CDA 12-A Completely Denatured Alcohol
190 proof ethanol completely denatured under TTB Formula 12-A — no TTB permit required to purchase. The simplest regulatory path to high-purity, tax-exempt alcohol for fuel, cleaning, and industrial manufacturing. Also coming soon in 200 proof.
What Is CDA 12-A?
CDA 12-A is a completely denatured alcohol formula defined by the TTB in 27 CFR 21.26: to every 100 gallons of ethanol, 5 gallons of toluene or 5 gallons of heptane are added. Because the denaturing is classified as complete, CDA 12-A can be purchased and used without a TTB industrial alcohol user permit — unlike specially denatured alcohols (SDA), which require one.
Applications
⛽ Fuel & Fuel Additives
Alcohol for fuel applications and additive blending.
🧷 Industrial Cleaning
Heavy-duty degreasing and parts cleaning with a permit-free, high-purity alcohol solvent.
🎨 Coatings & Thinners
Solvent and thinner systems requiring a consistent alcohol cut.
⚙ Manufacturing
General industrial solvent without TTB permit overhead.
CDA vs. SDA — The Permit Difference
Completely denatured alcohol (CDA) may be purchased without a TTB permit because its denaturants render it unusable for beverage purposes under any circumstance. Specially denatured alcohol (SDA) uses milder denaturant packages and therefore requires purchasers to hold a TTB industrial alcohol user permit. If your application tolerates the CDA 12-A denaturants, it is the lowest-friction way to buy high-purity alcohol.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a TTB permit to buy CDA 12-A?
No. Completely denatured alcohol requires no TTB industrial alcohol user permit, making CDA 12-A the simplest denatured alcohol to purchase.
What is CDA 12-A denatured with?
Per 27 CFR 21.26, CDA 12-A is made by adding 5 gallons of toluene or 5 gallons of heptane to every 100 gallons of ethanol.
What is the difference between CDA and SDA?
CDA (completely denatured alcohol) requires no purchase permit; SDA (specially denatured alcohol) uses milder denaturants but requires a TTB industrial alcohol user permit.
Is CDA 12-A available in 200 proof?
Yes — 200 proof CDA 12-A (under 0.5% water) is launching soon for fuel and moisture-sensitive industrial uses. Request a quote to reserve allocation.