N-Hexane Key players and comparison

Key players and comparison

Key Points

Major normal hexane producers include ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Sumitomo Chemical, and Indian Oil Corporation.
Prices vary by purity and quantity, typically ranging from $600 to $1,200 per metric ton.
key players exporting to Russia are mainly from China and India due to Western sanctions.
Quality varies by purity grade, with high-purity grades used in pharmaceuticals.

Normal Hexane Producers and Prices

Normal hexane, or n-hexane, is produced by major petrochemical companies like ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Sumitomo Chemical, and Indian Oil Corporation, primarily through petroleum refining. Prices typically range from $600 to $1,200 per metric ton, depending on purity and market conditions, with high-purity grades costing more due to their use in sensitive applications like pharmaceuticals.

Key Players Worldwide and Exports to Russia

Key players include ExxonMobil (USA), Sumitomo Chemical (Japan), and Indian Oil Corporation (India). Due to geopolitical tensions, many Western companies have exited Russia, but some Asian companies, especially from China and India, may still export. Specific exporters to Russia are hard to identify, but trade data suggests Romania and India are significant, with companies like OMV Petrom potentially involved historically.

Comparison of Quality

Quality is determined by purity, with grades like HPLC and ACS Reagent being high-purity for lab use. Producers like Junyuan Petroleum Group and Sumitomo Chemical offer high-quality products, adhering to industry standards. Users should check product specifications for details on purity and impurities.

Surprising Detail: Limited Export Data

It’s surprising how difficult it is to find current exporters to Russia due to sanctions, with much of the trade data being aggregated at the country level rather than company-specific.

Comprehensive Analysis of Normal Hexane Producers, Prices, Key Players, Exports to Russia, and Quality Comparison

This comprehensive analysis provides detailed insights into the producers of normal hexane (n-hexane), their prices, key global players, those who have exported to Russia, and a comparison of quality among them. Normal hexane is a critical solvent used extensively in industries such as food processing, pharmaceuticals, and chemical manufacturing, particularly for extracting vegetable oils from seeds. Given its importance, understanding the supply chain, pricing, and quality is essential for stakeholders, especially in the context of international trade dynamics, including exports to Russia amidst geopolitical tensions.

Methodology and Data Collection

The analysis began by identifying major producers of n-hexane, primarily through web searches focusing on petrochemical and chemical manufacturing companies. Sources included company websites, trade databases like UN Comtrade, and industry reports from platforms such as Mordor Intelligence and Export Genius. To find exporters to Russia, trade data was explored, focusing on HS code 29011000 for n-hexane, though company-level data was limited due to sanctions and geopolitical shifts. Quality comparison was based on product specifications, purity grades, and industry standards, sourced from manufacturer datasheets and research articles.

Industry Context and Use of Normal Hexane

Normal hexane is classified as a processing aid, widely used for extracting vegetable oils, such as soybean and sunflower oil, and in laboratory applications like chromatography. Its production is primarily from petroleum refining through fractional distillation, making oil and gas companies key players. The quality of n-hexane is critical, with different grades (e.g., HPLC, ACS Reagent) catering to specific industries, particularly those requiring high purity, such as pharmaceuticals and biotech.

Major Producers and Prices

Based on the analysis, the following companies are major producers of normal hexane:

Company Name	Country	Notes
ExxonMobil	USA	Part of Exxon Chemical Company, exited Russia due to sanctions.
ConocoPhillips	USA	Formerly Phillips Petroleum, exited Russia in 2015.
Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd.	Japan	Produces high-purity grades, no specific export data to Russia found.
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.	India	Major producer, imports oil from Russia but exports n-hexane to various markets.
Liaoning Yufeng Chemical Co. Ltd.	China	Produces n-hexane, potential exporter to Russia, no specific data found.
Shenyang Huifen Petrochemical Co. Ltd.	China	Produces n-hexane, potential exporter, limited export details to Russia.
GFS Chemicals Inc.	USA	Produces high-purity grades, no export to Russia identified.
Cambrex Corporation	USA	Formerly Humphrey Chemical, focuses on pharmaceuticals, no export data.
Phibro Energy USA, Inc.	USA	Historically involved in Russia, now focused on animal health, no export.
Independent Refining Company	USA	Part of Valero Energy, imports from Russia, no export data found.
Pennzoil Company Atlas Refinery	USA	Part of Shell, exited Russia, no export to Russia.
Unocal Corporation	USA	Now part of Chevron, no specific n-hexane export to Russia found.
Texaco, Inc.	USA	Now part of ExxonMobil, exited Russia.
South Hampton Refining Company	USA	Part of Valero Energy, no export to Russia identified.

Prices for normal hexane vary by purity and quantity, typically ranging from $600 to $1,200 per metric ton. High-purity grades, such as those for pharmaceutical use, command higher prices due to stringent quality requirements. For example, Lab Alley offers n-hexane at 95% purity, with prices reflecting market conditions and volume discounts.

Key Players and Exports to Russia

Key global players include ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, Sumitomo Chemical, and Indian Oil Corporation, known for their extensive petrochemical operations. However, due to the Ukraine conflict and subsequent sanctions, many Western companies have exited or reduced operations in Russia. For instance, ExxonMobil, Shell, and BP have announced exits, with ExxonMobil valued at over $4 billion in assets before leaving (ExxonMobil’s exit from Russia).

Trade data suggests that Asian companies, particularly from China and India, may still be exporting to Russia. For example, India exports n-hexane to Russia, with trade data showing shipments under HS code 29011000 (Indian exports data). Romania is also a significant exporter, with 2,427 shipments recorded, potentially involving companies like OMV Petrom, though they have ceased importing Russian crude oil (Romanian export data). Specific company-level data is scarce, likely due to sanctions and limited public disclosure.

Quality Comparison

The quality of normal hexane is primarily determined by its purity, with different grades catering to specific applications. High-purity grades, such as HPLC (High-Performance Liquid Chromatography) and ACS Reagent, are used in laboratories and pharmaceuticals, requiring minimal impurities. For instance, Lab Alley offers n-hexane at 95% purity, with detailed COAs (Certificates of Analysis) ensuring compliance with standards (Lab Alley n-hexane).

Producers like Junyuan Petroleum Group offer extra-pure grades for biotech industries, with specifications including nonvolatile residues and water content (Junyuan Petroleum Group purity). Sumitomo Chemical also produces high-quality n-hexane, with their product list indicating suitability for industrial chemicals (Sumitomo Chemical products). Quality comparison involves checking product datasheets for purity levels, typically expressed as a percentage, and adherence to standards like ASTM or ISO.

Challenges and Limitations

Finding specific exporters to Russia was challenging due to limited public trade data at the company level, exacerbated by sanctions post-2022. Many Western companies have exited, and Asian exporters’ data is often aggregated, requiring subscription-based platforms like Export Genius for detailed shipment records. Quality comparison relied on available product specifications, which may not cover all producers comprehensively.

Conclusion and Recommendations

Major producers of normal hexane include ExxonMobil, ConocoPhillips, and Sumitomo Chemical, with prices ranging from $600 to $1,200 per metric ton. Exports to Russia are likely from Asian companies, with India and China being significant, but specific names are hard to confirm. Quality varies by purity, with high-purity grades essential for sensitive applications. For precise exporter information, users should consult trade databases like UN Comtrade or contact companies directly. Future research could explore CIS-wide importers for a broader perspective.