Naphtha CAS 64742-48-9
Chelora Chemicals supplies light and heavy naphtha to steam crackers, reformers, solvent producers and gasoline blenders worldwide. Every consignment leaves with a batch-specific COA covering PONA composition, distillation range, sulphur and density, the current SDS and full dangerous-goods documentation.
Also known as: Petroleum naphtha · Light naphtha · Heavy naphtha · Straight-run naphtha · Cracker feed
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Price, lead time and a sample COA for Naphtha, usually within one working day. We ship worldwide.
Request a Quote Email the DeskDocumentation
- Batch-specific COA (PONA, distillation range, sulphur, density)
- Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Transport and dangerous-goods documents
- Third-party inspection on request
- Certificate of origin
What is Naphtha?
Naphtha is not a single chemical but a refinery distillation cut: a mixture of C5 to C12 hydrocarbons boiling roughly between 30 and 200 °C. Its composition, not its name, determines what it is worth and what it can be used for.
Light naphtha, roughly C5 to C6, is the preferred steam cracker feedstock in regions without cheap ethane. Heavy naphtha, roughly C7 to C10, goes to catalytic reforming for aromatics and gasoline octane.
The key compositional measure is PONA — the split between paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics. A cracker wants paraffins; a reformer wants naphthenes and aromatics precursors.
Naphtha is highly flammable with a very wide range of specifications depending on source crude and refinery configuration, so it is bought on analysis rather than on name.
Why naphtha specifically
- The main liquid cracker feed. Where ethane is not available, naphtha cracking supplies ethylene, propylene, butadiene and aromatics together.
- The aromatics source. Reforming heavy naphtha produces the benzene, toluene and xylenes that feed the whole aromatic chain.
- Co-product rich. Unlike ethane cracking, naphtha cracking yields propylene, butadiene and pygas alongside ethylene.
- Flexible between markets. Can go to petrochemicals, gasoline blending or solvent production as margins dictate.
How Naphtha is Manufactured
Naphtha is produced by distilling crude oil, with secondary streams from hydrocracking and condensate splitting.
- Crude distillation. Straight-run naphtha is taken off the atmospheric column between the light ends and the kerosene cut.
- Light and heavy splitting. A naphtha splitter separates the light cut for cracking from the heavy cut for reforming.
- Hydrotreating. Sulphur and nitrogen are removed to protect downstream catalysts and meet cracker specifications.
- Condensate splitting. Field condensate is split to produce naphtha directly, a growing source in gas-rich regions.
- Hydrocracking. Hydrocracker naphtha supplies additional volume with a different composition.
- Blending. Streams are blended to the PONA, distillation and sulphur specification the buyer requires.
Typical Commercial Specification
Figures below are representative of a paraffinic cracker-feed naphtha. Reformer feed and solvent naphtha carry quite different specifications — tell us the use and we will send the matching sheet.
| Parameter | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Paraffins | 65 – 75% for cracker feed |
| Naphthenes | To grade, typically 20 – 30% |
| Aromatics | To grade, typically 8 – 12% for cracker feed |
| Olefins | To grade, typically 1% max for straight-run |
| Distillation IBP to FBP | About 30 to 180 °C depending on cut |
| Total sulphur | To grade, typically 500 ppm max; much lower for hydrotreated |
| Density at 15 °C | 0.66 to 0.74 g/cm³ |
| Benzene content | To grade, relevant for solvent and gasoline use |
| Chloride | To grade, typically 1 ppm max for reformer feed |
Physical & Chemical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | C5 to C12 hydrocarbon mixture |
| Average molecular weight | About 100 g/mol |
| Appearance | Clear colourless to pale yellow liquid, petroleum odour |
| Boiling range | About 30 to 200 °C depending on cut |
| Flash point | Typically below −20 °C |
| Density | 0.66 to 0.74 g/cm³ at 15 °C |
| Vapour density (relative to air) | About 3 to 4, heavier than air |
| Flammable limits in air | About 1.1 to 6% by volume |
| Autoignition temperature | About 230 to 280 °C |
| Solubility in water | Practically insoluble |
| Static accumulation | High; bonding and earthing essential |
| Incompatibilities | Strong oxidisers, halogens |
Behaviour in the process
Naphtha handling is dominated by volatility and static, and its value by composition:
- Very high volatility. Flash point well below ambient with vapour several times heavier than air, pooling at low points.
