PAC Vietnam vs China vs India Comparison — Quality, COA & Price (CAS 1327-41-9)

--- ## 1. Overview of 3 PAC sources in the Vietnamese market ### 1.1. Viet Tri PAC — Domestically produced Viet Tri PAC is produced at the Viet Tri Chemical Plant (Phu Tho) — one of the oldest chemical facilities in Vietnam. Liquid and powder PAC products are distributed mainly in the Northern and North Central regions thanks to the advantage of short road transport. Identification characteristics: - **Product form:** liquid PAC 10% is the main product, powder PAC has lower output - **Actual Al₂O₃ content:** 9–10% (liquid), 28–30% (powder) — depends on production batch - **Basicity:** 45–70%, usually at a medium-low level compared to imported PAC - **Capacity:** Limited, cannot meet large continuous orders >100 tons/month - **Quality control:** Has internal laboratory, batch COA but not every batch publishes full heavy metal specifications The biggest advantage of Viet Tri PAC is fast delivery time (1–3 days within the Northern region) and no import costs (taxes, customs, sea container shipping). ### 1.2. Chinese PAC — Official channel import Chinese PAC accounts for the largest share of PAC imported into Vietnam. Factories in China produce per GB 15892-2020 standard at large scale with modern spray drying lines, producing powder PAC 31% with stable quality. Identification characteristics: - **Product form:** powder PAC 31% is the main product (Al₂O₃ 28.5–31%), liquid PAC 10% and 17% - **Basicity:** 55–85%, depending on factory and order specifications - **Most competitive price** among the 3 sources thanks to large production scale - **Quality control:** Full batch COA — Al₂O₃ content, basicity, insoluble matter, Fe, heavy metals (As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr⁶⁺) - **Import time:** 7–14 days from Chinese ports to Vietnamese ports However, the quality of Chinese PAC varies clearly between official channel goods (meeting GB 15892-2020) and goods of unclear origin. Buyers need to request COA and check the original COA before payment. ### 1.3. Indian PAC — High quality import Indian PAC is produced at ISO 9001 certified factories, with stricter heavy metal control standards. It is a popular choice for water supply treatment plants, urban domestic water and bottled drinking water plants. Identification characteristics: - **Product form:** both powder 31% and liquid 10% - **Al₂O₃ content:** powder 28.5–31%, liquid ~10% - **Basicity:** 60–85% - **Heavy metals:** strict control — As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr⁶⁺ levels are usually lower than TCVN and AWWA B408 limits - **Price:** 10–25% higher than Chinese PAC depending on timing - **Import time:** 14–21 days from India to Vietnamese ports --- ## 2. Quality comparison table of 3 PAC sources — Al₂O₃, basicity, heavy metals ### 2.1. Summary comparison table of technical specifications | Specification | Viet Tri PAC | Chinese PAC | Indian PAC | |---|---|---|---| | **CAS** | 1327-41-9 | 1327-41-9 | 1327-41-9 | | **Al₂O₃ powder 31%** | 28–30% | 28.5–31% | 28.5–31% | | **Al₂O₃ liquid 10%** | 9–10% | 10% | 10% | | **Basicity** | 45–70% | 55–85% | 60–85% | | **pH of 1% solution** | 3.5–5.0 | 3.5–5.0 | 3.5–5.0 | | **Insoluble matter (powder)** | <0.5% | <0.3–0.5% | <0.3% | | **Fe content (mg/kg)** | 500–2,000 | 200–1,500 | 100–800 | | **As (mg/kg)** | Batch control | Meets GB 15892 | Meets AWWA B408 | | **Pb (mg/kg)** | Batch control | Meets GB 15892 | Meets AWWA B408 | | **Hg (mg/kg)** | Batch control | Meets GB 15892 | Meets AWWA B408 | | **Cd (mg/kg)** | Batch control | Meets GB 15892 | Meets AWWA B408 | | **Cr⁶⁺ (mg/kg)** | Batch control | Meets GB 15892 | Meets AWWA B408 | ### 2.2. Coagulation performance assessment All 3 PAC sources form large, dense flocs with fast settling. However, differences in basicity directly affect performance: - **Low basicity PAC (45–55%):** slower coagulation, requires more alkaline pH. Often found in some production batches of Viet Tri PAC. - **Medium-high basicity PAC (55–75%):** good coagulation across a wide pH range. Chinese and Indian PAC are usually at this level. - **High basicity PAC (70–85%):** fastest coagulation, large and dense flocs. Dosage 1/3 lower than aluminum sulfate. Found in Chinese PAC (large factories) and high-quality Indian PAC. **Dosage note:** PAC from 3 sources with equivalent Al₂O₃ content gives similar coagulation performance. The main difference lies in basicity and metallic impurities. With stable influent water, Chinese and Indian PAC have higher basicity, allowing a 10–20% reduction in dosage compared to Viet Tri PAC at the same Al₂O₃ content. --- ## 3. Pros and cons analysis of each PAC source ### 3.1. Viet Tri PAC **Advantages:** - **Fast delivery:** 1–3 days within the Northern region, independent of shipping schedules - **No import tax:** purchase price not subject to import tax + customs fees + international shipping - **On-site technical support:** easy to work directly with the factory when problems arise - **Flexible payment:** cash or domestic transfer, no need to open L/C **Disadvantages:** - **Limited production capacity:** difficult to meet large continuous orders >100 tons/month - **Inconsistent quality between batches:** basicity fluctuates 45–70%, need to check COA per batch - **Low output of powder PAC 31%:** mainly produces liquid 10%, limiting options for distant factories - **Heavy metal control not fully published:** some batches lack detailed COA for As, Pb, Hg, Cd, Cr⁶⁺ ### 3.2. Chinese PAC **Advantages:** - **Most