This section provides an overview for ethanol as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 25 ethanol manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked ethanol companies as of November, 2024: 1.American Ethanol, 2.Lucas Oil Products, Inc., 3.Archer Daniels Midland Company.
Table of Contents
Ethanol is a type of alcohol and an organic solvent used for sterilization and disinfection, as well as for a wide range of other purposes. It is highly volatile and must be sealed in a container and stored in a cool, dark place.
Ethanol is used in a wide variety of applications. Specific examples are as follows:
As a rubbing alcohol, ethanol is used to disinfect skin, medical instruments, surgical sites, and hospital walls and floors. Consumption has increased dramatically, especially since the outbreak of the Coronavirus pandemic.
Disinfectant ethanol generally contains about 30% water in addition to ethanol. This concentration is considered adequate to effectively disinfect bacteria and viruses. The mixture of water makes it less volatile and increases the time that the disinfectant ingredients remain at the disinfection site, thereby enhancing the disinfection effect.
Ethanol is used as a diluent for synthetic resin paints and coatings. In addition, anhydrous ethanol, with an ethanol concentration of 99.5% or higher, is sold at drugstores as a cleaning detergent, and can be purchased and used by the general public.
Fermented ethanol made from natural raw materials is used for food preservatives and seasonings such as mirin. Ethanol is also one of the main ingredients in alcoholic beverages, although this is not one of the uses of ethanol.
Ethanol is found in beer, wine, whiskey, sake, etc. It is produced through fermentation in the process of manufacturing alcoholic beverages.
Ethanol is a clear, colorless, flammable liquid with the chemical formula C2H5OH and molecular weight of 46.07. It has a low melting point of -114.1°C and a boiling point of 78.5°C. Its high volatility makes it easily vaporize even at room temperature. This property is useful when used in disinfectants and hair sprays.
Ethanol is also easily miscible with water and can be easily made into an aqueous solution. This property is important when ethanol is used as a base material for disinfectants and mouthwashes.
Its flash point is low at 12.0℃, and it ignites and burns at room temperature in the presence of an ignition source such as a spark. Even disinfectant ethanol (a 70% aqueous solution of ethanol), which is widely used in homes and public places, has a flash point of 21°C and must be handled with care.
Ethanol can be classified into two types based on differences in raw materials and manufacturing methods: synthetic ethanol and bioethanol.
Synthetic ethanol is ethanol synthesized from fossil fuels such as petroleum and natural gas. Unlike bioethanol, synthetic ethanol is produced without using renewable raw materials, and its environmental impact can be problematic.
Synthetic ethanol is made from fossil fuels and has the advantage of lower production costs and easier adjustment of production volumes compared to bioethanol.
However, there are concerns about its environmental impact in terms of CO2 emissions. In addition, fossil fuel reserves are limited, which limits its use as a sustainable fuel.
Ethanol is produced by fermenting plant-derived raw materials (biomass). By using biomass, bioethanol is attracting attention as an environmentally friendly fuel that does not rely on fossil fuels.
Ethanol itself has the same properties, but because the raw materials used in its production are derived from plants, bioethanol has lower CO2 emissions than fossil fuels and is considered to be more environmentally friendly. In addition, since biomass is a renewable resource, it is one solution to the problem of fossil fuel depletion.
However, there are some challenges: harvesting and processing biomass requires energy, and the energy needed to produce bioethanol is dependent on fossil fuels.
Synthetic ethanol is produced by reacting ethylene obtained from natural gas or petroleum with water.
C2H4 + H2O → C2H5OH
In this reaction equation, ethanol (C2H5OH) is produced by the reaction of ethylene (C2H4 ) and water (H2O). This reaction proceeds in the presence of an acid catalyst such as phosphoric acid or sulfuric acid immobilized on silica. The resulting ethanol is obtained as a mixture with water and byproducts, and can be purified through distillation, separation, and other processes to produce high-purity ethanol.
Bioethanol is produced by fermentation of plant-derived raw materials (biomass). Typical examples of biomass include sugarcane, corn, potatoes, sugar beets, and wood.
These raw materials are crushed to extract the fiber and sugars, and then fermented with yeast and other microorganisms. In this process, the sugars are converted to ethanol. From there, ethanol is concentrated through distillation and further purified to obtain bioethanol.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Lucas Oil Products Inc., founded in 1989, is an American manufacturer of automotive oil, additives, and lubricants. The company produces a line of engine oils, greases, gear lubes, problem-solving additives, and car-care products. These products are sold in more than 30,000 auto parts stores and at truck stops nationwide. It has established itself as one of the fastest-growing lubrication product lines in the consumer automotive aftermarket. The original plant in Corona was closed in late 2022, moving its corporate HQ to Indianapolis, Indiana. In 2003, it opened a new production plant in Corydon, Indiana, expanded with an additional 350,000-square-foot facility in 2014.
