| Names | |
|---|---|
| Preferred IUPAC name | Tetrachloromethane |
| Other names | Carbon chloride Methane tetrachloride Tetrachloromethane Perchloromethane Benziform Tetrasol |
| Pronunciation | /ˈkɑːr.bən ˌtɛ.trəˈklɔː.raɪd/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 56-23-5 |
| 3D model (JSmol) | `4\nC 0.000 0.000 0.000\nCl 1.800 0.000 0.000\nCl -0.600 1.700 0.000\nCl -0.600 -0.850 1.472\nCl -0.600 -0.850 -1.472` |
| Beilstein Reference | 635068 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:31323 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL17564 |
| ChemSpider | 10040 |
| DrugBank | DB00353 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 03b0e9d1-8b9c-4caf-b02b-f9b2c4b01c31 |
| EC Number | 200-262-8 |
| Gmelin Reference | Gmelin12326 |
| KEGG | C01535 |
| MeSH | D002230 |
| PubChem CID | 5947 |
| RTECS number | KI5775000 |
| UNII | XUUF696L1Y |
| UN number | UN1846 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | CCl4 |
| Molar mass | 153.823 g/mol |
| Appearance | Colorless liquid with a sweet, chloroform-like odor. |
| Odor | Aromatic, chloroform-like |
| Density | 1.594 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | 0.08 g/100 mL (20 °C) |
| log P | 2.64 |
| Vapor pressure | 91 mmHg (20°C) |
| Basicity (pKb) | 15.80 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | −6.9×10⁻⁶ |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.460 |
| Viscosity | 0.97 mPa·s (25 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 0 Debye |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 214.6 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -135.5 kJ·mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -135.3 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | JQ350 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | Toxic if swallowed, inhaled or in contact with skin. Causes damage to organs. Suspected of causing cancer. Causes skin and eye irritation. |
| GHS labelling | **"Danger; H351, H331, H319, H410, P201, P261, P304+P340, P305+P351+P338, P308+P313"** |
| Pictograms | GHS06,GHS08 |
| Signal word | Danger |
| Hazard statements | H301 + H331: Toxic if swallowed or if inhaled. H351: Suspected of causing cancer. H370: Causes damage to organs. H410: Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects. |
| Precautionary statements | P210, P261, P280, P301+P310, P303+P361+P353, P304+P340, P308+P313, P331, P403+P233, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-2-0-HEALTH |
| Autoignition temperature | 556°C (1033°F) |
| Lethal dose or concentration | Lethal dose or concentration: **LD50 (oral, rat): 2350 mg/kg** |
| LD50 (median dose) | 2,800 mg/kg (rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | NIOSH: FG 3500000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 10 ppm |
| REL (Recommended) | 0.002 ppm |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | 300 ppm |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds | Chloroform Dichloromethane Tetrachloroethylene Carbon disulfide |
| Property | Description |
|---|---|
| Product Name & IUPAC Name |
Carbon Tetrachloride Tetrachloromethane (IUPAC) |
| Chemical Formula | CCl4 |
| Synonyms & Trade Names | Perchloromethane, Carbon Chloride, Benziform, Tetraform, Methane Tetrachloride |
| HS Code & Customs Classification |
Typical HS Code: 2903.14 Customs regulations may assign Carbon Tetrachloride under chlorinated hydrocarbon classifications. End-use and purity often influence import/export declarations. Label and documentation discrepancies can complicate customs clearance, so maintaining traceability across batch numbers and grade declarations is essential for international shipments. |
From a manufacturer's perspective, maintaining integrity of the naming and code assignment is not a matter of clerical formality but directly impacts the legality, traceability, and downstream compliance for customers. Labelling carbon tetrachloride with the correct HS code, regardless of its intended application—solvent, process intermediate, or research reagent—avoids regulatory ambiguities that could disrupt supply chains or invite customs seizures.
Selection of synonyms and trade names arises from both historical usage and local regulatory requirements. Some markets restrict carbon tetrachloride due to its ozone-depleting potential, so ensuring consistency in naming between certification documents and container labels addresses potential regulatory hold points before cargo ever leaves the factory warehouse.
Production usually demands careful source control of feedstock carbon sources and chlorine purity to minimize secondary chlorinated byproducts. Variations in grade requirements—analytical, technical, or specialty—drive both process parameters and in-process impurity controls. Technical documentation must distinguish production lots destined for chemical synthesis from those intended for laboratory use. Batch consistency on attributes such as volatile residue and trace hydrocarbon contamination directly links back to process route—traditional direct chlorination versus modern catalytic methods affecting impurity profiles.
