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Calcium Formate

Calcium formate is the calcium salt derived from formic acid. It is produced as a co-product in the manufacturing of trimethylolpropane. Additionally, it can be synthesized through methods such as the reaction of calcium hydroxide with carbon monoxide under high pressure and temperature or by combining calcium chloride with formic acid.

Synonyms
calcium diformate, Calcium methanoate, E238
Chemical Formula
Ca(HCO2)2
CAS Number
544-17-2

Characteristics

Molar Weight
130.113 g/mol
Melting Point
decomposes at 300°C
Density
2.02 g/cm³
Forms
Grey, Powder, White

Uses and Applications

Key applications

  • Fabric, textile and leather products
  • Corrosion inhibitor and anti-scaling agent
  • De-icer
  • Preservative
  • Animal feed
  • Building & Construction products
  • Floor coverings

Industries

Calcium formate

As the calcium salt of formic acid, calcium formate is a chemical compound from the formate group. Calcium formate is a compound that is frequently used in industry and is produced synthetically.

Properties of calcium formate

Calcium formate is a colourless, almost odourless solid. It is easily soluble in water, but almost insoluble in ethanol.
Calcium formate is obtained by the reaction of carbon monoxide with calcium hydroxide, by the combination of calcium chloride with formic acid or by the reaction of formaldehyde with a calcium compound in an aqueous solution (for example calcium hydroxide or calcium peroxide). It is also produced as a by-product in the manufacture of polyols (e.g. trimethylolpropane).
Craftsman scrapes tile adhesive on floor for tiles

Calcium formate in the construction industry  

Calcium formate accelerates the hydration process of cement as a setting accelerator in the construction industry. This results in a reduced curing time. The accelerated hardening makes the concrete less sensitive to frost - it hardens before there is a risk of frost damage. Calcium formate also acts as a frost protection agent in the construction industry.
Furthermore, it reduces the formation of efflorescence (white deposits on the concrete surface) caused by the leaching of calcium hydroxide.
In prefabricated dry mortars and tile adhesives, calcium formate increases the initial strength and adhesion, which improves the workability of the products.
Calcium formate is mainly used in levelling compounds and adhesives in the production and processing of floor coverings. Here too, it acts as a setting accelerator and increases the initial strength of the flooring compound - in favour of construction progress.
Calcium formate also reduces the moisture absorption of the levelling compound, making the floor more resistant to moisture. It improves the workability and flow properties of the levelling compounds and facilitates application and smoothing.
Calcium formate also acts as a preservative in the construction industry, as it protects against microbial damage, especially in humid environments.

Calcium formate in the textile and leather industry

In the textile and leather industry, calcium formate is used in leather tanning, among other things, where it improves the absorption of chromium salts. It serves as an acidity regulator that keeps the pH value in the desired range and accelerates the tanning process. The regulation of the pH value is accompanied by a more even distribution of the tanning agents in the leather, which leads to improved quality and a more even colour.
Calcium formate is used as a pH buffer in textile dyeing and finishing. It improves the fixation of the dyes and the uniformity of the colouring.
Calcium formate also protects products in the leather and textile industry from microbial degradation, especially during storage and transport.
animal feed

Calcium formate in animal nutrition

In animal nutrition, calcium formate is used as a feed additive to improve the health, for example in the gastrointestinal tract, and performance of livestock.
The administration of calcium formate and the associated pH value reduction and antimicrobial effect optimises the animals' nutrient intake. This leads to better weight gain and increased feed efficiency, which is particularly important in pig and poultry farming. Furthermore, the use of antibiotics can be reduced.
Last but not least, calcium formate is used as a preservative for animal feed (e.g. silage).

Calcium formate in the chemical industry

Calcium formate is used in chemical processing as a pH regulator and buffer. It facilitates the control of chemical reactions and improves the stability of reaction mixtures.
The substance is also used as a reducing agent in chemical reactions. It also acts as an auxiliary substance or catalyst in chemical syntheses by optimising the reaction conditions and increasing the reaction speed.
Calcium formate is used, for example, as a starting material in the production of formic acid, which in turn is required in many industrial processes.
It is also used in desulphurisation and exhaust gas purification to neutralise sulphur compounds. It converts harmful sulphur oxides into less harmful compounds and thus reduces emissions.
Calcium formate is used as an additive in flue gas desulphurisation in industrial plants to increase the efficiency of sulphur binding. In the plastics industry, it is used as an additive to improve the properties of plastic compounds.
It is also used to increase the stability of chemicals in storage and to control their reactivity.

Other areas of application for calcium carbonate

Calcium formate acts as a corrosion inhibitor and anti-scaling agent in various industrial applications, particularly in water-bearing systems such as cooling circuits and heating systems as well as in industrial water treatment.
It acts as a corrosion inhibitor by neutralising harmful ions and forming protective layers on metal surfaces. The metal is thus protected from direct contact with corrosive substances such as chlorides, sulphates or acidic compounds.
As an anti-scaling agent, calcium formate prevents the formation of deposits such as limescale, rust and other undesirable solids that can impair the efficiency and function of technical systems.
Another area of application for calcium formate is the de-icing of roads, pavements, driveways and other surfaces such as airports. The substance is considered an environmentally friendly de-icer - no harmful chlorides are released - and an effective alternative to conventional de-icing agents such as sodium chloride (road salt). Calcium formate is also significantly less corrosive to metals, concrete and other materials than conventional road salt.