Formic acid (FA) is the simplest carboxylic acid and a widely used industrial acidulant and chemical intermediate. It is applied across leather processing, textile finishing, rubber/latex processing, agricultural silage preservation and as a feedstock for formates and esters.
Applications
- Leather tanning
Formic acid is used for pickling, deliming and pH control in hide processing and tanning operations. - Silage / Feed preservation
Formic acid acts as a preservative and antibacterial agent to stabilize silage and reduce spoilage. - Textile dyeing and finishing
Formic acid adjusts dye-bath pH to improve dye uptake and fixation during fabric processing. - Rubber / Latex processing
Formic acid is used as a coagulant to induce latex coagulation and facilitate rubber recovery. - Chemical intermediate
Formic acid serves as a feedstock for sodium formate, formate esters, formamide and related chemical derivatives. - Cleaning and descaling
Formic acid is formulated into descalers and cleaners to remove carbonate and oxide deposits. - Analytical / HPLC modifier
Formic acid is used as a volatile mobile-phase modifier in LC/MS and HPLC for improved ionization and peak shape. - Energy research
Formic acid is applied experimentally as a liquid hydrogen carrier in direct formic-acid fuel cell research.
