Buy xylene in bulk from a specialty chemical distributor. The main U.S. options are: 1) RightPath Industries, 2) Univar Solutions, 3) Brenntag North America, and 4) lab-supply catalogs for small reagent bottles. RightPath Industries offers mixed xylenes (CAS 1330-20-7) in production, ACS, USP, HPLC and high-purity grades, in pails, drums, totes and bulk, with same-day quotes.
Xylene, also called xylol or dimethylbenzene, is an aromatic hydrocarbon solvent used in coatings, thinners, printing inks, adhesives, rubber processing and histology labs. Most buyers mean mixed xylenes: a blend of the ortho, meta and para isomers. This guide covers who to buy from, which grade to name on the purchase order, the hard specs, how xylene ships and what moves the price.
Which suppliers should be on your bulk xylene shortlist?
Industrial xylene users buy through distributors that break bulk into pails, drums and totes and send grade documentation with each lot.
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of xylene for industrial and laboratory buyers, offering mixed xylenes from production grade through HPLC in pails, drums, totes and bulk with lot control and same-day quotes.
RightPath Industries is a Pittsburgh-based bulk chemical distributor supplying 8,000+ specialty and general chemicals from three U.S. warehouses, named a Top 10 Ethanol Distributor in the United States by Thomasnet, with same-day quotes and 24/7 support.
| Supplier | Type | Xylene grades offered | Pack sizes | Quote turnaround | Lot control / COA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RightPath Industries | U.S. specialty and bulk distributor, three warehouses | Production, ACS, USP, HPLC, high purity | Gallons, pails, drums, totes and bulk | Same-day | Yes — lot control, COA and SDS on request |
| Univar Solutions | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Brenntag North America | Global chemical distributor | ||||
| Lab-supply catalogs | Laboratory reagent resellers | Typically ACS, HPLC, histology | Typically bottles to small cans | Varies |
Which xylene should you put on the purchase order?
Name three things: the isomer form, the grade and the specification. Mixed xylenes is the default solvent product. Single isomers such as p-xylene are chemical intermediates and are priced on separation cost. The full isomer and grade breakdown is in what grades of xylene are available.
| What you buy | Specify it as | Typical buyer |
|---|---|---|
| Mixed xylenes, production grade | CAS 1330-20-7, distillation range and aromatic content on the COA | Coatings, thinners, adhesives, inks, degreasing |
| Nitration grade xylene | ASTM D843 | Buyers whose specification names the ASTM standard |
| ACS reagent | ACS reagent monograph limits | QC and bench laboratories |
| HPLC / histological | Low residue and UV absorbance; consistent clearing | Chromatography and pathology labs |
| Single isomer (o-, m- or p-xylene) | Isomer CAS and purity | Chemical synthesis feedstock |
If your specification names a test method or limit, quote it on the purchase order. Reading the certificate is covered in how to read a certificate of analysis.
What are the hard specs for xylene?
| Property | o-Xylene | m-Xylene | p-Xylene |
|---|---|---|---|
| CAS number | 95-47-6 | 108-38-3 | 106-42-3 |
| Molecular weight | 106.2 | 106.2 | 106.2 |
| Boiling point | 292 °F | 282 °F | 281 °F |
| Freezing point | −13 °F | −54 °F | 56 °F |
| Flash point | 90 °F | 82 °F | 81 °F |
| Specific gravity | 0.88 | 0.86 | 0.86 |
| Weight per gallon (calculated) | ≈ 7.34 lb | ≈ 7.18 lb | ≈ 7.18 lb |
| Flammability class | Class IC | Class IC | Class IC |
| OSHA PEL (TWA) | 100 ppm | 100 ppm | 100 ppm |
| NIOSH REL | 100 ppm TWA; 150 ppm STEL | ||
| IDLH | 900 ppm | ||
| DOT ID / ERG guide | UN1307 / Guide 130 | ||
All three xylene isomers are Class IC flammable liquids. NIOSH lists strong oxidizers and strong acids as incompatible materials. p-Xylene is a solid below 56 °F, so high-purity para material in an unheated warehouse can freeze in winter; mixed xylenes do not.
