Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether (PNB): How to Verify Quality, Compliance, and Packaging Before Ordering

Last updated: August 18, 2026

Propylene glycol butyl ether, usually shortened to PNB, is a pure solvent with CAS number 15821-83-7. It is used in coatings and inks, cleaning agents and degreasers, and electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. For industrial buyers at the research and evaluation stage, the key procurement task is not simply finding propylene glycol butyl ether for sale but verifying that the product, documentation, packaging, and supplier capability match the buyer specification.

The short answer for a compliant PNB purchase: confirm the product is PROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER, model PNB; check that the CAS number is 15821-83-7; request the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Compilation Report; confirm 180 kg/drum packaging in 180L steel drums; and check whether the supplier can provide quality control, customization, and delivery terms that fit your volume.

PROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER — PNB

Why Buyers Need a PNB Verification Checklist

The practical problem in PNB procurement is not locating a supplier. The real problem is confirming that the quoted product is the right chemical, that the purity and safety documentation are traceable, and that the packaging and order terms fit the intended use. Because PNB serves multiple industries, buyers often see conflicting terms such as ink grade propylene glycol butyl ether, cleaning agent grade propylene glycol butyl ether, or propylene glycol butyl ether for coatings. These terms are useful in a request for quotation, but they must be linked to a verifiable product identity and specification.

A strong verification process also reduces the risk of receiving a different glycol ether or a product with incomplete safety documentation. For a regulated industrial input, the presence of a CAS number and an SDS is not optional paperwork; it is part of the product specification.

Industry Background: Why PNB Quality Checks Are Becoming More Important

According to Fact.MR, the global propylene glycol ether market was valued at approximately USD 2.03 billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 2.75 billion by 2034. Orion Market Reports estimates that the Propylene Glycol n-Butyl Ether market will grow at an annual average CAGR of about 2% during the forecast period of 2024 to 2031. China's propylene glycol ether market is forecast to reach USD 606.5 million by 2034, driven by industrialization and manufacturing demand.

Two application trends increase the importance of specification checks. First, PnB is widely used in high-performance water-based coatings because of its solvency and coalescing properties, and those properties help formulators meet low-VOC standards. Second, PnB is preferred in electronics and precision cleaning because it can provide residue-free drying and high solvency for greases.

Regulatory pressure also matters. For material entering the European market, propylene glycol butyl ether must comply with REACH Regulation EC No. 1907/2006. A supplier should be able to provide the relevant safety and compliance documents, not just a product name.

Detailed Solution: A PNB Technical and Compliance Checklist

1. Confirm the product identity and CAS number

This product is PROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER, identified as model PNB. The registration number that removes ambiguity is CAS 15821-83-7. PNB belongs to the propylene glycol ether family, and the B in PNB indicates the butyl ether form. When a quotation only says glycol ether without a model and CAS number, treat the specification as incomplete.

2. Verify the safety and compliance documentation

The most important safety document for PNB is the SDS. Yunjian's PNB product is covered by a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) Compilation Report with certificate number HGBZ2310SPO1, issued by Changzhou Hegui Siyuan Products Safety Technology Service Co., Ltd. on November 29, 2023, and valid until December 31, 2026. The report scope is Propylene Glycol Butyl Ether (PNB) with 99% purity, compiled under the United Nations Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals Revision 10 for global markets. For buyers in Europe, REACH compliance is an additional baseline requirement.

PNB SDS Compilation Report

3. Match PNB to the application

PNB is not a single-purpose solvent. Yunjian lists PNB as a pure PNB solvent applicable to coatings and inks, cleaning agents and degreasers, and the electronics and semiconductor industry. Buyers may use phrases such as propylene glycol butyl ether for printing inks, propylene glycol butyl ether for industrial cleaning, or propylene glycol butyl ether for coatings to indicate the destination application. The seller should confirm the application so that the correct solvent property, purity requirement, and handling documentation are supplied.

4. Check the packaging configuration

Packaging is a physical specification that influences supply planning. The product, model PNB, is packaged in 180 kg carbon steel drums, equivalent to 180L steel drums. Buyers planning logistics should confirm drum weight, fill weight, and any destination-specific packaging requirements with the supplier.

