EDTA — ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid — is the most important industrial chelating agent. It binds metal ions, which is why it appears across water treatment, detergents, cosmetics, textiles, and food applications. The catch for buyers is that EDTA is sold in several forms, and they are not interchangeable.
Supreme Petro Chemicals supplies EDTA and its common salts from Chennai to manufacturers across South India.
What Is EDTA?
EDTA has CAS number 60-00-4 for the free acid. It works by sequestering metal ions such as calcium, magnesium, iron, and copper, preventing them from interfering with a process. The common commercial forms are EDTA acid, di-sodium EDTA, and tetra-sodium EDTA, each with different solubility and pH behaviour.
Grades and Forms
| Form | Solubility | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| EDTA acid | Low in water | Where a low-sodium chelant is needed |
| Di-sodium EDTA | Moderate | Cosmetics, cleaning, mildly acidic systems |
| Tetra-sodium EDTA | High | Detergents, alkaline cleaning, water treatment |
Industrial Applications
- Water treatment: Sequesters hardness ions and controls scale.
- Detergents: Improves cleaning by binding hardness ions that reduce surfactant performance.
- Cosmetics and personal care: Stabilises formulations by chelating trace metals.
- Textiles: Controls metal ions in dyeing and bleaching.
- Pulp and paper: Stabilises peroxide bleaching.
Packaging and Supply
EDTA grades are commonly supplied as powder in 25 kg bags. Specify the exact form (acid, di-sodium, tetra-sodium) and any documentation requirement, and share your monthly volume and delivery location.
Get an EDTA Quote
For EDTA and salts supply from Chennai, view EDTA in our catalogue, call +91 86087 80096, WhatsApp an enquiry, or use the SPC enquiry form.
Grades & Packaging
EDTA is traded as one parent compound with two common sodium salts, and each has its own CAS number and solubility profile. None of the figures below are batch specifications — always confirm the exact salt form and assay on the Certificate of Analysis before use.
- EDTA acid (free acid): CAS 60-00-4 — the parent compound, low water solubility, used where sodium content in the formulation must stay low.
- Di-sodium EDTA (EDTA disodium salt, commonly the dihydrate): CAS 6381-92-6 — moderate solubility, the common salt for cosmetics and mildly acidic systems.
- Tetra-sodium EDTA: CAS 64-02-8 — the most water-soluble of the three, the standard chelant for detergents and alkaline water treatment.
- Commercial form: free-flowing white crystalline powder across all three grades.
- Standard packaging: 25 kg multi-wall paper or HDPE-lined bags, with bulk-bag (jumbo bag) packing available for larger volumes.
- Documentation: a Certificate of Analysis and SDS accompany every consignment.
FAQ
What is the difference between EDTA acid, di-sodium EDTA and tetra-sodium EDTA?
They differ mainly in solubility and pH behaviour rather than chelating chemistry. EDTA acid (CAS 60-00-4) is the free acid form with the lowest water solubility, useful when sodium content must be minimised. Di-sodium EDTA (CAS 6381-92-6) dissolves more readily and suits cosmetics and mildly acidic systems. Tetra-sodium EDTA (CAS 64-02-8) is the most water-soluble and is the standard choice for detergents and alkaline water treatment. All three sequester metal ions the same way — the right one depends on the pH and solubility your process needs.
What packaging does SPC supply EDTA in, and can quantities be customised?
EDTA and its sodium salts are supplied as powder in 25 kg bags from Chennai stock, with bulk-bag packing available for larger volumes. Specify the exact grade (acid, di-sodium or tetra-sodium), your monthly quantity, and delivery location so dispatch can be planned accurately.
How do I get a quote for EDTA from SPC?
Share your required grade, monthly quantity, packaging preference and delivery location via the contact page. Quotes are typically answered within 4 working hours, Monday to Saturday.