Knowledge
Triethylenetetramine (TETA): Unpacking Its Real-World Value for Chemical Buyers and Industries
Looking Beyond the Formula: What Is Triethylenetetramine?
Triethylenetetramine, better known as TETA, shows up in industrial catalogs under a stack of names and identifiers: CAS 112-24-3, EC 203-950-6, Beilstein 605448, and with a formula C6H18N4. It’s not just another name in the registry — it’s a colorless to pale-yellow liquid loading strong amine odor with a molar concentration of 6.7 M, purity at 97%, molecular weight of 146.23, and density at 0.982 g/mL. Markets from epoxy formulations to pharmaceutical manufacturing hinge on supplies of this compound, sourced worldwide from giants like Sigma-Aldrich, Nouryon, Huntsman, and specialist distributors such as Silver Fern and Ataman Kimya.
Production and Structure
TETA stands out in the polyamine group, tracing a linear formula NH2CH2CH2(NHCH2CH2)2NH2. Each bottle or drum, whether a bulk 200 kg or a 1 kg laboratory sample, represents a lot of investment in refining and scale-up. The structure provides four nitrogen atoms — vital for reactivity in cross-linking, chelation, or catalysis. Companies optimize for high purity and consistent quality, meeting buyer demand whether it’s a 25 kg drum for a mid-sized epoxy shop or bulk tankers moving for water treatment plants.
Who Needs TETA?
Few chemicals touch as many corners of industry as Triethylenetetramine. It’s easy to focus on “epoxy curing agent” as a buzzword, but in practice, it’s the backbone of high-performance adhesives, coatings on wind blades, and automotive components. In fuels, TETA makes a difference as an additive, buffering corrosive properties and improving heat stability in lubricating oils. Asphalt and rubber producers value TETA’s capacity as a vulcanization accelerator, shortening cure times when blended with sulfur, markedly reducing batch-to-batch variation.
Water treatment professionals keep an eye on TETA as a chelating agent. Its molecular arms bind tightly to copper(II), nickel, or iron ions, capturing hard metals before they build up in pipes or threaten downstream equipment. For surface treatment, TETA goes into baths that prep metals for plating or passivation. In detergents, softeners, and dyestuffs, TETA enables process chemists to improve the interaction between chemicals and fibrous materials, tweaking outcomes in textile plants. Pharmaceutical labs source trientine hydrochloride (Syprine, Cuprior, Cufence) to improve copper clearance in patients with Wilson’s disease, often as an active ingredient in API production routes. Analytical chemists use TETA derivatives as reagents for tight control in measuring transition metals in trace analysis.
Finding the Right Supplier
Suppliers matter. Sigma-Aldrich stands recognized for academia and R&D, offering 100 g, 500 g, and 1 kg bottles with deep documentation — MDL MFCD00008169, HS Code 29212900 — and guaranteed chain-of-custody. Nouryon and Huntsman tackle entire supply chains, shipping drums and totes on a global scale. Japanese leaders like Kanto, Junsei, Kishida bring years of reputation in high-purity chemicals, ensuring TETA meets standards for electronics and specialty polymers. European bulk traders (Azelis, Eurochem Supplies, Dormer) handle customs, import codes (UN 2259), and regional regulations.
Bulk importers use platforms such as Metoree and Zauba for real-time availability, while databanks like ChemicalBook or PubChem (CID 5565) let buyers compare technical grades. In my experience, the difference between a reliable TETA distributor and a marginal one comes down to documentation, traceability, and prompt responses when regulations shift or demand surges spike prices.
Triethylenetetramine Price Realities
TETA prices run a spectrum, heavily dependent on volume, purity, and global logistics. Major buyers in epoxy systems and polyamide resins typically negotiate annual contracts, while research labs might pay a premium for smaller bottles (100 g, 500 g). Sudden shifts in energy costs or regional supply bottlenecks affect the Triethylenetetramine price across continents. In recent years, transportation fees and production capacity in Asia have set the global tone, pushing up quotes from Europe and the US. Transparent TETA bulk and wholesale prices keep buyers alert—especially when technical specs or regulatory changes in REACH or TSCA emerge.
