Trichloroacetic acid

Trichloroacetic acid (TCA, CAS 76-03-9) is a strong organic acid produced by the chlorination of acetic acid. It carries no E-code designation and is also referenced under the names trichloracetic acid and acide trichloracetique. It is registered under REACH and assigned EC number 200-927-2.

In textile and leather processing, TCA functions as an antimicrobial agent by denaturing microbial proteins, disrupting cell integrity and preventing spoilage during wet processing stages. In pharmaceutical and personal care manufacturing, it acts as a controlled chemical exfoliant and protein precipitant, enabling tissue modification at defined concentrations. It is also applied as a flame retardant additive in paper treatments.

TCA is supplied as a crystalline solid and in aqueous solution at varying concentrations to suit formulation requirements. It complies with Ph.Eur. monograph standards where pharmaceutical-grade material is required and falls under REACH registration obligations for EU procurement. Packaging is available in drum and IBC formats depending on grade and volume.