Understanding denatured alcohol

Isopropanol

Also known as isopropyl alcohol or IPA, isopropanol is a colorless, flammable liquid that is not only used as a denaturant for ethanol, where adding even small amounts (3%, 5%, or 10% of the total mixture) renders the ethanol unfit for consumption, but also as a solvent and disinfectant. Being less toxic than methanol, isopropanol is often used in personal care products.

Methyl ethyl ketone

Methyl ethyl ketone, or MEK, is a colourless, flammable liquid used as a solvent and in the production of resins and coatings. MEK is also used as a denaturant for ethanol, where a small amount - usually 1% - makes the ethanol unfit for consumption; it is especially popular in the German market. MEK has a strong odour and can irritate the eyes and skin.

Denatonium benzoate

Denatonium benzoate, better known as Bitrex, is a bitter-tasting chemical used more or less exclusively in ethanol denaturants. Bitrex is not toxic but is extremely bitter and likely to cause nausea and vomiting if ingested, which is why it is a popular denaturant.

Diethyl phthalate

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a colorless, odorless liquid. Next to acting as a denaturant, DEP is often used as a plasticizer, solvent or fixative in, for example, cosmetics, fragrances and personal care products.

Euro denaturant

Euro denaturant is an ethanol denaturant mix used in the EU. It is a mixture of various denaturants, including isopropanol, MEK and denatonium benzoate. As the name suggests, euro denaturant is regulated by the EU’s REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals), which sets out rules for the use and handling of chemical substances, including euro denaturant. Using other denaturant formulas in the EU requires different excise licenses. Denatured alcohol that is euro denatured is also called ‘completely denatured alcohol’.

Tertiary butyl alcohol

Tertiary butyl alcohol, or TBA, is another commonly used ethanol denaturant. It is a clear, colorless, highly flammable liquid with a strong odor. Denatured TBA ethanol is widely used in industry, for example in the production of solvents, adhesives and coatings. The key benefit of TBA is its low boiling point, water-soluble properties and being less toxic than many other denaturants.

Linalool

Linalool is a terpene alcohol naturally occurring in many plants, including lavender, mint and citrus. It has a pleasing floral scent and is therefore often used in perfumes, cosmetics and aromatherapy. It also works as a relatively mild, low-toxicity denaturant for ethanol. Linalool has not been as much of a popular ethanol denaturant as some of the other denaturants listed in this article, but that may start to change as many see it as an eco-friendly alternative.

TSDA 1-9

TSDA 1-9 are nine different blends of denaturants commonly used in ethanol, including, among others, isopropyl alcohol, MEK and denatonium benzoate. TSDA 1-9 are used in a wide range of industrial and scientific applications that don’t require the use of pure ethanol.

Methanol

Methanol is a colorless, flammable, highly toxic liquid that can cause blindness or even death if ingested. Adding only 5% of the total amount to ethanol renders it unfit for human consumption. Aside from being one of the most popular denaturants for ethanol, methanol is also used as fuel and feedstock for chemical production.