Potassium alginate

Potassium alginate (CAS 9005-36-1), also known commercially as Kelmar and listed as E402 in food additive regulations, is a natural polysaccharide salt derived from brown seaweed.

It functions as a thickener, gelling agent, and stabilizer across food, pharmaceutical, and industrial manufacturing. In food production, E402 thickens and stabilizes dairy products, dressings, and bakery fillings.

This is particularly useful where sodium-restricted formulations require a potassium-based alternative to sodium alginate. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a binder and controlled-release matrix in tablet formulations.

Textile processors apply it as a print paste thickener for reactive dye printing on cotton. Its clean washout and viscosity consistency directly affect print definition and yield in industrial settings.

In paper and leather finishing, it provides surface coating and sizing with controlled film-forming behavior. The product is supplied as an off-white to pale yellow powder in varying particle sizes.

Standard grades include food-grade meeting E402 specifications and pharmaceutical-grade aligned with USP and Ph. Eur. requirements. These standards ensure high purity for sensitive applications.

Viscosity grades, including low, medium, and high, are the primary specification parameter buyers use to match product to process requirements. This versatility makes it a staple in modern chemical supply.