LPG (Propane / Butane)
The liquefied petroleum gas supplied by Chelora Chemicals — propane and butane, or blends of the two, used as a cracker feedstock for propylene and as a clean-burning fuel gas — exported from Indonesia in pressurised bulk and cylinder parcels with full batch documentation on every shipment.
What LPG (Propane / Butane) is, and why buyers source it
A working overview of LPG's composition, its dual role as a petrochemical cracker feedstock and a clean-burning fuel gas, and the grades Chelora Chemicals keeps in regular supply.
LPG is not a single compound but a liquefied mixture, predominantly propane and butane, that stays liquid under modest pressure at ambient temperature and readily vaporises when that pressure is released. The exact propane-to-butane ratio, together with minor ethane and pentane content, is specified cargo by cargo to suit either fuel-gas or petrochemical-cracker applications.
At room temperature and atmospheric pressure LPG is a gas; it is handled, stored and shipped as a colourless liquid under its own vapour pressure. It is odourised with a sulfur-based warning agent for fuel-grade material so leaks can be detected by smell, and requires dedicated pressurised storage and transport equipment with the usual precautions for a liquefied flammable gas.
Where it fits in the synthesis chain
Propane's largest petrochemical use is as a cracker feedstock, either alone or blended with naphtha, where it is thermally cracked to propylene and ethylene; it is also dehydrogenated directly to propylene in dedicated propane dehydrogenation (PDH) units. Butane is used both as a cracker feedstock and, via isomerisation and dehydrogenation, as a route to isobutylene for alkylate gasoline and MTBE-type oxygenates. Both, as LPG, are also major clean-burning fuel gases for household, commercial and automotive (autogas) use.
Grades we supply
Chelora Chemicals offers commercial propane, commercial butane and blended LPG to buyer specification, supplied with a batch-wise certificate of analysis covering composition, vapour pressure and sulfur/odourant content.
How LPG (Propane / Butane) is made
An overview of the production route for orientation purposes. Our manufacturing partners' own process parameters and in-process controls are proprietary and are not disclosed beyond what is needed to interpret the certificate of analysis.
LPG is recovered from two main sources: as associated gas separated and fractionated from natural-gas processing, and as a by-product stream recovered from crude-oil refining operations, particularly catalytic cracking and distillation units. In both cases propane and butane are separated from lighter gases (methane, ethane) and heavier liquids by fractionation under pressure, then blended to the required commercial specification.
Why fractionation, not a single reaction, defines LPG
Because propane and butane already exist as components of natural gas and crude oil, LPG production is a separation and blending operation rather than a synthesis reaction, which is why specification focuses on composition, vapour pressure and purity rather than on a yield from a chemical transformation.
Industries and processes that use it
LPG is consumed across fuel-gas and petrochemical cracker-feedstock markets, where its clean combustion and light-olefin yield are the main draws. The fields below account for most of the demand we see through our export desk.
Petrochemical Cracker Feedstock
Propane and butane are thermally cracked, alone or blended with naphtha, to produce propylene, ethylene and other light olefins.
Propane Dehydrogenation (PDH) to Propylene
Propane is catalytically dehydrogenated directly to propylene in dedicated PDH units, an increasingly important on-purpose propylene route.
Household & Commercial Fuel Gas
Used as a clean-burning fuel gas for household cooking and heating, commercial catering, and industrial process heat.
Autogas & Alkylate Gasoline Components
Used directly as vehicle autogas fuel, and butane is isomerised/dehydrogenated toward isobutylene for alkylate gasoline and oxygenate blending components.
How the molecule is typically carried forward
Because LPG is a light-paraffin mixture rather than a single reactive molecule, its downstream petrochemical chemistry is driven by high-temperature cracking and catalytic dehydrogenation rather than a classical functional-group reaction. The processes below account for most of how LPG is converted into finished petrochemical products.
Steam / Thermal Cracking
Propane and butane are thermally cracked at high temperature, often alongside naphtha, breaking the paraffin chains into propylene, ethylene and other light olefins.
Catalytic Dehydrogenation (PDH)
Propane is passed over a dehydrogenation catalyst to directly remove hydrogen and form propylene, an on-purpose route increasingly used where naphtha cracking alone cannot meet propylene demand.
Isomerisation & Dehydrogenation (Butane)
Butane is isomerised to isobutane and further dehydrogenated to isobutylene, a route into alkylate gasoline and oxygenate blending components.
Fractionation (Upstream)
Natural gas and refinery streams are fractionated under pressure to separate and recover propane and butane as the LPG product itself.
