Overview

PA to DEP — One Step Further

Diethyl phthalate (DEP) is a clear, colourless liquid plasticizer and solvent produced by esterifying phthalic anhydride with ethanol. IGPL operates one dedicated DEP plant at the Taloja campus, converting its own PA directly to DEP — integrating the upstream feedstock advantage with downstream value creation.

DEP is a specialty product with a differentiated application profile. While IGPL's PA serves bulk polymer and resin industries, DEP addresses the fragrance, cosmetics, pharmaceutical, and specialty polymer sectors — where purity, odour control, and regulatory compliance are critical.

By producing DEP on the same site as its PA feedstock, IGPL eliminates feedstock logistics costs and passes that advantage to customers in the form of consistent quality and competitive pricing.

At a Glance

Purity ≥99.5%

Colour (APHA) ≤10

Form Clear liquid

Plant 1 dedicated unit

CAS

84-66-2

Formula

C₁₂H₁₄O₄

Mol. Wt.

222.24

Applications

Where Diethyl Phthalate Is Used

Fragrances & Cosmetics

Primary use: fragrance fixative and carrier in perfumes, colognes, and personal care products. DEP solubilises fragrance compounds and extends their diffusion.

Pharmaceutical Formulation

Solvent and plasticizer for pharmaceutical film coatings, tablet binders, and enteric coatings. Compatible with cellulose ester polymer systems.

Cellulose Acetate Plasticizer

Plasticizer for cellulose acetate films and fibres used in cigarette filters, textiles, and packaging applications.

Lacquers & Coatings

Solvent and plasticizer in nitrocellulose lacquers and coatings, particularly for wood finishes and leather coatings.

Insect Repellent Carrier

Used as a carrier and solvent in topical insect repellent formulations containing DEET and other active ingredients.

Specialty Polymers

Plasticizer for vinyl acetate, polyvinyl alcohol, and other specialty polymer systems requiring a non-volatile, compatible plasticizer.

IGPL laboratory — DEP esterification quality control at Taloja

Production

Esterification at Taloja — Integrated Advantage

DEP is produced by the catalytic esterification of phthalic anhydride with ethanol in a dedicated reactor at IGPL's Taloja campus. The reaction produces diethyl phthalate and water — water is removed continuously to drive the reaction to high conversion.

The reaction product is refined through distillation and polishing steps to achieve the ≥99.5% purity and APHA ≤10 colour standard required for fragrance and pharmaceutical applications. The process is run under controlled conditions monitored by the same DCS infrastructure used for PA production.

IGPL's feedstock advantage is structurally important: producing DEP from its own PA removes the intermediary supply step that faces most DEP producers, enabling tighter quality control from raw material to finished product.

Process Flow

IGPL PA

≥99.8% feedstock

Esterification Reactor

PA + ethanol → DEP + H₂O

Distillation

Purification & polish

DEP ≥99.5%

APHA ≤10

Specifications

Technical Specifications

Parameter	Specification	Test Method
Purity (DEP content)	≥ 99.5%	GC
Colour (APHA)	≤ 10	APHA
Specific gravity (25°C)	1.118–1.122	Pycnometer
Refractive index (25°C)	1.500–1.503	Refractometer
Acid value	≤ 0.05 mg KOH/g	Titration
Moisture	≤ 0.05%	Karl Fischer
Flash point (CC)	> 155°C	Pensky-Martens

Full TDS and SDS available on request. Specifications are indicative and may vary by batch. Always request current TDS prior to formulation.

IGPL provides batch-specific Certificates of Analysis (CoA) with every shipment. Quality parameters including APHA colour, acid value, and water content are tested per batch. For supplier qualification documentation, contact our technical team.

Why IGPL

Why Source DEP from IGPL

Integrated Feedstock

DEP produced from IGPL's own ≥99.8% PA. No external PA supply risk; quality starts at the feedstock.

Fragrance Grade Purity

APHA ≤10 colour, ≥99.5% purity, low acid value — meeting the requirements of fragrance and cosmetics formulators.

Pharmaceutical Compatible

Process and quality systems capable of meeting pharmaceutical excipient supplier requirements.

Single-Site Advantage

From o-xylene to PA to DEP, all at Taloja. Compressed lead times, full traceability, single point of contact.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

IGPL's DEP meets typical fragrance-grade purity specifications (≥99.5%, APHA ≤10, low acid value). Cosmetics and fragrance formulators should review the TDS against their specific formulation and regulatory requirements, including IFRA and applicable regional cosmetics regulations.

Diethyl phthalate is permitted for use as an excipient in pharmaceutical formulations and is listed in several pharmacopoeias. Its use in cosmetics is regulated by jurisdiction — customers should verify compliance with the specific regulations applicable to their market (EU Cosmetics Regulation, US FDA, etc.).

DEP is supplied as a clear liquid in MS drums (200 L), IBCs (1,000 L), or bulk tanker. Custom packaging and IBC return arrangements are available for regular customers.

DEP has a shelf life of 24 months in sealed original containers stored in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight and heat. The product is stable under normal storage conditions.

IGPL's DEP quality is produced to commercial grade aligned with pharmacopoeial specifications. Customers requiring formal pharmacopoeial certification should discuss specific requirements with the commercial team before ordering.

Diethyl Phthalate