Customs classification at export or import gates often hinges not just on chemical identifiers but on the intended declared use. Many jurisdictions flag CCl4 as a controlled or restricted material, so the technical accuracy of the product identification database is a prerequisite to uninterrupted shipping and downstream use. Missteps here can invalidate transportation permits, invalidate exemption claims for research or process use, and create significant compliance risk.
In plant operation, carbon tetrachloride consistently presents as a clear, volatile liquid with a distinct, sweet odor. Appearance remains stable during storage if container and atmosphere exclusion are maintained. Color and odor intensity can shift if impurities, mainly chlorinated organics or breakdown products, are present above threshold levels. Melting and boiling points depend on impurity carryover from production; process optimization minimizes deviations for high-purity grades. Physical handling involves regular monitoring for discoloration and unusual odor, which signals contamination or degradation.
Stability is primarily a function of exposure control. The compound maintains chemical integrity under sealed, dry, and cool conditions typical in drum or bulk tank storage. Reactivity concerns increase in contact with strong bases, reactive metals, or in the presence of UV radiation, all of which facilitate breakdown or unwanted by-product formation. In manufacturing, we mitigate these risks by controlling material selection for plant piping, maintaining inert atmospheres, and limiting process temperature excursions.
Solubility in water is very low and not a concern during bulk storage, but solubility increases in organic solvents. In formulation, separation from aqueous phases is simple, but minute water solubility becomes critical in removal steps during purification or upstream when moisture-sensitive downstream chemistries are planned. Residual water management in storage drums and during load transfers gets special attention to avoid downstream process issues.
Manufactured grades vary by application: solvent grade, synthesis grade, and electronic/analytical grade. Each requires tailored impurity limits for uses such as feedstock, extraction medium, or carrier solvent. Detailed specifications depend on customer order or end use, particularly for water, chloroform, and chlorinated hydrocarbon content, all of which drive product qualification and release.
Controlling chloroform, methylene chloride, and higher chlorinated derivatives becomes crucial to achieving application-driven performance requirements. In-process impurity tracking relies on regular sampling at specific reactors and distillation cuts. Final impurity limits follow internal guidelines and, for regulated uses, national standards or customer requirements.
Routine analyses include gas chromatography, moisture analysis, and visual clarity assessment. Detection limits, calibration cycles, and test methods are determined by batch variability and delivery route. Internal methods align with ISO, ASTM, or local regulatory standards as required by contract.
Carbon tetrachloride processing starts with high-purity methane or chlorinated feedstock and technical grade chlorine sourced via pipeline. Supplier prequalification and regular feedstock purity checks minimize legacy organics and metal catalysts, which significantly impact downstream impurity profiles.
Most plant operations utilize a direct chlorination route, reacting methane or methyl chloride sequentially with chlorine under controlled temperatures and catalysis. Route selection depends on feedstock availability and cost, existing plant integration, and downstream purification efficiency. Historical processes via carbon disulfide have been phased out due to elevated by-product formation and handling risks.
Continuous monitoring of exotherm, residence time, and chlorine flow is necessary to avoid excessive by-product production. Multi-stage distillation remains the primary purification strategy, supported by in-line water removal and bottom-blow off for heavier chlorinated wastes. Control protocols specify acceptable feed and product tank limits for moisture, color, and halogen content prior to batch release.
Release criteria rely on a composite analysis encompassing composition, visual clarity, moisture, and compliance with agreed-upon impurity cut points. Batches that drift toward limits are segregated, downgraded, or reprocessed. Continuous improvement feedback loops link QA results back to plant process adjustments.
In controlled plant environments, carbon tetrachloride serves in chlorination, derivatization, and as a carrier for other halogenation reactions. Reactivity is exploited in closed systems to control by-product chains and yield ratios, with catalyst and temperature chosen to favor production of downstream intermediates like perchloroethylene or trichloroethylene.
Industrial operations maximize selectivity by operating at a narrow temperature window. Effective catalysis, usually via metal chlorides, ensures manageable reaction rates and minimizes undesired carbon monoxide or phosgene evolution. Solvent management and scrubber systems protect plant operators from volatile off-gas exposures.
Primary derivatives include refrigerant precursors, chlorinated solvents, and certain agrichemical intermediates. Manufacturing flexibility allows plant design to switch product slate, but each shift requires a corresponding QA regime.