LPG (Propane / Butane) against other amines we supply
Buyers sourcing LPG for cracking, PDH or fuel-gas use often also need other refinery feedstocks or the downstream olefins it produces. A quick reference to what else is on our regular supply list.
| Product | CAS Number | Category | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| LPG (Propane / Butane) | 68476-85-7 | Liquefied petroleum gas feedstock | The product on this page — a cracker feedstock and clean-burning fuel gas. |
| Naphtha | 8030-30-6 | Light distillate cracker feedstock | The heavier petroleum-distillate feedstock often cracked alongside LPG — see its product page. |
| Ethylene Oxide | 75-21-8 | Cracker-derived epoxide | A downstream product of the ethylene stream LPG and naphtha cracking both feed — see its product page. |
| Acrylonitrile | 107-13-1 | Vinyl nitrile monomer | Made from propylene, which LPG cracking and PDH both supply — see its product page. |
Exact physical constants and purity specifications are confirmed per batch on the certificate of analysis — treat the notes above as a sourcing guide, not a specification sheet, for products other than LPG (Propane / Butane).
Safety classification at a glance
Based on GHS classification as commonly listed for this substance. This is a summary for orientation only — always work from the current safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch.
Extremely flammable gas.
Contains gas under pressure; may explode if heated.
May cause drowsiness or dizziness (high concentration).
Contact with rapidly expanding or released liquid can cause cold burns / frostbite.
Flame-resistant clothing, insulated gloves and gas-detection equipment are mandatory around bulk handling and transfer.
Keep away from all ignition sources; ensure explosion-proof electrical equipment and adequate ventilation in handling areas.
Stored and transported under its own vapour pressure; never heat a sealed container or vessel.
Danger — GHS02 extremely flammable and GHS04 gas-under-pressure pictograms apply.
This material is an extremely flammable gas held liquefied under its own pressure, which may explode if heated, and may cause drowsiness or dizziness at high vapour concentrations. Contact with the rapidly expanding or released liquid can cause cold burns or frostbite. It must be handled only with flame-resistant clothing, insulated gloves, gas-detection equipment, and strict control of ignition sources by trained personnel following standard LPG bulk-handling procedures. Full first-aid, storage, spill and PPE guidance is in the MSDS issued with every shipment, and must be read in full and followed without exception before this material is handled.
Keeping it on spec between delivery and use
General storage guidance for this grade. Site-specific storage rules, segregation requirements and re-test intervals should follow your own EHS procedures and the MSDS issued with your batch.
Store in dedicated pressure vessels, bullet tanks or cylinders rated for the product's vapour pressure, in a well-ventilated area away from heat sources, open flame and other ignition sources, with appropriate gas-detection and fire-protection systems. Only trained personnel following standard LPG bulk-handling and transfer procedures should load, store or transfer this material. If a parcel is held for an extended period, re-check composition and vapour pressure before use.
How it ships from Indonesia
Standard packing and export terms for this product. Confirm exact figures against your order — they vary slightly by destination and quantity.
What travels with every batch
Specification is agreed before the purchase order, not discovered on arrival. Every shipment of LPG (Propane / Butane) leaves with a documented, checkable paper trail.
Certificate of Analysis
Batch-wise assay (by titration/GC), colour and relevant physical constants, issued against the agreed specification so your QC team can check it, not just file it.
Safety Data Sheet
GHS-format SDS in English covering hazard classification, handling, storage, first-aid and spill response for the exact grade of LPG (Propane / Butane) shipped.
Technical Data Sheet
Reference physical and chemical properties, recommended storage and typical applications, for internal circulation to your process or R&D teams.
Certificate of Origin
Confirms Indonesian origin for customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim at your destination port.
Dangerous Goods Declaration
UN packing group, classification and shipper's declaration prepared ahead of loading so documentation never holds up customs.
Third-Party Inspection
Independent pre-shipment inspection and re-sampling can be arranged on request, at your cost, for buyers who require it as a matter of policy.
Frequently asked questions
What buyers most often ask our sales desk about this grade.
01What is LPG used for?+
02What is the CAS number of LPG?+
03How is LPG produced?+
04What grades does Chelora Chemicals supply?+
05What is the difference between propane and butane for cracking purposes?+
06Is LPG hazardous?+
07What packing options are available?+
08How long does delivery take?+
09Can I get a sample before placing a bulk order?+
10Do you supply Naphtha as well?+
Need LPG (Propane / Butane) on spec, on time?
Send us your required purity, quantity, packing preference and destination port. Our desk quotes most enquiries within one working day.