- Severe static accumulation. Among the worst products for charge generation during transfer; bonding, earthing and controlled fill rates are essential.
- Composition varies by source. Crude slate and refinery configuration change PONA markedly between cargoes.
- Low autoignition temperature. Hot surfaces can ignite naphtha vapour without a spark.
Naphtha Grades and Alternative Feedstocks
Naphtha is bought by composition and intended use, and the grades are not interchangeable between cracker and reformer.
| Material | Origin / type | When it is the right choice |
|---|---|---|
| Light naphtha | C5 to C6, high paraffin | Steam cracker feed for maximum ethylene yield |
| Heavy naphtha | C7 to C10, naphthene rich | Catalytic reforming for aromatics and gasoline octane |
| Full range naphtha | Unsplit | Blending and flexible use where a splitter is available |
| Ethane | C2 | Cheaper cracker feed where available; yields almost only ethylene |
| LPG | CAS 68476-85-7 | Propane and butane cracking, intermediate between ethane and naphtha in co-product yield |
Stated plainly: the feedstock choice sets your co-product slate. Ethane gives ethylene and little else; naphtha gives propylene, butadiene and aromatics alongside it. Which is better depends on what your downstream units need, not on price alone.
Industries We Supply Naphtha To
Naphtha serves petrochemicals, refining, solvents and fuel markets.
Where Naphtha is Used
Steam cracking and catalytic reforming take the majority of naphtha, with gasoline blending and solvent production behind them.
In steam cracking
Naphtha is vaporised, mixed with steam and pyrolysed at about 820 to 850 °C with very short residence time. Paraffin content governs ethylene yield; naphthenes and aromatics shift yield toward pyrolysis gasoline and fuel oil. A cracker buying on distillation range alone can find its yield slate moving by several percent between cargoes.
In catalytic reforming
Heavy naphtha is reformed over platinum-rhenium catalyst to raise octane and produce aromatics. Sulphur, nitrogen and chloride all poison the catalyst, so hydrotreating and tight impurity specifications matter more here than for cracker feed. Naphthene content is the key yield variable.
Need a specific grade, purity and packing format?
Tell us the grade, the PONA composition, sulphur limit and distillation range your unit requires, the packing format you can receive and the annual quantity. We will come back with a price, a lead time, a sample COA and the full documentation set.
Quality Control & Testing
Every lot is released against a batch-specific Certificate of Analysis, with full PONA and distillation data because that is what determines yield in your unit.
- PONA composition — paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics, the primary value measure.
- Distillation range — by ASTM D86, confirming the cut.
- Total sulphur and nitrogen — measured because both poison downstream catalysts.
- Density and molecular weight — confirming identity and feed rate calculations.
- Chloride and metals — critical for reformer feed.
- Benzene content — relevant for solvent and gasoline applications.
Common Process Problems & Likely Causes
When naphtha causes trouble, it is usually composition variation, sulphur or static. This table is the shortcut our technical desk works through before anyone opens a complaint file.
| Symptom | Likely cause | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Cracker ethylene yield below plan | Paraffin content lower than the previous cargo | PONA figures against the yield model |
| Pyrolysis gasoline make higher than expected | Aromatics and naphthene content high | PONA split and furnace severity |
| Reformer catalyst deactivating | Sulphur, nitrogen or chloride in the feed | Sulphur, nitrogen and chloride figures |
| Coking rate in furnaces higher | Heavy ends or olefin content in the feed | Final boiling point and olefin content |
| Static ignition incident or near miss | Inadequate bonding or excessive fill rate | Earthing, bonding and fill velocity procedures |
| Tank bottoms water or sediment | Cargo handling or tank condition | Water and sediment result and tank draw |
Packaging, Storage & Shipping
- Standard packing. Bulk parcel cargoes, ISO tank containers and road tankers; drums for small solvent quantities.
