Concentrate vs Ready-to-Use vs Super-Concentrate
Three product forms — matching dilution, packaging, and cost-per-gallon to your volume
Many ICD products ship in more than one form. The choice between concentrate, ready-to-use (RTU), and super-concentrate (SC) is mostly about your volume, your willingness to dilute on site, and freight — not about which one cleans better.
This internal comparison lines up the neutral, procurement-side tradeoffs. Each product page flags its form so you can match it to how your team mixes and stores chemistry.
Concentrate
Diluted at the point of use; the standard form for controlling cost-per-gallon.
Browse industrial degreasersSuper-Concentrate (SC)
Ships without water for distributor blending and the lowest freight-per-use.
Browse industrial degreasersThis is a neutral, factual comparison of ICD product forms and chemistries to help you choose what fits your operation — not a performance ranking. For disinfection, kill-claim, or hazard questions, follow the product label and the Safety Data Sheet for the specific SKU.
Side-by-side comparison
| Dimension | Concentrate | Ready-to-Use (RTU) | Super-Concentrate (SC) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dilution | Diluted on site to a set ratio | None — use as supplied | Heavily diluted / blended before use |
| Mixing step required | Yes | No | Yes — blending |
| Freight efficiency | Good — ships less water than RTU | Lowest — shipping diluted product | Highest — least water shipped |
| Best fit | Most facility and shop programs | Low-volume or no-mix workflows | High-volume / distributor blending |
| Packaging ladder | Cases to drums and totes | Cases and pails | Drums and totes |
| On each product page | Concentrate badge | Ready-to-Use badge | Super-Concentrate badge |
How to choose
- Higher volume usually favors concentrate or super-concentrate to cut freight and cost-per-gallon.
- If crews cannot dilute consistently, RTU removes the mixing variable — at a higher freight cost.
- Super-concentrate fits distributor blending and the largest programs; check packaging and MOQ.
- Every product page shows its form badge so you can standardize across sites.
Concentrate(69)
View all industrial degreasers
Ready-to-Use (RTU)(1)
View all janitorial
Super-Concentrate (SC)
View all industrial degreasersBrowse the full industrial degreasers catalog or start a quote.
Frequently asked questions
Is concentrate cheaper than ready-to-use?
Concentrate and super-concentrate ship less water, so per diluted gallon they are usually more freight- and cost-efficient than ready-to-use — but RTU removes the mixing step. Build a quote and our team confirms account pricing and freight for each form.
What is the difference between concentrate and super-concentrate?
Super-concentrate (SC) ships with the least water for distributor blending, while a standard concentrate is diluted at the point of use. Each product page flags concentrate, super-concentrate, or ready-to-use.
How do I order — is there a cart or retail price?
ICD is quote-first. Add MOQ-valid quantities to a quote request and our team confirms account pricing and freight before you commit — there is no cart checkout or public retail price.
Where are the Safety Data Sheets?
Every product links its Safety Data Sheet hosted on ICD, with ITD listed as the manufacturer. Review the SDS for handling, PPE, hazard, and dilution guidance before you request a quote.
Related categories
Related guides
Still deciding which option fits your operation? Build a quote with MOQ-valid quantities and our team will help you spec it, or apply for an account.