Naphtha
The foundational feedstock of the petrochemical industry — steam-cracked into ethylene and propylene, or reformed and blended into gasoline.
Chelora Chemicals supplies light and full-range naphtha to steam-cracker and refinery customers worldwide, with full documentation on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 64742-48-9
- Composition
- C₅-C₁₂ hydrocarbon mixture (paraffins, naphthenes, aromatics)
- Boiling range
- 30-200 °C
- Density
- 0.68-0.76 g/cm³
- Grades
- Light naphtha / full-range naphtha
- Sulfur content
- Grade dependent
- UN Number
- UN 1268 / UN 3295*
- HS Code
- 2710 12
* Classification depends on composition and flash point of the specific naphtha cut; confirm with your regulatory affairs team.
What Naphtha is used for
Naphtha is a colourless to straw-coloured, highly flammable liquid hydrocarbon mixture spanning the C5-C12 carbon range, recovered by the atmospheric distillation of crude oil and further processed (hydrotreated, hydrocracked) to meet feedstock specifications. It is supplied in two principal grades: light naphtha (lower-boiling, paraffin-rich, favoured for steam cracking) and full-range (heavy) naphtha (favoured for catalytic reforming).
Naphtha's largest petrochemical use is as the primary feedstock for steam cracking, thermally cracked into ethylene, propylene, and C4/pyrolysis gasoline streams — the starting point for the entire olefins value chain. Naphtha is also catalytically reformed into high-octane reformate rich in benzene, toluene and xylenes, and blended directly into gasoline as a fuel component.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Crude Oil the source material, atmospherically distilled into naphtha and other cuts.
- Naphtha (this product) the feedstock for the steam-cracking and reforming chains below.
- Ethylene / Propylene / Benzene the downstream products of steam cracking and reforming. See Ethylene and Benzene.
Handling character
Naphtha is highly flammable and contains benzene, a known carcinogen, at levels that vary by cut and source. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Colourless to straw-coloured liquid |
| Grade | Light naphtha (cracker feed) / full-range naphtha (reformer feed) |
| Sulfur content | Grade and contract dependent |
| Paraffin/naphthene/aromatic split | Confirmed against your process requirement |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Colourless to straw-coloured, highly flammable liquid |
| Boiling range | 30-200 °C |
| Density | 0.68-0.76 g/cm³ |
| Composition | C5-C12 paraffins, naphthenes and aromatics |
| Octane number (as fuel component) | Grade dependent |
| Flash point | < -20 °C (extremely flammable) |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 64742-48-9 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put Naphtha to work
The feedstock at the root of the olefins chain, the aromatics chain, and gasoline.
Steam cracker feedstock
Thermally cracked into ethylene, propylene and other olefins — the start of the petrochemical value chain.
- Light-naphtha specification
- Bulk vessel & pipeline supply
- Technical desk review on request
Catalytic reforming feedstock
Catalytically reformed into high-octane reformate rich in benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX).
- Full-range naphtha specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Gasoline blending
Blended directly as a component of finished motor gasoline.
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Solvent naphtha grades
Specialty refined grades used as industrial solvents and paint thinners.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Ammonia/hydrogen feedstock
Used in some regions as a feedstock for steam reforming into hydrogen and ammonia synthesis gas.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Crackers and refineries running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk/vessel delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Naphtha
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Paraffin/naphthene/aromatic composition and sulfur content are critical to cracker yield and reformer performance — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Composition and sulfur content confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream cracker yield and reformer performance.
- Vessel and pipeline logistics arranged. Naphtha trade typically moves in large cargo or pipeline volumes, which we coordinate directly.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- Light and full-range grades both sourced. Matched precisely to your cracker or reformer specification.
Moved the way your plant receives it
Vessel cargo, pipeline or large-volume tank truck — tell us your preferred logistics and we will quote and arrange it.
Parcel or full cargo
Marine tanker cargo for large-volume import/export shipments.
Continuous pipeline supply
Pipeline delivery where cracker/refinery and terminal infrastructure allow.
Bulk tanker delivery
Rail or road tanker delivery for regional and inland distribution.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Smaller trial parcels arranged for qualification before a term contract.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted volume and release it against your consumption calendar.
Extremely flammable & benzene-bearing — handle accordingly
Naphtha is extremely flammable and contains benzene, a known carcinogen, at levels that vary by cut and source crude. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H224/H225Extremely to highly flammable liquid and vapour.H304+H315+H336May be fatal if swallowed and enters airways; causes skin irritation; may cause drowsiness or dizziness.H340+H350May cause genetic defects; may cause cancer (benzene content).
Treat as a major fire hazard and a benzene-exposure source. Occupational exposure limits for benzene content must be followed closely; always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and cut.
Storage
Store in sealed, floating-roof or pressure-rated tanks with vapour recovery, away from heat, sunlight and all ignition sources, per standard petroleum-liquid storage practice.
Handling
Use closed-system transfer wherever possible, flame-proof electrical equipment, and full PPE. Monitor for benzene vapour exposure; ground and bond all transfer equipment.
Transport
Shipped as UN 1268 (Petroleum distillates) or UN 3295 (Hydrocarbons, liquid), depending on the specific cut and flash point. We confirm and document exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Composition, boiling range and sulfur content confirmed against your process requirement before order placement.
Producer/refinery batch testing
The supplying refinery tests each cargo against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its source refinery, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
How Naphtha is made
Naphtha is recovered by the atmospheric distillation of crude oil, taking the fraction boiling roughly between 30 °C and 200 °C, then typically hydrotreated to reduce sulfur and nitrogen content to feedstock specification. Light naphtha (lower boiling, more paraffinic) is preferred for steam cracking; heavier full-range naphtha is preferred for catalytic reforming.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Chemical family | Petroleum hydrocarbon distillate (mixture) |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | Mixture of paraffinic, naphthenic and aromatic hydrocarbons |
| Reactivity | Thermal cracking (steam cracker); catalytic reforming (aromatics); combustion (fuel) |
| Related compounds | Crude Oil (source), Ethylene, Propylene, Benzene (downstream products) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Naphtha, answered
What is Naphtha used for?
How is Naphtha made?
Is Naphtha hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on Naphtha today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.