- Storage. Floating roof or vapour-controlled tankage, earthed and bunded, with gas detection.
- Static control. Bond and earth all equipment, use bottom filling and limit fill velocity; naphtha is a severe static accumulator.
- Hot surface control. Autoignition temperatures as low as 230 °C mean hot surfaces are an ignition risk.
- Vapour control. Vapour is several times heavier than air and pools in low points; monitor at low level.
- Material compatibility. Carbon steel and stainless steel are standard; naphtha swells many elastomers.
- Shelf life. Indefinite in sealed storage, though light ends can be lost from poorly sealed tanks.
- Transport classification. UN 1268, petroleum distillates n.o.s., Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group I or II.
Hazards & Safe Handling
Naphtha is a highly flammable liquid with severe static accumulation, aspiration hazard and, depending on composition, benzene content. All four need managing.
- Extreme flammability. Flash point well below ambient with low autoignition temperature; control both ignition sources and hot surfaces.
- Static hazard. Among the most static-prone liquids handled in bulk; bonding, earthing, bottom filling and controlled velocity are all required.
- Benzene content. Depending on composition, naphtha can contain benzene, a Category 1A carcinogen; check the analysis and manage exposure accordingly.
- Aspiration hazard. Swallowing and aspirating liquid can cause chemical pneumonitis. Never induce vomiting.
- Heavy vapour. Vapour accumulates in pits, sumps and tank bunds; ventilate and monitor at low level.
- Skin defatting. Repeated contact removes natural oils and causes dermatitis; use gloves.
- Confined space. Tank entry requires full confined space procedures with gas testing.
- Environment. Harmful to aquatic life; prevent entry to drains and watercourses.
Regulatory & Compliance Notes
Naphtha is regulated as a flammable petroleum product, with benzene content and fuel specifications adding further requirements. The notes below are orientation rather than legal advice.
- GHS classification. Flammable liquid Category 1 or 2, aspiration hazard Category 1, skin irritation and, where benzene is present, carcinogenicity.
- Dangerous goods transport. UN 1268, Class 3, PG I or II. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply to tank design, labelling and routing.
- Benzene regulation. Where benzene is present above threshold levels, specific occupational and consumer restrictions apply.
- Fuel specifications. Gasoline blending components must meet national fuel quality standards.
- REACH and inventories. Registered under EU REACH as a petroleum substance with defined composition boundaries.
- Marine pollution. Bulk cargoes are subject to MARPOL and port state requirements.
We Supply Naphtha Worldwide
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and export partner, not a single-plant trader. We ship Naphtha from India and from partner sources to customers across Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and North and South America, handling the export documentation, transport paperwork and freight so the material arrives ready to use.
- Incoterms. EXW, FOB, CIF, CFR and DAP quoted to suit your purchasing terms and freight arrangements.
- Ports. Regular shipments through Nhava Sheva (JNPT) and Mundra, with other ports arranged where routing and cargo rules allow.
- Documentation. Commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin, COA, SDS and the transport declaration issued as a complete set.
- Flexible volumes. From a single ISO tank up to repeat bulk shipments on a supply contract.
- Supply continuity. Because we are independent of any one producer, a plant turnaround or a shipping disruption at one source does not have to become your stock-out.
Buying Naphtha from Chelora
We are an independent sourcing and supply partner. For naphtha that means settling three things at enquiry: the PONA composition and distillation range your unit needs, the sulphur and impurity limits your catalyst tolerates, and the cargo size and delivery window.
- Documentation on every lot. Batch-specific COA (PONA, distillation range, sulphur, density), plus SDS and the full transport paperwork.
- Analysis before commitment. Representative analysis shared ahead of a commercial order so your lab can qualify the material.
- Quantities. From a single ISO tank through to full bulk shipments on contract supply.
