Calcium formate
Description
Calcium formate (CAS 544-17-2), also sold under the trade name Calcoform and approved as E328, is the calcium salt of formic acid used across food, feed, construction, and personal care industries.
It functions primarily as a preservative, pH buffer, and setting accelerator depending on the application sector. In animal feed, it acts as an acidifier and antimicrobial agent, lowering gut pH to inhibit pathogen growth.
This additive improves nutrient absorption in poultry and swine diets. Construction formulators use it as a concrete and mortar accelerator, reducing setting time in cold-weather applications without chloride-related corrosion risks.
Food and beverage producers apply E328 as a buffering and preservative agent in compliance with permitted additive regulations. Personal care manufacturers incorporate it into formulations requiring controlled pH stabilization.
The product also provides mild preservation support for various cosmetic applications. Calcium formate is supplied as a white crystalline powder or granules, ensuring easy handling and mixing in industrial processes.
Standard commercial grades include food-grade (FCC, E328-compliant) and feed-grade specifications, with technical grade available for construction applications. Purity levels typically range from 98% to 99%+.
Bulk supply is available in bags or big bags to suit industrial volumes. This versatile chemical ensures high performance across diverse manufacturing sectors while meeting strict regulatory requirements for safety and quality.
Physical Properties
| Melting Point | >300 °C |
| Density | 2.015 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | white to almost white fine crystalline powder |
| Color | orthorhombic crystals, crystalline |
| Odor | wh. orthorhombic cryst. or cryst. powd., sl. acetic acid-like odor |
| Form | orthorhombic crystals |
| Water Solubility | SOLUBLE |
| Vapor Pressure | 3.41Pa at 25℃ |
| Refractive Index | 1.3714 |
| pH | 6.0-8.0 (25℃, 1M in H2O) |
| Log P | -2.3 at 20℃ |
Safety & Handling (Learn More)
Trade & Regulatory
| HS Code | 29151200 |
| WGK (Germany) | 1 |
Documentation
Other Names
Formic acid, calcium salt|Calcium diformate|Calcoform|Mravencan vapenaty|Calcium formate (Ca(HCO2)2)|NP3JD65NPY|E-238|Formic acid, calcium salt (2:1)|E328
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