Drums, ISO tanks, and fixed storage integrate with nitrogen or dry air blanketing to reduce hydrolysis and oxidative breakdown. Direct exposure to sunlight, moisture ingress, or high humidity increases degradation, marked by haze, color change, or acid odor. Dedicated carbon steel or compatible lined vessels prevent metal-catalyzed decomposition.
Steel with corrosion-resistant linings, glass, and certain engineered plastics suit long-term bulk storage. Copper, brass, and certain elastomers are excluded due to reaction with the product or catalysis of decomposition.
Product stability extends over annual cycles provided recommended conditions. Early-stage product changes, such as haze or color development, cue reinspection or recertification before use in sensitive downstream steps.
Hazard classification reflects acute inhalation, skin, and organ toxicity. Labelling includes specific pictograms and precautionary statements, audited annually to incorporate regulatory updates and customer geographic requirements.
We mandate use of mechanical ventilation, personal protective equipment, and spill minimization for all handling—especially in drum filling, loading, and reaction vessels. Leak detection systems and automatic scrubbing barriers serve as critical plant safeguards.
Toxicological assessment references published data concerning acute, subchronic, and chronic effects. On-site exposure protocols reflect local occupational health requirements and are tailored to production scale and area limitation. Real-time air monitoring devices are maintained across filling and storage areas.
Worker exposure standards comply with regulatory norms and internal health risk management policies. These are reviewed as regulatory guidance evolves. Training programs, rescue procedures, and first-aid protocols remain part of routine annual site practice, elevating operator awareness and process safety discipline.
Production lines for carbon tetrachloride typically operate in facilities integrated with chloromethane or chlorine-based process routes. Capacity hinges on upstream feedstock availability, primarily chlorine and methane or methanol, and is tightly linked to utility reliability, operational uptime, and scheduled shutdowns for maintenance or regulatory audits. Batch capacity varies by plant size and technology lineage, with legacy and newer routes coexisting regionally. Output allocation frequently prioritizes contract buyers in solvents, fluorochemical intermediates, and analytical reagents. Spot availability fluctuates in response to maintenance seasons and feedstock disruption.
Lead times vary seasonally and are influenced by inventory cycles, production campaign scheduling, and regulatory reporting windows. MOQ for direct shipment depends on packaging format and regional logistics, typically set by transportation regulations for hazardous goods rather than arbitrary commercial policy. Bulk deliveries favor isotanks or drums, with customization options subject to compliance with destination country packaging and labeling rules.
Packaging selection is grade- and destination-dependent. Drums, ISO tanks, and custom containers all require compatibility with the chemical’s volatility and vapor pressure. Certified packaging is mandatory for international shipments. Handling standards ensure product containment and minimize vapor loss at both production and end-user sites. Special attention to seal integrity and vapor emission limits is necessary throughout the logistics chain.
Shipping requires ADR/RID/IMDG-compliant protocol, with strict documentation for customs, especially for high-purity or restricted-use grades. Payment terms reflect customer profile, order volume, and geographic risk assessment. Deferred payment terms are usually reserved for long-term partners, while export shipments may require advance LC or TT per internal credit policy and prevailing commercial risk analysis.
Cost structure for carbon tetrachloride is dominated by feedstock (chlorine, methane/methanol), utilities, and environmental compliance outlays. Feedstock volatility results predominantly from crude oil and natural gas market dynamics, which dictate methanol and chloroalkane precursor costs. Fluctuations stem from upstream plant reliability, refinery turnarounds, and geopolitical events that constrain raw material movement. Chlorine price swings also trace back to caustic soda co-production economics and regional demand shifts in the broader chlor-alkali industry.
Pricing tiers align with grade (industrial, analytical, fluorochemical precursor), impurity specification, and packaging credential. The highest purity grades command a substantial premium driven by incremental purification steps, trace impurity verification, and QA/QC documentation for regulatory or GxP-relevant applications. Price escalation for specialty packaging or compliant certificates reflects both procurement costs and process labor depth.
High-purity and low-residue grades incur higher production and analytical validation costs. Compliance with pharmaceutical or electronics standards requires not only additional purification but also lot traceability, impurity fingerprinting, and third-party certification. Packaging certification for hazardous goods further elevates cost due to additional regulatory fees, inspection, and logistics chain custody requirements.
Global supply historically concentrated in regions with ready availability of both chlorine and natural gas/methanol. Capacity expansions largely follow downstream demand in fluorochemicals and solvents, while persistent regulatory restrictions in developed markets shape localized consumption baselines. Emerging market supply grows as domestic chemical value chains mature and environmental permitting processes standardize.
