spirit Type 1 | ~150–200°C | ~38°C | <1 wt% | Low-aromatic paints and cleaners, reduced-odour formulations |
| White Spirit Type 2 | ~155–205°C | ~40°C | <0.1 wt% | De-aromatised equivalent, low-odour, tightened CLP profile |
| Low-aromatic mineral spirits | ~165–195°C | ~42°C | <0.5 wt% | Industrial cleaning, specialty coatings |
Hydrocarbon 03 · Sub-family
The light aliphatic family covers pentane, isopentane, hexane, cyclohexane, and specialty boiling-point (SBP) cuts below 100°C boiling point. Typical uses include polymer manufacture (polystyrene foam blowing agent), aerosol propellant formulation, extraction solvents (vegetable-oil extraction, pharmaceutical intermediates), adhesives, and specialty industrial applications. Regulatory position is heavier than in the higher-boiling dearomatised range because these are Flam. Liq. 1 or Flam. Liq. 2 substances under CLP.
Typical characteristics
Boiling points run below 100°C (pentane ~36°C, isopentane ~28°C, hexane ~69°C, cyclohexane ~81°C, SBP 60/95 ~60–95°C). Flash points are correspondingly low (pentane ~−49°C; hexane ~−22°C). Densities are 620–780 kg/m³. All grades in this family carry Flam. Liq. 1 or 2 classification under CLP, with aspiration-toxicity categorisation. n-Hexane specifically is subject to REACH Annex XVII restrictions in certain consumer end-uses and carries Repr. 2 classification.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling point / range | Flash point | Density | Typical application context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| n-Pentane | ~36°C | ~−49°C | ~631 kg/m³ | Polystyrene foam blowing, aerosol propellant, laboratory |
| Isopentane | ~28°C | ~−51°C | ~624 kg/m³ | Foam blowing agent, refrigerant, specialty extraction |
| n-Hexane | ~69°C | ~−22°C | ~659 kg/m³ | Extraction (oilseed, pharma), adhesives, REACH Annex XVII |
| Cyclohexane | ~81°C | ~−20°C | ~779 kg/m³ | Nylon intermediates, caprolactam, specialty chemistry |
| SBP 60/95 | ~60–95°C | ~−13°C | ~700 kg/m³ | Adhesives, rubber cement, cleaning, extraction |
| n-Heptane | ~98°C | ~−4°C | ~684 kg/m³ | Laboratory reference fluid, specialty extraction |
Hydrocarbon 04 · Sub-family
Naphthenic solvents are cycloparaffin-rich cuts, distinguished from straight-chain paraffinic aliphatics by a higher proportion of cyclic (naphthenic) structures. The most common commercial grade in European supply is a C6 naphthenic cut (cyclohexane-adjacent). Typical uses include rubber process oils, adhesive formulation, printing ink vehicles, and specialty industrial applications where the naphthenic solvency profile is specifically required.
Typical characteristics
Boiling range is commonly ~78–82°C for the C6 naphthenic cut, with flash point around −17°C. Density is ~763 kg/m³. Aromatic content is typically low (<0.5 wt%). The solvency profile differs from equivalent-boiling paraffinic cuts, naphthenic compounds deliver slightly stronger solvency for certain polymer and resin systems, which is the usual procurement rationale for specifying a naphthenic grade rather than a paraffinic equivalent.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling range | Flash point | Density | Typical application context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C6 naphthenic cut | ~78–82°C | ~−17°C | ~763 kg/m³ | Rubber process, adhesives, specialty ink vehicles |
Hub II · Isoparaffinic family
Isoparaffinic solvents are highly branched paraffinic hydrocarbon fluids, produced by controlled isomerisation and distillation. They sit structurally alongside the dearomatised aliphatic family but are characterised by lower odour, narrower boiling ranges, and tighter specification: which translates into a premium commercial position. Typical procurement rationale: odour-sensitive applications (cosmetic, personal care, consumer products), high-flash industrial coatings, and formulations where a narrow evaporation window matters more than per-kg price.
Isoparaffinic solvents hub →Isoparaffinic 01 · Sub-family
Isoparaffinic solvents are highly branched paraffinic fluids with extremely low odour, narrow boiling ranges, and tight commercial specification. They are available across a wide boiling span, from light isoparaffinic fluids around 100°C through heavier cuts above 250°C. Typical uses include personal care and cosmetic formulation, odour-sensitive industrial coatings, specialty cleaning, metalworking fluids, and electronic assembly cleaning.
Typical characteristics
Aromatic content is typically <0.01 wt% (100 ppm) or lower; benzene below 1 ppm. Odour is very low, which is the primary commercial differentiator versus dearomatised straight-chain aliphatics at similar boiling range. Densities run 700–815 kg/m³ depending on cut. Flash points span from below zero for the lightest cuts through ~125°C for the heaviest. Narrow boiling ranges (often within a 30°C window) give controlled evaporation behaviour.
Representative grades
| Grade class | Boiling range | Flash point | Density | Typical application context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light isoparaffinic (C8–C9) | ~98–140°C | ~−5 to ~8°C | ~699–723 kg/m³ | Aerosol, electronics cleaning, low-odour specialty |
| Medium isoparaffinic (C10–C11) | ~163–211°C | ~45–69°C | ~748–767 kg/m³ | Odour-sensitive coatings, personal care, metalworking |
| Heavy isoparaffinic (C12–C14) | ~208–256°C | ~81–96°C | ~782–787 kg/m³ | Cosmetic, personal care carrier, specialty industrial |
| Very heavy isoparaffinic (C15+) | ~270–308°C | ~127°C | ~812 kg/m³ | High-flash specialty, insulating oils, rubber process |
Hub III · Aromatic family
Aromatic solvent naphtha covers the 100, 150 and 200 boiling ranges, each available in standard and naphthalene-depleted (ND) form. "Naphtha 150" or "Naphtha 200" on their own are not a complete specification. The non-ND 150 and 200 grades carry a Carc. 2 (H351) classification under CLP driven by residual naphthalene content; the ND variants do not. That classification difference drives REACH dossier work, SDS obligations and downstream labelling, which is why aromatic procurement is regulatory-first, with ND status as the leading specification filter.
