1. Overview of Benzoic Acid
Benzoic acid is a widely used aromatic carboxylic acid that plays an important role in chemical manufacturing, food preservation and pharmaceutical production. In industrial practice, it is valued for its chemical stability, antimicrobial properties and broad compatibility with downstream formulations. Depending on purity and regulatory requirements, benzoic acid is supplied in different grades to meet the needs of industrial, food and pharmaceutical applications.
SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD supplies benzoic acid in tech grade, food grade and pharmaceutical grade, allowing customers to select the appropriate specification based on processing conditions, compliance requirements and final product performance.
Basic Chemical Information
- Chemical Name: Benzoic Acid
- Molecular Formula: C₇H₆O₂
- Molecular Weight: 122.12 g/mol
- CAS No.: 65-85-0
- HS Code: 29163100
- UN No.: Not classified as dangerous goods
Benzoic acid is a stable and widely traded chemical. Under normal conditions, it can be handled, stored and transported using standard international logistics practices. SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD provides complete documentation to support export and regulatory compliance.
1.1 Physical & Chemical Characteristics
Benzoic acid supplied by SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD typically exhibits the following characteristics:
- White crystalline powder or flakes
- Mild characteristic odor
- Low moisture and low impurity content
- Good thermal stability under normal processing conditions
- Limited solubility in water, soluble in organic solvents
- Chemically stable under normal storage conditions
These properties make benzoic acid suitable for a wide range of industrial reactions and formulation systems.
1.2 Functional Behavior & Mechanism
Benzoic acid functions primarily as a weak organic acid with antimicrobial and preservative properties. Its aromatic ring structure contributes to chemical stability, while the carboxyl group enables participation in esterification, salt formation and other chemical reactions.
From a formulation perspective, this combination allows benzoic acid to serve both as a functional ingredient and as a chemical intermediate in various downstream applications.
Key functional benefits include:
- Effective inhibition of microbial growth
- Stable performance across a wide pH range
- Compatibility with multiple formulation systems
- Reliable reactivity for ester and salt production
- Consistent behavior in regulated applications
1.2.1 Functional Advantages in Different Applications
Industrial Applications:
In industrial processes, benzoic acid is widely used as an intermediate in the production of resins, plasticizers, alkyd resins and benzoate salts. Its stable reactivity allows for predictable processing and consistent product quality.
Food Applications:
Food-grade benzoic acid is commonly used as a preservative to inhibit the growth of bacteria, yeast and molds. It is particularly effective in acidic food and beverage systems when used in compliance with applicable food safety regulations.
Pharmaceutical Applications:
Pharmaceutical-grade benzoic acid is used in drug formulations and topical preparations, where strict purity, low impurity levels and consistent quality are required. It may also serve as a starting material or auxiliary ingredient in pharmaceutical synthesis.
SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD works closely with customers to ensure that the selected grade of benzoic acid meets both technical and regulatory requirements.
2. Major Applications of Benzoic Acid
2.1 Industrial & Chemical Applications
Benzoic acid is widely used in industrial and chemical manufacturing not only as a basic raw material, but also as a functional intermediate that influences reaction behavior and product stability. Its aromatic structure provides good chemical stability, while the carboxyl group enables predictable participation in esterification and salt formation reactions.
In alkyd resin and plasticizer production, benzoic acid is commonly introduced to adjust molecular structure and control resin performance. Compared with aliphatic acids, benzoic acid helps improve hardness, chemical resistance and thermal stability of the final product, making it suitable for coatings and industrial materials exposed to demanding service conditions.
Benzoic acid is also used in the production of benzoate esters and salts, which are widely applied as corrosion inhibitors, plasticizer components and specialty additives. From a processing perspective, its stable reactivity allows manufacturers to achieve consistent results across batches, which is important for large-scale industrial production.
Practical recommendation:
Industrial-grade benzoic acid is typically sufficient for resin synthesis, plasticizer production and chemical intermediate manufacturing, where regulatory food or pharmaceutical compliance is not required.
2.2 Food Preservation Applications
In food applications, benzoic acid functions primarily as an antimicrobial preservative. Its effectiveness is closely related to pH conditions, as benzoic acid exhibits stronger inhibitory effects against bacteria, yeast and mold in acidic environments. For this reason, it is particularly suitable for acidic food and beverage systems.
