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This section provides an overview for phosphoric acid as well as their applications and principles. Also, please take a look at the list of 16 phosphoric acid manufacturers and their company rankings. Here are the top-ranked phosphoric acid companies as of December, 2024: 1.Innophos Inc., 2.CamaChem, 3.Ballestra.
Table of Contents
Phosphoric acid, alongside nitrogen and potassium, is one of the three primary elements of fertilizer and an oxoacid of phosphorus.
Also known as orthophosphoric acid, it promotes flowering and fruiting in plants and is a crucial component of DNA and RNA, the genetic material, and cell membranes in living organisms. Phosphoric acid is essential for life.
As a natural resource, phosphorus is found as phosphate ore, and its depletion is concerning. Phosphoric acid is industrially produced through two methods: dry and wet.
Phosphoric acid is widely used in industry as a raw material for various phosphates, chemical polishing agents for aluminum, rust inhibitors for metals, metal cleaning agents, can cleaners, refractory auxiliaries, paint preparation agents, activated sludge processes, phosphate fertilizers, and reagents.
In food applications, it serves as an acidifier for beverages, a pH adjuster in brewing, and a raw material for phosphoric acid additives in juices, colas, and other food products.
It is also utilized as a raw material for dyeing auxiliaries, petrochemical catalysts, and pharmaceutical additives.
Phosphoric acid has a melting point of 42.35°C and a boiling point of 407°C. When melted, it appears as a clear, colorless liquid.
It is soluble in water, alcohol, and ether. Liquid anhydrous phosphoric acid is a strong acid and a high conductor of electricity.
Figure 1. Structure of Phosphoric Acid
The chemical formula of phosphoric acid is H3PO4. Its molar mass is 98.00 g/mol, and its density at 25°C is 1.892. Pure phosphoric acid forms unstable crystals of the orthorhombic system.
Phosphoric acid ions adopt a tetrahedral structure. The bond distance between phosphorus and oxygen (P-O) in aluminum phosphoric acid crystals is 152 pm.
Burning phosphorus produces diphosphorus pentoxide, which, when dissolved in a dilute aqueous solution of phosphoric acid, yields pure phosphoric acid. This thermal synthesis method is environmentally friendly, although impurities in the mined phosphorus must be removed.
Phosphoric acid can also be obtained by reacting approximately 35% sulfuric acid with phosphate ore. This wet synthesis method can be purified through filtration, but may contain impurities such as hydrofluoric acid, resulting in lower purity than the thermal synthesis method.
Figure 2. Structure of Phosphoric Acid Ion
Phosphoric acid, a trivalent acid, ionizes in aqueous solution, releasing three hydrogen ions. The ionization stages produce dihydrogen phosphate (H2PO4-), hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-), and phosphate (PO43-) ions.
The pKa values at 25°C are pKa1 = 2.12, pKa2 = 7.21, and pKa3 = 12.67, respectively.
Figure 3. Structure of Condensed Phosphoric Acid
Upon heating, phosphoric acid undergoes a dehydration reaction. At 150°C, it becomes anhydrous, and at 200°C, two molecules react to form pyrophosphoric acid. Higher temperatures lead to the formation of meta-phosphoric acid, a condensed compound, when one water molecule per phosphoric acid unit is desorbed. Diphosphorus pentoxide, produced by further dehydration, reacts violently with water and is used as a drying agent.
Phosphorus, found in foods of biological origin such as vegetables and meat, is used as an acidity additive in foods and beverages. It is a necessary mineral for the human body, with recommended daily amounts set by health authorities.
*Including some distributors, etc.
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Innophos Inc. was established in 1902 in Cranbury, New Jersey, US, as a manufacturer of chemical and nutritional ingredients. The company's product range comprises asphalt, catalysts, acids, liquid phosphate, fertilizer salt, phosphate salt, sodium bicarbonate, and polyphosphoric acid, among others. These products find use across diverse industries: asphalt in construction, catalysts in chemical processes, acids in manufacturing, phosphate-related compounds in agriculture, sodium bicarbonate in food, and polyphosphoric acid in chemical reactions. The company serves different sectors, such as construction, health care, food, and industrial sectors.
Northstar Chemical, Inc., established in 1996, is an American distributor headquartered in Sherwood, Oregon, specializing in chemical delivery and water treatment services. The company offers a wide range of industrial chemicals, such as citric acid, hydrochloric acid, nitric acid, phosphoric acid, and sulfuric acid. These products find applications across diverse sectors, including agriculture, energy, food and beverage, metal treatment and finishing, as well as wastewater treatment. Additionally, the company provides services like mini-bulk and bulk chemical delivery, with the added option of tank loan, especially for hazardous corrosive chemicals. It also offers services in water treatment, custom chemical blending, and logistics solutions.
Nippon Chemical Industrial Co. Ltd., started in 1893 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of inorganic and specialty chemicals. In 1950, the company started the production of phosphate fertilizer at the Koriyama factory and the production of insecticides at the Miharu factory. In 1970, it began producing phosphoric acid, and in 1971, it started making chromium compounds. Its portfolio includes chromium compounds, inorganic phosphorus compounds, electronic ceramic materials, pharmaceutical intermediates, and agrochemicals. It also offers custom manufacturing for various industries, including agricultural chemicals, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals.
