Raw material preparation
Food-grade ethanol is produced from agricultural feedstocks such as wheat, corn, sugar cane, and sugar beet. Starch-containing crops, including wheat and corn, undergo enzymatic conversion to release fermentable sugars, while sugar-rich feedstocks can be processed directly for fermentation.
Fermentation
Yeast converts fermentable sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide. The resulting liquid contains ethanol, water, and other compounds formed during fermentation.
Distillation
The fermented mixture undergoes distillation to separate and concentrate ethanol. This process increases the alcohol content while removing much of the water and other components.
Rectification and purification
Further purification removes unwanted compounds and helps achieve the required purity, flavour, and aroma characteristics. The finished ethanol is tested against the relevant product specifications before being supplied for its intended application.
Food and beverage applications
- Vodka, gin, liqueurs, and other alcoholic beverages
- Flavoured alcoholic drinks
- Vanilla, botanical, and spice extracts
- Food flavourings, colours, and additives
- Confectionery glazes and coatings
- Food production and ingredient preparation
Pharmaceutical and personal care applications
- Pharmaceutical tinctures and liquid formulations
- Carrier solvents for suitable pharmaceutical preparations
- Perfumes and fragrances
- Cosmetics, lotions, and personal care products
- Botanical extraction and processing
Industrial cleaning agent and technical applications
- Cleaning and disinfection formulations (denatured alcohol is preferred)
- Industrial solvents, adhesives, and chemical preparations
- Extraction processes
- Laboratory applications
- Speciality chemical manufacturing
- Electronics and other items
- Food-grade ethanol is used as a preservative and shelf-life extender
High purity and controlled specifications
Food-grade ethanol is purified to meet defined quality and impurity requirements for its intended application, helping manufacturers maintain consistent formulations and finished product quality.
Neutral flavour and aroma
High-quality food-grade ethanol can provide a clean, neutral sensory profile, making it suitable for spirits, flavourings, and other food products where unwanted tastes or aromas must be minimised.
Effective solvent properties
Ethanol dissolves many flavour compounds, botanical extracts, food dyes, and other compatible ingredients. Its miscibility with water also allows manufacturers to prepare formulations with different alcohol concentrations.
Broad applicability
From alcoholic beverages and confectionery to food processing, cosmetic products, and pharmaceutical preparations, food-grade ethanol supports a wide range of manufacturing applications.
Reach
REACH provides a framework for gathering and evaluating information on the properties, uses, and potential risks of various chemicals.
GMO-free
GMO-free certification options help customers source qualifying ethanol products that meet their requirements regarding genetically modified organisms and raw material origin.
USDA-NOP
Nedstar supplies qualifying USDA-certified organic products that meet National Organic Program requirements, supporting customers seeking certified organic raw materials.
EU Organic
EU Organic certification supports the traceability and compliance of qualifying organic agricultural products, helping manufacturers meet relevant organic production and labelling requirements.
IBC tote
Mid-sized shipments; our stackable IBC totes are widely used by companies across Europe, the US, and Asia for their efficiency and reliability.
ISO container
Our ISO tanks support intermodal transport by sea, rail, and road. They are ideal for companies sourcing in medium to large volumes.
Tanktruck
Our tank trucks are widely used across Europe to deliver bulk ethanol by road. They’re a practical option for regional transport and quick distribution.
Extra neutral alcohol (ENA)
Extra neutral alcohol is high-purity ethanol, typically containing around 96% alcohol, suitable for food, beverage, and selected industrial applications. Nedstar supplies ethanol grades that can meet applicable UK and EU regulatory requirements, depending on their specifications and intended use.
Organic ethyl alcohol
Organic ethyl alcohol is produced from certified organic agricultural raw materials, making it suitable for organic beverages, food products, and other formulations. Pharmaceutical-grade ethanol, by comparison, must meet strict pharmacopoeial quality standards and applicable manufacturing requirements.
Raw materials for ethanol production
Ethanol can be produced from various agricultural raw materials, including corn, wheat, sugar cane, and sugar beet. Nedstar helps businesses source suitable feedstocks and ethanol products according to their production requirements and preferred raw material origins.