Valero Energy Corporation, founded in 1980 and headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, is a manufacturer of transportation fuels and petrochemical products. The company specializes in refining and distributing petroleum products, including gasoline, diesel, jet fuel, asphalt, and petrochemicals. It also operates a network of retail fuel stations. Its principal operations are located in North America, with refineries in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange and is a Fortune 500 company.
Archer Daniels Midland Company, founded in 1902 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, is a manufacturer and supplier of ingredients and flavorings for food, beverages, supplements, and animal feed. The company offers products such as acidulants, feed additives and ingredients, botanicals, food premix, and biodiesel. in the food and beverage industry, where the products are used for flavor, nutrition, and the preservation of products. In the animal feed industry, biodiesel products offer an eco-friendly alternative fuel source that is used in sustainability efforts in transportation and industry. The company caters to industries such as food, beverage, nutritional supplements, animal feed, and pharmaceuticals.
ProChem, Inc was founded in 9186 and is headquartered in Rockford, Illinois. The company is a manufacturer of high-purity inorganic chemicals and materials including rare earth, sputtering targets, and organometallic compounds. The company serves numerous industries including research and manufacturing and has collaborated with such organizations as Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory. The company offers custom synthesis of advanced materials, product-specific packaging, purification services, and costume blending and tooling of chemical compounds.
Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC, founded in 2004 in Sutherland, Nebraska, USA, is a manufacturer of fuel grade ethanol, distillers grains, and corn oil. The ethanol production is crucial in the renewable energy sector, providing a cleaner, sustainable alternative to traditional fossil fuels. Distillers grains, a byproduct of ethanol production, serve as optimal-quality animal feed, assisting the agricultural industry. Corn oil enhances the overall sustainability of the natural growth processes. It is involved in reducing the environmental footprint of agriculture while promoting economic growth in rural communities. The company is involved in making alcohol sanitizers and denatured alcohol formulas.
ChemQuest International, Inc., founded in 2007, is an American manufacturer and supplier of chemical ingredients, based in Hanover Park, Illinois. The company's product categories include emulsifiers, thickening agents, preservatives, anti-microbial agents, as well as hair and skin conditioners, oils and waxes, emollients, and surfactants. The company also offers polysorbate 20, an emulsifier and detergent used in domestic, scientific, and pharmacological settings, as well as henoxyethanol, a preservative that curbs bacterial growth in cosmetic products. These products serve diverse sectors, including food additives and nutrition, personal care and cosmetics, paint and coatings, agriculture, as well as animal care and pharmaceuticals.
Chemical Store Inc. is a Clifton, New Jersey-based chemical manufacturer and supplier that ships worldwide. The company has a division known as the Rosin Factory, which handles the production of its rosin, dried pine resin, products. Chemical Store’s products further range from salts, acids, and metal powders to waxes and lab supplies. The company’s customer base is varied, serving manufacturers, schools, hobbyists, and research laboratories. It provides several compliance certificates, such as Kosher, gluten-free, Non-GMO, vegan, and organic certificates for its products upon request.
G.J. Chemical is a family-owned company based in Newark, New Jersey. G.J. Chemical serves chemical distributors, laboratories, and a variety of end users with high purity chemical products and custom services. G.J. Chemical capabilities include testing, bulk storage, custom blending, liquid bulk handling, and purifying. G.J. Chemical’s chemical products include reagents, acrylate monomers, hand sanitizers, and isopropyl alcohol. These are made to USP, FCC, Reagent ACS, military grade, and other standards.
ChemCeed, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, is a worldwide chemical supplier that is ISO 9001 certified. It provides chemicals like base oils, corrosion inhibitors, and specialty esters used in several industries, including construction, paper manufacturing, and water treatment. It also provides a broad selection of support services, including labeling, repackaging, and logistical support. The company stocks its products in several locations around the United States, including Chicago (IL), Philadelphia (PA, and Piscataway (NJ). In 2016, it received WBE certification and was NACD verified in 2023.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Junsei Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of chemical reagents and chemical products, including commissioned synthesis of chemical products. Some of the products it makes include Sodium chloride solution, concentrated glycerin, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and nitric acid. The chemical products have a wide range of applications and can be used in pathological examination, as food additives, for analysis, and in the pharmaceutical industry. All its plants, including its research institute, are ISO4001 and ISO9001 certified, while its Saitama and Ibaraki plants are equipped with buildings that comply with GMP.
SynQuest Laboratories, Inc. is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals, it was established in 1994, based in the United States. The company specializes in producing a wide range of quality chemicals and reagents for various industries, including pharmaceuticals, research, and manufacturing. The product portfolio includes custom synthesis, rare chemicals, and fine chemicals designed to meet unique client needs. SynQuest Laboratories' aim is to provide chemical solutions that drive scientific advancements and enhance product development.
