The global De-Aromatic Solvents market is a critical enabler of industrial hygiene and environmental compliance, providing low-odor, low-toxicity alternatives to traditional aromatic solvents. Valued at an estimated USD xxxx million in 2025, the market is projected to reach USD xxxx million by 2036, growing at a robust Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of xx% from 2026 to 2036. This expansion is fundamentally driven by stringent global regulations limiting volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), alongside a growing corporate emphasis on workplace safety, pushing demand across paints, coatings, adhesives, and industrial cleaning sectors.
Market Segmentation Analysis
By Aromatic Content & Specification:
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Type 1 (D<40): Aromatic content < 0.1% by weight. Ultra-pure, for the most sensitive applications.
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Type 2 (D<60): Aromatic content < 0.01% by weight. High-purity, standard for most industrial uses.
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Type 3 (D<110): Aromatic content typically < 1-2%. Cost-effective balance of performance and purity.
By Flash Point & Boiling Range (Refined):
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Low Flash Point (< 23°C / 73°F): Fast evaporating, for cold cleaning and certain coatings.
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Medium Flash Point (23°C - 60°C / 73°F - 140°F): The most versatile and widely used range for general industrial applications.
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High Flash Point (> 60°C / 140°F): High-flash, low-VOC options for hot-work environments, heavy-duty cleaners, and safer transportation/storage.
By Application (Refined & Expanded):
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Paints, Coatings & Inks: Largest application segment; used in industrial maintenance, marine, and decorative coatings as a compliant thinner and carrier.
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Industrial Cleaning & Degreasing: For metal parts, machinery, and electronics where residue and toxicity are concerns.
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Metal Working: As a component in rolling oils, cutting fluids, and rust preventatives.
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Adhesives, Sealants & Mastics: To adjust viscosity and improve application properties while meeting indoor air quality standards.
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Drilling & Completion Fluids: In oil & gas for base oils in invert emulsion drilling muds.
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Consumer & DIY Products: Aerosols, cleaners, and hobby products requiring safer formulations.
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Polymer & Chemical Processing: As a reaction medium or carrier solvent.
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Printing & Packaging (Added Segment): For flexographic and gravure inks.
Regional Analysis
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North America & Europe: Mature, regulation-driven markets. Europe, with its stringent REACH and VOC directives, is a particularly high-value market. North America follows closely with EPA regulations and strong occupational safety (OSHA) standards.
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Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing market, driven by rapid industrialization in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Growth is fueled by increasing environmental awareness, adoption of international safety standards by exporting manufacturers, and rising domestic regulations.
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Middle East: Significant market due to extensive oil & gas drilling activities requiring high-performance drilling fluids.
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Latin America & Africa: Emerging markets where growth is linked to industrial development and gradual regulatory alignment with global standards.
Competitive Landscape – Key Players
The market is dominated by global oil majors, specialized refiners, and chemical distributors.
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ExxonMobil Corporation (Parasol, Isopar, Exxsol series)
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Shell plc (ShellSol series)
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TotalEnergies SE (Hylene, Solvesso alternatives) (Added)
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Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (Soltrol) (Added)
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Neste Oyj (Neste Renewable Diesel derivatives) (Added – Renewable solvent focus)
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Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Added)
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CEPSA (Calumet Brand) (Added)
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HCS Group (Haltermann Carless) (Added – Specialized hydrocarbon solutions)
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Gandhar Oil Refinery (India) Limited
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PetroChina Company Limited / Sinopec Group
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Raj Petro Specialities Pvt. Ltd. (Added – India)
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DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH (Added – Germany)
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Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Added)
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Mehta Petro Refineries Ltd.
Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
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Threat of New Entrants: Moderate. Entry requires significant capital investment in specialized hydrotreating/isomerization units, access to refinery streams, and technical expertise. Established relationships with distributors and end-users are also a barrier.
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Bargaining Power of Suppliers: High. Raw material supply (specific kerosene or gasoil cuts) is controlled by integrated oil companies. Price is heavily influenced by crude oil and naphtha markets.
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Bargaining Power of Buyers: Moderate to High. Large industrial buyers (paint manufacturers, metalworking conglomerates) have significant volume leverage. However, switching costs can be moderate if the solvent is key to a certified formulation.
