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Chemicals

Acetone

एसीटोन

India’s production: 21.8 thousand tonnes · 2024-25

producing states
2
HS codes
1
businesses use it
3

What it is

Fast-drying solvent made with phenol from cumene. Used in nail-polish remover, paints, adhesives, pharma and acrylic sheet.

Technical gradePharma / analytical grade

Where India produces it

  1. KeralaErnakulam

    Hindustan Organic Chemicals, Kochi.

  2. GujaratBharuch

    Phenol-acetone plant at Dahej.

Where imports come from

Mostly imported per DCPC: production 21.8 thousand tonnes against consumption of 145.2 thousand tonnes in 2024-25 (large and medium units monitored).

  • Thailand
  • South Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Singapore
  • China

Rules before you buy or sell

  • BIS QCO in force: Acetone (Quality Control) Order, 2020 to IS 170:2004 (last amended S.O. 3299(E), 21 Jul 2023). Imports need a BIS licence.
  • Acetone is not scheduled under the NDPS Act, but it is internationally monitored. Customs (May–June 2026) asked importers and exporters to get a no-objection communication from the Central Bureau of Narcotics before each import or export.
  • Acetone is listed in Schedule 1 of the Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical (MSIHC) Rules, 1989. Above the threshold quantities, a unit must notify authorities, keep safety data sheets and an on-site emergency plan.
  • Flammable solvents are petroleum under the Petroleum Act; storing more than the exempt quantity needs a PESO licence under the Petroleum Rules, 2002.

Storage and handling

Highly flammable. Store in closed, earthed drums in a ventilated licensed solvent store.

Businesses that use it

Nail Paint Remover Unit →Nail Polish Unit (Small) →Paint Thinner Making →

Sources (5)
  1. Chemical and Petrochemical Statistics at a Glance 2025, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (Tables 3, 5, 8, 10, 16, 17, 20, 28)
  2. Directory of Chemical & Petrochemical Units 2022-23 (large and medium units), Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals · 2023
  3. BIS — Products under compulsory certification, Scheme-I (QCO list with amendment and rescind orders; page updated 24 Sep 2026) · 2026
  4. Chennai Customs Alert Notice No. 02/2026 (1 Jun 2026) on CMD Alert Notice No. 03/2026 — acetone, ethyl ether, hydrochloric acid, piperidine, sulphuric acid and toluene · 2026
  5. Manufacture, Storage and Import of Hazardous Chemical Rules, 1989 (as amended up to 2000), Schedule 1 — copy hosted by Inspectorate of Factories & Boilers, Goa · 1989