This section provides an overview for hydroquinone as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 44 hydroquinone manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked hydroquinone companies as of November, 2024: 1.Triveni Chemicals, 2.Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp., 3.Camlin Fine Sciences Ltd.
Table of Contents
Hydroquinone, a divalent phenol, is also known as p-dihydroxybenzene or quinol. It can be synthesized by reducing benzoquinone with sulfurous acid.
Most hydroquinone is produced through the diisopropylbenzene process, utilizing benzene and propylene. It may cause allergic contact dermatitis as a side effect.
Hydroquinone serves as an intermediate raw material in the manufacture of photographic developers, dyes, and pharmaceuticals, and as an antioxidant for rubber and electronic materials. It is also employed as an analytical reagent for determining phosphorus, arsenic, and silicic acid.
As an antioxidant, hydroquinone shows excellent inhibitory effects on the polymerization of monomers like acrylonitrile, acrylates, and styrene when used in very small amounts.
In cosmetics, hydroquinone is used as a hair colorant, skin bleach, antioxidant, and fragrance component. However, its use in concentrations above 2% is restricted due to suspected carcinogenic properties.
At normal pressure, hydroquinone has a melting point of 172°C, a boiling point of 287°C, and a density of 1.3 g/cm3. It is soluble in water, ethanol, and ether, but not in cold benzene.
Being highly reductive, hydroquinone can reduce alkaline silver salt solutions and Fehling's solution, and it discolors upon gradual oxidation in air.
Hydroquinone is a colorless or white crystal with the chemical formula C6H6O2, a molar mass of 110.11 g/mol, and the specific formula C6H4(OH)2.
Hydroquinone can be produced by oxidizing phenol, using hydrogen peroxide with beta-zeolite (H-BEA) as a catalyst and diethyl ketone as an auxiliary catalyst. This method also yields catechol, but selectivity can be improved by ion-exchanging H-BEA with alkaline earth metals.
Another production method is the Elbs persulfate oxidation, utilizing potassium persulfate to oxidize phenol to hydroquinone.
Easily oxidized to p-benzoquinone, hydroquinone's reductive properties have given it its name through the reduction process of p-benzoquinone, also known as 1,4-benzoquinone, a single six-membered carbon ring quinone with the molecular formula C6H4O2.
Hydroquinone has two regioisomers, catechol and resorcinol. Catechol, with hydroxy groups in the ortho position on the benzene ring, is also known as pyrocatechol. Resorcinol has hydroxy groups in the meta position and is used in tire cord adhesives, UV absorbers for resins, and flame retardants.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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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.
Sarchem Laboratories Inc., established in 1984 and based in New Jersey, United States, is a manufacturer of anti-viral drugs. The company produces products such as 4-Acetamidobenzenesulfonyl azide, β-D-Glucosamine Pentaacetate, 2-Acetyl-4-methyl pyridine, and N-Acetylprocainamide. All these products are utilized in biomedical, engineering, electronics, and energy applications. Each product is analytically tested, and the company adapts to the changing demands of the pharmaceutical, medicinal, and nutraceutical industries. The modern laboratory facilities meet the customer needs in the pre-clinical early development process from milligrams to hundreds of grams.
CAS Analytical Genprice Lab, a company located in San Jose, California, is a manufacturer that offers a large range of products for laboratory research applications. The company provides antibodies, Elisa kits, and Recombinant Proteins for life science research. It also offers training videos on how to search analytical methods, use advanced search filters, and access synthetic methods in MethodsNow. It has a research methods database called CAS Analytical Methods, which allows scientists to search and compare the latest published scientific methods. It serves industries such as laboratory research, life science applications, cell culture, biochemistry, and imaging microscopy.
