Potassium Citrate (E332)

Description

1. Product Overview

Potassium Citrate (E332) is a high-purity, industrial-grade potassium salt of citric acid supplied for bulk manufacturing and processing. Primarily used as a buffering and chelating agent, pH regulator, and sequestrant, it is essential across food ingredient production, pharmaceutical formulation, metal treatment, and industrial cleaning chemistries. Its key value proposition is stable, reproducible buffering performance with low impurity profile that reduces downstream processing variability and rejects. Strategically, sourcing consistent Potassium Citrate (E332) secures formulation stability, regulatory compliance, and predictable production yields for large-scale industrial buyers.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical name: Potassium citrate (E332), tripotassium citrate when specified.

• Chemical formula: commonly reported as K3C6H5O7 (specify batch certificate for exact form).

• Purity / grade: Industrial/food/pharmaceutical grading available; typical purity ≥ 99.0% (w/w) for food-grade; technical grades available on request with certified analysis.

• Impurities: Heavy metals (Pb, As, Cd, Hg) meet specified limits per certificate of analysis; microbial and endotoxin data available for pharmaceutical-grade lots.

• Physical form: Crystalline powder or granules.

• Color: White to off-white.

• Particle size: Supplied standard ~100–500 µm; custom milling available on contract.

• Bulk density: Typically 0.7–0.9 g/cm³ (tap density provided on COA).

• Solubility: Highly soluble in water; dissolution profile provided by technical datasheet.

• pH (aqueous solution): Buffers in alkaline to near-neutral ranges; specific buffering curve available on request.

• Packaging options: 25 kg multi-ply paper sacks with PE liner, 500 kg–1,000 kg FIBCs (bulk bags), and containerized ISO-tanks for liquid formulations where applicable.

• Shelf life / stability: 24 months when stored in dry, cool conditions in original sealed packaging; stability guaranteed per COA if stored <25°C and protected from moisture.

• Certification & documentation: Certificate of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and regulatory compliance statements (E number labeling) provided with every shipment; GMP/ISO documentation available per contract.

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Food & Beverage: Used as acidity regulator, potassium supplement, and sequestrant in beverage concentrates, dairy products, and bakery formulations. Enhances flavor stability and shelf life while meeting E332 regulatory requirements.

• Pharmaceuticals & Nutraceuticals: Employed as an alkalinizing agent and buffering excipient in oral and parenteral formulations, and as a source of potassium in electrolyte supplements. Low-impurity grades support regulatory filing needs and batch-to-batch consistency.

• Industrial Cleaning & Water Treatment: Functions as a chelating agent and buffering component to control scale and corrosion in boiler waters, cooling systems, and cleaning formulations; superior solubility improves dosing accuracy versus alternative citrate salts.

• Metal Treatment & Electroplating: Acts as a complexing and pH-stabilizing agent in certain plating baths and surface treatment chemistries; provides predictable complex stability that reduces rejects and rework.

• Chemical Manufacturing: Intermediate for synthesis routes where controlled pH and sequestering of divalent metals are required; offers handling advantages as a stable crystalline solid compared with liquid alternatives.

Why it outperforms alternatives:

• Higher solubility and predictable buffering enable more accurate process control than some carbonate or phosphate alternatives.

• Low impurity profile reduces catalyst poisoning and downstream purification burden.

• Available in multiple grades and tailored particle sizes to fit automated dosing and continuous processes, improving operational efficiency and reducing downtime.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Each lot delivered with a full Certificate of Analysis and traceability, supporting regulatory audits and quality management systems.

• Supply reliability: Structured bulk production and contract allocations ensure continuous supply for large-volume purchasers; strategic inventory positioning reduces lead-time risk.

• Logistics capability: Flexible packaging (25 kg to 20 MT bulk) and experience with containerized and FIBC shipments ensure efficient loading, reduced handling losses, and optimized freight costs.

• Price competitiveness: Economies of scale on bulk contracts and transparent pricing models make total landed cost competitive versus smaller suppliers.

• Sustainability benefits: Manufactured with processes aimed at minimizing waste streams; available options for lower-carbon logistics and recyclable packaging on request to meet corporate sustainability targets.

• Technical support: Dedicated technical dossier, formulation guidance, COA, SDS, and on-request application testing to accelerate qualification and scale-up.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

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

• Loading capacity (MT per container): Standard 20-foot container up to 20 MT (with conventional 25 kg/500 kg/1000 kg packaging depending on palletization and stowage), 40-foot container up to 24–26 MT where permissible by weight and local regulations. Confirmable per shipment and packaging choice.

• Lead times: Quotation-specific; standard lead time for contracted customers available on request.

• Documentation provided: COA, SDS, packing list, commercial invoice, and regulatory compliance declarations.

• Payment & terms: Available upon commercial negotiation; export-ready packaging and incoterms supported.