Why Is The Price of Acetone Surging?

Why is the price of acetone surging? The short answer is simply that there is currently a limited supply of Acetone available. Acetone is a raw material that is used across a multitude of industries, and can be affected by a variety of factors including supply chain disruptions, crude oil prices and more. At this current time in the chemical market place, acetone is simply scarce due to the demand that was placed on this solvent during the covid-19 pandemic. 

Why is the price of acetone surging as a result of the pandemic? Solvents like acetone were bought up at dramatically increased rates, in an effort to produce disinfectant products. Now the industry is experiencing a supply shortage as a result, which has caused prices to go up, while the chemical industry works to produce more acetone. 

Even though the covid-19 pandemic has greatly increased the demand for acetone, this price inflation is expected to be a short term issue. Major chemical producers are working to increase acetone production, and there is finally a light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic.  This means there will soon be an increased supply, and some relief in terms of the large demand for acetone.

In the meantime, if you are looking for an acetone substitute, or a supplier that still has bulk acetone in stock and ready to ship, Ecolink can help!

Benefits Of Working With Ecolink:

  • Variety – Ecolink offers a wide variety of chemicals, solvents, and environmentally preferred chemical alternatives. If you need help finding a specific solvent, a chemical substitute, or an eco-friendly alternative, Ecolink has you covered!
  • Expert Knowledge – Ecolink has a knowledgeable staff of chemists and industry experts who can help you find the best chemicals and solvents for your needs. If you need help understanding your options, or finding a new chemical for your particular applications, they are happy to help! 
  • Bulk Supply – Ecolink offers bulk sizing, up to 55 gallon drums, of all of their chemical products. 

Why is the price of acetone surging and where can you find solvents in stock?

If you are looking for bulk acetone or other bulk solvents and green alternatives, contact Ecolink here! Ecolink and their dedicated team are ready to help you find the right chemicals for your needs!

 

acetone and paint thinner

What’s the Difference Between Acetone and Paint Thinner?

Paint Thinner and Acetone- What’s the Difference?  

Some solvents that go by different names can seem like the same product. They may be used for some of the same applications and produce near-identical results. Take acetone and paint thinner, for example. Acetone has been used to thin and remove paint for many years, which is paint thinner’s primary purpose.  

If these solvents can function interchangeably, what’s the difference between acetone and paint thinner, besides the fact that paint thinner usually has a higher price tag than acetone? Let’s take a closer look, starting off with something simple: the nomenclature of the two solvents. 

A Name Says a Lot – Paint Thinner 

When it to comes to pinpointing a solvent’s application, the answer is sometimes found in the solvent’s name- take paint thinner, for example. “Paint thinner” is a colloquial term that refers to a solvent that excels at stripping and/or thinning paint. Depending on the brand, paint thinner can be made of solvents such as methyl ethyl ketone, toluene, naphtha, and of course, acetone.  

Unlike “paint thinner”, “acetone” does not directly show the applications of this solvent. However, it boasts a large range of applications, including being a thinning agent. One thing that makes acetone so popular for this purpose is its tremendous thinning power combined with the fact that, despite its efficacy, it is a mild solvent that poses a relatively low safety risk to workers and isn’t scheduled for regulation. 

Acetone as Paint Thinner 

So, can acetone be used in place of paint thinner? Ultimately, the answer lies in what kind of paint one is trying to thin or remove. For example, if you want to strip paint from a metal carpentry tool, acetone could do the job just fine. The goal is to banish the paint, not change its character. 

However, be cautious when using acetone to remove paint from a delicate surface. It has fairly strong stripping capabilities, so it does carry the potential to damage the surface.   

Other Uses of Acetone 

As mentioned above, unlike paint thinner, acetone is not only employed to thin or remove paint. Some other useful applications of acetone include:  

  • Glue/resin remover 
  • Nail polish remover 
  • Wool/silk degreaser in the textile industry  
  • Ink stain remover  
  • Glassware cleaner in chemistry laboratories  

Need Acetone or Paint Thinner? 

If you’re not sure whether to purchase acetone or paint thinner for your specific applications, the chemists at Ecolink can help. We sell industrial formulations of acetone and eco-friendly paint thinning agents, among solvents for many other specific and general uses. We also create custom products if none of our existing solutions suit your needs.   

For more information about our products and services, send us an email through our contact form. If you already know what you need, click the button below to head to our shop page!

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