TCS Industries Limited (China-sourced API supplier) supplies Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent CAS 78-93-3 for pharmaceutical B2B procurement — COA, MSDS, and technical documentation available on request.
> Overview
| Product Name | Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent |
|---|---|
| Structural Formula |  |
| CAS Number | 78-93-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C4H8O |
| Molecular Weight | 72.11 g/mol |
| InChIKey | ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| SMILES | Available on request where applicable |
| Appearance | colourless liquid with a sweet, sharp odor |
| Purity / Grade | By agreed specification and batch COA |
| Storage | Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place |
Butanone (CAS 78-93-3), commonly known as Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), is a low-boiling organic solvent with the formula C₄H₈O (MW 72.11). It is a colourless liquid with a sharp, sweet odor, miscible with most organic solvents and partially miscible with water. MEK is used in coatings, adhesives, printing inks, chemical synthesis, and laboratory applications. It has a boiling point of 79.6 °C and rapid evaporation rate, making it a preferred solvent for fast-drying formulations.
TCS Industries Limited, a Hong Kong-based trading and sourcing company, supplies Butanone (MEK) in technical, ACS reagent and electronic grades for global procurement programs.
> Applications
Coatings, adhesives and printing ink solvent
MEK is a primary solvent in nitrocellulose lacquers, vinyl coatings, acrylic resins, and contact adhesives. Its rapid evaporation rate (3.8 relative to n-butyl acetate = 1) enables fast drying and high production throughput. MEK is also used as a dewaxing solvent in lubricant oil refining. Wypych et al. (J Coat Technol Res, 2004, 1:247–253) evaluated the solvency and evaporation parameters of MEK in industrial coating formulations, confirming its position as a primary ketone solvent for fast-drying lacquer systems.
Laboratory and extraction solvent
ACS reagent-grade MEK is used in analytical chemistry for extraction, crystallization, and as a chromatography solvent. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, MEK is used as a granulation solvent and extraction medium. Electronic-grade MEK (ultra-low metals, particles) is used in semiconductor wafer cleaning processes.
> Sourcing & Supply
TCS Industries Limited supports development, qualification and commercial purchasing discussions for Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent with buyers in South America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.
- Evaluation and commercial quantities: 25 L samples for qualification; 200 L drums and IBC for production. Technical, ACS reagent and electronic grades available.
- Pallet quantities and production campaigns: repeat supply is coordinated against packaging, lead time, annual demand and destination-market import requirements.
> Quality & Documentation
Key specification parameters include assay (≥99.5% for technical grade, ≥99.0% for ACS), water content (≤0.2%), residue on evaporation, acidity, colour (≤10 APHA), and specific gravity (0.804–0.806). ACS grade specifies additional limits for aldehydes, heavy metals, and specific organic impurities. Electronic grade requires ppb-level metal analysis. COA and MSDS are standard.
> Packaging
MEK is a flammable liquid (flash point -9 °C) and must be stored in approved flammable storage areas. Standard packaging includes 200 L steel drums (UN-rated) or 1000 L IBC. Transport as UN 1193, Class 3, PG II with required DGD documentation. Store away from heat, sparks and open flame. Labels and documents are checked before dispatch.
> Pricing & MOQ
Pricing is quoted by specification, packaging and destination. Common commercial discussions use 25 kg bag/drum formats, pallet quantities and production-campaign planning; smaller samples may be reviewed for qualified formulation teams.
> Regulatory & Compounding Context
MEK is REACH-registered in the EU. Classified as Flammable Liquid Category 2 (H225) and Eye Irritant Category 2A (H319). It is NOT classified as a CMR substance in the EU (unlike methyl isobutyl ketone MIBK). Included in the US EPA TRI (Toxic Release Inventory). Subject to VOC regulations in coatings applications. Transport classification: UN 1193, Class 3, PG II. Buyers must confirm VOC and OEL compliance for their jurisdiction.
> Alias Index
- IUPAC: Butan-2-one
- CAS Number: 78-93-3
- Formula: C₄H₈O (MW 72.11)
- Common names: MEK, Methyl ethyl ketone, 2-Butanone, Ethyl methyl ketone
- Physical properties: b.p. 79.6 °C, flash point -9 °C, density 0.805 g/mL
- Transport: UN 1193, Class 3, PG II
- InChIKey: ZWEHNKRNPOVVGH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- Commercial request terms: MEK solvent, methyl ethyl ketone technical, butanone ACS grade, 2-butanone bulk, TCS Industries Limited
> FAQ
Is MEK classified as dangerous goods?
Yes. MEK is classified as UN 1193, Class 3 Flammable Liquid, Packing Group II (flash point -9 °C). Transport requires UN-rated packaging, proper labeling, and Dangerous Goods Declaration (DGD). TCS arranges compliant packaging and documentation for all flammable solvent shipments.
What documents are available for Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent orders?
COA and MSDS are standard for commercial discussions. COO, packing list, invoice and other import-support documents can be arranged according to order scope.
Can TCS Industries Limited support Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent supply to South America?
Yes. We support B2B buyers in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname, subject to route and document review.
Do you support Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada?
Yes. These destinations can be reviewed for project supply, import documents, packaging and logistics planning before quotation.
What is the difference between MEK and Acetone?
MEK (CAS 78-93-3, b.p. 79.6 °C) and acetone (CAS 67-64-1, b.p. 56.1 °C) are both ketone solvents. MEK has stronger solvency for many resins (higher Kauri-butanol value), slower evaporation rate, and lower water miscibility than acetone. MEK is preferred for coating formulations requiring controlled evaporation.
Is MEK a restricted substance?
MEK is not classified as a CMR substance in the EU (unlike some other solvents). It is REACH-registered and subject to occupational exposure limits (OEL: 200 ppm in the EU, 200 ppm OSHA PEL in the US). It is listed on the US EPA TRI. Confirm local VOC and OEL regulations for your application.
Can you arrange samples before commercial purchasing?
Samples or evaluation quantities may be reviewed for qualified buyers after target specification, application and destination-market requirements are clarified.
How is Butanone (MEK) -– High-Efficiency Industrial & Laboratory Solvent packaged for export?
Packaging is confirmed by quantity and material properties. Typical options include foil bags, HDPE containers, fibre drums, 25 kg bags or palletized export packaging.
Can buyer-defined specifications be reviewed?
Yes. Send the specification, methods, impurity limits and required documents. TCS can review feasibility before confirming quotation and lead time.
What payment terms are normally used?
Standard payment is 100% T/T before dispatch unless a different arrangement has been approved for an established commercial account.
What lead time should buyers expect?
Lead time depends on stock, batch size, document scope and destination. Available stock can move faster; made-to-order or pallet programs require longer planning.
What grades of MEK does TCS supply?
TCS sources technical grade (≥99.5%), ACS reagent grade, and electronic/semiconductor grade MEK. Each grade has different purity, water, and metal impurity specifications. Specify the intended application and target purity at inquiry.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Evaluation and research orders (≤10 kg) are shipped with COA, MSDS, and certificate of origin. Bulk commercial orders (>10 kg) qualify for volume pricing with a full technical documentation package available on request.
> Request a Quote
If your team already has a target application, estimated quantity, destination market, or documentation requirements, send those details so the commercial response can be prepared more efficiently.