Trisodium nitrilotriacetate

Trisodium nitrilotriacetate (CAS 5064-31-3), commonly referenced as trisodium NTA or simply NTA, is the trisodium salt form of nitrilotriacetic acid used industrially as a chelating and sequestering agent.

It binds calcium, magnesium, iron, and other metal ions in solution, preventing them from interfering with cleaning, dyeing, or treatment processes. In textile and leather processing, NTA controls metal ion interference.

This control occurs during dyeing and finishing, improving color consistency and reducing chemical waste. Water treatment operations use it to sequester hardness ions and heavy metals, keeping process water and cooling systems free of scale.

In detergent and cleaning formulations, it replaces phosphates as a builder, maintaining wash performance in hard water conditions. Personal care manufacturers incorporate it into formulations to stabilize active ingredients.

This stabilization prevents metal-catalyzed degradation that would otherwise shorten product shelf life. Trisodium nitrilotriacetate is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granule for industrial use.

Technical grade is the standard commercial form, with purity levels typically at 98–99% on a dry basis. Buyers should confirm moisture content and metal impurity specifications when sourcing for sensitive applications.