What it is
Petrochemical liquid made from kerosene and benzene. Sulphonated into LABSA for detergents.
Where India produces it
- GujaratVadodara
Reliance and Indian Oil units.
- Tamil NaduChennai
Tamilnadu Petroproducts, Manali.
Where imports come from
Production 467.0 thousand tonnes against consumption of 752.5 thousand tonnes in 2024-25 (DCPC).
- Saudi Arabia
- Qatar
- Thailand
- USA
- Japan
Rules before you buy or sell
- LAB QCO (IS 12795:2020) is temporarily suspended (S.O. 3456(E), 25 Jun 2026 and S.O. 5343(E), 29 Sep 2026); the BIS upcoming list shows 31 Dec 2026.
- 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
Combustible liquid; store in closed tanks or drums away from flames.
Businesses that use it
Sources (4)
- Chemical and Petrochemical Statistics at a Glance 2025, Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals (Tables 3, 5, 8, 10, 16, 17, 20, 28)
- Directory of Chemical & Petrochemical Units 2022-23 (large and medium units), Department of Chemicals & Petrochemicals · 2023
- BIS — Products under compulsory certification, Scheme-I (QCO list with amendment and rescind orders; page updated 24 Sep 2026) · 2026
- BIS — Upcoming QCOs notified and due for implementation · 2026