Potassium thioglycolate

Potassium thioglycolate (CAS 34452-51-2), commonly abbreviated as K-TGA, is the potassium salt form of thioglycolic acid.

Where is Potassium thioglycolate used?

• Hair care: reducing agent and keratin-disulfide bond disruptor in professional depilation and chemical straightening products
• Leather processing: depilatory agent that removes hair from hides during the beamhouse stage
• Textile processing: wool fiber modification through controlled reduction of cystine linkages
• Chelating agent where sequestration of metal ions stabilizes the active system
• It enables the modification of protein-based substrates.

Good to know: Procurement teams source it as a more pH-compatible alternative to ammonium thioglycolate in formulations requiring tighter alkalinity control.

Commercial specifications

• Aqueous solution, concentration typically around 40–50% active content
• Cosmetic-grade material meets purity requirements aligned with personal care manufacturing standards
• Bulk liquid supply in drums or IBC containers