What should Chinese buyers check when selecting a triethanolamine supplier?

What should Chinese buyers check when selecting a triethanolamine supplier?
Supplier selection pitfalls in China's TEA market often center on three issues: unlicensed vendors offering below-market prices, purity shortfalls, and hidden fees. One construction admixture producer reportedly lost nearly one million yuan after buying TEA at 15% below market, only to find purity at 70% versus the required 85%, ruining product performance. Buyers should request full price breakdowns, certificates of analysis, and business licenses before committing. Application-specific needs matter too: coatings buyers should prioritize purity and brand traceability, ideally sourcing from BASF or Dow-linked distributors; personal care buyers need impurity profiles and full compliance documentation; water treatment buyers should emphasize delivery speed and emergency supply capability.