Paraformaldehyde

Paraformaldehyde is CAS 30525-89-4, ECHA List number 608-494-5, and the HSN code is 2912 60 00. It is a different listing from formaldehyde solution (formalin), CAS 50-00-0, which we supply separately.

PFA is the common shorthand for paraformaldehyde. The same material is also enquired as para formaldehyde powder, paraform, low-molecular-weight polyoxymethylene, formaldehyde polymer, prilled formaldehyde or simply solid formaldehyde, and the prills are sometimes called granules or beads. Trioxane and hexamine are separate chemicals, not synonyms for it.

Its principal use is as a solid formaldehyde source in phenolic, urea, melamine and resorcinol resin manufacture and in plywood, particle board and laminate adhesive resins. It also goes into agrochemical and herbicide intermediates, foundry, abrasive and friction-material binders, paint, ink and coating resins, paper and textile finishing resins, and disinfection and fumigation formulations. Formulators reach for the prills when the system cannot carry the water that comes with 37% formalin — and we list melamine (CAS 108-78-1) and formaldehyde solution (CAS 50-00-0) in the same catalogue for the rest of the resin chain.

We offer one grade — 96% paraformaldehyde, commercial grade, as free-flowing white prills. Batch values are confirmed on the supplier Certificate of Analysis before we offer, which matters on this product because commercial 96% prills vary in acidity from producer to producer. The specification we quote reads aldehyde content 95.0% w/w minimum as HCHO, acidity as HCOOH 0.05% w/w maximum and pH 6.0–8.0 in 10% aqueous suspension. Those are figures belonging to that quoted specification, not general properties of paraformaldehyde — the pH and acidity that govern your batch are the ones printed on its Certificate of Analysis, and where the material available sits outside the range we tell you before we quote. Tell us the parameters your process actually controls on and we will check them against what is available.

Paraformaldehyde is solid formaldehyde — prills that carry the formaldehyde group as a dry solid, needing no heated tankage and carrying far less water into the reaction than 37% formalin does. Formalin is the separate 37% aqueous listing, formaldehyde solution CAS 50-00-0, which we supply as its own product. Hexamine and 1,3,5-trioxane are the other solid formaldehyde donors buyers compare against, but they are distinct chemicals rather than synonyms — tell us which donor your formulation is written around and we will confirm what we can offer against it.

Treat it as hazardous and work from the SDS. It depolymerises on heating or on contact with water, releasing formaldehyde gas, so handle it with ventilation and avoid dust clouds. For transport it is classified a flammable solid — UN 2213, Class 4.1, Packing Group III — with a flash point of 71°C (test method not stated) and autoignition at 300°C; confirm the classification on the SDS for your consignment. We do not publish a full health-hazard classification on this page — read the SDS in full and take your exposure controls from it before handling. On dissolution: it depolymerises back to formaldehyde in water, slowly in cold water, rapidly in hot water, and faster with traces of dilute acid or alkali; as a solid it softens and depolymerises over 120–170°C rather than melting sharply, and has no boiling point. Store it cool, dry and well-ventilated in sealed original bags, away from heat, ignition sources, direct sunlight and moisture, and segregated from strong oxidisers, strong bases and hydrochloric acid. Operate first-in-first-out — slow depolymerisation in storage raises free formaldehyde and acidity. Request the SDS and technical data sheet SPC-TDS-PWD-033 with your enquiry.

We supply paraformaldehyde 96% prills in 25 kg bags, palletised, from our Redhills, Chennai warehouse with dispatch across South India. Supreme Petro Chemicals has traded industrial chemicals from Periyamet, Chennai since 1997, with direct import capability, and we handle both Indian-sourced and imported material. Order sizes depend on packaging and current stock — call or WhatsApp +91 86087 80096, or email admin@supremepetrochemicals.com, to confirm the current stock position and get a quote.