5. Evaluate supplier capability, MOQ, and lead time

Yunjian's capability records show OEM/ODM production, customization of packaging specification, private labeling, and formulation. Monthly capacity is 10,000 units, lead time is 30 to 45 days, and the MOQ is 2 drums. Quality control includes 100% testing. Export is available globally, with main markets in the EU and Southeast Asia. After-sales support includes remote technical support, after-sales consultation, and product usage guidance.

Factory diagram

Step-by-Step PNB Procurement Verification

1. Define the product identity. Write PROPYLENE GLYCOL BUTYL ETHER, model PNB, CAS 15821-83-7 in the RFQ so the supplier quotes the correct chemical.
2. Define the application. State whether the PNB will be used in coatings and inks, cleaning agents and degreasers, electronics and semiconductor manufacturing, or another industrial application.
3. Request the safety document. Ask for the SDS and the SDS Compilation Report. For Yunjian PNB, verify certificate number HGBZ2310SPO1, issue date, expiry date, standard basis, and the purity stated in the report scope.
4. Confirm the packaging. Check that the quotation matches 180 kg/drum in 180L steel drums for model PNB.
5. Check the production and quality control model. Confirm whether the supplier has 100% testing, OEM/ODM capability, and after-sales technical support.
6. Review MOQ and lead time. Yunjian lists a 2-drum MOQ and a 30 to 45 day lead time. Use these numbers to build a procurement timeline before committing to a production schedule.
7. Set acceptance criteria. Before large-volume ordering, confirm what documentation will accompany delivery and how the supplier will handle usage guidance or after-sales questions.

Use Cases: Where PNB Specifications Matter

High-Performance Water-Based Coatings and Printing Inks

PNB is a direct fit for coatings and inks. Verified market data notes that PnB is widely used in high-performance water-based coatings because of its solvency and coalescing properties, which help formulators meet low-VOC standards. For buyers comparing suppliers, the practical check is whether the solvent is supplied as pure PNB and whether the SDS clearly covers the destination market.

Cleaning Agents and Degreasers

PNB is also relevant for industrial cleaning. Verified industry data indicates that PnB is preferred in electronics and precision cleaning because it provides residue-free drying and high solvency for greases. Buyers searching for cleaning agent grade propylene glycol butyl ether should verify that the product identity and purity documentation match the cleaning application.

Electronics and Semiconductor Manufacturing

Yunjian lists PNB as a pure PNB solvent applicable to the electronics and semiconductor industry. This application often requires tighter handling documentation and consistent purity, so the SDS and the product specification should be reviewed together before the order is placed.

Evidence from a Coating Production Application in China

Yunjian has supplied PNB to an OEM coating production customer in China for a period of one year. The recorded result is stable coating performance and improved quality. The case highlight, as described in the production record, is high purity, stable supply, and excellent compatibility. The exact customer name is not published.

Comparison: PNB vs. DPNB vs. TPNB in Yunjian's Glycol Ether Range

Yunjian also supplies DPNB and TPNB. These are related butyl ethers with different molecular structures and packaging specifications. The table below uses Yunjian product data only and avoids performance claims beyond the models' stated applications.

Use this comparison as a first filter. If the application is a standard coating, ink, cleaning, or semiconductor process, PNB may be the direct fit. If the formulation is explicitly positioned for high-performance or ultra high performance work, DPNB or TPNB may be more appropriate, but each grade must be reviewed against its own specification and documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion: Use a Verification Checklist, Not a Shortcut

PNB is a technically well-defined solvent, but it is also a product that can be mis-specified if buyers rely only on a generic name. A robust buying process checks four layers: product identity, application fit, compliance documentation, and supplier capabilities.

At Yunjian, PNB is one of several glycol ethers in a portfolio that also includes DPNB and TPNB. Yunjian (Guangzhou) Import & Export Trade Co., Ltd. was established in 2013, with an affiliated company, Jiangsu Yunjian Chemical Technology Co., Ltd., established in 2018. Sales service points are set up in Guangzhou, Dongguan, Shaoguan, and Jiangsu.

If you are comparing PNB suppliers for 2026, start with the verification steps above. Confirm the CAS number, the 99% purity scope in the SDS Compilation Report, the 180 kg/drum packaging, the 2-drum MOQ, and the supplier lead time before making a purchasing decision.