Tartaric Acid (E334)

Description

1. Product Overview
   Tartaric Acid (E334) is a crystalline organic acid widely used in industrial chemistry, food processing, and pharmaceuticals as a chelating agent, pH regulator, and acidity controller. Its primary industrial use is to stabilize formulations, control acidity in large-scale food and beverage production, and act as an intermediate/acidulant in chemical manufacturing. The key value proposition is consistent, high-purity performance that improves process control, product stability, and regulatory compliance across manufacturing lines. Strategically, sourcing reliable Tartaric Acid reduces batch variability, shortens QA cycles, and mitigates supply-chain risk for manufacturers that require predictable acidulant characteristics at scale.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical name: L-(+)-Tartaric Acid (E334), IUPAC: 2,3-dihydroxybutanedioic acid.

• Chemical formula: C4H6O6.

• Appearance: White to off‑white crystalline powder.

• Purity/grade: Food / Pharma grade available; typical assay ≥ 99.5% (adjustable by specification).

• Optical rotation: conforms to L-(+)-isomer specifications (where required).

• Water content: typically ≤ 0.5% (Karl Fischer where specified).

• Heavy metals (as Pb): ≤ 5 ppm (custom lower limits available).

• Residual solvents: Not applicable; produced via crystallization; meets food/pharma limits.

• Particle size: bulk powder, median particle size configurable (typical D50 50–250 µm; micronized grades available).

• Bulk density: approx. 0.6–0.8 g/cm³ (packed density varies by grade and particle size).

• Solubility: highly soluble in water; solubility increases with temperature.

• pH (1% aq. solution): typically ~2.2–2.6 depending on grade.

• Packaging options: 25 kg multi‑ply paper bags with polyethylene liner, 500 kg–1,000 kg FIBC (big bags), and customer-specified ISO tank / flexitank arrangements for liquid derivatives.

• Shelf life / storage: 24 months when stored in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated warehouse in original, unopened packaging; hygroscopic — protect from moisture.

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Food & Beverage: Used as an acidulant, buffering agent, and flavor stabilizer in large-scale beverage, confectionery, dairy, and bakery manufacturing. Ensures consistent acidity, prevents metal-catalyzed oxidation, and enhances flavor profiles with predictable titratable acidity.

• Pharmaceutical & Nutraceutical: Serves as an excipient, pH adjuster, and chelating agent in tablet formulations, effervescent products, and oral solutions where purity and optical activity matter.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Acts as an intermediate for chelating agents, catalysts, and specialty salts (e.g., potassium hydrogen tartrate), improving reaction control and product yields.

• Electroplating & Metal Treatment: Functions as a complexing/brightening additive to control metal ion activity and improve deposit quality, reducing rejects and rework.

• Construction & Cement Additives: Used as a retarder and set-control adjunct in certain cement admixtures to optimize workability and curing profiles.
  Why it outperforms alternatives:

• High-purity L-(+)-isomer provides consistent chemical behavior compared with racemic mixtures, reducing variability in pH-dependent processes.

• Strong chelating capacity enhances stability and shelf life in formulations versus weaker organic acids.

• Broad solubility and configurable particle sizes enable faster dissolution and uniform mixing in high-throughput production lines, lowering processing time and energy use.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Produced to tight QC specifications with batch certificates (CoA) including assay, water, heavy metals, and optical rotation where required.

• Supply reliability: Managed global sourcing and inventory with scheduled replenishment to support continuous manufacturing and minimize stockouts.

• Logistics capability: Flexible packaging and freight options (FCL/LCL, FIBC, bulk tanker for derivatives) and experience handling hygroscopic solids to minimize transit damage.

• Price competitiveness: Volume-based pricing and term-contract options to reduce total cost of ownership for large buyers.

• Sustainability: Manufactured with processes optimized for solvent-free crystallization, reduced waste streams, and opportunities for low-carbon logistics on contract terms.

• Technical support & documentation: Full documentation package available (CoA, SDS, technical data sheet, regulatory compliance letters such as food‑grade declarations), plus application support for formulation testing and scale-up guidance.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT.

• Typical loading capacity (per container): 20’ GP container: up to 18–20 MT (in FIBC or palletized 25 kg bags depending on packing configuration); 40’ HC container: up to 24–25 MT with optimized palletization; for bulk tanker/flexitank orders, loading per vessel subject to contract.