Chemical Concentration Errors: How a Small Purchasing Difference Can Become a Big Process Problem

The chemical name is not enough

Acids, caustic soda, hydrogen peroxide, hypochlorite and many other industrial chemicals are sold at different concentrations. If procurement orders only by name, the supplier may quote a strength different from the one used by the plant. For a closer look at this part of the procurement process, our guide on how to Calculate Reorder Points for Industrial Chemicals explains the practical considerations in more detail.

The material may be chemically correct and still be operationally wrong.

Dosing changes immediately

A process requiring a fixed mass of active chemical needs a different liquid volume when concentration changes. If operators continue using the old pump setting, the process can be underdosed or overdosed. For a closer look at this part of the procurement process, our guide on safety Stock for Industrial Chemicals: How Much Is Enough explains the practical considerations in more detail.

The change should therefore be communicated before the new product reaches the dosing tank. For a closer look at this part of the procurement process, our guide on imported Chemical Lead Times: What Ghanaian Buyers Should Plan For explains the practical considerations in more detail.

Freight economics also change

A weaker solution contains more water per tonne of active chemical. That can increase transport and storage requirements even when the delivered price per tonne looks lower. For a closer look at this part of the procurement process, our guide on landed Cost of Imported Chemicals: What Ghanaian Buyers Should Include explains the practical considerations in more detail.

Procurement should compare active-content-adjusted cost rather than nominal tonne price.

Density can complicate volume calculations

Liquid chemical inventory may be measured by volume while purchasing is by mass. Density varies with concentration and temperature, so simplistic conversions can create reconciliation errors.

Technical data for the actual product should be used where accurate mass-volume conversion is required.

Equipment compatibility may change

Different concentrations can alter corrosivity, viscosity, crystallisation behaviour or storage requirements. The existing tank and dosing system should be reviewed before a significant change.

HSE documentation should also correspond to the actual strength received.

Receiving should verify concentration

The delivery note, label and COA where required should match the purchase order. If the concentration differs, stores should not assume the material can be accepted simply because the product name is familiar.

The deviation should be escalated for technical review.

One line in the specification prevents many problems

Writing the required concentration clearly into the RFQ and purchase order makes supplier comparison easier and protects operations. A useful next step is our guide on supplier Delivery Performance: Metrics That Protect Chemical Supply Continuity, which looks at the related practical considerations in more detail.

For industrial procurement, this is a simple control with a disproportionately large benefit.

Discuss Your Requirement With Aviv Kitov Group

Aviv Kitov Group supports industrial organisations in Ghana with specialised chemical sourcing across regional and international markets. A useful sourcing discussion starts with the actual process requirement, including the approved specification or grade, quantity, packaging, delivery location and required date. For the wider context, our guide on industrial Chemical Supply Chain in Ghana: Inventory, Imports and Logistics brings the main procurement considerations together in one place.

Discuss Your Requirement With Aviv Kitov Group.