For new entrants, engaging with established TETA suppliers like Hanson Chemicals or Theorem Chemical reduces the risks of inconsistent quality or shipment delays. Comparison among TETA distributors gives buyers leverage, especially when volumes grow beyond a few drums into multi-ton orders.
Handling, Safety, and Traceability
Managing TETA means paying close attention to UN 2259 for transport, as well as local worker safety standards. Triethylenetetramine’s strong amine odor isn’t just a breeze to cover up; it flags the need for well-ventilated workrooms and proper PPE. Both the 25 kg drum and tiny 100 g lab bottle demand careful isolation from acids and strong oxidizers. Documentation, including the EC Number, CAS, and MDL Number on every label, helps downstream users trace batch histories if issues arise or a recall occurs.
Tackling Supply Chain Challenges
No market sits immune to shocks. In the past, hurricanes in the Gulf Coast impacted amine production. Trade tensions or port closures can delay shipments. Chemists and procurement teams faced with such shortages must maintain ongoing conversations with suppliers and often source secondary vendors as needed. The most resilient operations review certifications, maintain digital inventories, and build direct relationships with at least two or three TETA suppliers or distributors. Long-term contracts help stabilize costs, but forward-thinking buyers keep samples on hand to test alternate suppliers when switching quickly becomes necessary.
Rising Demand: Specialty and Bulk Markets
Growth in renewable energy, electric vehicles, chip fabrication, and pharmaceutical production propels expanded TETA demand. In API markets, the focus on trientine hydrochloride, dihydrochloride, and tetrahydrochloride branches Triethylenetetramine use into therapies, such as Cuprior for copper control in Wilson’s disease. Synthetic chemists watch shifting regulations and evolving specs carefully, as new environmental standards often prioritize cleaner by-products and improved yield. Rubber and asphalt markets, spanning from major roadwork contractors to specialty sealant producers, review TETA quality certifications, ensuring the product meets blend and temperature standards unique to each application.
Product Forms, Packaging, and Logistics
TETA’s market flexibility comes with robust packaging options: standard 200 kg drums for plant buyers, 25 kg drums for regional converters, 10 kg containers for smaller scale, and analytical-sized bottles for lab use. The whole chain, from storage temperature to shipping, plays a role in delivering chemical that’s ready to use, without contamination or off-spec results. ChemicalBook and DrugBank entries, coupled with HS Code 29212900, reinforce the traceability required by customs and end users alike. As TETA market participants learned, skilled logistics partners (Aal Chem, Camachem, Elchemy) play a significant part in safeguarding orders against unforeseen delays.
Pushing for Quality and Sustainability
Triethylenetetramine’s reach means that everything from fuel oil performance to clean water relies on clear sourcing and honest quality claims. More users seek documentation on environmental impact and are demanding full transparency about any by-products in batches. Industry certifications and batch records help keep buyers out of regulatory trouble. Factories adopting green approaches to waste handling and emissions attract business with low-risk, future-proof supply. Research teams from Asia to North America push distributors for greener processing data and ISO certification, knowing that end users and downstream clients track every step.
Final Thoughts: Building Value Through Relationships and Understanding
People across sectors — R&D, procurement, production — agree that what brings value to TETA isn’t just the chemical properties but the expertise and reliability behind every bulk or specialty package. Regular checks of supplier background, material documentation, and industry updates help companies avoid pricey mistakes and disrupted operations. Changes in regulation, new discoveries in copper chelation, and evolving end-product demands keep this sector moving fast. As the world leans further into advanced chemistry, reliable partners willing to keep pace with quality requirements, safety, and sustainable sourcing make all the difference for anyone buying, selling, or relying on Triethylenetetramine.
