Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl Alcohol (BA) is a highly-refined, pure, aromatic, primary alcohol with a wide variety of applications as a solvent and chemical intermediate. Its physical, chemical, and regulatory advantages make Benzyl Alcohol a preferred alternative to methylene chloride, isophorone, NMP, E-series glycol ethers, and other solvents targeted for replacement.

Uses of Benzyl Alcohol

Benzyl alcohol is used widely across industries thanks to its versatile properties. In cosmetics, it serves as a fragrance component, solvent, preservative and viscosity control agent, and is commonly found in perfumes, facial cleansers, skin care products, sun creams, shower gels, shampoos, conditioners, hairsprays, hair dyes and toothpaste. In the EU food sector, it appears as additive E1519, mainly acting as a carrier for flavourings used in liqueurs, flavoured wines, cocktails, confectionery and baked goods. The pharmaceutical industry relies on benzyl alcohol as a solvent for injectable and oral medicines, a preservative due to its microbicidal properties, a local anaesthetic and an active component in head lice treatments.

Benzyl alcohol also plays a key role in cleaning applications, where it functions as a solvent and disinfectant capable of dissolving dirt, grease and oils while offering antimicrobial benefits. It is used in household products as well as for cleaning medical equipment and surfaces in hospitals and laboratories. In construction, it serves as a solvent for epoxy resins and coatings, and acts as a plasticiser, stabiliser and effective cleaning agent for surface preparation and equipment maintenance.

Additional uses span several other sectors. In paints, varnishes and coatings, benzyl alcohol helps regulate drying times and ensures even colour distribution. Agriculture uses it as a solvent for pesticides and fertilisers, a preservative for agrochemicals and a biological pesticide, while animal nutrition applications include its use as a preservative, flavouring agent and solvent for feed supplements. It is also employed in the energy sector as a solvent in photovoltaic production and as an anti corrosion agent, in the lubricant industry as a stabiliser and viscosity modifier, and in the rubber industry as a plasticiser and solvent for vulcanisation accelerators and processing aids.

As a leading UK bulk distributor and supplier of Benzyl Alcohol we offer this product in a range of bulk packed sizes including poly, drum, IBC and bulk tanker.