United States operates fewer plants focused on captive use, limited by stringent emissions frameworks. EU production prioritizes integrated sites and environmental license retention, which restricts surplus for export. Japan’s market focuses on downstream derivative production and relies on closed-loop capture technology. India and China host scalable production facilities, balancing domestic supply reliance with competitive exports. In these regions, pricing flexes seasonally with regulatory inspections, environmental control mandates, and downstream refrigerant policy shifts.
By 2026, we expect feedstock constrained pricing in most mature economies, influenced by tighter emission laws and possible phase-out mandates in certain high-purity streams. In Asia-Pacific, spot pricing likely tracks export tax changes and plant operating rates. Market consolidation among larger players may flatten volatility, but major feedstock disruptions or regulatory shocks could create rapid pricing escalations. Data drawing from contract negotiations, regional commodity indices, and public customs filings informs these forecasts.
Trend analysis draws on production statistics, regulatory filings, cross-border trade data, and verified market price indexes. Methodology includes both bottom-up (cost-plus and input index tracking) and top-down (demand-driven adjustment) perspectives, with quarterly recalibration against reported industry benchmarks and regulatory change logs.
Recent years saw tightening emissions and licensing standards in the EU, targeted inspections in US Gulf Coast plants, and expansion of specialty grade lines in East and South Asia. Downstream users in fluorochemicals are adjusting procurement habits to hedge against future compliance costs.
Significant tightening in air emission standards for CTC production in OECD countries now mandates periodic emissions validation and environmental audit trails. Recent moves by regulators to expand precursor chemical oversight in refrigerant and solvent channels add complexity to international transactions. REACH and TSCA updates impact both product grade selection and documentation expectations.
Plant adaptations to evolving compliance focus on enhanced gas scrubber efficiency, real-time emissions monitoring, and upstream impurity control. Investment in digitalized production tracking and third-party certification is standard for maintaining access to regulated markets. Supply contracts increasingly include contingency clauses for regulatory-driven supply interruptions and cost surcharges reflecting environmental compliance surges.
In industrial practice, carbon tetrachloride comes into play in several sectors, often dictated by the purity and impurity profile of the batch. The key uses include:
| Grade | Typical Applications | Key Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Technical Grade | Chlorination processes, manufacturing of intermediates where strict purity is not the limiting factor | May contain measurable organic (chlorinated hydrocarbons) and inorganic impurities; suitability depends on downstream tolerance |
| Analytical/Reagent Grade | Analytical chemistry, laboratory reactions sensitive to non-volatile/extractive residues | Lower total organics and water content; ensures minimization of signal interference or byproduct formation |
| Electronic Grade | Specialized electronics or optical fiber manufacturing, where trace metal and halide impurities impact yields or device performance | Stringent controls on trace metals and reactive halides; batch release is usually application/customer specific |
Clarify the end use, both from a process route and a technical function standpoint. Production volumes, integration into continuous or batch systems, and the chemical reactivity expected in downstream reactions should all guide initial grade preference.
Certain regions maintain strict usage limitations and quality thresholds, especially due to toxicity and environmental restrictions. For any use linked to direct or indirect human exposure (e.g., laboratory, analytical), relevant local and international regulations will dictate baseline requirements.
Measured industrially by analysis of both intended and unintended impurities. The required data sheet should match your minimum necessary specification for the application. Technical grade suffices for closed-system intermediate manufacturing, whereas electronic or analytical work typically demands tailored high-purity supply lots.
Large-scale chemical consumption tends to drive procurement toward technical grade due to lower cost and higher availability, provided downstream purification or tolerance for trace components is feasible. For smaller-scale or high-impact applications, the cost of higher purity may be justified by reduced analytical failures or superior process consistency.
Before committing, request a batch-specific sample for real-world validation under typical process conditions. Run QC tests focusing on the parameters that are most critical for your application—start of lot and end-of-life measurements both play a role for validation in context of shelf stability and process integration. Batch-to-batch tracking and supplied COAs should match documented internal need, and lot approval is generally based on meeting your process-relevant endpoints rather than a nominal product specification.
Production facilities adhere to recognized quality management systems built around the requirements of ISO 9001. Auditors routinely examine on-site control points, raw material traceability, batch documentation, personnel training, and calibration status of equipment. A robust system identifies deviations early, ensuring timely corrective action before final shipment. Traceable batch histories support customer due diligence and regulatory checks.
Specific carbon tetrachloride grades may require compliance confirmation for downstream applications, such as feedstock for HFC production or for use in laboratory settings. Compliance with international agreements (such as the Montreal Protocol) and national restrictions defines production routes, logistics, and documentation obligations. Key certificates are issued per-shipment, aligned with buyer specifications, and typically include Certificates of Analysis, batch test data, and regulatory statements where mandated.
