CETEX Petrochemicals

What CETEX Petrochemicals does

CETEX Petrochemicals Limited is a Chennai, India-based private manufacturer of specialty petrochemicals founded in 1990. The company produces a portfolio of industrial solvents and specialty chemicals built around three core products — Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Secondary Butyl Alcohol (SBA), and Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) — and is the only manufacturer of MEK and SBA in Asia. Combined production capacity is approximately 50,000 tonnes per annum across more than ten products, including a growing range of aroma chemicals (Styrallyl Alcohol, Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol, Cinnamic Alcohol, Anisyl Alcohol, Oximone, Styrallyl Acetate, Ethyl Amyl Ketone) and chemical intermediates (Secondary Butyl Ether, Spent Sulphuric Acid).

The underlying technology is conventional petrochemical processing using hydrocarbon feedstock sourced from Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), with in-house developed hydrogen purification (commissioned 2020), a 2 MW biomass cogeneration captive power plant, zero liquid discharge effluent treatment, and renewable solar energy investment (2023). The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 certifications along with the Responsible Care certification from ICC.

CETEX generates revenue through direct B2B sales of manufactured chemicals on a quote-based pricing model with multi-year contracts, supplemented by regional distributor networks across South, West, and North India and an established international export channel. End-customers span pharmaceuticals, paints and coatings, fragrance and flavor, mining, refineries, and lubes and additives — though no named customer accounts or revenue figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

CETEX Petrochemicals

Legal name

CETEX Petrochemicals Limited

Website

https://cetexpetro.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CETEX Petrochemicals is a Chennai, India-based private manufacturer of specialty petrochemicals, producing methyl ethyl ketone (MEK), secondary butyl alcohol (SBA), methyl isobutyl carbinol (MIBC), and aroma chemicals. The only MEK and SBA producer in Asia, serving pharmaceutical, paint, fragrance, mining, and refinery customers across India and international markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Petrochemicals

NAICS

Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronic & High-Purity Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAD)

Keywords

• Specialty petrochemical manufacturing
• Industrial solvent production
• Aroma chemicals manufacturing
• Petrochemical intermediates supply
• Ketone alcohol production

Headquarters

HQ city

Chennai

HQ country

India

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Petrochemical Product Sales: Direct sale of manufactured petrochemical products including Methyl Ethyl Ketone, Secondary Butyl Alcohol, Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol, and other specialty chemicals to industrial customers in pharmaceuticals, paints, adhesives, fragrances, mining, and other sectors. Revenue generated through product sales with established marketing network in domestic and international markets.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CETEX Petrochemicals manufactures specialty petrochemicals including Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Secondary Butyl Alcohol (SBA), and Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) for industrial customers. The company operates manufacturing facilities in Chennai with a combined capacity of approximately 50,000 TPA across more than 10 products, serving pharmaceuticals, paints, coatings, adhesives, fragrances, mining, and refinery sectors. It also produces a range of specialty aroma chemicals and chemical intermediates.