Millipore Sigma, formerly known as Sigma-Aldrich, was created in 175 through the merger of Sigma Chemical Company and Aldrich Chemical company and today is a subsidiary of Merck. Millipore Sigma is a life science and biotechnology company serving the industry with several products and services. Some of their product categories include peptide synthesis materials, biochemicals, building blocks, catalysts, chemical biology, chemical synthesis, flavors & fragrances, formulation, lab chemicals, lab safety, APIs, and stable isotopes. Services include characterization, contract manufacturing, custom products, software, support, testing, and mRNA development & manufacturing.
Contec Cleanroom, established in 1988 and based in Spartanburg, South Carolina, is a manufacturer of contamination control products. The company's product portfolio includes swipes, swabs, disinfectants, wipes and mopping systems. These products are used in life sciences, aseptic services, microelectronics and semiconductors, and industrial cleanrooms. Additionally, the company also enacts renewable energy and has 2888 solar panels that supply power to its facilities. In 2022, EcoVadis, a company that advocates for corporate sustainable goals, gave Contec Cleanroom a Bronze Sustainability rating.
Cargill, Inc., founded in 1865 with headquarters in the USA, is a manufacturer of feed and pet foods and a provider of various agribusiness services. The company's products include natural ingredients for the personal care industry, pet food, animal feed, and bio-industrial products. Cargill, Inc. processes grains, oilseeds, sugar, meat, and other food products, as well as cotton. The company also offers a wide range of services, which include technical support, transportation and logistics, and marketing services to farmers and the agriculture industry. Cargill, Inc.'s feed and pet food brands include Nutrena, Provimi, Cargill, EWOS, Diamond V, and Purina.
LyondellBasell, formally established in 2009, is a global manufacturer of raw chemicals, polymers, and fuels, with regional headquarters in the USA, the UK, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. The company's products include basic chemicals, plastic resins, and advanced chemical composites, which are used across various industries such as sports and leisure, infrastructure, packaging, agriculture, and automotive. As one of the largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies in the world, LyondellBasell's custom solutions range from client-specific product design and production to full plant design and start-up services.
Chemsol was founded in 1978 and is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana. The company is a manufacturer of specialty chemicals and paints for use in manufacturing, military, and other markets requiring non-slip safety paint and related products. Customers include Walbridge, Crown, Disney for use in theme parks, and John Deere. The company’s products are in two categories, Military Spec, and Non-Slip. Military Spec products include paints, coatings, corrosion-preventative compounds, lubricants, and others. Non-Slip categories include easily applicable DIY paint, barefoot-friendly paint, high-traffic-grade paint, and military-grade paint.
Nacalai Tesque Inc., founded in 1846 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of research chemicals, fine chemicals, diagnostics, and the related instruments. Some of its products include cytokines, nucleic acid electrophoresis, cell dissociation reagents, and sialic acid-related products, and it also offers custom and bulk service for bulk reagents and cell culture media. The company has more than 50 domestic distributors and several worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certified, while the Kyoto South brand and Tesque factory are ISO 14001 certified.
Reagents, established in 1997 and headquartered in New York, USA, is a manufacturer and distributor of laboratory chemicals and reagents. Serving academic institutions, research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies, and other industries, the company offers a diverse range of products that encompass organic and inorganic chemicals used in pharmaceuticals, plastics, water treatment, and more. They provide biological stains and indicators for laboratory applications like cell culture and DNA analysis, along with culture media ingredients for microbial growth. Their product portfolio also caters to applications in batteries, pigments, and catalysts. Reagents' comprehensive offerings support education, research, and manufacturing processes across various sectors.
Chemworld.com was founded in 2004 and is headquartered in Kennesaw, Georgia. The company is a stocking supplier of specialty chemicals, cooling water chemicals, and water treatment equipment to customers around the world in industries including water treatment, food processing, metalworking, and manufacturing. The company offers hundreds of varieties of chemicals ranging from essential oils to anti-freeze, as well as equipment ranging from small motorized ball valves to boiler piping to chemical feeders and coolers. The company offers special large-volume order options for customers with limited storage capabilities as well as drop shipping support for OEM equipment that requires chemical support.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | American Ethanol |
11.3%
|
2 | Lucas Oil Products, Inc. |
8.7%
|
3 | Archer Daniels Midland Company |
7.4%
|
4 | ProChem, Inc. |
7.0%
|
5 | Midwest Renewable Energy, LLC |
6.2%
|
6 | Valero |
6.0%
|
7 | ChemQuest International, Inc. |
5.2%
|
8 | Chemical Store Inc. |
4.4%
|
9 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
3.8%
|
10 | Decon Labs, Inc. |
3.6%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the ethanol page as of November 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
---|---|---|
United States of America | 13 | 81.3% |
Japan | 3 | 18.8% |
1 product is listed.
Clean Chemical Co., Ltd.
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It is a disinfecting cleanener that contains ethyl alcohol and CAE (amino acid -based cationic surfactant).