When added at regulated levels, food-grade benzoic acid helps extend shelf life by slowing microbial growth without significantly affecting taste or product appearance. It is commonly used in beverages, fruit-based products, sauces and condiments, where microbial control is critical during storage and distribution.
From a formulation perspective, benzoic acid offers stable performance during processing and storage, making it a reliable preservative choice for manufacturers seeking predictable shelf-life control.
Practical recommendation:
Food-grade benzoic acid should always be selected for food and beverage applications to ensure compliance with food safety regulations and applicable national or international standards.
2.3 Pharmaceutical & Personal Care Applications
In pharmaceutical and personal care formulations, benzoic acid is used for its antimicrobial properties and chemical purity. It is commonly found in topical preparations such as ointments, creams and antifungal products, where product safety, consistency and regulatory compliance are essential.
Pharmaceutical-grade benzoic acid is manufactured under stricter quality control conditions, with tightly controlled impurity and heavy metal levels. This ensures reliable performance in regulated applications and reduces the risk of formulation variability or compliance issues.
In addition to its preservative function, benzoic acid may also serve as a supporting ingredient or intermediate in pharmaceutical synthesis, depending on the formulation and production process.
Practical recommendation:
Pharmaceutical-grade benzoic acid is required for medicinal, healthcare and regulated personal care products, where compliance with pharmacopeia standards is mandatory.
3. Product Grades & Specifications by SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD
SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD supplies benzoic acid in three main commercial grades.
3.1 Benzoic Acid – Tech Grade
Typical tech COA
|
Items |
Unit |
Standard Specs. |
|
Content |
% |
99.0 min |
|
Melting Point |
℃ |
121- 123 |
|
The Acid Dissolving |
- |
Clear and Bright Liquid |
|
Easily Carbonified Matter |
- |
Passed the Test |
Typical applications include:
Chemical intermediates
Resins and plasticizers
Industrial additives
3.2 Benzoic Acid – Food Grade
Typical Food Grade COA
|
Items |
Unit |
Standard Specs. |
|
Content |
% |
99 ．5 min |
|
Loss on drying |
% |
<0.5 |
|
Sulphate |
% |
<0.1 |
|
Ash |
% |
<0.1 |
|
Melting point |
|
121–123 |
|
The acid dissolving |
– |
Clear and bright liquid |
|
Easily cargonified matter |
% |
Passed the test |
|
Heavy Metal |
% |
≤0.001 |
|
Arsenic |
% |
≤0.0003 |
|
Mercury |
% |
≤0.0001 |
Typical applications include:
Food preservatives
Beverages
Condiments and processed foods
3.3 Benzoic Acid – Pharmaceutical Grade
Typical Pharmaceutical Grade COA
|
Items |
Unit |
Standard Specs. |
|
Content |
% |
99 ．5 min |
|
Loss on drying |
% |
<0.5 |
|
Sulphate |
% |
<0.1 |
|
Ash |
% |
<0.1 |
|
Melting point |
|
121–123 |
|
The acid dissolving |
– |
Clear and bright liquid |
|
Easily cargonified matter |
% |
Passed the test |
|
Heavy Metal |
% |
≤0.001 |
|
Arsenic |
% |
≤0.0003 |
|
Mercury |
% |
≤0.0001 |
Typical applications include:
Pharmaceutical formulations
Topical medicinal products
Regulated medical and healthcare products
4. Packaging & Storage
4.1 Packaging Options
- 25 kg bags
- 500 kg or 1000 kg jumbo bags
- Customized packaging upon request
4.2 Storage Recommendations
- Store in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area
- Avoid exposure to moisture and direct heat
- Keep packaging sealed after opening
- Follow standard warehouse handling practices
Under normal storage conditions, benzoic acid remains stable.
5. Global Supply Strength of SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD
SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD provides stable supply and technical support for benzoic acid, including:
- Reliable production and supply capacity
- ISO-based quality management systems
- COA, SDS and regulatory documentation support
- Multiple grades for different application needs
- Long-term cooperation with industrial, food and pharmaceutical customers
With consistent quality control and export experience, SNOWHITE CHEMICAL CO., LTD is recognized as a dependable supplier of benzoic acid worldwide.