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Threat of Substitutes: Moderate. Competition comes from bio-based solvents (growing), oxygenated solvents (e.g., esters, glycol ethers), and aqueous systems. However, DAS offers a unique balance of solvency, evaporation rate, and low toxicity that is hard to replicate.
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Industry Rivalry: High. Intense competition among global players and regional refiners. Competition is based on product purity consistency, supply chain reliability, technical service, and price. Sustainability credentials are becoming a key differentiator.
SWOT Analysis
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Strengths: Excellent balance of solvency power and low toxicity/odor; enables regulatory compliance; high flash point options enhance safety; drop-in replacement for many aromatic solvents.
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Weaknesses: Higher cost than conventional solvents; slightly lower solvency for some resins; remains a petroleum-derived product with associated carbon footprint.
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Opportunities: Unwavering regulatory tailwind globally; growth in green building standards driving demand in coatings; expansion into new applications like renewable energy (solar panel cleaning, wind turbine maintenance).
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Threats: Accelerated shift towards bio-based and circular solvents; volatility in crude oil prices; potential for overcapacity in certain regions; increasing end-user desire to eliminate solvents altogether (e.g., powder coatings).
Market Trends
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Sustainability & Circularity: Rising demand for bio-based de-aromatized solvents (from vegetable oils, waste streams) and solvents with recycled content. Focus on Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).
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Performance Specialization: Development of ultra-high purity grades for electronics cleaning and tailored evaporation rate solvents for specific coating and ink applications.
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Digital Supply Chains: Adoption of digital platforms for ordering, tracking, and managing safety data sheets (SDS) to improve customer service and compliance.
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Regulatory Expansion: Anticipation of stricter aromatic content limits and VOC regulations in emerging economies, creating new market opportunities.
Drivers & Challenges
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Primary Drivers:
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Stringent and expanding global environmental & workplace safety regulations.
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Corporate sustainability and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments.
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Growth in end-use industries, especially industrial maintenance and metalworking.
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Key Challenges:
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Achieving cost-parity with conventional solvents to drive faster adoption in price-sensitive markets.
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Competition from alternative "green" solvent technologies.
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Managing profitability amid volatile petrochemical feedstock costs.
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Value Chain Analysis
The chain begins with Crude Oil Refiners who produce the base hydrocarbon distillates (e.g., kerosene). Specialty Processing Units (often within the refinery or a separate company) use advanced hydrotreatment, hydrogenation, and fractionation to remove aromatics and sulfur, creating de-aromatized solvents. Blenders & Distributors may add stabilizers or create custom blends. Formulators (paint, adhesive, cleaner manufacturers) incorporate DAS into their end products. These are sold to OEMs, Contractors, and Industrial End-Users. Regulatory Bodies and Testing/Certification Labs are critical influencers throughout the chain.
Quick Recommendations for Stakeholders
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For Solvent Producers: Invest in bio-based production pathways or partnerships to future-proof the product portfolio. Develop a strong narrative around carbon footprint reduction and circularity. Provide exceptional technical support and formulation guidance to help customers transition smoothly from aromatic solvents.
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For Formulators (Paint, Chemical Makers): Proactively reformulate using DAS to stay ahead of regulations and meet green certification standards (e.g., LEED, Green Seal). Educate sales teams and customers on the health and safety benefits.
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For Investors: Target companies with strong positions in regulated markets (EU, NA), advanced feedstock flexibility (including bio-feeds), and a diverse portfolio across flash points and purity grades.
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For New Entrants: Differentiate through niche, high-purity products for electronics or pharmaceuticals, or focus on developing or distributing sustainable/bio-based DAS alternatives. Partnering with a major refiner for feedstock security is essential.
