Organic & Inorganic Solvents

Frequently Asked Questions

Industrial vs technical vs pharmaceutical grade — what's the difference?

Industrial grade: typical commercial purity, 99%+ main component for most solvents, with impurities at industry-standard levels — suitable for cleaning, extraction, process use where high purity isn't critical. Technical grade: similar purity to industrial but with defined specifications for specific impurity limits. Pharmaceutical grade (USP, EP, BP, JP): compendial compliance with detailed limits on residual solvents per ICH Q3C, heavy metals, UV-absorbing impurities, and purity tests specific to each solvent. Electronics grade (semiconductor): ultra-low metallic and particulate contamination. HPLC grade: additional purification to remove UV-absorbing impurities that interfere with chromatography. Grade drives price significantly — industrial IPA vs USP IPA is typically 1.5-2.5× the price; electronics-grade 5-10×.

How does Himalay handle UN-classified flammable solvents for export?

All flammable solvents (Class 3 — most aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, esters, ketones) ship in UN-spec packaging: HDPE drums (UN 1H1 solid-head or 1H2 open-head), steel drums (UN 1A1/1A2), composite or plastic IBC totes (UN 31HA1, 31HZ1), or ISO tank containers (20 ft ≈ 20 MT). Every container is labelled with UN number, proper shipping name, hazard-class pictogram, packing group, and orientation arrows. Shipper's Declaration for Dangerous Goods (IMDG for sea) accompanies the shipment, signed by qualified DG shipper. For bulk ISO tank movements, dedicated hazardous-goods forwarders handle origin loading, ocean transit (with DG fee premium over dry containers), and destination discharge. Antistatic grounding and earthing coordination at both ends.

Can you supply pharmaceutical-grade solvents meeting ICH Q3C?

Yes. USP/EP/BP/ICH Q3C-compliant solvents (methanol, ethanol absolute, isopropanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, methyl ethyl ketone, dichloromethane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide, dimethylsulphoxide, and others) are supplied from GMP-compliant Indian manufacturers. Documentation includes lot-specific CoA against the compendial monograph, manufacturer's GMP certificate or ISO 9001 + pharmaceutical-quality-management compliance, DMF (Drug Master File) reference where applicable, and permitted daily-exposure (PDE) documentation for residual-solvent risk assessment in the buyer's drug product. Bulk pharmaceutical-grade solvent shipments typically move in dedicated clean ISO tanks or in single-use drums with inert-atmosphere fill.

What's the typical MOQ for solvents?

For bulk-grade industrial solvents (common commodities — toluene, xylene, hexane, acetone, methanol, ethanol, IPA, ethyl acetate, MEK, MIBK): typical export MOQ is 1 × 20 ft container (approximately 18–22 MT for drummed, or 22 MT for ISO tank). LCL shipments of 5–15 MT are possible at per-unit premium. Specialty solvents and glycol ethers: 5–15 MT MOQ. Pharmaceutical-grade: 1–5 MT MOQ (smaller batch sizes, more QC cost). For lab-scale and R&D quantities (100 kg–1 MT), premium per-kg pricing applies and shipment is via drums or IBC totes.

What's the typical lead time for solvent supply?

Stock-available commodity solvents: 2–4 weeks from order to FOB Mumbai. Dedicated-batch production for pharmaceutical grades or less-common solvents: 4–8 weeks including production, quality release, and DG packing. Bulk ISO tank shipments: 4–6 weeks for tank availability (higher-volume dedicated ISO tank capacity is a specific logistics resource). Sea freight DG transit: 3–4 weeks to EU, 2–3 weeks to GCC, plus inland DG transport at destination. For urgent supply, air-freight of small-quantity solvents (drums or IBC totes) is possible at elevated cost — typically 1–2 week transit with dangerous-goods air-freight surcharge.

Can Himalay supply REACH-registered solvents for EU markets?

Yes. Most commercial solvents are registered under REACH at tonnage bands relevant to industry use. For Indian manufacturers exporting to the EU, REACH-registration coverage through an EU-based Only Representative (OR) is the standard pathway — Himalay coordinates OR appointment where the manufacturer lacks one. Confirmation of REACH registration, CLP classification, and GHS-compliant SDS accompanies the shipment. For chlorinated solvents subject to REACH restrictions or authorisation (methylene chloride, trichloroethylene — Annex XIV or Annex XVII restrictions), strict scope of use applies and we confirm compatibility with buyer's authorisation status at inquiry stage.