Indian chemical trade runs on abbreviations that rarely appear in a textbook. NBA is normal butyl alcohol — n-butanol, CAS 71-36-3. CPW is chlorinated paraffin wax, CAS 63449-39-8. MDC is methylene di chloride (dichloromethane, CAS 75-09-2), and SMBS is sodium meta bi sulphite (CAS 7681-57-4). Below is the full decode table, plus the collision cases that cause wrong deliveries.
We list our own catalogue abbreviation-first because that is how enquiries arrive — buyers write "NBA, 200 ltr" and "CPW 52", not "butan-1-ol". This glossary maps each trade abbreviation to its full chemical name and CAS Registry Number so a purchase order can be written without ambiguity.
Master decode table
Alphabetical. Two entries are trade grade names rather than abbreviations, and they behave differently in the CAS column. A formulated blend such as Acid Thickener has no single CAS number at all — a supplier quoting one for it is quoting a component, not the product. An ethoxylate grade such as Alphox 200 does sit under a generic polymer CAS, but that number does not distinguish one mole grade from another, so the mole number governs the purchase, not the CAS.
| Abbreviation | Full name | CAS number | Product family | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acid Thickener | Anionic thickening blend for low-pH systems | None — formulated blend | Surfactant blend | Viscosity building in acidic cleaners |
| Alphox 200 | Nonyl phenol ethoxylate, 9.5 mole (NPE / NP 9.5) | Generic ethoxylate CAS only — specify the mole number | Non-ionic surfactant | Wetting and emulsifying in aqueous systems |
| AOS | Alpha Olefin Sulphonate | 68439-57-6 | Anionic surfactant | Foaming base in detergents and cleaners |
| BAM | Butyl Acrylate Monomer | 141-32-2 | Acrylate monomer | Acrylic emulsions, adhesives, paints |
| CAPB | Cocamidopropyl Betaine | 61789-40-0 | Amphoteric surfactant | Mild co-surfactant in hand wash and shampoo |
| CDEA | Coco Diethanolamide (cocamide DEA) | 68603-42-9 | Non-ionic surfactant | Foam booster in liquid detergents |
| CMEA | Coco Monoethanolamide | 68140-00-1 | Non-ionic surfactant | Foam stabiliser and thickener |
| CPW | Chlorinated Paraffin Wax | 63449-39-8 | Secondary plasticizer | PVC cable, flooring, flame retardance |
| DBP | Di Butyl Phthalate | 84-74-2 | Plasticizer | Adhesives, nitrocellulose, PVC |
| DEA | Di Ethanol Amine | 111-42-2 | Alkanolamine | Gas scrubbing, surfactant intermediates |
| DEG | Diethylene Glycol | 111-46-6 | Glycol | Unsaturated polyester resins, humectant |
| DEP | Di Ethyl Phthalate | 84-66-2 | Plasticizer | Cellulosics, coatings, denaturant |
| DMA | Di Methyl Amine | 124-40-3 | Amine | Rubber chemicals, surfactant synthesis |
| DMF | Di Methyl Formamide | 68-12-2 | Polar aprotic solvent | PU coating, acrylic fibre, synthesis |
| DOM | Di Octyl Maleate | 142-16-5 | Plasticizing monomer | Internal plasticizer, comonomer |
| DOP | Di Octyl Phthalate — in Indian trade, di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate / DEHP | 117-81-7 (read literally as di-n-octyl phthalate, DNOP: 117-84-0) | Primary plasticizer | Flexible PVC compounding |
| DOTP | Di Octyl Terephthalate | 6422-86-2 | Non-ortho-phthalate plasticizer | PVC where ortho-phthalates are restricted |
| DPG | Dipropylene Glycol | 25265-71-8 | Glycol | Fragrance carrier, polyester resins |
| GMS | Glycerol Mono Stearate | 31566-31-1 | Non-ionic emulsifier | Emulsions, plastics anti-fog and lubricant |
| IPA | Isopropyl Alcohol (propan-2-ol) | 67-63-0 | Alcohol solvent | Cleaning, extraction, sanitiser base |
| LAB | Linear Alkyl Benzene | 67774-74-7 | Aromatic feedstock | Feedstock for LABSA |
