Industrial ethanol buyers may have more than one sourcing option.
While some processes require a specific virgin or regulated-grade ethanol, other industrial applications may be able to use properly specified reclaimed ethanol.
Understanding the difference can help procurement and technical teams determine which option fits their operation.
What Is Virgin Ethanol?
Virgin ethanol generally refers to newly produced ethanol rather than material recovered from a secondary chemical stream.
It is available in multiple grades and specifications depending on its intended use.
Certain regulated applications may require specific grades, documentation, or purity requirements.
What Is Reclaimed Ethanol?
Reclaimed ethanol is recovered and reprocessed for reuse in appropriate industrial applications.
Rock Chemicals offers Reclaimed Ethanol 190 Proof as a remanufactured industrial solvent.
It has a minimum ethanol content of 94% by volume.
When Might Reclaimed Ethanol Make Sense?
Reclaimed material may warrant evaluation for industrial processes such as:
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Cleaning
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Coatings
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Ink manufacturing
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Chemical processing
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Solvent applications
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General manufacturing
The deciding factor should be whether the product specifications meet the process requirements.
When Might Virgin Material Be Required?
Reclaimed ethanol should not automatically be assumed to meet requirements for beverage, food, pharmaceutical, or other regulated applications.
Technical and quality teams should establish the necessary grade before procurement evaluates suppliers.
Compare Specifications Before Price
Price should come after technical suitability.
Procurement teams should first determine:
Does the material meet our process requirements?
If the answer is yes, commercial comparisons can then consider:
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Delivered cost
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Availability
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Quantity
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Lead time
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Supplier reliability
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Documentation
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Purchasing frequency
Consider Supply Diversification
Reclaimed ethanol may also provide an additional sourcing channel for appropriate industrial applications.
Companies seeking greater procurement flexibility may evaluate reclaimed material alongside other approved sources.
Consider Waste and Resource Utilization
Remanufactured chemicals return recovered material to productive industrial use.
For organizations evaluating solvent reuse or waste-reduction initiatives, reclaimed ethanol can potentially support those objectives when the material is technically appropriate.
Request Documentation Before Qualifying Material
A reclaimed solvent should be evaluated according to the same disciplined procurement process used for other industrial raw materials.
Request applicable product specifications and documentation and have the appropriate technical personnel determine suitability.
Compare Reclaimed Ethanol Supply Options With Rock Chemicals
If your operation can utilize reclaimed industrial ethanol, contact Rock Chemicals to discuss Reclaimed Ethanol 190 Proof.
Provide your application, required volume, specifications, delivery location, and purchasing frequency to determine whether the available material fits your requirements.
Rock Chemicals can provide current availability and quote information for qualified industrial buyers.