Product overview

CETEX Petrochemicals is a petrochemical manufacturer offering a portfolio of industrial and specialty chemicals. The company produces core petrochemical products including Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK), Secondary Butyl Alcohol (SBA), and Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) as its primary offerings, complemented by a range of specialty aroma chemicals including Styrallyl Alcohol, Anisyl Alcohol, Cinnamic Alcohol, Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol, Phenyl Propyl Alcohol, Styrallyl Acetate, Oximone, and Ethyl Amyl Ketone. The company also produces chemical intermediates like Secondary Butyl Ether and Spent Sulphuric Acid. These products serve diverse industries including pharmaceuticals, fragrances, paints, printing inks, mining, lubes and additives, refineries, and flavours. The product portfolio ranges from high-volume petrochemical solvents to specialty aroma chemicals, with a combined manufacturing capacity of around 50,000 TPA.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK) A colourless, volatile liquid solvent with acetone-like odour used in printing, paint, adhesive sectors, lubrication of oil dewaxing in refineries, degreasing of metal surfaces, and manufacturing of MEK oxime, MEK peroxide and speciality paints.
• Secondary Butyl Alcohol (SBA) A clear colourless liquid with characteristic odour used in manufacturing of pharma intermediates, lube additives and in paints & lacquer industries.
• Methyl Isobutyl Carbinol (MIBC) A branched hexyl alcohol, colourless, medium boiling stable liquid used mainly as a solvent for surface coatings, coupling solvent for water bonded coatings, flotation frother, and manufacture of lube additives.
• Styrallyl Alcohol A colourless liquid with mild fruity odour used in Pharma and Perfumery sectors.
• Spent Sulphuric Acid Sulphuric acid with 50-55% concentration used in various industrial sectors.
• Secondary Butyl Ether A colourless liquid with characteristic odour used as a basic laboratory chemical and in manufacturing of many other chemicals.
• Ethyl Amyl Ketone A clear colourless to pale yellow liquid with strong, penetrating and fruity odour used in manufacturing of surface cleaners, air fresheners, flavours and fragrances.
• Phenyl Propyl Alcohol (PPA) A colourless liquid with balsamic odour used in a variety of personal care and cosmetic products.
• Phenyl Ethyl Alcohol A colourless liquid with characteristic fragrant odour used in cosmetic and fragrance industries.
• Oximone A colourless to pale yellow liquid with characteristic fresh odour used in perfume formulations.
• Anisyl Alcohol A colourless liquid with characteristic odour used in floral and fragrance sectors.
• Cinnamic Alcohol A pale yellow to white semi-crystalline solid at room temperature used in flavour, fragrance and pharma industries.
• Styrallyl Acetate A colourless liquid with gardenia-like odour used in Cosmetic and Fragrance industries.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50000 TPA combined capacity across 10+ products
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL)coreOthersCETEX sources raw materials from Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), providing reliable feedstock supply for petrochemical manufacturing operations. This is a critical raw material supply partnership for the company's manufacturing activities.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Atul Ltd: Indian diversified specialty chemicals company producing aroma chemicals, intermediates, and performance chemicals. Comparable as a domestic Indian specialty chemicals manufacturer serving fragrance, pharma, and industrial customers.
• Oriental Aromatics: Indian manufacturer of aroma chemicals, flavors, and specialty intermediates. Directly comparable to CETEX's aroma chemicals portfolio serving fragrance and personal care customers.

Direct peers

• LCY Chemical Corp: Taiwan-based petrochemical manufacturer producing solvents, ketones, and intermediates. Comparable as an Asian petrochemical manufacturer serving coatings, adhesives, and industrial solvent markets.
• Sasol: South African integrated chemicals and energy company producing ketones, alcohols, and specialty solvents via petrochemical routes. Comparable product portfolio and downstream customer base across paints, mining, and industrial solvents.
• Maruzen Petrochemical: Japanese petrochemical manufacturer and one of the largest MEK producers globally. Directly comparable as a MEK/SBA manufacturer serving similar industrial solvent customers in Asia.

Broad incumbents

• Shell Chemicals: Global petrochemicals arm of Shell, producing MEK and a wide range of base/specialty chemicals. Broader portfolio but overlapping in MEK and solvents serving similar downstream customers.
• Reliance Industries: India's largest petrochemicals producer with broad commodity and specialty chemicals operations. Overlaps with CETEX in petrochemical solvents and intermediates, though at vastly larger scale.
• Celanese: US chemicals manufacturer producing acetyl-based products including ketones and solvents. Comparable in core MEK-type chemistry and downstream industrial customer base.
• Eastman Chemical: US-based specialty chemicals producer with a strong portfolio in ketones, alcohols, and intermediates for coatings, pharma, and personal care. Comparable product chemistry and end-market exposure.
• Arkema: French specialty chemicals major producing solvents, ketones, and aroma chemicals for coatings, adhesives, and personal care. Overlaps with CETEX in specialty ketones and alcohol intermediates.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cetex-limited

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CETEX Petrochemicals