Ethanol is a fundamental solvent across various industries, including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and industrial manufacturing. There are several types of ethanol, including organic ethanol and synthetic ethanol. When comparing industrial solvents, it’s important to understand the distinctions between the two variants to ensure optimal performance and compliance with industry standards.
In summary
Organic ethanol is derived from organically grown crops such as wheat, rye, or sugarcane, cultivated without synthetic pesticides or fertilisers. This production method aligns with stringent organic certification standards, ensuring the final product is free from synthetic chemicals and additives.
Reason: Organic ethanol is often preferred in formulations that require high purity and adherence to organic certification standards. It’s used in skincare products, perfumes, and hair care formulations where chemical additives need to be avoided.
Examples: Organic toners, serums, lotions, and organic fragrance oils.
Reason: Organic ethanol is used in the production of medicinal extracts, tinctures, and oral solutions. Its high purity makes it suitable for sensitive applications, including those involving ingestion.
Examples: Herbal tinctures, mouthwashes, and certain over-the-counter medications.
Reason: The demand for organic certification in
food-grade products makes organic ethanol a preferred choice in the production of food extracts, flavourings, and alcohol-based beverages like organic vodka or herbal liqueurs.
Examples: Food extracts, vanilla extracts, and alcoholic
beverages that emphasize organic ingredients.
Reason: Products targeting natural health markets (such as essential oils or herbal remedies) often require organic certification to meet customer expectations for purity and sustainability
Examples: Herbal tonics, essential oil solutions, and
natural cleaners.
Synthetic ethanol is produced through chemical processes such as the hydration of ethylene, often derived from petroleum feedstocks. This method allows for large-scale production and offers several distinct advantages:
Reason: Synthetic ethanol’s fast evaporation rate and powerful solvent properties make it an excellent choice for cleaning heavy machinery, electronic parts, and industrial equipment where quick drying is necessary.
Examples: Cleaning solvents, degreasers, and electronic circuit board cleaning.
Reason: Due to its broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity, synthetic ethanol is commonly used in the production of disinfectants, hand sanitisers, and surface cleaners, especially in commercial and medical settings.
Examples: Hospital disinfectants, hand sanitisers,
and surface disinfectant sprays.
Reason: For products that do not require organic certification, synthetic ethanol provides a cost-effective alternative for use in the production of lotions, creams, and medicinal solutions.
Examples: Non-organic skincare products, pharmaceutical alcohol solutions, and topical creams.
Reason: Synthetic ethanol’s fast evaporation rate is beneficial in applications like paint thinners and ink formulations, where quick drying is crucial. It’s also used in varnishes and other coating solutions.
Examples: Industrial paints, ink formulations, and varnishes.
Reason: Synthetic ethanol is also used in the fuel industry, where it can be blended with gasoline to create ethanol-based fuel products. Its production scale and cost-effectiveness make it an ideal choice for biofuels.
Examples: Ethanol-blended gasoline (E85), renewable biofuels.
| Feature/Attribute | Organic Ethanol | Synthetic Ethanol |
| Source | Fermented from organically grown crops (e.g., sugarcane, wheat) | Produced via chemical synthesis (typically from ethylene) |
| Certification | Certified organic; free from synthetic pesticides/fertilizers | Not certified organic |
| Purity | High purity (up to 99.9%) | High purity (up to 99.9%) |
| Use Cases | Food, cosmetics, natural health products, pharmaceuticals | Industrial cleaning, inks, coatings, disinfectants |
| Antimicrobial Properties | Present, but often used in regulated environments | Broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity |
| Evaporation Rate | Moderate | Fast |
| Environmental Impact | Renewable source; eco-conscious production | Lower environmental impact when handled responsibly |
| Toxicity | Very low | Low |
| Cost | Typically higher due to farming and certification standards | More cost-effective for large-scale industrial use |
| Consistency | Stable and consistent with organic certification | Controlled synthetic process ensures batch-to-batch consistency |
| Best For | Applications in industries where purity, organic certification, and low environmental impact are essential, such as in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food production, and natural health products. | Industrial uses that demand cost-effectiveness, fast evaporation, or broad-spectrum antimicrobial properties, such as in cleaning, disinfectants, paints, and biofuels. |
Our organic ethanol product range includes
Selecting Solco means partnering with an ISO 9001-certified facility committed to delivering ethanol products that meet the highest industry standards. Our rigorous quality control processes ensure that each batch of ethanol provides reliable performance for your specific applications.
To explore our product offerings or discuss your ethanol requirements, view our products or
contact us today.
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