competitive price:** large production scale, low fixed cost per ton of product - **Stable quality:** Chinese factories have modern spray drying lines with automatic control - **Wide product variety:** powder PAC 31%, liquid PAC 10% and 17%, many basicity levels to choose from - **Full COA:** official channel goods have original COA, MSDS, C/O — easy traceability - **Abundant supply:** meets orders of 500–1,000 tons/month **Disadvantages:** - **Risk of goods of unclear origin:** market has floating goods without COA, low quality - **Import time 7–14 days:** need to order in advance, cannot meet urgent needs - **Price volatility per Chinese market:** input material prices change seasonally - **Heavy metal control at GB 15892 level:** meets industrial standard, may not meet stricter drinking water standards (AWWA B408) ### 3.3. Indian PAC **Advantages:** - **Superior heavy metal control:** meets AWWA B408, suitable for domestic water supply and drinking water - **High and stable basicity:** 60–85%, fast coagulation, reduced dosage - **ISO 9001 certified factory:** standardized production process, consistent quality between batches - **Detailed COA:** publishes full heavy metal and toxicity specifications **Disadvantages:** - **Highest price:** 10–25% higher than Chinese PAC, 15–30% higher than Viet Tri PAC - **Long import time:** 14–21 days, need to plan purchases in advance - **Higher logistics costs:** container shipping from India to Vietnam is farther than from China - **Powder PAC 31% output more limited than China** --- ## 4. Price and actual operating cost comparison ### 4.1. Reference price comparison table (as of September 2026) | Cost factor | Viet Tri PAC | Chinese PAC | Indian PAC | |---|---|---|---| | **Powder PAC 31% price (VND/kg)** | 6,500–8,500 | 5,500–7,500 | 7,000–9,500 | | **Liquid PAC 10% price (VND/kg)** | 1,800–2,500 | 1,500–2,200 | 2,000–2,800 | | **Domestic transport cost** | Low (North) | Medium | Medium | | **Import tax** | 0% (domestic) | 5–10% (depends on HS code) | 5–10% (depends on HS code) | | **Customs inspection cost** | None | Yes | Yes | | **L/C or TT cost** | None | Yes | Yes | **Note:** Prices above are for reference, fluctuating with input material prices (Al(OH)₃, HCl, energy), USD/VND exchange rate and international shipping costs. Contact Loc Thien at 0979 891 929 for updated quotes based on volume and delivery location. ### 4.2. Operating cost: powder PAC vs liquid Choosing powder or liquid form greatly affects total operating cost: - **Powder PAC 31%:** saves transport because the remaining 69% is active ingredient instead of water. Suitable for factories far from supply source. Requires mixing labor (powder → 5–10% solution) and investment in mixing tanks. - **Liquid PAC 10%:** convenient operation — pumped directly from tanker truck (5–30 tons) into storage tank. No mixing required. Suitable for factories with stable consumption and FRP/HDPE storage tanks. With consumption >5 tons liquid PAC/month, 5–30 ton tanker trucks optimize logistics costs and reduce mixing labor. --- ## 5. Experience in choosing PAC source — Anonymous case study ### 5.1. Water supply plant in the Mekong Delta region **Context:** A water supply treatment plant with 30,000 m³/day capacity in Dong Thap needs a stable supply of 30 tons liquid PAC 10%/month. **Assessment:** - Viet Tri PAC: transport cost from Phu Tho to Dong Thap is high (~800–1,200 VND/kg) — loses price advantage vs imported PAC - Chinese PAC: COA meets GB 15892-2020, good price. However, domestic water supply requirements need stricter heavy metal control - Indian PAC: COA meets AWWA B408, good control of As, Pb, Hg, Cd — meets drinking water standard QCVN 01:2009/BYT. Price 15% higher but quality assurance **Actual conclusion:** The plant chose Indian PAC for the first 6 months, then blended 70% Indian PAC + 30% Chinese PAC to optimize cost while still meeting water supply standards. Loc Thien supplies both sources, with 20-ton tanker trucks delivering directly into the plant's storage tanks, with batch COA. ### 5.2. Textile dyeing industrial park in the South **Context:** An industrial park in Binh Duong treats 8,000 m³/day of textile dyeing wastewater, consuming 50 tons of powder PAC 31%/month. **Assessment:** - Viet Tri PAC: limited powder PAC output, cannot meet 50 tons/month continuously - Chinese PAC: powder PAC 31% with Al₂O₃ reaching 29–30%, basicity 70–80%, forms large dense flocs, effectively treats textile dyeing wastewater. Best price among 3 sources - Indian PAC: good quality but 20% higher price, unnecessary for industrial wastewater (no drinking water standard requirement) **Actual conclusion:** The industrial park chose official channel Chinese PAC, signing a 12-month contract with Loc Thien — ordering 2 containers of 20 tons/month, delivered to the industrial park warehouse, with technical staff KTV Phan Cam Thuy and Vo Thi Nhu Hoa checking and cross-referencing COA before warehousing. Powder PAC 31% dosage is only 1/3 of the previous aluminum sulfate, saving 40% on chemical costs. --- ## 6. Loc Thien — Standard PAC supplier of all 3 sources --- ## 7. Frequently asked questions --- See more: PAC technology — Comparison, powder classification & production process · Buy industrial PAC — Price, COA, delivery · PAC coagulant for water treatment complete guide --- **LOC THIEN INVESTMENT DEVELOPMENT CO., LTD** MST: 0313650856 — Address: 219/19A, KP. Binh Phuoc B, P. Binh Chuan, TP. Thuan An, Binh Duong Hotline: 0979 891 929 — Email: [email protected] Website: hoachatlocthien.com