Full analytical documentation supports each lot release, matched to the agreed grade and final use. Routine reports may cover: purity profile, residual chlorine content, non-volatile residue, water content, and acid acceptance tests. Buyers use these documents for their own regulatory submissions or in-plant controls. Retained samples and reference records assist with post-shipment technical investigations if required.
Year-round supply stability results from multi-line plant operation, supported by feedstock contracts, targeted preventive maintenance, and rapid changeover protocols. Fluctuations in downstream demand—driven by refrigeration, solvent, or feedstock sectors—are managed by advance scheduling with buffer inventory policies. For qualified buyers, cooperation terms can flex to include volume bands, call-off agreements, or calendar-based delivery arrangements.
On-site production lines employ continuous chlorination technology, which provides predictable output rates and reliable product consistency. Plant capacity is sized to absorb both baseline and surge order quantities, though real allocation always reflects broader supply chain circumstances. Advance purchase commitments or rolling forecasts from customers can improve allocation priority and ensure minimum interruption risk during feedstock volatility.
Technical qualification often starts with representative sample requests. Batch-verified sample lots are released against customer application details, with matching analytical data and material origin records. Standard sample quantities and dispatch timelines depend on plant location and customer region. Feedback about sample performance is requested to tune subsequent batches or adapt to customer process needs.
Partnerships cover spot buying, annual contracts, or joint scheduling to balance plant utilization and customer lead times. Some sectors require tailored packaging or special documentation, which is discussed and scheduled with order placement. Depending on risk assessment and credit models, payment and delivery terms can adjust for mutual operational continuity. Emergency supply scenarios—whether from market shortages or customer force majeure—are assessed based on available capacity and pre-existing arrangement history.
In the industrial production of carbon tetrachloride, research attention has shifted toward minimizing byproduct formation and lowering the environmental footprint of the process. Engineering teams concentrate on controlling trichloromethane carryover during chlorinolysis and optimizing catalyst life in processes using methane as the feedstock. Evaluation of trace phosgene and hydrochloric acid generation remains ongoing, with analytical technicians implementing improved online detection systems to reduce exposure and material loss in charging and off-gas handling steps.
R&D groups also investigate stabilization techniques for storage, especially for applications in pharmaceutical and laboratory sectors, where residual moisture, acidic impurities, or unsaturated halide species can interfere with formulation. At the pilot scale, process intensification efforts focus on merging synthesis and purification in continuous flows, with solvents, adsorbents, and reactor design subject to iterative testing.
Downstream users report growing interest in carbon tetrachloride as a reagent in advanced agrochemical synthesis routes and in polymer chemistry, particularly for halogenation steps and specialty intermediates. Segment-specific requirements, for example, ultra-low nonvolatile residue for electronics, push technical teams to design specialty purification trains and in-line filtration steps.
Technical support departments work directly with customer pilot teams to align make-to-order product with shifting formulations in flame retardant and fluorocarbon precursor segments. In these cases, requirements for particulate control, sulfur content, and volatile halogenated byproducts are defined in tandem with the application development.
Quality control specialists consistently address batch-to-batch consistency, particularly the control of low-level organic chlorides and unsaturated compounds. Over the past two years, engineering has introduced process route segmentation, segmenting feed hydrocarbon grades and catalyst pre-treatment to stabilize product composition. The reduction of long-chain chlorinated byproducts during the chlorinolysis step has become a key breakthrough, using predictive analytics compiled from in-process chromatographic testing. Implementation of multi-stage purification with custom-packed absorption columns has enabled the technical department to respond faster to tighter impurity thresholds in electronics and specialty synthesis.
Industrial demand projections indicate continued reduction in carbon tetrachloride use in traditional refrigerant intermediates, setting the baseline for refinery-linked volumes. Growth is expected in custom synthesis and specialty application sectors, where tailored grade requests drive small-to-medium volume but with higher specification pressure. Buyers increasingly specify documentation on traceability, impurity tracking, and supply chain security, pushing manufacturers to maintain end-to-end batch histories and deliver full analytical dossiers.
Regionally, emerging regulatory pressures over volatile organochlorine emissions are expected to influence production siting and purification investment, especially in North America and the EU, with stricter off-gas abatement and waste stream management likely to drive upgrades in legacy plants.
