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Acetone

Acetone is a versatile solvent used in manufacturing, cosmetics, and cleaning applications across East Africa.

In multiple industrial environments, removing stubborn residues and achieving rapid drying are common operational challenges.

Packaging

5L bottles, 10L jerry cans, 20L drums, 25kg containers, 200L drums

Supply Region

East Africa, Kenya

Supplier

Zenco Systems Ltd

What is Acetone?

In multiple industrial environments, removing stubborn residues and achieving rapid drying are common operational challenges. Acetone addresses these effectively as a fast-evaporating solvent with wide-ranging applicability. This colorless, transparent liquid solvent, chemically known as propanone, is essential where efficient dissolution and quick evaporation are required. It finds critical use in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, paint manufacturing, and laboratory operations across East Africa.

Zenco Systems Ltd supplies acetone to support buyers in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda, delivering consistent quality and dependable logistics. The product's strength lies in its compatibility with water and most organic solvents, enabling its integration into various cleaning and formulation processes. Its reputation as a safe, low-toxicity solvent further enhances its commercial value for industries requiring an effective solvent that evaporates without leaving residue, speeding up production cycles and maintaining product integrity.

Acetone: Detailed Product Overview

Acetone (C3H6O) is the simplest ketone, composed of three carbon atoms and a carbonyl group (C=O) in its molecular structure. This configuration gives acetone its excellent solvent properties, as the polar carbonyl group interacts well with both hydrophilic and hydrophobic substances. It has a low boiling point of 56°C, which contributes to its rapid evaporation rate, making it ideal for applications where quick drying is critical.

Its miscibility with water and many organic solvents allows it to dissolve a broad spectrum of compounds, including plastics, resins, fats, and oils. This makes acetone an efficient cleaning and stripping agent. The chemical is highly flammable, so storage and handling require careful attention to safety measures.

In manufacturing, acetone often serves as both a solvent and an intermediate chemical. For cosmetics and pharmaceuticals, its purity and controlled quality are essential to avoid contamination. Zenco Systems Ltd ensures supply of acetone meeting industry requirements across East Africa, offering grades suited to industrial use where complete removal of solvents without residual film is necessary.

Because acetone evaporates quickly at room temperature without decomposition, it reduces downtime in processes that require drying or curing. This contributes to operational efficiency across paint and coatings production, plastic fabrication, and laboratory cleaning. Its role in fast dissolving and easy removal of contaminants streamlines maintenance and production workflows, underscoring its industrial necessity.

Applications and Uses of Acetone

Paint Stripping

Acetone is widely employed in paint stripping to dissolve old coatings on metal, wood, and plastic surfaces. Its solvent power breaks down resins and binders in paints, allowing for efficient removal without harsh mechanical abrasion. Users apply acetone directly or in formulated stripping products, benefiting from its fast evaporation which shortens drying time before recoating. This application is critical in metal fabrication, automotive repair, and maintenance industries across East Africa.

Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

In pharmaceutical production, acetone acts as both a solvent and a reagent intermediate. Its volatility enables rapid drying of coatings on tablets and capsules without leaving residues that could affect drug efficacy. Moreover, its solvent capabilities help in extracting active pharmaceutical ingredients and cleaning production equipment, maintaining necessary hygiene standards. Pharmaceutical manufacturers in Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania depend on reliable acetone supply to meet stringent quality controls.

Cosmetics Formulation

Acetone is a key solvent in cosmetics, especially in nail polish removers and other personal care products. Its ability to dissolve resins and pigments efficiently, combined with rapid evaporation, ensures effective removal of coatings without skin toxicity concerns. Cosmetic formulators rely on acetone for its consistent purity and performance, enabling smooth production runs and quality assurance in East African cosmetic industries.

Cleaning Solvent

Industrial cleaning operations utilize acetone for removing grease, oils, and resins from machinery and glassware. Its ability to dissolve a wide range of contaminants and evaporate quickly without leaving residues improves maintenance turnaround times. Laboratories particularly value acetone for cleaning purposes, as it sterilizes surfaces while evaporating cleanly, supporting accurate analytical results.

Plastic Production

Acetone participates as a solvent in plastic manufacturing and fabrication processes, including dissolving polymers like ABS and PVC in solution-based molding or as a surface cleaner. It ensures uniformity in blends and removes plasticizers and residues that affect product quality. Manufacturers in Kenya and neighboring countries utilize acetone to maintain production continuity and ensure end-product performance.

Nail Polish Remover

A common household and salon product, acetone's rapid dissolution of nitrocellulose-based nail polish makes it the solvent of choice in nail polish removers. Its volatility allows quick drying, reducing application time. Suppliers in East Africa provide cosmetic-grade acetone tailored to safety and purity benchmarks demanded by personal care product formulators.

Looking for alternatives for a specific process? Browse the full Cleaning & Disinfection range or ask our technical team which grade fits your application.

Benefits and Advantages

Efficient Solvent Action

Acetone’s molecular structure provides excellent solvency for a diverse range of organic compounds. This efficiency reduces solvent volumes needed in formulations or cleaning, lowering operational costs and chemical waste. The ability to dissolve resins, plastics, oils, and greases underpins its utility in both manufacturing and maintenance contexts.

