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.

Where is Magnesium chloride used?

• Food production: E511 coagulant in tofu manufacturing and firming agent in processed foods, where controlled magnesium ion release is critical to texture
• Food-grade material is used as a flavor enhancer and to improve texture and stability of food products.
• Road maintenance and mining: dust suppression
• Ice control on unpaved surfaces and haul roads, where its hygroscopic behavior keeps surfaces bound under dry conditions
• Water treatment: pH adjustment and magnesium source
• Used in wastewater treatment to support phosphorus removal and improve coagulation in compatible processes.
• Included in treatment programs to support struvite formation and nutrient management.
• 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
• Animal feed mineral mixes
• Concrete additive to improve strength, density and water resistance.

Formulation notes

• Less corrosive than traditional road salt (sodium chloride).
• Typical concentrations for PCR are 1.5 to 2.0 mM.

Typical specification

• Hexahydrate purity is at least 99.5%.
• Assay is at least 99.0%.
• Loss on drying is less than 2.0%.
• A 5% solution has a pH between 4.5 and 7.0.

Regulatory status

• Material meeting GMP, IP, BP, USP, and EP standards is available on the market.
• EP grade is exported to the EU.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Recommended storage temperature is between 55 and 35 °C.

Frequently asked questions about Magnesium chloride

Which grades are suitable for injectable formulations?

USP and EP grades are suitable for injectable formulations.

What role does magnesium chloride play in polyolefin production?

It acts as a catalyst in the polymerization of polyolefins such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).

Can magnesium chloride be used in oil and gas operations?

It is used as a brine component for drilling and well completion fluids in compatible systems.

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