Aromatic solvents hub →Aromatic 01 · Sub-family
Aromatic solvent naphtha is a petroleum distillate fraction rich in C9 and C10 aromatic hydrocarbons, typically >99 wt% aromatic content by specification. Commercial grades are classified by boiling range (100, 150, 200) and by naphthalene-depletion status (standard or ND). Typical uses include industrial coatings, agrochemical formulation, printing inks, specialty cleaning, paint stripping and polymer processing.
Typical characteristics
Aromatic content is typically >99 wt%; benzene is typically below 1 ppm. Densities are high versus equivalent-range aliphatics (860–1000 kg/m³). Flash points rise from ~50°C (Naphtha 100) through ~66°C (Naphtha 150) to ~115°C (Naphtha 200 ND). Aniline points are very low (13–15°C), the strongest solvency in the industrial solvent portfolio. The commercial split that matters: non-ND grades of 150 and 200 carry a Carc. 2 (H351 "suspected of causing cancer") classification driven by 5–10 wt% residual naphthalene; the ND variants reduce naphthalene to <1 wt% and drop the Carc. 2. Cumene content is classification-relevant above 0.1 wt% in mixtures under CLP.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling range | Flash point | Density | Regulatory note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Naphtha 100 | ~166–181°C | ~50°C | ~877 kg/m³ | Flam. 3, Asp. Tox. 1, STOT SE 3, Aquatic Chr. 2 |
| Naphtha 150 (non-ND) | ~180–206°C | ~66°C | ~896 kg/m³ | Carc. 2 (H351), Asp. Tox. 1, STOT SE 3 |
| Naphtha 150 ND | ~180–194°C | ~64°C | ~885 kg/m³ | Asp. Tox. 1, STOT SE 3 (no Carc. 2) |
| Naphtha 200 (non-ND) | ~231–280°C | ~105°C | ~992 kg/m³ | Carc. 2 (H351), Asp. Tox. 1, Aquatic Chr. 2 |
| Naphtha 200 ND | ~246–301°C | ~115°C | ~990 kg/m³ | Asp. Tox. 1, Aquatic Chr. 2 (no Carc. 2) |
Hub IV · Oxygenated family
Oxygenated solvents sit together in catalogues but are three different commercial conversations. IPA is a market-timing problem, price volatility driven by propylene cycles and demand shocks. MEK is a regulatory gate, a Category 3 scheduled drug precursor under EU Regulation 273/2004; without correct registration, supply cannot start. Ethyl acetate is a specification problem, "ethyl acetate" without purity context is not a usable specification. Each needs its own enquiry structure.
Oxygenated solvents hub →Oxygenated 01 · Sub-family
The core commercial oxygenated solvents in European industrial supply are isopropyl alcohol (IPA), methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) and ethyl acetate (ETAC). Typical uses include coatings, printing inks, adhesives, pharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial cleaning, electronics and food-contact-adjacent formulations. Purity grade, regulatory status and water content are the typical procurement criteria, but they apply differently to each of the three.
Typical characteristics
Boiling points cluster in a narrow range: IPA ~82°C, MEK ~80°C, ETAC ~77°C. Densities run 785–905 kg/m³. All three carry Flam. Liq. 2 classification under CLP; flash points are low (IPA ~12°C, MEK ~−9°C, ETAC ~−4°C). Water content is a specification variable (IPA anhydrous <0.1 wt%, ETAC high-purity <0.05 wt%). MEK is a Category 3 scheduled substance under EU Regulation 273/2004 on drug precursors: above defined volume thresholds, buyers must be registered operators or provide customer declarations, and sellers keep transaction records.
Representative grades
| Grade | Boiling point | Flash point | Typical purity | Regulatory / commercial note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IPA technical | ~82°C | ~12°C | ~99.8 wt% | Market-timing driver; price-volatile |
| IPA anhydrous | ~82°C | ~12°C | ~99.9 wt% | Water <0.1 wt%; electronics and pharma routes |
| MEK technical | ~80°C | ~−9°C | ~99.5 wt%+ | Reg. 273/2004 Cat. 3 precursor: registration required |
| ETAC technical | ~77°C | ~−4°C | ~99.5 wt% | Food-contact variants available |
| ETAC high-purity | ~77°C | ~−4°C | ~99.7 wt%+ | Water <0.05 wt%; food-contact and pharma routes |
About the values on this page. The boiling ranges, flash points, densities, aromatic content and viscosity values shown are typical across the European supply market. They are intended for editorial orientation at the specification and grade-selection stage, they are not specification limits, and they do not constitute a commercial offer.
For a specific delivery, the authoritative specification, classification and batch-level analysis are contained in the supplier's Product Data Sheet, Safety Data Sheet and Certificate of Analysis, issued directly by the supplier. CLP classification, REACH registration status, and transport classification (UN number, packing group, hazard class) should always be verified against current supplier documentation for each delivery.
All grades covered by the Alcoris network are technical / industrial grade. Food contact, pharmaceutical, cosmetic and personal-care end-uses require a specific route-of-supply declaration from the relevant supplier, routes vary by producer and terminal and cannot be inferred from the general grade designation.
Commercial enquiries
Send a specification, an application, or a general grade-family question. The enquiry will be reviewed and, where it fits the network, forwarded to a supplier operating in the relevant category.