Isopropyl alcohol (IPA), also known as 2-propanol (CAS 67-63-0), ranks among the top-five most sourced commodity solvents in India's industrial and pharmaceutical sectors. Its combination of fast evaporation, broad solvency, and relatively low toxicity compared to other alcohols makes it indispensable across a wide range of manufacturing applications.
This guide covers the grade spectrum available in India, which industries use which specification, and what procurement teams should verify when sourcing bulk IPA.
IPA Grade Spectrum
IPA is commercially available in several purity grades, each suited to different end-uses:
- Technical Grade (≥99%): The industrial workhorse. Used for surface cleaning, degreasing, PCB manufacturing, and general solvent applications. This is the standard bulk grade supplied by most distributors.
- Commercial / 70% Grade: Pre-diluted; the 70% concentration is bactericidal and widely used in healthcare, laboratory, and surface sanitation. Available in small drums and carboys.
- Pharma Grade (USP / BP): Meets United States Pharmacopeia or British Pharmacopeia standards. Required for API synthesis, equipment cleaning validation, and pharmaceutical excipient applications in GMP environments. Assay ≥99.7%; strict limits on water content, heavy metals, and residual non-volatile matter.
Over-specifying (buying USP grade when technical is sufficient) adds unnecessary cost. Under-specifying (using technical grade in pharmaceutical manufacturing) creates compliance risk. Knowing which grade your process requires is the first step in cost-effective sourcing.
Industrial Applications by Sector
| Industry | Typical Use | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | API synthesis, GMP cleaning validation | USP / BP |
| Electronics | PCB cleaning, flux removal | 99%+ Technical |
| Paints & Coatings | Resin dilution, brush cleaning | Technical |
| Cosmetics | Fragrance carrier, astringent | Technical / Cosmetic |
| Adhesives | Solvent carrier, surface preparation | Technical |
| Laboratories | Sample preparation, equipment rinse | AR / HPLC Grade |
Packaging Formats in India
Bulk IPA is supplied in three common formats:
- 200-litre HDPE drums — most common for manufacturers requiring a few hundred litres per month
- IBC tanks (1,000 litres) — used by mid-scale manufacturers with adequate storage
- Tanker loads (15–20 MT) — standard for large pharmaceutical, electronics, or chemical manufacturers
What to Verify When Sourcing
- Certificate of Analysis (CoA): Request a batch-specific CoA. For pharma grade, verify assay (≥99.7%), water content (≤0.1% by Karl Fischer), and residue on evaporation.
- Country of origin: IPA is manufactured domestically (IOLCP, Deepak Fertilisers) and imported. Prices and lead times vary — confirm before finalising purchase orders.
- Proper labelling: UN number (UN1219), GHS hazard pictograms, and MSDS must accompany every shipment under the Hazardous Chemicals Rules.
- Supplier storage conditions: IPA is a flammable liquid (flash point 12°C). Cold-chain storage is not required but proper flammable liquid storage is. Ask where and how your supplier stores stock.
Sourcing IPA From SPC
Supreme Petro Chemicals supplies isopropyl alcohol in technical and USP pharma grades for manufacturers across South India. We handle requirements from single drums to full tanker loads, with documentation support for pharmaceutical procurement teams.
To discuss volume pricing or grade specifications, contact our team or browse our full chemical catalog.