If you work with solvents, you’ve probably come across both alcohol and denatured alcohol, and wondered if alcohol and denatured alcohol are the same thing. The short answer: no. They share a name but not exactly a purpose, so what exactly is the difference between alcohol and denatured alcohol? In industrial and commercial supply, understanding the difference between pure ethanol and denatured alcohol affects everything from costs to compliance.
Quick Answer
What’s the difference between alcohol and denatured alcohol?
Pure alcohol (ethanol) is drinkable and taxed as a beverage, while denatured alcohol has added chemicals that make it unsafe to drink but useful as an industrial solvent.
When people talk about alcohol for industrial use, they’re usually referring to pure ethanol. Ethanol is made by fermentation or chemical synthesis and used anywhere high purity is needed: labs, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and disinfectants. Because it’s drinkable, it’s taxed heavily and regulated as a consumable.
Ethanol starts out as potable (fit for drinking), which means it’s subject to excise duty. But a significant share of global ethanol production is actually meant for industrial uses. To make this ethanol non-potable and avoid beverage taxes, it’s blended or denatured with chemicals that render it undrinkable. Many jurisdictions (including South Africa) offer rebates on the excise duty when ethanol is denatured for industrial purposes.
To avoid high beverage taxes and prevent misuse, producers add chemicals called denaturants to ethanol. The result, denatured alcohol, is chemically similar but made undrinkable by bittering or toxic additives like methanol or acetone. The idea is simple: keep it useful as a solvent, make it useless as a drink. In South Africa, excise rebates apply when ethanol is properly denatured to SARS standards.
| Feature | Pure Alcohol (Ethanol) | Denatured Alcohol |
| Drinkable? | Yes (regulated) | No |
| Taxed as beverage? | Yes | No |
| Typical Uses | Labs, cosmetics, pharma | Cleaning, fuel, industrial |
| Contains Additives? | No | Yes |
| Toxicity | Lower | Higher (due to denaturants) |
As a simple rule, pure ethanol works best where contact with skin, food, or medical equipment demands purity. Denatured alcohol is more of a workhorse for cleaning glassware, thinning shellac, stripping paint, and fueling stoves. It’s cheaper and easier to buy in bulk because it avoids the taxes tied to beverage-grade alcohol.
For example, a paint shop in Cape Town might buy denatured alcohol in bulk drums to strip varnish, while a medical lab in Johannesburg requires certified pure ethanol for sterilisation.
You may also be interested in: Comparing Industrial Solvents: The Difference Between Organic and Synthetic Ethanol
Denatured alcohol isn’t one-size-fits-all. Blends vary by the denaturants used and their concentration. The wrong mix could corrode equipment or leave residue on surfaces.
Pro tip: Always check product specs and match the blend to the task.
Treat both alcohol and denatured alcohol with care. Denatured alcohol is just as flammable as pure ethanol, plus its additives make it more hazardous if inhaled or absorbed
Who needs it?
Companies buying ethanol for industrial, scientific, or chemical processes need an SOS License. It helps SARS track distribution and ensures the ethanol isn’t misused for beverage production.
Who needs it?
Pro tip: Secure the right license before requesting quotes. It saves time, avoids delays, and ensures compliance with local law.
Solco supplies pure ethanol and a range of denatured blends for different industrial, lab, or commercial uses. Not sure what you need? We can help you compare grades, packaging, and local requirements. Get in touch for expert advice or a quick quote.
No, the additives are toxic and not safely removable. Never attempt it.
No. Isopropyl alcohol is a different compound entirely. Both clean well but have different chemical properties and uses.
Depending on your task, isopropyl alcohol, pure ethanol, or acetone can sometimes work as substitutes. Always check that your alternative is safe for your application.
Not exactly; 90% alcohol usually refers to a high concentration of pure isopropyl alcohol or ethanol. Denatured alcohol is ethanol mixed with additives to make it undrinkable.
It’s often called methylated spirits.
It’s regular ethanol that’s been made undrinkable by adding chemicals, so it can be used as a cleaner or fuel without the taxes that apply to drinking alcohol.
Yes, you generally need either a SARS User Rebate License or an SOS License, depending on whether you’re using it for food/beverage manufacturing or industrial/chemical purposes. Always confirm your licensing before you request a quote.
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