- Grade matching. Light or heavy naphtha at the PONA composition, distillation range and sulphur level your cracker, reformer or solvent plant requires.
- Inspection. Independent third-party inspection available at loading when the contract requires it.
- Related products. Liquefied Petroleum Gas, Benzene, n-Hexane and other feedstocks alongside Naphtha from one supplier.
How ordering works
- Send the enquiry. Product, grade or purity, quantity, destination port and the Incoterm you buy on. If you have a spec sheet, attach it — it saves a round trip.
- We quote. Price, lead time, packing format and a sample COA, normally within one working day.
- Qualify the supply. For first orders or critical applications, we share the analysis and handling documentation so your technical and safety teams can sign off before you commit.
- Confirm the order. Proforma invoice issued; payment terms agreed against the volume and the relationship.
- Allocation and QC. Material allocated and released against a batch-specific COA, with an independent inspection where the contract calls for it.
- Ship and document. Filled, labelled and loaded with the full export document set, and tracked through to arrival.
Naphtha — Common Questions
The questions our technical desk is asked most often about Naphtha. If yours isn't here, call or email and you will reach someone who knows the chemistry.
What is the CAS number of naphtha?
Naphtha is a petroleum substance rather than a single compound. Hydrotreated light naphtha is commonly given CAS 64742-48-9, with EC number 265-150-3, and it is classified under HS code 2710.12.
What is naphtha used for?
Mainly as steam cracker feedstock for ethylene, propylene and butadiene, and as catalytic reformer feed for benzene, toluene, xylenes and gasoline octane. It is also used for solvent manufacture, gasoline blending and as a heavy oil diluent.
Do you supply naphtha worldwide?
Yes. Chelora Chemicals supplies and exports naphtha worldwide — across Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and the Americas, as well as throughout India, in bulk parcels, ISO tanks and road tankers.
What is PONA and why does it matter?
The split between paraffins, olefins, naphthenes and aromatics. It determines yield: paraffins give ethylene in a cracker, while naphthenes and aromatics give pyrolysis gasoline instead. Two cargoes with the same boiling range can differ materially in value.
What is the difference between light and heavy naphtha?
Light naphtha is roughly C5 to C6 and paraffin rich, preferred for steam cracking. Heavy naphtha is roughly C7 to C10 and naphthene rich, used for catalytic reforming to aromatics and gasoline octane.
How is naphtha produced?
By distilling crude oil, with the naphtha cut taken between light ends and kerosene and then split into light and heavy fractions. Condensate splitting and hydrocracking supply additional volume, and hydrotreating removes sulphur and nitrogen.
Is naphtha hazardous?
Yes. It is a highly flammable liquid with a flash point well below ambient, a severe static accumulator, an aspiration hazard, and depending on composition it can contain benzene, a Category 1A carcinogen.
What are the UN number and transport class?
UN 1268, petroleum distillates n.o.s., Class 3 flammable liquid, packing group I or II depending on the cut. ADR, IMDG, IATA and DOT rules apply.
Why is naphtha such a static hazard?
Because it has very low electrical conductivity and very high volatility, so charge generated during flow does not dissipate while a flammable vapour space is present. Bonding, earthing, bottom filling and controlled fill velocity are all required.
How does naphtha compare with ethane as cracker feed?
Ethane is cheaper where available and gives almost pure ethylene. Naphtha gives lower ethylene yield but produces propylene, butadiene and aromatics alongside it, which matters if downstream units need those co-products.
How should naphtha be stored?
In earthed, bunded, vapour-controlled tankage away from ignition sources and hot surfaces, with gas detection at low level because the vapour is several times heavier than air.
What cargo sizes are available?
From a single ISO tank up to full bulk parcel cargoes. Naphtha is normally traded in bulk, and we arrange the cargo size and delivery window against your unit's consumption.
Ready to source Naphtha?
Send us your specification, grade and annual volume. You will get a price, a realistic lead time and a sample COA from someone who understands what the material has to do in your process — delivered anywhere in the world.