1. Market Overview of De-Aromatic Solvents
1.1 De-Aromatic Solvents Market Overview
1.1.1 De-Aromatic Solvents Product Scope
1.1.2 Market Status and Outlook
1.2 De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Regions:
1.3 De-Aromatic Solvents Historic Market Size by Regions
1.4 De-Aromatic Solvents Forecasted Market Size by Regions
1.5 Covid-19 Impact on Key Regions, Keyword Market Size YoY Growth
1.5.1 North America
1.5.2 East Asia
1.5.3 Europe
1.5.4 South Asia
1.5.5 Southeast Asia
1.5.6 Middle East
1.5.7 Africa
1.5.8 Oceania
1.5.9 South America
1.5.10 Rest of the World
1.6 Coronavirus Disease 2019 (Covid-19) Impact Will Have a Severe Impact on Global Growth
1.6.1 Covid-19 Impact: Global GDP Growth, 2019, 2020 and 2021 Projections
1.6.2 Covid-19 Impact: Commodity Prices Indices
1.6.3 Covid-19 Impact: Global Major Government Policy
2. Covid-19 Impact De-Aromatic Solvents Sales Market by Type
2.1 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Historic Market Size by Type
2.2 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Forecasted Market Size by Type
2.3 Low Flash Point
2.4 Medium Flash Point
2.5 High Flash Point
3. Covid-19 Impact De-Aromatic Solvents Sales Market by Application
3.1 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Historic Market Size by Application
3.2 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Forecasted Market Size by Application
3.3 Paints & Coatings
3.4 Metal Working
3.5 Industrial Cleaning
3.6 Consumer Products
3.7 Drilling Fluids
3.8 Adhesives & Sealants
4. Covid-19 Impact Market Competition by Manufacturers
4.1 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity Market Share by Manufacturers
4.2 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Revenue Market Share by Manufacturers
4.3 Global De-Aromatic Solvents Average Price by Manufacturers
5. Company Profiles and Key Figures in De-Aromatic Solvents Business
5.1 Exxon Mobil
5.1.1 Exxon Mobil Company Profile
5.1.2 Exxon Mobil De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.1.3 Exxon Mobil De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.2 Royal Dutch Shell
5.2.1 Royal Dutch Shell Company Profile
5.2.2 Royal Dutch Shell De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.2.3 Royal Dutch Shell De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.3 Eastern Petroleum
5.3.1 Eastern Petroleum Company Profile
5.3.2 Eastern Petroleum De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.3.3 Eastern Petroleum De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.4 SK
5.4.1 SK Company Profile
5.4.2 SK De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.4.3 SK De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.5 Cepsa
5.5.1 Cepsa Company Profile
5.5.2 Cepsa De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.5.3 Cepsa De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.6 Gandhar Oil Refinery
5.6.1 Gandhar Oil Refinery Company Profile
5.6.2 Gandhar Oil Refinery De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.6.3 Gandhar Oil Refinery De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.7 Neste Oyj
5.7.1 Neste Oyj Company Profile
5.7.2 Neste Oyj De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.7.3 Neste Oyj De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.8 Sinopec Group
5.8.1 Sinopec Group Company Profile
5.8.2 Sinopec Group De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.8.3 Sinopec Group De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.9 Petro China
5.9.1 Petro China Company Profile
5.9.2 Petro China De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.9.3 Petro China De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.10 Mehta Petro Refineries
5.10.1 Mehta Petro Refineries Company Profile
5.10.2 Mehta Petro Refineries De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.10.3 Mehta Petro Refineries De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.11 Luoyang Jinda
5.11.1 Luoyang Jinda Company Profile
5.11.2 Luoyang Jinda De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.11.3 Luoyang Jinda De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
5.12 Maohua Shihua
5.12.1 Maohua Shihua Company Profile
5.12.2 Maohua Shihua De-Aromatic Solvents Product Specification
5.12.3 Maohua Shihua De-Aromatic Solvents Production Capacity, Revenue, Price and Gross Margin
6. North America
6.1 North America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
6.2 North America De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
6.3 North America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
6.4 North America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
7. East Asia
7.1 East Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
7.2 East Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
7.3 East Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
7.4 East Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
8. Europe
8.1 Europe De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
8.2 Europe De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
8.3 Europe De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
8.4 Europe De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
9. South Asia
9.1 South Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
9.2 South Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
9.3 South Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
9.4 South Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
10. Southeast Asia
10.1 Southeast Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
10.2 Southeast Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
10.3 Southeast Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
10.4 Southeast Asia De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
11. Middle East
11.1 Middle East De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
11.2 Middle East De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
11.3 Middle East De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
11.4 Middle East De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
12. Africa
12.1 Africa De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
12.2 Africa De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
12.3 Africa De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
12.4 Africa De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
13. Oceania
13.1 Oceania De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
13.2 Oceania De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
13.3 Oceania De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
13.4 Oceania De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
14. South America
14.1 South America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
14.2 South America De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
14.3 South America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
14.4 South America De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
15. Rest of the World
15.1 Rest of the World De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size
15.2 Rest of the World De-Aromatic Solvents Key Players in North America
15.3 Rest of the World De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Type
15.4 Rest of the World De-Aromatic Solvents Market Size by Application
16 De-Aromatic Solvents Market Dynamics
16.1 Covid-19 Impact Market Top Trends
16.2 Covid-19 Impact Market Drivers
16.3 Covid-19 Impact Market Challenges
16.4 Porter
Market Segmentation Analysis
By Aromatic Content & Specification:
-
Type 1 (D<40): Aromatic content < 0.1% by weight. Ultra-pure, for the most sensitive applications.
