Magnesium chloride

Magnesium chloride (CAS 7786-30-3), also sold as E511 in food applications, is an inorganic salt sourced from seawater, brine, and mineral deposits. It functions across industries as a coagulant, dust suppressant, de-icer, and mineral supplement.

In food production, E511 acts as a coagulant in tofu manufacturing and a firming agent in processed foods, where controlled magnesium ion release is critical to texture. Road maintenance and mining operations use it for dust suppression.

It is used for ice control on unpaved surfaces and haul roads, where its hygroscopic behavior keeps surfaces bound under dry conditions. In water treatment, it supports pH adjustment and serves as a magnesium source.

It is used in remineralization processes for drinking water. Pharmaceutical and agricultural formulators use the anhydrous form as a catalyst precursor in Grignard reactions and as a magnesium supplement in fertilizer blends.

It is also utilized in animal feed mineral mixes. Magnesium chloride is supplied as hexahydrate flakes, prills, or powder, and in anhydrous form for chemical synthesis applications across various industrial sectors.

Food-grade material is available to FCC specification; pharmaceutical-grade material meets USP and Ph. Eur. standards. Technical-grade flakes and liquid brine solutions are the standard commercial forms.