| LABSA (acid slurry) | Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulphonic Acid | 27176-87-0 | Anionic surfactant | Detergent powders, cakes, liquids |
| LLP / HLP | Light / Heavy Liquid Paraffin (white mineral oil) | 8012-95-1 | Mineral oil | Pharma and cosmetic bases, ointments |
| MDC (also DCM) | Methylene Di Chloride / dichloromethane | 75-09-2 | Chlorinated solvent | Pharma extraction, paint stripping |
| MEA | Mono Ethanol Amine | 141-43-5 | Alkanolamine | Gas scrubbing, surfactant intermediates |
| MEG | Mono Ethylene Glycol | 107-21-1 | Glycol | Polyester, coolant, antifreeze |
| MEK | Methyl Ethyl Ketone (butanone) | 78-93-3 | Ketone solvent | PU, inks, adhesives, PVC cement |
| MIBK | Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone | 108-10-1 | Ketone solvent | Nitrocellulose lacquers, extraction |
| MTO | Mineral Turpentine Oil | 8052-41-3 | Petroleum solvent | Paint thinner, degreasing |
| NBA | Normal Butyl Alcohol (n-butanol, butan-1-ol) | 71-36-3 | Alcohol solvent | Butyl acetate and acrylate feedstock, coatings |
| PAC | Poly Aluminium Chloride | 1327-41-9 | Inorganic coagulant | Drinking and industrial water treatment |
| PG | Propylene Glycol (propane-1,2-diol) | 57-55-6 | Glycol | Pharma excipient, humectant, co-solvent |
| PGMEA | Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether Acetate (PMA / PM Acetate) | 108-65-6 | Glycol ether ester | Electronics and coating solvent |
| PGMME | Propylene Glycol Monomethyl Ether (methoxy propanol) | 107-98-2 | Glycol ether | Coatings, inks, cleaners |
| SHMP | Sodium Hexametaphosphate | 10124-56-8 | Phosphate sequestrant | Water treatment, detergent builder |
| SLES | Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulphate (sodium laureth sulfate) | 68585-34-2 | Anionic surfactant | Shampoo and liquid detergent base |
| SLS | Sodium Lauryl Sulphate | 151-21-3 | Anionic surfactant | Powder detergents, toothpaste, wetting |
| SMBS | Sodium Meta Bi Sulphite (sodium metabisulphite) | 7681-57-4 | Reducing agent | Dechlorination, oxygen scavenging |
| STPP | Sodium Tripolyphosphate | 7758-29-4 | Phosphate builder | Detergent builder, scale control |
| TCCA | Trichloroisocyanuric Acid | 87-90-1 | Chlorine donor | Pool and water disinfection |
| TEA | Tri Ethanol Amine | 102-71-6 | Alkanolamine | Cement grinding aid, acid neutralisation |
| VAM | Vinyl Acetate Monomer | 108-05-4 | Monomer | PVA and PVAc emulsions, adhesives |
Solvent abbreviations — and why they travel badly
Solvent shorthand is regional. MTO in Indian trade means mineral turpentine oil, a petroleum distillate (CAS 8052-41-3) used as a paint thinner and degreaser. In refining and petrochemical literature, MTO means methanol-to-olefins — a process, not a product. Send "MTO" to an overseas supplier without the full name and you will get a clarification email at best.
MDC and DCM are the same substance — dichloromethane, CAS 75-09-2, also called methylene chloride. Indian purchase orders normally say MDC; European and American documentation normally says DCM. All four names describe one molecule, and the CAS number settles it.
Ketone shorthand is compact but unforgiving. MEK (CAS 78-93-3) and MIBK (CAS 108-10-1) differ by two carbon atoms, and therefore by boiling point and evaporation rate. They are not interchangeable in a lacquer formulation, and a PO that says only "MEK/MIBK grade solvent" invites the cheaper of the two.
NBA sits in the same trap. It is the normal (straight-chain) butanol, CAS 71-36-3. Iso-butanol (CAS 78-83-1) is a different alcohol with a different evaporation profile and is not a substitute unless your formulation says so.
Surfactant and detergent abbreviations
The detergent trade compresses almost everything: LABSA (acid slurry), SLES, SLS, AOS, CAPB, CDEA, CMEA, GMS.
