Sodium chlorate

Sodium chlorate (CAS 7775-09-9) is an inorganic oxidising salt commercially available under trade names including Travex, Oxycil, Desolet, Atlacide, and VAL-DROP. It carries no E-code designation and is not classified as a food additive, positioning it strictly as an industrial chemical.

In pulp and paper manufacturing, sodium chlorate serves as the primary feedstock for generating chlorine dioxide on-site, which selectively bleaches cellulose fibres without degrading their structure. In agriculture, it functions as a non-selective herbicide and desiccant, disrupting plant chlorophyll synthesis. Textile processors also apply it as a bleaching agent for natural fibres.

Sodium chlorate is supplied in technical and agricultural grades, typically as granules or dissolved solution. It falls under REACH regulation (EC 1907/2006), and handlers must comply with applicable biocidal product regulations under BPR (EU 528/2012). Standard packaging includes 25 kg bags and bulk quantities for industrial procurement.