Citric acid
Citric acid (technical grade) is an organic carboxylic acid (C₆H₈O₇) with high water solubility, typically supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules. It is characterized by strong chelating activity toward hardness ions (Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺), good buffering capacity and effective pH control across a wide range of industrial systems. Technical citric acid is used primarily in industrial cleaning agents, water treatment, construction mixes, textile processes and personal care manufacturing where food grade is not required, but functionality, stability and cost‑effectiveness are essential.
Source
- produced industrially mainly by fermentation of sugars (molasses, starch hydrolysates) using Aspergillus niger
- after fermentation, processes such as precipitation, filtration, purification and crystallization are applied; for technical grade, purity standards are less stringent than for food grade
- residual ions and trace impurities are controlled at levels suitable for industrial uses (cleaners, construction, textile, water treatment)
- supplied in bags or big‑bags for large‑scale consumption in various production facilities
Variations
- anhydrous citric acid – standard form for most industrial formulations
- monohydrate – form containing crystal water, with slightly different dissolution and handling characteristics
- different particle sizes (fine, medium, granular) – tailored to dissolution rate and process requirements
- blends with other acids or salts (e.g. citrates) – for specific pH control, chelation or buffering needs
Applications In The Industry
Industrial cleaning industry
In the industrial cleaning industry, technical citric acid is used as an environmentally friendly chelating agent and pH regulator in household and professional cleaning agents. It effectively removes scale, rust and metal ions from surfaces and equipment, while being significantly less aggressive than strong mineral acids. Due to its biodegradability and relatively low toxicity, it is suitable for kitchen and sanitary cleaners, CIP products and cleaning formulations in food and other processing plants.
Water treatment industry
In water treatment, citric acid is used for chemical cleaning of membranes, ion‑exchange resins and pipelines, as well as for chelating and removing hardness cations. It is applied in periodic rinsing and regeneration cycles, dissolving mineral deposits without severely attacking metal parts. Owing to its good solubility and ease of rinsing, it is suitable for process, cooling and boiler water systems, as well as ultrafiltration and reverse osmosis plants.
Construction industry
In the construction industry, technical citric acid is used as a setting modifier and plasticizing aid in cement‑ and gypsum‑based mixes. It acts as a set retarder, providing extended open time for mortars, self‑levelling compounds and tile adhesives, particularly under high temperatures and demanding application conditions. It can also improve workability, rheology and homogeneity of the mix, contributing to the quality of the final product and reduction of defects.
Textile industry
In the textile industry, citric acid is employed in fabric preparation and finishing, as a pH regulator and mild chelating agent. It helps remove metal ions that may affect color fastness and cause uneven dyeing, and is used to neutralize alkalis after washing, mercerizing or dyeing processes. It can also be included in finishing formulations, where it supports stable pH and enhances the efficiency of other auxiliaries.
Personal care industry
In the personal care industry, technical citric acid (where applicable and allowed) is used mainly in non‑consumer and technical products such as professional hand soaps, industrial cleaning gels and as a processing aid. Its primary roles are pH adjustment and metal ion chelation, which improve formulation stability, foaming behavior and surfactant performance. For products intended for direct consumer skin contact, higher cosmetic or food grades are usually preferred, while technical grade can be used in intermediates or process streams.
Benefits Of Use
- effective chelation of hardness and metal ions, reducing the need for phosphates and stronger acids
- reliable pH control and buffering in diverse industrial formulations and process waters
- more favorable environmental profile (biodegradability, lower toxicity) compared to many alternative acids and complexing agents
- improved workability and performance of systems (mortars, textile baths, detergents, cleaners) with optimized costs through the use of technical grade material
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