AK Scientific, Inc. (AKS) is an American advanced intermediates and fine chemicals manufacturer that was established in Union City, California in 1997. The company’s product lineup includes chemical biocides, bioactives, inhibitors, and reagents. It also offers a range of products for use in life science applications, such as screening compounds, organoborons, and molecular fluorophores. These are extensively used in agrochemicals, biotech, pharmaceuticals, and nanotechnology. Aside from its products, AKS also offers international procurement and sourcing services to its clients, which include AstraZeneca, Sanofi-Aventis, and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
Santa Cruz Biotechnology, Inc., established in 1991 and headquartered in Dallas, Texas, is an American manufacturer and supplier specializing in biological products for medical research. Initially providing antibodies to the research community, they expanded their offerings to include gene silencers like siRNA and shRNA (plasmid and lentiviral), targeting all known mouse and human genes. Over time, Santa Cruz Biotechnology provides over 175,000 research biochemicals under the brand ChemCruz, including protein-interacting inhibitors, substrates, and activators, tailored for studying protein functions. The company offers monoclonal primary antibodies, designed for various mammalian and non-mammalian protein targets, along with corresponding binding secondary antibodies.
ALB Technology Limited, headquartered in Nevada, USA, is a manufacturer, supplier and distributor of reference standards, health ingredients, antibody drug conjugates, and special chemicals. Its product categories include reference standards with verified purity and structure, antibody drug conjugates, chemical reagents, sodium hyaluronate, and special chemicals, serving various industries like pharmaceutical, agrochemical, food, and feed additives. The compaany plays a significant role in providing essential materials for research and engineering applications globally.
Molekula Group, established in 2000, is a chemical manufacturer and distributor based in Darlington, United Kingdom, supported by additional offices and warehouses in Germany, Italy, China, and the United States. The company operates two British subsidiaries, namely Scafell Organics Ltd, which manufactures fine organic chemicals, and Sherman Chemicals Ltd, which provides custom solutions across industries. The company adheres to ISO 9001:2015 standards and offers a diverse range of over 4,500 products. Their product portfolio includes analytical reagents, biochemicals, building blocks, organic and inorganic chemicals, as well as research organics and inorganics.
Toronto Research Chemicals Inc., founded in 1982 and based in Toronto, Canada, is a manufacturer of biochemicals and is a subsidiary of LGC Standards. The ISO 9001-certified company has an extensive catalog of over 350,000 products, including metabolites, impurities, and natural products APIs, which are used in several applications like environmental analysis, forensic science, and medicinal R&D. The company supports the scientific community across more than 120 countries and has 19 production laboratories. In 2019, it was bought by LGC, which provides components to customers in the pharmaceutical, clinical diagnostics, and food markets, among others.
TCI America (TCI) was founded in 1946 and is a worldwide manufacturer of specialty organic chemicals. The company produces organic laboratory chemicals as well as pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and functional materials. TCI’s product segments include Chemistry, Life Science, Materials Science, Analytical Chemistry, and Custom & Bulk. For materials science, the company manufactures battery materials, nanocarbon materials, and magnetic materials. For life sciences, the company produces antibodies, reagents, and chemicals for cancer research. The company produces HLC, NMR, various chemicals, and resins and media for analytical chemistry.
SimSon Pharma Limited, established in 2011 and headquartered in Mumbai, India, is a manufacturer and supplier of pharmaceutical reference materials. Their product range includes drug working standards, drug impurity standards, drug metabolites, and stable isotope labeled compounds. These provide a basis for comparison and validation, enabling pharmaceutical companies to produce safe and effective medications. The company's offerings serve specific purposes, such as calibrating analytical instruments and ensuring precise analytical results, identifying and quantifying impurities in drugs, understanding drug metabolism, and developing new drug therapies.
Jinan Qinmu Fine Chemical Co., Ltd., established in 2008, is a Chinese manufacturer of chemical products, headquartered in Jinan, Shandong. The company offers organic and inorganic chemicals, including solvent chemicals, catalysts, and auxiliaries. Additionally, the company provides dye and pigment chemicals, pharmaceutical and synthetic intermediates, active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), and biochemical products. Customized intermediates are also available to meet the specific needs of original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). As an ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified company, Qinmu Fine Chemical Co., Ltd. serves a global customer base, including clients like Miwon Specialty Chemical Co., Ltd., Synthos S. A., and Gujarat Fluorochemicals Limited (GFL).