Production managers expect the shift toward integrated continuous flow synthesis and smart purification control. Instrumentation teams have started implementing real-time spectroscopic monitoring to tighten process parameters. Future installations under review include waste gas scrubbing with halide recovery, linking environmental objectives with operational savings. Input substitution studies—methane vs. heavier paraffins—remain ongoing, allowing for feedstock flexibility based on regional pricing and supply disruptions.
Batch records and quality management procedures adapt to technological upgrades, with traceability matrices developed to connect raw material batches, process deviations, and final release criteria.
Sustainability metrics now form part of senior management KPIs. Operations focus on reducing chlorine losses, optimizing solvent recovery circuits, and lowering off-specification batch rates. Process engineers pilot non-phosgene chlorination and investigate bio-based feed alternatives. Green chemistry goals include working with catalyst suppliers to extend regeneration cycle times and reduce heavy metal and residue waste. Data from water and waste stream sampling drives upgrades to condensate recovery and closed-loop operations.
Technical advisory teams provide customers with process compatibility assessments, especially for applications sensitive to specific impurity profiles. For projects requiring low water or low acidity, laboratory support defines handling protocols and recommends pre-use verification steps. Consultation covers not just chemical compatibility but also packaging integrity, transfer line design, and vapor containment protocols in large bulk handling.
R&D support groups collaborate with end users to troubleshoot formulation challenges, such as instability caused by trace unsaturated halides or particulates that originate from handling equipment. Joint technical trials have demonstrated that tailored filtration at the final packaging stage reduces downstream product deviations. For electronics or custom synthesis customers, in-depth supply chain traceability is provided, linking variations in impurity loading to observed process anomalies.
Post-shipment support includes rapid-response analytical re-testing, emergency recall coordination, and safe return protocols for off-grade product. Commitment extends to field engineering visits when handling or dosage problems present at customer facilities. Product stewardship teams maintain up-to-date safety literature and regional regulatory compliance guidance, issuing notifications as legislation or classification evolves. All commitments comply with internal QA policy and are supported by documented corrective and preventive actions where batch deviations impact customer operations.
Producing carbon tetrachloride demands accurate feedstock management and tight process control. We maintain closed loop chlorination systems to achieve targeted purity, minimizing side reactions that impact chlorinated derivative quality. Regular process audits and in-line analytical tools ensure specifications hold steady across every production run, from raw material handling through to distillation and final purification.
Major global manufacturers turn to carbon tetrachloride for its stability and solvent properties. Our product supports large-scale synthesis of refrigerant intermediates, where trace impurities can disrupt downstream reactions. In petrochemical processing, carbon tetrachloride aids in catalyst regeneration. Metallurgical applications use its high density for ore and mineral separation. Each sector depends on consistent chemical profiles and predictable handling.
Each batch moves through multi-stage analysis using gas chromatography and wet chemistry to verify purity, water content, and residual contaminants. Internal teams review analysis curves before packaging. Any deviation prompts corrective action before product release, reducing shipment variability for process reliability at customer sites.
Customers often require drum, IBC, and bulk ISO tank options to support both large and mid-scale operations. We operate dedicated filling lines with inert gas blanketing to limit degradation. Our logistics team manages multi-modal transportation, ensuring that transit standards for chlorinated solvents match global regulations. Inventory hubs near port points allow scale-up for seasonal or project-based demand.
We maintain direct technical communication with plant managers, engineers, and procurement leads. Process chemists on our staff troubleshoot any feedback on reactivity, by-product formation, or compatibility issues during piloting or scale-up. This approach allows partners to adjust feed rates, blending protocols, or storage guidelines to best suit specific plant conditions.
Direct access to source production, rather than intermediaries, ensures buyers deal with transparent lead times and adaptable shipment volumes. Costs remain controlled by stable pricing structures without unexpected surcharges. Corporate procurement teams often require documentation on process safety, carbon footprint, and regulatory compliance, all of which we provide by drawing on operational traceability from order placement through final delivery.
| Aspect | Factory Approach |
|---|---|
| Production Oversight | Continuous in-house QC, responsive to customer technical feedback |
| Application Support | Direct line to process engineers and plant chemists for troubleshooting and optimization |
| Packaging & Delivery | Bulk and drum logistics coordinated for consistent global supply |
| Documentation | Traceable chain of custody, MSDS and compliance documents supplied with each shipment |
As direct manufacturers with decades of experience producing carbon tetrachloride, we observe its industrial value rooted in both legacy uses and present-day demands for specialty applications. Chemically, carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a clear, heavy liquid with excellent solvent characteristics. Its non-flammability, high density, and strong ability to dissolve oils, greases, and fats make it unique compared to common chlorinated solvents.