The point that matters to a formulator: the abbreviation identifies the chemistry, but the active-matter percentage identifies the product you actually buy. SLES is traded by mole number as well as by active matter — the mole number changes foam and viscosity behaviour, and 1-mole and 3-mole grades share the same abbreviation. The technical grade we stock is LES 70, 2 mole, specified at 68.0% minimum active matter. CAPB is an aqueous solution; the Ginamide B grade we stock is 29.0% minimum active betaine. The Ginamide CDEA we stock is a liquid 1:1 type at 85% minimum total active matter. Two drums both labelled "CAPB" can differ by a factor of two in what you are paying for.
| Abbreviation | Charge type | What to specify beyond the name |
|---|---|---|
| LABSA (acid slurry) | Anionic | Active matter %, free oil, colour |
| SLES | Anionic | Active matter % and mole (1, 2 or 3 EO) |
| SLS | Anionic | Powder or needle form, active matter % |
| AOS | Anionic | Paste, liquid or powder; active matter % |
| CAPB | Amphoteric | Active betaine %, pH, salt content |
| CDEA / CMEA | Non-ionic | 1:1 or 2:1 type, total active matter %, form |
| GMS | Non-ionic | Mono-ester content, self-emulsifying or not |
Plasticizer and powder abbreviations
Plasticizer shorthand is structural. DOP is the primary phthalate workhorse, and in Indian trade it means di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate — DEHP, CAS 117-81-7. Read literally, the letters say di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP, CAS 117-84-0), which is a different ester; an overseas supplier may read them that way, so put 117-81-7 on the order. DBP (84-74-2) and DEP (84-66-2) are shorter-chain phthalates; DOTP (6422-86-2) is the terephthalate isomer specified where ortho-phthalates are restricted. DOM (142-16-5) is a maleate ester used as an internal plasticizer and comonomer.
The number in CPW-42, CPW-52 and CPW-70 is the approximate chlorine content by weight — not a viscosity, not a batch code, not a purity figure. CPW-52 is the standard Indian PVC and cable grade; CPW-70 is a solid used mainly as a flame retardant. The CPW-52 grade guide covers the full specification.
Among powders, STPP (sodium tripolyphosphate, 7758-29-4) and SHMP (sodium hexametaphosphate, 10124-56-8) are both phosphate sequestrants and are routinely swapped in enquiries — they are different molecules with different sequestering behaviour and different bulk densities. SMBS (7681-57-4) is a reducing agent and oxygen scavenger, not an oxidiser; do not confuse it with the nitrates and bromates shelved beside it. PAC (1327-41-9) intended for drinking water should be specified against IS 15573:2018, and TCCA (87-90-1) by available chlorine and mesh size.
Why the same abbreviation can mean two things
Six collisions account for most of the wrong deliveries we see:
| Abbreviation | Reading 1 | CAS | Reading 2 | CAS |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| DOP | Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) — Indian trade reading | 117-81-7 | Di-n-octyl phthalate (DNOP) — literal reading | 117-84-0 |
| DEA | Diethanolamine | 111-42-2 | Diethylamine | 109-89-7 |
| TEA | Triethanolamine | 102-71-6 | Triethylamine | 121-44-8 |
| DMA | Dimethylamine | 124-40-3 | Dimethylacetamide (DMAc) | 127-19-5 |
| PG | Propylene glycol | 57-55-6 | Propyl gallate | 121-79-9 |
| DMF | Dimethylformamide | 68-12-2 | Dimethyl fumarate | 624-49-7 |
"DEA" in a detergent or gas-treating context almost always means diethanolamine. In a fine-chemicals context it can mean diethylamine — a different, far more volatile and more flammable amine with different handling requirements. Same three letters, different hazard class. TEA behaves the same way: triethanolamine is the alkanolamine used in cement grinding aids and cosmetics, while triethylamine is a volatile, strongly basic catalyst. DMA is the pair that reaches us most often through solvent enquiries — dimethylamine is a gas supplied in solution, while DMAc (dimethylacetamide) is a polar aprotic solvent that sits next to DMF on the same enquiry.