Loba Chemie Pvt. Ltd. is a Mumbai-based manufacturer and supplier of laboratory and fine chemicals, catering to industries such as pharmaceuticals, food, research, hospitals, and universities since its establishment in 1975. Their product range includes pH indicators, biological stains, HPLC solvents, high purity acids, and tetrazolium salts and derivatives. These products serve various applications like pH testing, cell and tissue staining, chemical separation, and pharmaceutical manufacturing. The company has several certifications, such as ISO/IEC 17025:2017 and ISO 9001:2015.
LGC Standards Ltd., established in 1842, is a global British manufacturer and supplier of reference standards, headquartered in Teddington, Middlesex, with offices in 20 countries worldwide. As a subsidiary of LGC Group, the United Kingdom’s National Measurement Institute, LGC Standards also serves as the Government Chemist, providing expert opinions based on independent chemical and bioanalytical measurements. Under the business unit LGC Industrial, the company offers industrial measurement tools. Additionally, their subsidiaries, including Toronto Research Chemicals Inc (TRC) of Canada, LGC Mikromol™, and Dr. Ehrenstorfer™ of Germany, develop research tools, standards for pharmaceutical quality control, and reference materials for food and environmental analysis.
CPAChem Ltd, founded in 2001 and based in Bogomilovo, Bulgaria, is a manufacturer of organic and inorganic custom-made certified reference materials as well as pharmacopoeia products and Analytical CRMs. With the capability to produce more than 200 different products daily, it stands as the sole global producer offering products in accordance with seven different pharmacopoeias, including the Japanese, Indian, and British pharmacopoeias. The company boasts a catalog of over 9,000 stock products, serving clients such as Carlo Erba, Fisher, and VWR. It holds ISO 9001 certification and has achieved accreditation in ISO/IEC 17025 and ISO 17034.
Aromsyn Co. Ltd. is a chemical manufacturer specializing in aromatic compounds headquartered in Zhejiang, China. The company mainly produces aniline series, phenol, benzoic acid, phenylethylamine, and boronic acid. It also offers the cinnamic aldehyde, indanone, and phenylhydrazine series, as well as the phthalic acid and anhydride series. The company fully complies with scientific analytical methods and quality standards and offers custom-made chemicals on milligram to multi-kilogram scales. It also exports to various countries across America, Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.
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.
Kishida Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1924 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of reagents and high-purity chemicals and also does drug discovery support activities. Its product portfolio includes fine chemicals, research chemicals, ionic liquid, organic micro-analytical reagents, and chemical reagents for analysis. The products support several industries, including reagent business, battery material, drug discovery, and life science. The company is ISO 14001 certified and supplies several companies worldwide, including Meterion Advanced Chemicals Inc., Acros Organics, ChemBridge Corporation, Decon Laboratories, and InerBioScreen Ltd.
Triveni Chemicals, a manufacturer and supplier established in 2003 in Vapi, India, deals in organic and inorganic chemicals for the consumer, soap and detergent, food, cosmetic, and wine industries. The company makes perfumery, aromatic, fragrance, and aroma chemicals. It also supplies methyl, ethyl, phenyl ethyl, isobutyl, and neryl compounds. The team comprises quality controllers, logistics personnel, and chemical experts who export the products to countries such as Turkey, Mexico, Ethiopia, United Arab Emirates, and Egypt.
Global Pharma is an exporter and channel partner of API manufacturers and pharmaceutical raw materials and products across the globe. It is headquartered in Mumbai, India, and was established in 2003. The company distributes sevral types of pharmaceutical products, including generic drugs, branded drugs, and over-the-counter medications. Some of its popular products are Crocin, Viagra, Dolo, and Calpol. Global Pharma also provides technical support and training services. Its products are used in many hospitals, clinics, and pharmacies in India and the around the world.
FujiFilm Wako Pure Chemical Corporation, founded in 1922 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of laboratory chemicals, specialty chemicals, and clinical diagnostic reagents. The company has three business domains, namely laboratory chemicals, specialty chemicals, and clinical diagnostic reagents, and some of its products include biochemistry reagents, blood transfusion test drugs, battery materials, polymer-related materials, and general reagents. The products are useful in various fields, including electronic, cosmetic, polymeric, pharmaceutical, and medical care. It acquired Sibayagi Co. Ltd. in 2015 and provides custom manufacturing to meet customer requirements.
