Sodium formate

Sodium formate is a water-soluble crystalline salt used in leather processing and as a chemical feedstock. The formate ion can moderate acid behavior through its relationship with formic acid and can also act as a reducing carbon-containing reagent in industrial synthesis. Dissolved sodium formate additionally lowers the freezing point of water, which supports formulated deicing applications.

The technical solid is dissolved or blended according to the downstream process. Its buffering contribution is useful in acidic leather operations where the distribution and uptake of tanning chemicals need control. As a feedstock, the formate content is converted into other chemical products. It differs from formic acid liquid in acidity and from formulated deicers that contain additional performance ingredients.

Typical Applications

• Leather tanning and retanning: Used in leather process baths to moderate acidity and assist control of tanning-agent interaction with the hide. It is added as a soluble salt within the selected tanning or retanning sequence.
• Sodium dithionite manufacture: Used as a raw material in manufacture of sodium dithionite, an industrial reducing and bleaching agent. This is a chemical conversion use of the formate feedstock.
• Formulated deicing products: Used as a formate component in deicing materials designed to depress the freezing point of water. The final product format and additive package establish spreading, corrosion behavior and handling properties.

Specifications

Specifications describe the standard grade. Tolerance, test method and documentation package are confirmed per order.