The rule is simple: never issue a purchase order on an abbreviation alone. Pair the abbreviation with the CAS number. A CAS Registry Number ends in a check digit computed from the preceding digits, so most typos fail validation instead of resolving to a valid number for a different chemical. It is a cheap first check, not a guarantee — confirm the number against the chemical name as well.
How to write an unambiguous enquiry
Three lines are enough. This is procurement hygiene, not paperwork:
- Full chemical name and CAS number. "Butanol (NBA), n-butanol, CAS 71-36-3" — not "NBA".
- Grade or standard. Technical, IP / BP / USP, FCC, or a named IS specification. For surfactants, state active matter % and mole. For CPW, state the chlorine grade. For TiO2, state anatase or rutile.
- Form, pack and delivery location. Liquid or powder; drum, carboy, bag, IBC or tanker; and the delivery point.
When goods arrive, check that the CAS number on the Certificate of Analysis and on the Safety Data Sheet both match the purchase order. A mismatch across those three documents is the earliest reliable signal that the wrong product has been shipped, and it is far cheaper to catch at the gate than in the batch.
FAQ
What is the full form of NBA in chemicals?
NBA stands for Normal Butyl Alcohol, also written n-butanol or butan-1-ol, CAS 71-36-3. It is a four-carbon straight-chain primary alcohol used as a coatings and printing-ink solvent and as feedstock for butyl acetate and butyl acrylate. In Indian trade the abbreviation NBA is used far more often than the chemical name.
What does CPW stand for?
CPW stands for Chlorinated Paraffin Wax, CAS 63449-39-8. It is a secondary plasticizer made by chlorinating paraffin, used mainly in flexible PVC, cable compounds, flooring and rubber, where it offsets cost against primary plasticizers and adds flame retardance. It is traded by chlorine grade: CPW-42, CPW-52 and CPW-70.
Is MDC the same as DCM?
Yes. MDC (methylene di chloride) and DCM (dichloromethane) are two names for the same substance, CAS 75-09-2, also called methylene chloride. Indian purchase orders normally use MDC; international documentation normally uses DCM. Quote the CAS number and either abbreviation is unambiguous.
What is CAPB used for?
CAPB is Cocamidopropyl Betaine, CAS 61789-40-0, an amphoteric surfactant derived from coconut fatty acids. It is used as a mild co-surfactant, foam booster and viscosity aid in shampoos, hand washes and liquid cleaners, usually alongside SLES. It is supplied as an aqueous solution, so specify the active betaine percentage, not just the name.
What does the 52 in CPW-52 mean?
The 52 is the approximate chlorine content by weight, around 52%. It is not a viscosity, a batch code or a purity figure. Higher chlorine content raises flame retardance and viscosity and lowers plasticizing efficiency, which is why CPW-42, CPW-52 and CPW-70 serve different applications. Confirm the chlorine content on the Certificate of Analysis.
Does a formulated blend have a CAS number?
No. A CAS Registry Number identifies one substance, and a formulated blend is not one substance. Products such as Acid Thickener therefore carry no single CAS number, and a supplier quoting one is quoting a component. Ethoxylate grades are a separate case: Alphox 200 (nonyl phenol ethoxylate, 9.5 mole) does sit under a generic polymer CAS, but that number covers every mole grade, so it identifies the chemistry and not the product. Specify a blend by grade name and key specification, and an ethoxylate by mole number.
Related reading
- CAS numbers explained — a practical guide for procurement teams
- IP vs BP vs USP grade chemicals — pharmacopoeial standards explained
- Chlorinated paraffin wax CPW-52 — grades and specifications
- Acid slurry and LABSA — detergent feedstock guide
- Methylene dichloride (MDC) — pharma and industrial uses
- How to read an MSDS / SDS
- Full SPC catalogue, every product listed with its CAS number
Sourcing any of these from Chennai
Many of the products decoded above are in our catalogue — the linked names in this article go straight to their product pages, each with its CAS number, grade and packaging. We import and distribute from our Redhills, Chennai warehouse, with dispatch across South India. Send the full name, CAS number, grade, form and pack via the contact page or WhatsApp an enquiry to Sanketh on +91 86087 80096, or email admin@supremepetrochemicals.com. Consignments ship against the manufacturer's batch Certificate of Analysis.