15 Propylene Oxide Manufacturers in 2024
This section provides an overview for propylene oxide as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 15 propylene oxide manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked propylene oxide companies as of April, 2024: 1.Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp., 2.LyondellBasell Industries, 3.Balchem Corp..
Table of Contents
What Is Propylene Oxide?
Propylene oxide is a three-carbon organic compound with a cyclic ether structure.
It is also known as propylene oxide, propylene oxide, methyloxirane, and 1,2-epoxypropane. It is a clear, colorless liquid at room temperature.
Uses of Propylene Oxide
Propylene oxide is rarely used in its raw state. In general, it is often used as a raw material for propylene glycol, polypropylene glycol, pigments, pharmaceutical intermediates, and disinfectants.
Among them, propylene glycol is a substance obtained by hydrolysis of propylene oxide and is mostly used as a raw material for polyester resins. Polypropylene glycol is a polyether obtained by ring-opening polymerization of propylene oxide and is used as a raw material for polyurethane foam.
In addition, it is widely used as a water retention agent in foodstuffs and cosmetics due to its moderate hydrophilic properties.
Characteristics of Propylene Oxide
Propylene oxide has a molecular formula of C3H6O, a molecular weight of 58.08, a colorless volatile liquid with an ether odor, a specific gravity of 0.8304 at 20°C, a flash point of -37°C, a boiling point of 33.9°C, a freezing point of -104.4°C, a viscosity of 0.38 mPa-s (at 20°C), and is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. It is soluble in water, alcohols, and ethers.
It has a cyclic ether structure, and ring-opening polymerization produces polyethylene oxide, a polyether. It generally reacts readily with active hydrogen compounds.
Other Information on Propylene Oxide
1. Production Method of Propylene Oxide
There are two industrial production methods: chlorohydrin method and direct oxidation method.
Chlorohydrin Method
Chlorohydrin is synthesized from propylene to form chlorohydrin, which is then used to produce propylene oxide.
Chlorohydrin formation reaction (yield is about 90%)
CH3CH=CH2 + Cl2 + H2O → CH3CHOHCH2Cl (α-chlorohydrin) + HCl
CH3CH=CH2 + Cl2 + H2O → CH3CHClCH2OH (β-chlorohydrin) + HCl
Synthesis of propylene oxide from chlorohydrin
CH3CHOHCH2Cl or CH3CHClCH2OH + 1/2Ca(OH)2
→CH3CHCH2O (Propylene Oxide) + 1/2CaCl2 + H2O
Direct Oxidation Method
Propylene oxide is directly formed by oxidizing propylene.
Direct oxidation of propylene
CH3CH=CH2 + 1/2O2 → CH3CHCH2O (Propylene Oxide)
Propylene oxide is oxidized by peroxide, which is an oxidizing agent, and isobutane and ethylbenzene are used as peroxides. The Halcon process is known as an industrially advantageous process.
2. Safety of Propylene Oxide
Handling
Propylene oxide has a wide explosion limit of 2.8~37% and a vapor density of 2.00, twice that of air. It is a highly volatile and flammable liquefied gas with a boiling point near room temperature, and its vapor can explode by itself due to electric sparks.
When mixed with air, it becomes an explosive gas mixture. Fire is strictly prohibited and contact with acids and alkalis must be avoided. Although it is considered relatively stable under normal conditions, high temperatures and direct sunlight should be avoided.
Toxicity
Direct contact with skin will cause burns, and contact with eyes will cause keratitis. Inhalation of concentrated vapor strongly irritates the nose, throat, and bronchial tubes. Since it is also classified as a mutagenic chemical, be sure to wear protective goggles, protective gloves, and a gas mask for organic gases when handling it.
List of 15 Propylene Oxide Manufacturers
*Including some distributors, etc.
Sort by Features
- Default
- Company Size: largest first
- Year Founded: oldest first
- Year Founded: earliest first
Sort by Area
- United States of America
- Belgium
- Germany
- India
- Japan
- United Kingdom
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Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp.
Propylene Oxide
Manufacturer Overview
Spectrum Chemical MFG Corp. was founded in 1971, is headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, and has facilities in Gardena, California. Spectrum is a fine chemical manufacturing company with an emphasis on USP, NF, FCC, BP, EP, JP, and ACS grade products, and is ISO 9001:2015 certified. Spectrum primarily serves the analytical, biopharmaceutical, food & beverage, personal care, and pharmaceutical chemicals industries. Spectrum has 4 product segments which are chemicals, equipment, supplies, and safety.
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Parchem
Propylene Oxide
Distributor Overview
Parchem was founded in 1999 and headquartered in Rochelle, New York. Parchem is a distributor of industrial chemicals. Parchem serves nutritional, personal care, pharmaceutical, and specialty chemical industries. Parchem offerings include coatings, adhesives, elastomers, industrial products, petrochemicals, oleochemicals, plastics, rubber, nutritional supplements, cosmetics, consumer products, catalysts, metallic salts, rare earths, flavors & fragrances, industrial & institutional, textiles, other food-related chemicals, dyes, finishes, chemicals for aerospace, oil gas drilling chemicals, electronics, and pharmaceuticals.
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KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.
Propylene oxide
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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Junsei Chemical Co.,Ltd.