Historically, carbon tetrachloride earned prominence as a cleaning agent and refrigerant precursor. Advances in regulation and worker safety redirected CCl4 use toward areas that capitalize on its strengths while managing its well-documented toxicity. In our current production, most of the output serves as an intermediate for manufacturing refrigerants, primarily R-11 and R-12. These applications took shape due to the molecular stability and suitability of CCl4 as a feedstock, allowing for precise halogenation reactions that supply essential compounds for the cooling industry.
Laboratories and industrial process engineers rely on carbon tetrachloride for select organic syntheses. Its ability to provide dry, non-aqueous reaction media and act as a chlorinating agent supports complex processes, especially in pharmaceutical synthesis and specialty chemical manufacturing. Some sectors within the agrochemical industry continue to demand consistent, pure CCl4 as a catalyst phase or extraction solvent.
Fire extinguishers once widely used this compound due to its vaporization properties and non-flammability—attributes that suppress flames by displacing oxygen and interrupting chemical chain reactions. Regulatory shifts moved production away from this role, but the chemical structure that gave rise to that application remains relevant for select industrial consumers seeking non-flammable solvents in closed, controlled processes.
The physicochemical profile of carbon tetrachloride stands apart from other halocarbons. Produced from the chlorination of methane or using alternative chlorination methods, our process yields material with high purity, stability under ambient conditions, and low reactivity toward most metals and plastics. Chemical inertness under standard storage and use scenarios helps restrict product loss and contamination, an important factor not just in plant operations but also for customers integrating the solvent into sensitive synthesis steps.
Environmental and safety stewardship now shapes every aspect of handling and shipping. Our technical staff manages every lot with strict attention to purity, packaging integrity, and labeling. Voluntary testing for trace contaminants—particularly phosgene and chloroform—reflects our commitment to customer safety and compliance with evolving market standards. By employing sealed bulk tanks and carefully specified containers, our logistics team reduces emissions during loading and transfer operations.
Trends in carbon tetrachloride usage highlight the need for sustainable sourcing and responsible use. As a direct manufacturer, we commit to curbing fugitive emissions in our own facilities through continuous process optimization and investment in collection, neutralization, and monitoring systems. We also guide customers on safe storage, especially related to temperature stability and ventilation requirements. Our technical support extends beyond product delivery—training, documentation, and user-specific consultations remain core to maintaining compliance and safety throughout the product’s entire industrial lifecycle.
Clients seeking consistency, reliability, and technical insight find value in direct partnership with an experienced manufacturer. We routinely provide detailed product information, real-time support, and batch traceability that support safe use and regulatory compliance. By focusing on both chemical performance and operational responsibility, we help industry users get the most from carbon tetrachloride while meeting the standards demanded by today’s marketplace.
Clients and partners often ask what minimum order quantity and lead time apply for purchasing Carbon Tetrachloride directly from our production lines. Every order comes with its own business targets and planning requirements, so we want to explain our practice in a way that supports our customers’ workflow and delivery schedules.
Carbon Tetrachloride is not supplied in retail quantities. Our standard minimum order quantity is set by logistics, safe handling procedures, and production economics. The usual industry route is bulk delivery, and we ship product in steel drums, intermediate bulk containers (IBCs), or isotanks, depending on geography and the nature of the client’s site facilities. For most new contracts, the minimum order quantity typically starts at one full pallet (drums or IBCs), which amounts to approximately 1,000 kilograms net material. This scale reflects two necessary points: the cost-effectiveness of our batch processes and the regulatory infrastructure for handling Class 2 and Class 6 chemicals, which governs Carbon Tetrachloride throughout global markets.
We consistently review customer patterns to support production planning, and over time, established partners with demonstrated compliance can discuss contractual supply tailored to regular manufacturing cycles. But small-lot sampling or sub-bulk requests fall outside our normal scope, both from a quality assurance and a regulatory standpoint. We commit to safeguarding our team and yours by never breaking cargo lots into uneconomic and unsafe quantities. If there are application-specific needs, our technical team addresses these through clear, compliance-focused technical dialogue.
Lead time is a function of two factors: batch availability in the current production cycle and regional transport requirements. We produce Carbon Tetrachloride in continuous campaign mode, but each shipment passes through a series of quality control measures and formal safety documentation before leaving our plant. For standard orders—those within our normal batch sizes and route maps—the lead time typically ranges between two and four weeks after order confirmation. This period enables us to complete in-house quality analysis, secure route-specific shipping slots, and coordinate required export and import controls.
