**Iron-free patchouli oil is standard nilam that has been steam-distilled and then de-ironized — a finishing step that strips the dissolved iron picked up from mild-steel stills. The payoff is a lighter, cleaner oil that won’t grey or stain white and pastel cosmetic bases. We supply it in export drums from Sumatra and Sulawesi, PA 30-34%, MOQ 100-1000 kg.**
Patchouli (Pogostemon cablin, CAS 8014-09-3, FEMA 2838) is Indonesia’s quiet monopoly — the country supplies well over 80% of the world’s patchouli oil, with roughly 1,000-1,200 metric tons produced a year, according to industry figures published 2023-2025. Most of that volume is standard dark or light oil. Iron-free is the narrower, higher-value lane built specifically for formulators who cannot tolerate color pickup.
Why do formulators pay more for iron-free patchouli oil?
Across much of Indonesia, patchouli is distilled in mild-steel or iron stills. During the long steam-distillation cycle, hot oil leaches trace iron, which deepens the color toward dark red-brown and can catalyze discoloration in a finished product. In a dark soap bar or an amber-glass eau de parfum, that iron is invisible and harmless. In a white body cream, a clear roll-on serum, or a pastel lotion, it shows up as dull greying, brown flecks, or batch-to-batch color drift that fails QC.
De-ironization is a post-distillation treatment that removes the metal while leaving the woody-balsamic, sweet-herbaceous, earthy odor and the fixative power intact. That is the whole point: same scent and tenacity, without the stain risk. It is why iron-free light grades command a premium over commercial dark oil — you are paying for the extra processing step and the color guarantee, not for a different aroma profile.
What specs should an iron-free batch actually hit?
Iron-free lines from the Indonesian export catalogue (Indonesian exporters’ SKUs, 2022-2025) give a clean reference point for what to write into your spec sheet. Sumatra grades run higher patchoulol and lower acid value; Sulawesi grades sit slightly lower on both.
| Origin | PA (patchoulol) | Acid value | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumatra | Min 32% | ~4-6 | Fine fragrance, white cosmetics |
| Sulawesi | Min 30% | ~8-10 | Cosmetics, soap, personal care |
A few reading notes. Indonesian patchouli typically runs 28-34% PA and is often marketed at 30-40%; Sumatra/Aceh oil is prized in fine fragrance for its strong aroma and high patchoulol. Acid value under 8 is cited as a marker of excellent storage stability, which matters for long contracts — published COAs have carried best-before dates as far out as April 2027. Crucially, any number here — PA%, specific gravity, refractive index, optical rotation — is only a real claim when it comes off an actual batch COA/GC-MS. We quote the band; the batch document confirms the exact figure.
How much does iron-free patchouli oil cost in bulk?
One canonical price band, date-stamped and honest. These are FOB indicative figures as of 2026 that move with the harvest and with PA content; a final quote is confirmed only against your grade, PA%, document package, and MOQ.
| Tier | PA% | Indicative FOB (USD/kg, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial dark/light | 30-35% | 45-90 |
| Premium / iron-free / MD / organic | above 35% or de-ironized | 100-200 |
| Harvest-failure spike | 30-32% | ~100-130 |
Iron-free sits in the premium tier because the de-ironization step and the color spec add cost. The market context reinforces it: late 2025 has been structurally firm — historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa, and palm oil because low patchouli prices no longer break even. That points to continued supply risk and price volatility into 2027. As one dated public reference point, a North Sulawesi trader listed IDR 2,000,000/kg domestic FOB Manado in June 2025, noting it varies with quantity and market — we don’t attach specific prices to any named company, and neither should a buyer.
What documents come with an iron-free shipment?
Every serious iron-free order should travel with a full paper trail. On request we supply:
- COA stating PA% and confirming iron-free status for the specific batch
- GC-MS chromatogram for composition verification
- TDS (technical data sheet) and SDS/MSDS for handling and safety
- Certificate of Origin (Aceh, North Sumatra, or Sulawesi)
- Where a line carries them: Kosher, Halal, COSMOS, or FSSC 22000 certificates
EU buyers usually need CAS 8014-09-3 and REACH-style documentation on file; flag that in your RFQ and we route the batch accordingly.
How does ordering iron-free patchouli oil in bulk work?
- Send your RFQ. Tell us target PA%, that you need iron-free/de-ironized, the volume, and your destination port.
- We confirm and quote. You get availability, an indicative 2026 FOB, and a sample COA/GC-MS to review.
- Approve the batch. Check the batch COA (PA% plus iron-free confirmation); request a physical sample if your QC needs it.
- Contract and fill. Oil is filled into standard export drums (~180-200 kg; smaller ~25 kg drums exist for trials), MOQ typically 100-1000 kg.
- Ship and document. Export moves via Belawan, Surabaya, or Makassar with COA, GC-MS, TDS, SDS, and C/O in the pack.
Talk to the desk
Iron-free RFQs are handled directly by the Bali Premium Trip concierge desk, part of Juara Holding Group. Send your grade, target PA%, volume, and destination and you’ll get an indicative quote and sample documents back within 24 working hours.
- WhatsApp: 6281128590000
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
We’re an independent sourcing desk, not the asset owner — supply is arranged via vetted distilleries and licensed export partners. We don’t guarantee customs clearance or outcomes, and every spec we send is tied to a real batch document, never invented.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “iron-free” actually mean for patchouli oil?
Iron-free means the oil was steam-distilled like any other patchouli, then run through a de-ironization step that removes iron leached from mild-steel stills. It is not a different botanical or a synthetic — same Pogostemon cablin leaf oil, same woody-balsamic scent, just stripped of the metal that darkens color and risks staining light formulations.
Why does iron content matter for white or light cosmetics?
Dissolved iron deepens patchouli’s color toward dark red-brown and can trigger discoloration in a finished base. In a white cream, clear serum, or pastel lotion, that reads as greying, brown flecks, or color drift between batches — a QC failure. De-ironized oil keeps light formulations visually stable, which is why iron-free light grades exist as a distinct SKU family.
How do I verify a batch is genuinely iron-free?
Ask for the batch COA and GC-MS before shipment. The COA should state the PA% and confirm iron-free status for that specific lot, not a generic product sheet. Request a physical sample if your QC requires it. Treat any spec as a real claim only when it comes off an actual batch document — a marketing brochure number is not verification.
What is the minimum order for iron-free patchouli oil in bulk?
There is no single official MOQ in the market; iron-free trades in drums. Standard export drums hold roughly 180-200 kg, smaller ~25 kg drums exist for trials, and typical bulk MOQ lands between 100 and 1000 kg. Tell us your target volume and destination port and we’ll confirm what’s available and the drum count.
Is iron-free patchouli oil more expensive than standard grades?
Yes. Iron-free sits in the premium tier at roughly USD 100-200/kg FOB indicative for 2026, versus USD 45-90/kg for commercial dark or light oil at PA 30-35%. You pay for the extra de-ironization step and the color guarantee, not a different aroma. A harvest-failure spike can push even 30-32% PA toward USD 100-130/kg.