Propylene Oxide
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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Tokuyama Corporation
Propylene Oxide
Manufacturer Overview
Tokuyama Corporation, headquartered in Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, and founded in 1918 is a manufacturer of Soda ash and methylene chloride. Soda ash is a fundamental raw material, with applications spanning the glass and detergent industries. Beyond this, it produces quality baking soda for food additives and calcium chloride. The diverse product portfolio includes multiple sections including chemicals, cement, electronic materials, environmental business, and life science. The products catalog includes silicon, microporous films, ion exchange membranes, Chlor, and alkali among others.
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LyondellBasell Industries
Propylene Oxide
Manufacturer Overview
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.
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nacalai
Propylene Oxide
Company Overview
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.
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Central Drug House
Propylene Oxide
Company Overview
Founded in 1981, Central Drug House Ltd. serves the scientific community via manufacturing and marketing a library of over 9,000 products to laboratory fine chemicals and dehydrated culture media with emphasis on purity and service. Examples are acids & bases, adsorbents, disinfectants, indicator papers, oils, and solvents. CDH provides bio chemicals, research chemicals, laboratory reagents, various solvents, stains & indicators, and dehydrated culture media. CDH is ISO 9001 certified and CDHs’ products are in compliance with specifications of IP, BP, USP, and EP standards.
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BASF Personal Care and Nutrition GmbH
Propylene Oxide
Distributor Overview
BASF Personal Care and Nutrition GmbH, headquartered in Ludwigshafen, Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, is a supplier of ingredients for the personal care industry. Its product range encompasses skincare, hair care, oral care, and sun care ingredients. The company provides comprehensive support for product development processes and offers formulations that showcase its ingredients for various applications. Among its offerings are emollients such as Cyclopentasiloxane, Dimethicones, and Mineral Oils. Its products have diverse applications, spanning from gentle creams and conditioning shampoos to cosmetics, detergents, and cleaning agents.
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NATIONAL ANALYTICAL CORPORATION
Propylene Oxide
Distributor Overview
National Analytical Corporation (NAC) is located in Mumbai, India. NAC was founded in 2009 as a distributor of laboratory grade chemicals used in numerous industries. NAC’s chemical offerings include biochemical & reagents such s Prunetin and 1,2-dipalmitoly-rac-glycerol, analytical grade chemicals such as chicoric acid and Vitamin E solutions, laboratory chemicals such as formic acid and nitric acid, gas chromatography chemicals such as Aalborg mass flowmeter battery kits and DEX 225, reference standard chemicals such as Palladium in HNO3, oral solid dosage forms, such as cellulosic and protect film coating systems, parenteral dosage forms, beverage & nutrition, and coating chemicals.
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Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd
Propylene oxide
Distributor Overview
Founded in Mumbai, India in 2006, Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd. is an ISO 9001:2015 & GMP certified chemical manufacturing company and distributor. Otto Chemie serves customers in many industries including agriculture and food processing, pharmaceuticals, oil & gas, cement, as well as educational and R&D industries. Product offerings include antibiotics, amino acids, vitamins, detergents, ionic liquids, materials science compounds, labware, oil, metal & ceramic science compounds and tools, oils, reagents, solvents.
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ATAMAN Kimya A.S. INC.
PROPYLENE OXIDE
Distributor Overview
Ataman Kimya, established in 2006, is a distributor of chemicals based in Istanbul, Turkey. Their wide range of products includes detergents, cosmetics, disinfectants, pharmaceutical chemicals, and water treatment chemicals. They also offer textile, leather, paper, and mining chemicals. These chemicals, such as hydrogenated castor oils, ethanol, and butylene glycol, find applications in various industries, such as personal care, household cleaning, fragrance, coatings, and agriculture. The company also offers custom blending to meet specific requirements.
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Propylene Oxide Manufacturer Ranking
*Including some distributors, etc.Ranking as of April 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. |
31.0%
|
| 2 | LyondellBasell Industries |
13.8%
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| 3 | Balchem Corp. |
10.3%
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| 4 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
10.3%
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| 5 | Shell Global |
8.0%
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| 6 | Junsei Chemical Co.,Ltd. |
5.7%
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| 7 | Petrochemicals Europe |
4.6%
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| 8 | nacalai |
4.6%
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| 9 | ATAMAN Kimya A.S. INC. |
3.4%
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| 10 | Parchem |
3.4%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the propylene oxide page as of April 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
- Shell Global: 93,000
- Tokuyama Corporation: 5,909
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1,062
Newly Established Company
- NATIONAL ANALYTICAL CORPORATION: 2009 (15 years ago)
- Parchem: 1999 (25 years ago)
- Petrochemicals Europe: 1985 (39 years ago)
Company with a History
- Shell Global: 1907 (117 years ago)
- nacalai: 1934 (90 years ago)
- KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC.: 1944 (80 years ago)
Propylene Oxide Manufacturers in United States
*Including some distributors, etc.
Global Distribution of Propylene Oxide Manufacturers by Country
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
Japan
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4 | 30.8% |
United States of America
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3 | 23.1% |
India
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3 | 23.1% |
Belgium
|
1 | 7.7% |
United Kingdom
|
1 | 7.7% |
Germany
|
1 | 7.7% |
