Anhydrous citric acid is a key weak organic acid with mild acidity, strong metal chelation, and biodegradability. It is widely used in industrial cleaning, water treatment, electroplating, textiles, and food & pharmaceutical applications, making it an essential raw material for B2B buyers.
Core Functions of Anhydrous Citric Acid
1. pH Regulation & Descaling
Anhydrous citric acid efficiently neutralizes alkaline scale such as calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)₂) in boilers, pipelines, and industrial equipment, forming soluble citrate salts. Compared with inorganic acids, it has low corrosion to metal surfaces and is ideal for CIP cleaning systems in the food & beverage industry.
2. Metal Ion Chelation
The hydroxyl and carboxyl groups in citric acid molecules tightly bind calcium, magnesium, iron, and other metal ions, forming stable complexes. This helps prevent scale formation in industrial water systems, reduce equipment corrosion, stabilize electroplating baths, and improve textile dye consistency.
3. Buffering Capacity
Combined with sodium citrate, it creates a pH buffer system maintaining pH between 3–6. This ensures stable conditions for pH-sensitive processes like electroplating and fermentation, improving process reliability and product quality.
Applications
- Industrial Cleaning: Boilers, heat exchangers, RO membrane cleaning solutions
- Water Treatment: Eco-friendly scale inhibitor, pH regulation, heavy metal removal
- Electroplating & Metal Processing: Bath preparation, metal pickling
- Textiles & Leather: pH adjustment in bleaching and tanning, improving fabric feel and leather softness
- Food & Pharmaceuticals: Approved additive for beverages, jams, effervescent tablets, oral solutions
Product Specifications & Packaging
| Product Name | Purity | Appearance | Packaging | Storage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anhydrous Citric Acid | ≥99.5% | White crystalline powder | 25kg/bag, paper-plastic composite bag | Cool, dry place, avoid moisture |
| Food Grade Anhydrous Citric Acid | ≥99.5% | White crystals | 25kg/bag, customizable per customer | Cool, dry, sealed storage |
Shipping Information
- Transport Methods: Sea, land, air
- Packaging Protection: Inner moisture-proof bag, outer anti-damage bag
- Hazard Classification: Non-hazardous, easy transport
- Logistics Requirements: Keep dry, avoid high temperature, store away from strong acids, bases, or oxidizers