Camlin Fine Science Ltd was established in 1986 in Ravenna, Italy, and is a manufacturer of chemicals and antioxidants for pet food, petrochemicals, animal nutrition, and pharmaceutical industries. It makes chemicals like veratole, titanium silicalite, catechol, and p-methoxyphenyl. The company also produces Xtendra and Nasure antioxidants for feed and food use, flavors and fragrances, and chemical applications. It has received the GMP Plus, ISO 9001, ISO 14001, Halal, and Kosher certifications.
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.
Shandong Chuangying, established in 2005 and based in China, is a manufacturer of chemicals. The company produces products such as disinfectant and antiseptic series, daily chemicals, cosmetic raw materials, food/feed additives, and catalysts & chemical auxiliary agents and supplies to different industries such as agriculture, cosmetics, industrial, pharmaceutical, and chemical. All these products are exported to different countries such as Asia, Southeast Asia, Europe, and America. The product line is produced according to the ISO9001, ISO14001, and GB/T-28001 requirements, and the company holds ISO-9001, CE, and SGS certifications.
Merck, started in 1668 and based in Darmstadt, Germany, is a supplier of solutions and services for research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biotechnological drug therapies. The company serves the life science industry and has a broad portfolio of 300,000 products, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial microbiology, reagent, life science research, and water purification products. It is available in 66 countries, brings together six brands, and has several ISO certifications, including ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO 50001.
UBE Corporation, established in 1897, is a Japanese manufacturer and supplier of chemical and machinery solutions, headquartered in Minato City, Tokyo and Ube, Yamaguchi. The company offers a range of chemicals for various industries and daily applications including electrolytes and separators for lithium-ion batteries and nylon resins for engineering plastics. UBE also offers gas separation membranes, polybutadiene rubber, and fine chemical products. The company's subsidiary, UBE MACHINERY CORPORATION, Ltd., supplies various machinery, including die-casting and extrusion machines, injection molding machines, and industrial machines, like ceramic machines and water screening equipment. These products find applications in various industries, including automobile and energy.
Global Calcium PVT LTD (GCP) is an Indian manufacturer of pharmaceutical components that was established in 1979. Based in Bengaluru, Karnataka, the company produces over 200 different active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), mineral actives, and premixed products in different strengths and therapeutic segments such as antipsychotics and vitamins. GCP products are used by clients in various markets including pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, veterinary drugs, and nutraceuticals. The company also provides additional services for customer projects, including contract manufacturing, custom synthesis, and technical support.
Hefei TNJ Chemical Industry Co., Ltd., founded in 2001, is a chemical manufacturer and supplier in Hefei, Anhui, China. The company has a diverse product portfolio comprising over 60 key products spanning the Chemicals, Food, Pharmaceutical, and Personal Care sectors. Notable products include sophthalic acid, polylysine, as well as chlorin, and potassium acetate. To ensure product quality, the company maintains a robust quality management system that aligns with ISO 9001:2015 standards.
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.
Merck Millipore, founded in 1954 and headquartered in Darmstadt, Germany, is a manufacturer, distributor, and supplier of life science products and services. Their diverse range of products finds applications in research, development, and manufacturing of biotechnological and pharmaceutical drug therapies. Some of their offerings include filters for removing contaminants from liquids and gases, chromatography columns for separating and analyzing complex mixtures, reagents used in various laboratory assays, antibodies for detecting and quantifying specific molecules, and cell culture media for growing and maintaining cells in culture. Their products and services are utilized significantly in the advancement of life sciences and drug development.
Sisco Research Laboratories Pvt. Ltd. was established in 1975 and is headquartered in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. The company manufactures highly complex reagents and biochemicals for public and private customers across industries with over 5000 products in different grades and packing sizes across product segments. The company’s 6 product categories are General Laboratory Chemicals & Solvents, Biochemicals & Specialty Fine Chemicals, Animal Cell Culture, Nanotechnology Products, Dehydrated Culture Media & Media Kits, and Biolit™ range of DNA and Protein tools.
