Tetrachloroethylene (Perchloroethylene, PERC) Supplier South Africa

What Is Tetrachloroethylene?

Tetrachloroethylene (PERC, perchloroethylene) is a fully halogenated chloroethylene with the formula CCl₂=CCl₂. It is a dense, colourless, non-flammable liquid with a sweet solvent odour. PERC’s complete chlorination gives it outstanding solvency for non-polar and slightly polar organic compounds — oils, greases, waxes, synthetic polymer fibres, resins, and adhesives — while making it non-flammable, a significant safety advantage over hydrocarbon solvents in high-throughput industrial cleaning and extraction operations. It is highly stable under normal handling conditions when properly stabilised (typically with small amounts of epoxide or amine stabilisers).

Dry Cleaning and Metal Degreasing

Dry cleaning accounts for the largest single use of PERC globally: its solvency for synthetic fibres (polyester, nylon, acetate), oils, and dyes, combined with its non-flammability and recoverability through distillation, made it the dominant dry cleaning fluid and it remains widely used in South African dry-cleaning operations. In metal and parts degreasing, PERC is used in open-top vapour degreasing tanks and cold cleaning applications to remove machining oils, drawing compounds, and anti-corrosion coatings from metal components before painting, plating, or assembly. Its high density and non-flammability are particular advantages in vapour degreasing where hot solvent vapour is used.

Regulatory Status and Safe Handling

PERC is classified as a possible human carcinogen (IARC Group 2A) and is subject to strict occupational exposure limits (OELs) and environmental emission controls in most jurisdictions. Closed-loop dry cleaning machines and closed vapour degreasing systems are required to minimise worker and environmental exposure. Terracore Chemicals supplies stabilised technical-grade PERC in drums with full safety documentation, including SDS compliant with local regulations. We advise customers on safe handling, spill containment, and regulatory compliance requirements for PERC storage and use.