Ethanol is an important organic solvent, widely used in pharmaceuticals, coatings, sanitary products, cosmetics, oils, and other applications, accounting for approximately 50% of total ethanol consumption. Ethanol is a key chemical raw material used in the production of acetaldehyde, ethylene, ethylamine, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and ethyl chloride. It also derives numerous intermediates for pharmaceuticals, dyes, coatings, fragrances, synthetic rubber, detergents, pesticides, and other products, totaling over 300 products. Ethanol's use as a chemical intermediate is gradually declining, with many products, such as acetaldehyde and acetic acid, no longer using ethanol as a raw material, replacing it with other raw materials. A 75% aqueous ethanol solution has strong bactericidal properties and is a commonly used disinfectant. Specially refined ethanol can also be used in beverages. Similar to methanol, ethanol can be used as an energy source. Some countries have begun using ethanol as a fuel for automobiles, either alone or blended with gasoline (over 10%) to conserve gasoline.