Methyl Acetate

Fast-drying ester solvent with high solvency power for coatings, printing, adhesives, precision cleaning and pharmaceutical synthesis.

At a Glance

CAS No.	79-20-6
Chemical Name	Methyl acetate (methyl ethanoate, acetic acid methyl ester)
Molecular Formula	CH3COOCH3
Purity	≥99.5%
Origin	China
Packaging	210 L steel drum (180 kg) / IBC / ISO tank / small drum
Lead Time	15–20 working days after deposit

Product Overview

Methyl acetate — also called methyl ethanoate or acetic acid methyl ester — is a blended ester solvent of methyl acetate and methanol, produced by distillation. It is a colourless, transparent liquid with a light fruity odour, a low boiling point and an evaporation rate far faster than ethyl acetate.

It dissolves a wide range of resins, oils and pigments, is slightly soluble in water and is miscible in all proportions with alcohols, ethers, ketones and aromatic hydrocarbons, so it fits a broad range of formulations. It is readily biodegradable and helps lower waste-treatment cost. As a Class 3 highly flammable liquid with slight oral, skin and inhalation toxicity that can release methanol on decomposition, it requires closed handling with strong ventilation, full explosion-proof and anti-static provisions, and clear segregation from strong oxidisers, acids and alkalis. UN and HS codes are indicative and are confirmed before each shipment.

Key Advantages

Ultra-Fast Evaporation That Lifts Line Output

The low boiling point and rapid evaporation shorten drying cycles in spraying, printing and cleaning by a wide margin, keeping pace with high-speed production lines and raising daily throughput.

Broad Resin Solvency and Formulation Latitude

Efficiently dissolves nitrocellulose, acrylic, alkyd, PVC and rubber resins and organic pigments. Use it as the main solvent or blend it with xylene and acetone to build thinner and screen-wash systems.

Low-Odour Fruity Profile, Readily Biodegradable

No sharp aromatic or ketone smell, so enclosed coating and printing shops see far less respiratory discomfort. It biodegrades readily, which keeps waste-liquid treatment simple and helps you meet VOC control requirements — suitable even for food-contact inks and packaging adhesives.

Factory-Direct Supply with Complete Export Documentation

Own hazardous-goods warehousing with stock on hand. Drum, IBC, ISO tank and full-container or LCL shipments. Full MSDS, COA, dangerous goods packaging certificate and commodity inspection documents, with one-stop logistics support for import customs clearance.

Applications

Methyl acetate covers coatings and printing inks, industrial adhesives, precision industrial cleaning, and pharmaceutical, agrochemical and fragrance applications.

• Coatings and printing inks — a mainstream fast-drying thinner for nitrocellulose wood lacquers, plastic coatings, automotive refinish paints and screen or gravure inks. Used in thinners and screen-wash systems, it speeds film and ink drying, prevents screen blocking and avoids blushing and pinholes in spraying.
• Industrial adhesives — a diluent for pressure-sensitive, spray, footwear and laminating adhesives that adjusts viscosity and coating flow, speeds adhesive cure and suits synthetic leather and film lamination lines.
• Precision industrial cleaning — a fast-drying cleaner for metal stampings, PCB boards, plastic housings and printing screens, removing oil, adhesive residue and ink with complete evaporation and no water marks.
• Pharmaceutical and agrochemical synthesis — an extraction solvent for APIs and crop-protection actives, including ibuprofen and pyrethroid insecticides, adjusting system polarity to raise yield and product purity.

Technical Specifications

Appearance	Colourless transparent liquid with a fruity odour
Purity	≥99.5%
Molecular Formula	CH3COOCH3
CAS No.	79-20-6
EINECS No.	203-545-4
Relative Density (water = 1)	0.90
Flash Point	-10 °C (CC)
Boiling Point	58–66 °C
Hazard Classification	Class 3 flammable liquid
Stability	Basically stable under ambient storage; hydrolyses slowly on contact with water and stays stable when kept dry and sealed
Solubility	Slightly soluble in water; soluble in ethanol, ether and most other organic solvents
Storage	Store in a cool, ventilated warehouse away from ignition sources and heat. Warehouse temperature should not exceed 37 °C and containers must stay sealed. Store separately from oxidisers, acids and alkalis — never mixed. Use explosion-proof lighting and ventilation, and do not use equipment or tools that can produce sparks. The storage area must hold spill-response equipment and suitable containment material.

Composition

Component	Concentration	CAS No.
Methyl acetate	75%	79-20-9
Methanol	25%	67-56-1

Transport & Compliance

UN No.	UN1231
Hazard Class	Class 3 flammable liquid
Packing Group	II
HS Code	2915390090
Packaging	180 kg per drum (210 L steel drum)

UN and HS codes are shown for reference only — please confirm with us before shipment.

FAQ

What is your minimum order quantity?

Our MOQ is one 20GP container — up to 80 drums of 210 L.

What packaging do you offer?

Standard 210 L steel drums, plus IBC totes, ISO tank containers and small drums.

How many drums fit in a 20GP or 40GP, and can you consolidate?

Yes, we consolidate up to 5 product types in one shipment. A 20GP holds up to 80 drums (210 L); a 40GP holds around 130 drums (210 L).

What is the lead time?

15–20 working days after the deposit is received.

Which export documents do you provide?

COA, MSDS, commodity inspection certificate and dangerous goods packaging certificate. We can also assist with Certificate of Origin and other customs paperwork.

What payment terms do you accept?

T/T: 30% deposit, 70% balance against a copy of the Bill of Lading.

Technical Documents