Special conditions, such as oversized orders, custom packaging, or sharply increased market demand, can extend standard lead times. Market volatility in logistics has forced all direct producers to build contingency into shipment forecasting, especially when delivering to regions under tighter chemical restrictions or during high-demand periods. We monitor our inventory and communicate with clients throughout every step. Specific supply chain interruptions—port congestion or force majeure—prompt immediate updates from our logistics coordinators.
Our approach as a manufacturer does not leave room for shortcuts or loosely defined commitments, either on minimums or lead time. Each order aligns with regulatory frameworks and our own commitment to safety and traceability. By working factory-direct, clients avoid the inconsistencies and fragmentation that tend to occur when merchants mix sources or transship without clear origin. Our long-standing relationships with industry partners have proven the value of this discipline time and again: order stability, regulatory compliance, and full technical support.
We are always available for technical discussions on capacity allocation, packaging safety, or potential for long-term supply partnerships. Our teams understand the unique balance between manufacturing reality and market demand, and we keep production planning as transparent and predictable as possible for everyone involved.
At our manufacturing facility, handling carbon tetrachloride means facing strict rules every single day. This isn’t a product you can load on a truck or into a drum without a plan. Carbon tetrachloride falls under multiple regulatory banners—classified as a hazardous material due to its toxicity and environmental impact. Every step, from filling tanks to loading containers, requires trained staff who understand both the risks and the law, not just the theory on paper but the reality of leaks, vapor, or transit delays. Our on-site team knows even a trace release triggers an internal investigation, notifications to local authorities, and a review of shipment protocols.
Most countries require proper classification, labeling, and special packaging for carbon tetrachloride. Regulations under the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods (UNRTDG), the International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code, and local rules shape every logistics move we make. In our plant, regular audits ensure our operations align with current regulatory lists. Our shipping containers never leave the premises until every mark, placard, and seal matches the current edition—our logistics coordinator confirms each detail. This approach prevents breakdowns in compliance that could lead to costly border holds, fines, or worse, environmental releases.
Carbon tetrachloride sits under UN number 1846, which dictates not only container types but also handling requirements in transit. Tank trucks, drums, and ISO tanks must be fully certified—any wear, weld crack, or gasket damage and that container doesn’t make it out of our lot. Our internal documentation follows the material from production, to holding tank, to outbound shipment. We draw from decades of hands-on know-how: one forgotten signature or incomplete hazardous cargo manifest can stop a shipment on the dock or at the port. Such mistakes bring more than just red tape—they leave raw material stacked up, idle labor, and delayed customer orders.
We manufacture at scale, and even slight deviations can magnify risk. Our technical team oversees product transfer procedures and signs off every batch before release. All shipping personnel attend regular, site-specific training, not just to pass a regulatory audit, but to spot anomalies in real time. When loading carbon tetrachloride, even small amounts of vapor off-gassing carry regulatory consequences—our experience demonstrates the need for well-maintained closed transfer systems and tested PPE. Gaskets and seals get checked before each load; we’ve built this routine into our safety culture because it directly prevents lost product and workplace exposure incidents.
International shipments mean facing an additional layer of export controls and import permits. Many jurisdictions restrict carbon tetrachloride import, and some ban it outright for non-exempt uses. As the manufacturer, we issue detailed safety data sheets and compliance documentation with each shipment. There are no shortcuts. Customs often scrutinizes hazardous cargo paperwork, and our team has developed streamlined protocols for providing material origin certificates and regulatory statements on demand.
Improving safety and compliance never stops on our side. We work closely with logistics partners certified in hazardous materials transport, but we retain the oversight. If authorities tighten rules or update annexes, our procedures adopt those changes well before the deadline hits. Our production and regulatory units cooperate to keep all documentation and packaging formats up to date, reducing holdups in supply chains and protecting both our staff and the communities along the shipping route.
Based on our experience, the single most effective solution for minimizing compliance risk lies in a robust, in-house hazmat training program coupled with a living standard operating procedure. We incorporate the lessons from every near-miss and regulatory update directly into our workflow, not as a box-ticking exercise but as an investment in uninterrupted, safe supply. Relying only on paperwork without engaging the shopfloor perspective results in missed steps. In our operation, every technician, supervisor, and shipper has direct experience with the dynamics of hazardous chemical movement. This is how we keep shipments compliant and supply chains secure.
For product inquiries, sample requests, quotations or after-sales support, please feel free to contact me directly via sales9@bouling-chem.com, +8615651039172 or WhatsApp: +8615651039172