Rapid Evaporation and Drying

Because acetone evaporates quickly at ambient temperatures, it shortens the drying time in processes such as paint stripping and pharmaceutical coating. This accelerates production cycles and reduces downtime, delivering a direct operational benefit by saving time and energy compared to slower drying solvents.

Versatile Industry Applications

Acetone serves multiple industries including cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, paint production, and plastics. This versatility supports supply chain efficiency by consolidating solvent sourcing under one chemical, simplifying procurement and inventory management for industrial buyers in East Africa.

Low Toxicity with Proper Handling

While acetone is flammable, its low toxicity relative to other solvents makes it safer to use with appropriate precautions. This lowers health risks for workers and facilitates regulatory compliance, especially important in environments like pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing.

Packaging Information

Zenco Systems Ltd offers acetone in packaging tailored to diverse industrial needs across Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Standard packaging includes 5L bottles for small-scale or laboratory use, 10L jerry cans, and 20L drums suitable for production-scale requirements. Larger needs are met with 25kg containers and 200L drums for bulk supply. This range supports both localized operations and large manufacturers, with logistics designed to maintain product integrity throughout regional distribution.

Standard formats: 5L bottles, 10L jerry cans, 20L drums, 25kg containers, 200L drums

Storage and Handling

Store acetone in tightly sealed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources and oxidizing agents. Metal or high-density polyethylene (HDPE) containers are suitable for storage. Avoid exposure to heat or direct sunlight to prevent pressure buildup and evaporation loss. Due to its flammable nature, ensure grounding and bonding during transfer to reduce static discharge risk. Shelf life under proper conditions typically exceeds several months, but confirm with supplier for batch-specific guidelines. Handle with protective gloves and goggles to prevent skin and eye irritation.

Safety Information

Acetone is highly flammable and poses fire hazards if not handled properly. Use appropriate personal protective equipment such as chemical-resistant gloves, safety goggles, and adequate ventilation during use. In case of skin contact, wash with plenty of water; if inhaled, move to fresh air immediately. Do not smoke or use near open flames. Dispose of acetone waste in accordance with local environmental regulations. Consult the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) provided by Zenco Systems Ltd for full safety protocols.

Technical Specifications

GradeConfirm with supplier
PurityConfirm with supplier
Density0.7845 g/cm³ at 20°C
FormulaC3H6O
Packaging5L bottles, 10L jerry cans, 20L drums, 25kg containers, 200L drums
AppearanceColorless transparent liquid
CAS Number67-64-1
SolubilityMiscible with water and most organic solvents
Flash Point-20°C (closed cup)
Boiling Point56°C
Chemical NameAcetone
Storage ConditionsStore in cool, ventilated area away from ignition sources

Applications

  • Paint stripping
  • Pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • Cosmetics formulation
  • Cleaning solvent
  • Laboratory solvent
  • Plastic production
  • Nail polish remover

Technical Data Sheet (TDS)

GradeConfirm with supplier
PurityConfirm with supplier
Density0.7845 g/cm³ at 20°C
FormulaC3H6O
Packaging5L bottles, 10L jerry cans, 20L drums, 25kg containers, 200L drums
AppearanceColorless transparent liquid
CAS Number67-64-1
SolubilityMiscible with water and most organic solvents
Flash Point-20°C (closed cup)
Boiling Point56°C
Chemical NameAcetone
Storage ConditionsStore in cool, ventilated area away from ignition sources

Product Features

  • - Colorless transparent liquid
  • - Rapid evaporation at room temperature
  • - Highly flammable solvent
  • - Miscible with water and organic solvents
  • - Low toxicity with proper handling
  • - Strong solvent for resins and plastics

Industries Served

  • - Pharmaceutical manufacturing
  • - Cosmetics production
  • - Paint and coatings
  • - Laboratory and research
  • - Plastic fabrication
  • - Automotive maintenance

Product Overview

Frequently Asked Questions About Acetone

What is acetone primarily used for in industry?

Acetone is mainly used as a solvent for paint stripping, pharmaceutical and cosmetics manufacturing, plastic production, and industrial cleaning due to its powerful dissolving properties and quick evaporation.

Can Zenco Systems Ltd supply acetone outside Kenya?

Yes, we supply acetone reliably to Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and other East African countries, managing the necessary logistics to ensure timely delivery across the region.

What packaging sizes of acetone are available for purchase?

We offer acetone in 5L bottles, 10L jerry cans, 20L drums, 25kg containers, and 200L drums to suit different operational sizes and requirements.

How should acetone be stored safely?

Store acetone in a cool, well-ventilated area away from ignition sources; use compatible containers like HDPE or metal drums to prevent leaks and minimize fire risk.

Is the acetone supplied suitable for pharmaceutical or cosmetic applications?

Our acetone grades meet stringent quality requirements; confirm exact purity and grade with us at order time to ensure suitability for pharmaceutical or cosmetics formulation.

What safety precautions are needed when handling acetone?

Wear gloves and protective eyewear, ensure good ventilation, and keep acetone away from flames or sparks as it is highly flammable. Follow the SDS guidelines for full safety instructions.

Do you provide a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for your acetone product?

Yes, Zenco Systems Ltd provides an SDS for acetone on request, detailing chemical hazards, handling instructions, and emergency measures.

What is the shelf life of acetone under proper storage?

Acetone generally maintains stability for several months when stored tightly sealed in appropriate conditions; confirm shelf life with supplier for specific batches.

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