Guidechem, headquartered in Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China, operates as a global chemical network distributor, facilitating connections between buyers and suppliers in the chemical industry. The company facilitates global chemical trading and bring chemical buyers and sellers from all over the world to one common chemical platform. With an extensive database featuring millions of chemical products and around 30 thousand international suppliers, the company covers diverse categories like organic intermediates, pharmaceuticals and biochemicals, basic organic chemicals, agrochemicals, and inorganic chemicals.
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.
BioCrick Co., Ltd is located in Chengdu Tianfu Life Science Park in Sichuan Province, China. The company creates a natural product library which provides small molecular compounds with potential biological and pharmacological activities for pharmaceutical, agricultural, and biotechnology companies worldwide. The company’s database includes more than 8,000 compounds collected from natural sources such as as medicinal plants, herbs, fungus, and microbes. The company also a provider of peptides and lab reagents for biological research, carrying a product line in apoptosis, epigenetic, and cancer biology.
Vizag Chemical International was founded in Andhra Pradesh, India, in 2011. Vizag Chemical International sells chemical-based products for many sectors including automotive, agriculture, airline, deodorizers, construction chemicals, boat maintenance, degreasers, detergents, drain clean products, greases, personal hygiene, lab chemicals and equipment, fuel treatment, metal treatment, tank cleaners, swimming pool and spa chemicals, scale removers, sewage chemical treatment, as well as raw chemicals. Vizag Chemical International also provides a range of services including chemical inspection, logistics, chemical usage supervision, as well as tank cleaning.
Glentham Life Sciences is based in Corsham, United Kingdom. Glentham Life Sciences is a leading supplier of fine chemicals, raw materials, reagents, and life science products. Glenthem also offers a number of services including custom packaging, call-off orders, and safety documentation. Glentham’s product offerings include chemicals such as amino acids, antibiotics, APIs, biochemicals, buffers, carbohydrates, chitin, chitosan, detergents, dyes, stains, enzymes, inorganic, peptide reagents, phytochemical, raw materials, solvents, steroids, and vitamins among others.
Xiamen Aeco Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. was established in 2005 and has grown to become a supplier of chemical products, serving customers in various industries. Xiamen Aeco Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd. is a company based in Xiamen, China. The company specializes in the production and distribution of a wide range of chemical products, including pharmaceutical intermediates, agricultural, and other industrial. Their product line includes agrochemicals, APIs, biocides, catalysts, chemical intermediates, cosmetic raw materials, electronic chemicals, food and feed additives, inorganic chemicals, lubricant additives, organic chemicals, paints and coatings, petrochemicals, polymers, solvents, surfactants, textile auxiliary chemicals, water treatment chemicals, and more.
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.
Echemi Digital Technology Co. Ltd., started in 2015 and based in Hong Kong, China, is a supplier of chemical raw materials through its B2B digital commerce platform. The company sells products such as propylene carbonate, adipic acid, and oseltamivir phosphate and serves over 100,000 buyers and over 20,000 suppliers in more than 190 countries worldwide. It also provides price and market analysis of over 500 raw materials per week in the areas of coatings, fine chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. It also covers food and nutrition and was ranked 55th in the 2022 ICIS top 100 chemical distributors.
Ranking as of November 2024
Derivation MethodRank | Company | Click Share |
---|---|---|
1 | Triveni Chemicals |
13.0%
|
2 | Spectrum Chemical Mfg. Corp. |
7.4%
|
3 | Camlin Fine Sciences Ltd |
6.5%
|
4 | Shreeji Pharma International |
6.0%
|
5 | SRL |
4.6%
|
6 | Vizag Chemical International |
4.6%
|
7 | UBE Corporation |
4.6%
|
8 | Toronto Research Chemicals |
4.2%
|
9 | CPAChem |
3.7%
|
10 | Otto Chemie Pvt. Ltd |
3.7%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the hydroquinone 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 | 7 | 21.2% |
India | 7 | 21.2% |
China | 7 | 21.2% |
Japan | 6 | 18.2% |
United Kingdom | 2 | 6.1% |
Canada | 1 | 3.0% |
Bulgaria | 1 | 3.0% |
Italy | 1 | 3.0% |
Spain | 1 | 3.0% |