Sodium bicarbonate

Sodium bicarbonate (CAS 144-55-8), also known commercially as baking soda, is a mild alkali used to regulate pH and leaven baked goods.

Where is Sodium bicarbonate used?

• Food manufacturing: chemical leavening agent that reacts with acidic ingredients to generate CO₂ and produce rise and texture
• Pharmaceuticals: active excipient in antacid formulations and effervescent tablets
• Water treatment: adjusts alkalinity and stabilizes pH in drinking water and process water systems without introducing chloride ions; stabilizes alkalinity without shocking biological systems
• Personal care: toothpastes, bath products and deodorants for mild abrasive and odor-neutralizing properties
• It is also used to neutralize acids in process streams.
• Used in CIP systems to provide mild alkalinity.

Formulation notes

• Due to its alkaline pH, solutions are incompatible with several drugs; in particular, they must not be administered simultaneously with solutions containing calcium, magnesium, or phosphates due to risk of precipitation.
• Preferred over stronger bases when buffering capacity and safety are more important than reaction speed.

Typical specification

• Food-grade material has a minimum purity of 99.0% and maximum of 100.5%.
• Food-grade material has a maximum loss on drying of 0.20%.
• Decomposes above 50–60°C, releasing CO2.

Regulatory status

• Registered under REACH according to the ECHA chemicals database.
• Has a German water hazard class (WGK) of 1.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Should be stored in a dry environment to prevent caking.

Frequently asked questions about Sodium bicarbonate

What particle size is available for granular sodium bicarbonate?

Granular sodium bicarbonate has a particle size of 0.5–2.0 mm.

Which particle grades are recommended for flue gas treatment?

For flue gas treatment, fine or ultra-fine particle grades are recommended for higher reactivity.

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