**A molecular distilled patchouli oil supplier ships refined Pogostemon cablin that has passed steam distillation and then molecular distillation, stripping color and heavy residue down to a near-colorless, high-clarity oil at Min 30-34% patchouli alcohol. Expect the premium band, USD 100-200/kg FOB indicative per 2026, with GC-MS and COA on request.**
What is molecular distilled (MD) patchouli oil?
MD patchouli oil — nilam in Indonesian, tagged MD in export catalogues — is oil steam distilled from Pogostemon cablin leaf and then run through molecular distillation under high vacuum. The botanical carries CAS 8014-09-3 (also 84238-39-1) and FEMA No. 2838. Typical Indonesian exporter grade families (2022-2025) treats MD as its own grade family next to Dark, Light and Iron-free. Standard dark oil pours reddish to dark red-brown; MD is lifted to a pale, near-colorless liquid that holds the woody-balsamic, sweet-herbaceous, earthy-spicy odor perfumers rely on.
How does MD differ from dark and iron-free grades?
Each grade answers a different brief:
- Dark — full steam-distilled oil, deepest color, richest classic patchouli tone. Catalogue SKUs like Sumatra Dark Premium (Min 34 PA) and Sumatra Dark (Min 32 PA).
- Iron-free — steam distillation followed by de-ironization to remove metal pickup, as in Sumatra Iron Free (Min 32 PA). Suited to formulas sensitive to trace iron.
- MD (molecularly distilled) — steam distillation followed by molecular distillation, which pulls patchoulol and the light aroma fraction away from the heavy, colored fraction. The payoff is clarity and pale color for prestige and pale-base work.
For a near-colorless brief in fine fragrance or a pale cosmetic emulsion, MD is usually the pick. For a classic dark accord where color does not matter, a high-PA dark grade can serve at a lower price.
Which MD grades and prices can you order?
Indonesian MD lines cluster at Min 30-34% PA. The four commonly catalogued MD SKUs (Indonesian exporters’, 2022-2025):
| Origin | Min PA | Grade family | Indicative FOB (per 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sumatra | Min 34 | MD | USD 100-200/kg |
| Sumatra | Min 32 | MD | USD 100-200/kg |
| Sumatra | Min 30 | MD | USD 100-200/kg |
| Sulawesi | Min 30 | MD | USD 100-200/kg |
MD sits in the premium tier because molecular redistillation adds a processing step. For context, here is the full canonical band we quote:
| Grade / PA content | Indicative FOB (per 2026) |
|---|---|
| PA under 30% | USD 35-55/kg |
| PA 30-35% (commercial) | USD 45-90/kg |
| Premium: PA above 35% / iron-free / MD / organic-certified | USD 100-200/kg |
These are FOB indicative per 2026, moving with harvest and PA content; the final quote confirms grade, PA%, documents and MOQ. A harvest-failure spike can push even 30-32% PA toward about USD 100-130/kg. As a domestic reference point, one North Sulawesi (Manado) trader publicly listed IDR 2,000,000/kg FOB Manado, marked “Price June 2025,” noting it varies with quantity and market. Late-2025 conditions were structurally firm — historic-high prices, scarce material, and farmers switching to corn, cocoa and palm oil — so budget for volatility into 2027.
How does ordering MD patchouli oil work?
- Send the RFQ. Message the Bali desk on WhatsApp or email with target grade (e.g. Min 32 PA), volume, destination port and required documents.
- Get a matched quote. We confirm origin (Sumatra or Sulawesi), Min PA, the available MD lot, current FOB and lead time against live stock.
- Review batch documents. Before you commit, request the batch COA (with PA%), GC-MS and TDS/SDS so specs are verified, not assumed.
- Confirm terms and sampling. Lock MOQ and Incoterms; arrange a pre-shipment sample where the contract calls for it.
- Drum, ship, track. Bulk moves in drums (~180-200kg standard export, smaller ~25kg on request) through Belawan, Surabaya or Makassar, documents couriered ahead.
Typical MOQ runs 100-1000 kg. No single official MOQ exists across the market, so the workable minimum is set per lot.
What documentation ships with MD grade?
On request, MD orders are supported by:
- COA stating batch PA%
- GC-MS profile
- TDS and SDS/MSDS
- Certificate of Origin
- Where the line qualifies: Kosher, Halal, COSMOS, FSSC 22000, plus IFRA and allergen statements
Any spec — PA%, specific gravity, refractive index, optical rotation — is a real claim only when it comes from an actual batch COA or GC-MS, never a blanket number. EU buyers should flag CAS 8014-09-3 and REACH-style paperwork up front. Published patchouli COAs have carried retest/best-before dates as far out as April 2027, which helps long-term contracts.
Request an MD patchouli oil quote
Ready to price an MD lot? The Bali Premium Trip concierge desk sources molecular distilled patchouli oil direct from vetted Sumatra and Sulawesi lines and returns a grade-matched quote within 24 working hours.
- WhatsApp: +62 811-2859-0000 (6281128590000)
- Email: sales@balipremiumtrip.com
Share your target Min PA, volume and destination port; we confirm current FOB, documents and lead time. Indicative prices are not a contract, and we do not guarantee customs clearance or batch specs — every figure is verified against the COA before you sign.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is molecular distilled patchouli oil better than iron-free for fine fragrance?
They solve different problems. Iron-free removes metal contamination after steam distillation; MD adds molecular distillation to lift color and heavy residue, giving a cleaner, brighter, near-colorless oil. For pale bases and prestige perfumery, MD usually wins; for classic dark accords, a high-PA dark grade can still be preferred. Confirm against your batch GC-MS.
Why is molecular distilled patchouli oil near-colorless?
Molecular distillation runs under high vacuum at low temperature, separating patchoulol and light aroma molecules from the dark, heavy, colored fractions that steam distillation leaves behind. The result is a pale to near-colorless oil that keeps its woody-balsamic character without staining pale cosmetic and fine-fragrance bases. Actual color varies by batch and origin.
What minimum PA should I specify for MD patchouli oil?
Indonesian MD lines commonly run Min 30 to Min 34% patchouli alcohol, matching grade families like (Min 30 PA) up to (Min 34 PA). Higher PA generally means stronger fixative power and a firmer price. Specify your target Min PA on the RFQ, then verify the delivered figure against the batch COA.
Can a molecular distilled patchouli oil supplier provide organic or IFRA documentation?
Some MD lines carry extra certification such as Kosher, Halal, COSMOS or FSSC 22000, and can supply IFRA and allergen statements when the line qualifies. These are not automatic on every batch. Ask the Bali desk which certificates your chosen MD grade holds before contracting, and request the COA, GC-MS, TDS and SDS alongside them.