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Denaturants
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Denaturants are essential additives in the ethanol industry. By incorporating specific chemicals into ethanol for industrial use, denaturants impart unpleasant tastes, odours, or toxic properties, transforming it into "denatured ethanol." This ensures compliance with regulations, helps prevent misuse or accidental ingestion, and lets you avoid high tax payments put on by governments for food-grade alcohol.
Denaturants
Common denaturing agents include methanol, isopropyl alcohol, denatonium benzoate, and methyl ethyl ketone, each chosen for their effectiveness and availability. At Nedstar, we offer ethanol that can be denatured with the following chemicals:
IPA
Isopropyl alcohol (IPA) is a colourless, flammable compound with a sharp odour. It is widely used as a solvent and cleaning agent and is commonly applied in hand sanitisers, disinfectants, and industrial cleaning products.
DEP
Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a colourless, nearly odourless liquid with a distinctly bitter taste. It is often used as a denaturant in ethanol, particularly in cosmetic and pharmaceutical applications.
MEK
Methyl ethyl ketone (MEK) is a colourless liquid with a sharp, sweet odour similar to acetone. It is an effective solvent and a widely recognised denaturant for ethanol in industrial and chemical processes.
TBA
Tertiary butyl alcohol (TBA) is a simple tertiary alcohol with strong solvent properties. It is used as a denaturant for ethanol and also finds applications in paints, coatings, and cosmetics.
Bitrex
Bitrex is the most bitter chemical compound known, detectable at extremely low concentrations. It is commonly added to ethanol to prevent accidental ingestion and is widely accepted in industrial and consumer applications.
TSDA
TSDA refers to denatured alcohol formulations approved for particular industries or applications. Each blend is designed to meet regulatory requirements while fitting the needs of specific trades.
ETAC
Ethyl acetate (ETAC) is a colourless liquid with a sweet, fruity aroma. It is often used to denature ethanol for cosmetics, cleaning products, and pharmaceutical applications.
Nedstar packaging options
Exporting ethanol to countries worldwide from over 75 international suppliers requires the appropriate packaging. To make sure that your product arrives safely to its destination, Nedstar has a number of packaging options, suitable for any industry or amount of ethanol.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a denaturant?
A denaturant is a chemical additive incorporated into ethanol (for industrial or non-food use) to make the ethanol unsuitable for human consumption. This is done by imparting unpleasant taste, odours or toxic properties.
Why is ethanol denatured?
Ethanol is denatured in order to avoid the higher taxes and strict regulation that apply to food-grade alcohol, and to ensure that it cannot be used (or misused) as a drinkable spirit. Also, denaturation helps prevent accidental ingestion.
What kind of applications are these denatured alcohols used for?
Denatured ethanol is used in non-food applications like: hand sanitisers, perfumes, washer fluids, cleaning products, aerosols, paint solvents and surgical spirits.
Are there regulatory differences I should know about?
Yes. For example, the “Euro denatured” formulation (MEK + IPA + Bitrex) is recognised by all European member states.
You will need to ensure compliance with local legislation and tax rules when using denatured ethanol in your region and application.
What safety or handling considerations are there?
Since denatured ethanol and the denaturants themselves can be flammable, volatile and potentially toxic, it’s important to follow appropriate safety procedures, including use of personal protective equipment (PPE), proper storage/ventilation, and fire-prevention measures. Always refer to the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for the exact formulation you are using.