What benzyl alcohol is
Benzyl alcohol — phenylmethanol, C6H5CH2OH, CAS 100-51-6 — is an aromatic alcohol: a clear liquid with a specific gravity of 1.042 – 1.046 at 25 °C and a refractive index of 1.5380 – 1.5410 at 20 °C. Its HSN code is 2906 21 00.
Few chemicals in our range work in two industries this different. In a paint or ink plant it is a solvent. In a pharma or cosmetics plant it is a preservative and an intermediate. This guide covers both sides — and the grade question that separates them.
We stock benzyl alcohol in GACL technical grade — 99.5% min purity by GC, chlorine-free — in 220 kg net HM HDPE barrels at our Redhills, Chennai warehouse.
Uses in paints, coatings and inks
On the industrial side, benzyl alcohol earns its place three ways:
- Solvent for paints, coatings and lacquers.
- Epoxy resin diluent in epoxy formulations.
- Ink work — ink formulations and dye carrier duty.
Uses in pharma, cosmetics and fragrance
On the regulated side, it appears as:
- Preservative in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations — in pharmacopoeial grade, as an antimicrobial preservative in injectable and topical preparations, and as a pharmaceutical solvent.
- Fragrance and perfumery intermediate.
- Intermediate for benzyl esters and ethers used in fragrance and flavour work.
The grade question: technical vs IP / BP / USP
The grade on our product page is GACL technical grade: 99.5% min purity by GC and chlorine-free, with colour 20 APHA max, benzaldehyde 0.10% max, dibenzyl ether 0.10% max and water content 0.10% max against the manufacturer's published specification. That grade suits industrial solvent and intermediate duty — coatings, epoxies, inks.
Pharmaceutical and cosmetic work usually requires a pharmacopoeial standard instead. Benzyl alcohol in IP / BP / USP grade is listed on our Food & Pharma Grade range in 35 / 230 kg drums (makes: Lanxess / Sanghvi / GACL). State the pharmacopoeial standard and edition you need at the time of enquiry — grade and availability are confirmed per order, not assumed. For what IP, BP and USP actually mean on a CoA, read our pharmacopoeial grade guide.
The specification we stock
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| Grade | Technical — 99.5% min purity by GC, chlorine-free |
| Appearance | Clear liquid |
| Assay | 99.5% min (by GC) |
| Specific gravity | 1.042 – 1.046 at 25 °C |
| Refractive index | 1.5380 – 1.5410 at 20 °C |
| HSN code | 2906 21 00 |
| Packaging | 220 kg net HM HDPE barrels |
| Make | GACL — Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited |
Store it in closed containers in a cool, ventilated area away from oxidisers. The TDS and MSDS are downloadable from the product page.
Who manufactures benzyl alcohol
The material we hold is manufactured by Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals Limited (GACL). The manufacturers on our supply chain for benzyl alcohol also include KLJ Group, Viswaat Chemicals, Sanghvi (Gujarat) and LANXESS. We are distributors, not manufacturers — what we hold is stock in Chennai, and what we run is the dispatch across South India.
FAQ
Do you supply pharmacopoeial (IP / BP / USP) benzyl alcohol?
Our product-page grade is GACL technical, 99.5% min by GC. Benzyl alcohol in IP / BP / USP grade is listed on our Food & Pharma Grade range in 35 / 230 kg drums. State your required standard and edition at enquiry; grade and availability are confirmed per order.
What impurity limits apply to the technical grade?
The GACL technical grade is chlorine-free, with colour 20 APHA max, benzaldehyde 0.10% max, dibenzyl ether 0.10% max and water content 0.10% max — the limits to check on the Certificate of Analysis.
Is benzyl alcohol heavier than water?
Yes. Its specific gravity is 1.042 – 1.046 at 25 °C, so it is slightly denser than water — worth remembering when converting between litres and kilograms on a 220 kg barrel.
Sourcing benzyl alcohol in South India
For coatings, epoxy, ink, pharma or fragrance work, see the benzyl alcohol product page for the full specification and documents, or WhatsApp an enquiry with your grade, quantity and delivery point. We dispatch from Redhills, Chennai across South India.