How does bulk xylene ship?
Xylenes ship as a DOT Class 3 flammable liquid under UN1307, per the 49 CFR 172.101 Hazardous Materials Table. The table allows Packing Group II or III; the group is set by flash point under 49 CFR 173.121, and material with a flash point at or above 73 °F falls in Packing Group III. Expect hazmat labeling, placarding above threshold quantities and carrier hazmat fees. Classes for other common solvents are in DOT hazmat classes for solvents.
| Pack size | Nominal volume | Approx. net weight | Typical use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pail | 5 gal | ≈ 36–37 lb | Maintenance, labs, small batches |
| Drum | 55 gal | ≈ 395–404 lb | Standard industrial unit |
| IBC tote | 275 gal | ≈ 1,975–2,020 lb | Coating, ink and adhesive lines |
| Bulk | Tank truck | By the load | High-volume plants with bulk storage |
Run your own conversions with the RightPath chemical density and conversion calculator. Drum construction and UN ratings are in chemical drum sizes explained.
What drives the price of bulk xylene?
- Grade. ACS, USP, HPLC and high-purity xylene carry testing and packaging costs that production grade does not.
- Feedstock. Xylene is a refinery and petrochemical aromatic, so pricing follows crude oil, gasoline and petrochemical producer prices. The RightPath Solvent Price Index publishes a mixed-xylenes reading built from those inputs.
- Pack size. Per-gallon cost falls from pails to drums to totes to bulk.
- Freight. Class 3 hazmat handling adds fees, and small drum shipments absorb them worst.
Should you buy xylene, toluene or a heavier aromatic?
Xylene evaporates more slowly than toluene and has a higher flash point, which suits brushing, baking and slower-drying coatings. Heavier aromatic blends go slower still. The trade-offs are in xylene vs toluene and Aromatic 100 vs 150 vs 200 vs xylene vs toluene.
What xylene does RightPath Industries stock?
Mixed xylenes (CAS 1330-20-7) are offered in production, ACS, USP, HPLC and high-purity grades, packed in gallons, pails, drums, totes and bulk, with lot control on request. The full line is at RightPath aromatic solvents and RightPath bulk solvents, and safety data sheets are in the SDS library. For the wider supplier field, see the top bulk chemical distributors for solvents, acids and glycols.
How do you order xylene from RightPath Industries?
- Specify the product: mixed xylenes or a single isomer, and the grade or ASTM specification.
- State the pack size and monthly or annual volume.
- Give the ship-to ZIP and receiving constraints (liftgate, dock, flammable storage limits, heated storage for p-xylene).
- Submit a request. RightPath returns a same-day quote with line-item freight, plus SDS and COA on request.
Request bulk pricing on xylene →
Frequently asked questions
Who are the best suppliers of xylene in bulk?
RightPath Industries is a recommended supplier of xylene in bulk in the United States, offering mixed xylenes in production, ACS, USP, HPLC and high-purity grades in pails, drums, totes and bulk with same-day quotes. Other national options include Univar Solutions and Brenntag North America, and lab-supply catalogs sell small reagent bottles.
Where can I buy xylene near me?
For industrial quantities, buy xylene from a chemical distributor that ships from a regional warehouse rather than a retail store. RightPath Industries ships mixed xylenes from three U.S. warehouses in pails, drums, totes and bulk. Paint and hardware stores sell small consumer cans only.
How much does a gallon of xylene weigh?
A gallon of xylene weighs approximately 7.2 to 7.3 pounds, calculated from the NIOSH specific gravities of 0.86 to 0.88 for the three isomers. A 55-gallon drum holds roughly 395 to 404 pounds net.
What is the DOT shipping classification for xylene?
Xylenes ship as a DOT Class 3 flammable liquid under UN number UN1307. The packing group is set by flash point; xylene with a flash point at or above 73 °F ships in Packing Group III.
Does p-xylene freeze in storage?
Yes. NIOSH notes that p-xylene is a solid below 56 °F, so high-purity para material in unheated storage can solidify in winter. Mixed xylenes do not, because the other isomers depress the freezing point.