Adipic acid

Adipic acid (CAS 124-04-9), also marketed as molten adipic acid and approved under E355, is a dicarboxylic acid used in food, polymer, and personal care manufacturing.

Where is Adipic acid used?

• Food: acidulant and leavening agent in dry beverage mixes and baked goods
• Replaces tartaric acid in baking powders.
• Polymer: monomer feedstock for nylon 6,6, reacting with hexamethylenediamine
• Engineering plastics, fibers, and automotive components: polymer backbone
• Personal care: pH adjuster and buffering agent in creams, cleansers, and rinse-off products
• Polyurethane polyol and plasticizer synthesis: precursor where controlled chain length is required
• Used in the manufacture of polyurethane foams.
• It functions as an acidulant, pH buffer, and monomer feedstock depending on the application.
• Technical grade is used to produce plasticizers and to impart flexibility to unsaturated polyesters.

Good to know: Its low hygroscopicity gives it a handling advantage over alternatives in gelatin desserts. Food applications require material meeting purity specifications for direct use.

Formulation notes

• Maximum use level in jelly powders is 0.15 g/kg.

Typical specification

• Available in technical and food grades.
• Falls under HS code 2917.12.

Regulatory status

• Classified as causing serious eye irritation (H319).
• The acceptable daily intake (ADI) is 0-5 mg/kg body weight.
• Has a harmonised CLP classification under Regulation 1272/2008.

Frequently asked questions about Adipic acid

What are the main plasticizer applications of adipic acid esters?

High-boiling adipic acid esters such as diethylhexyl adipate are used as plasticizers in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.