-
Type 2 (D<60): Aromatic content < 0.01% by weight. High-purity, standard for most industrial uses.
-
Type 3 (D<110): Aromatic content typically < 1-2%. Cost-effective balance of performance and purity.
By Flash Point & Boiling Range (Refined):
-
Low Flash Point (< 23°C / 73°F): Fast evaporating, for cold cleaning and certain coatings.
-
Medium Flash Point (23°C - 60°C / 73°F - 140°F): The most versatile and widely used range for general industrial applications.
-
High Flash Point (> 60°C / 140°F): High-flash, low-VOC options for hot-work environments, heavy-duty cleaners, and safer transportation/storage.
By Application (Refined & Expanded):
-
Paints, Coatings & Inks: Largest application segment; used in industrial maintenance, marine, and decorative coatings as a compliant thinner and carrier.
-
Industrial Cleaning & Degreasing: For metal parts, machinery, and electronics where residue and toxicity are concerns.
-
Metal Working: As a component in rolling oils, cutting fluids, and rust preventatives.
-
Adhesives, Sealants & Mastics: To adjust viscosity and improve application properties while meeting indoor air quality standards.
-
Drilling & Completion Fluids: In oil & gas for base oils in invert emulsion drilling muds.
-
Consumer & DIY Products: Aerosols, cleaners, and hobby products requiring safer formulations.
-
Polymer & Chemical Processing: As a reaction medium or carrier solvent.
-
Printing & Packaging (Added Segment): For flexographic and gravure inks.
Regional Analysis
-
North America & Europe: Mature, regulation-driven markets. Europe, with its stringent REACH and VOC directives, is a particularly high-value market. North America follows closely with EPA regulations and strong occupational safety (OSHA) standards.
-
Asia-Pacific: The fastest-growing market, driven by rapid industrialization in China, India, Japan, and South Korea. Growth is fueled by increasing environmental awareness, adoption of international safety standards by exporting manufacturers, and rising domestic regulations.
-
Middle East: Significant market due to extensive oil & gas drilling activities requiring high-performance drilling fluids.
-
Latin America & Africa: Emerging markets where growth is linked to industrial development and gradual regulatory alignment with global standards.
Competitive Landscape – Key Players
The market is dominated by global oil majors, specialized refiners, and chemical distributors.
-
ExxonMobil Corporation (Parasol, Isopar, Exxsol series)
-
Shell plc (ShellSol series)
-
TotalEnergies SE (Hylene, Solvesso alternatives) (Added)
-
Chevron Phillips Chemical Company (Soltrol) (Added)
-
Neste Oyj (Neste Renewable Diesel derivatives) (Added – Renewable solvent focus)
-
Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd. (Added)
-
CEPSA (Calumet Brand) (Added)
-
HCS Group (Haltermann Carless) (Added – Specialized hydrocarbon solutions)
-
Gandhar Oil Refinery (India) Limited
-
PetroChina Company Limited / Sinopec Group
-
Raj Petro Specialities Pvt. Ltd. (Added – India)
-
DHC Solvent Chemie GmbH (Added – Germany)
-
Indian Oil Corporation Ltd. (Added)
-
Mehta Petro Refineries Ltd.