Kanto Chemical Co. Inc., founded in 1944 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a reagent manufacturer with overseas affiliates in other countries, including China, France, USA, Taiwan, and Malaysia. Its product portfolio includes analytical reagents, ionic liquids, Iodine compounds, ultra-pure chemicals, and water analysis kits. The company is also developing regenerative medicine and genetics reagents and has over 50,000 products. It has several certifications, including ISO 9001, acquired in 1994, making it the first Japanese company in the reagent industry. Other certifications are ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO/IEC 17025.
Junsei Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1948 and headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, is a manufacturer of chemical reagents and chemical products, including commissioned synthesis of chemical products. Some of the products it makes include Sodium chloride solution, concentrated glycerin, calcium chloride, ascorbic acid, and nitric acid. The chemical products have a wide range of applications and can be used in pathological examination, as food additives, for analysis, and in the pharmaceutical industry. All its plants, including its research institute, are ISO4001 and ISO9001 certified, while its Saitama and Ibaraki plants are equipped with buildings that comply with GMP.
Kishida Chemical Co. Ltd., established in 1924 and headquartered in Osaka, Japan, is a manufacturer of reagents and high-purity chemicals and also does drug discovery support activities. Its product portfolio includes fine chemicals, research chemicals, ionic liquid, organic micro-analytical reagents, and chemical reagents for analysis. The products support several industries, including reagent business, battery material, drug discovery, and life science. The company is ISO 14001 certified and supplies several companies worldwide, including Meterion Advanced Chemicals Inc., Acros Organics, ChemBridge Corporation, Decon Laboratories, and InerBioScreen Ltd.
VALCO GROUP, founded in 1921 and headquartered in Ruffec, France, is a manufacturer and supplier of industrial valves under the SNRI, GUICHON and MALBRANQUE brands. The company designs and provides technical solutions for regulating fluids to the marine cryogenic applications, oil & gas, petrochemicals, pharmaceutical, chemical & nuclear industries. These products include complex industrial globe, gate and check valves as well as injection, piston and sampling valves. It also provides care, maintenance and installation services for its products globally. The company offers full traceability of its products through its ERP system, and has several quality standard certifications and cryogenic types approvals.
Merck, started in 1668 and based in Darmstadt, Germany, is a supplier of solutions and services for research, development, and manufacture of pharmaceutical and biotechnological drug therapies. The company serves the life science industry and has a broad portfolio of 300,000 products, including biopharmaceutical manufacturing, industrial microbiology, reagent, life science research, and water purification products. It is available in 66 countries, brings together six brands, and has several ISO certifications, including ISO 13485, ISO 14001, ISO 13485, and ISO 50001.
Ballestra, established in 1960 and headquartered in Milan, Italy, is a manufacturer and supplier of processing plants, proprietary equipment and machinery for detergents, surfactants, soaps, chemicals and fertilizers. The company develops and engineers technologies in many areas of the organic and inorganic chemical industry. It develops processing plants for powder and liquid detergent and production plants for sulphuric acid, phosphoric acid and fertilizers. It also offers state-of-the-art solutions for anionic surfactants production through a patented technology. The company has merged with Mazzoni, a developer of soap & glycerin processing plants, and Buss ChemTech, a supplier of process plants for gas-liquid reactions.
Columbus Chemical Industries, based in Columbus, Wisconsin, USA, is a manufacturer and distributor of specialty chemicals. The company offers chemical analysis, problem-solving skills, and chemical packaging and processing services for high-purity and ultra-pure chemical needs of several industries such as the pharmaceutical, semiconductor, and energy industry. Its product range include nitric acid, salts, and chemical solvents, which can be packaged in bottles, drums, or in high capacity totes. The company operates under an ISO 9001:2015 certified Quality Management System and is a member of the National Association of Chemical Distributors.
Vaisala, established in 1936 in Finland, is a technology company that is a manufacturer of electronic measurement systems and equipment for meteorology, environmental sciences, traffic safety, and industry worldwide. The Company's products include radiosondes, barometric pressure measurements, weather stations, lighting detection systems, and moisture measurement solutions. Vaisala also sells a large selection of its products directly to consumers via the company's online store. The company also provides commercial clients with the XWeather subscription service, which offers numerous options for industrial-grade environmental measurement.
Nacalai Tesque Inc., founded in 1846 and headquartered in Kyoto, Japan, is a manufacturer of research chemicals, fine chemicals, diagnostics, and the related instruments. Some of its products include cytokines, nucleic acid electrophoresis, cell dissociation reagents, and sialic acid-related products, and it also offers custom and bulk service for bulk reagents and cell culture media. The company has more than 50 domestic distributors and several worldwide, including Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Europe, and Africa. It is ISO 9001 and ISO 9002 certified, while the Kyoto South brand and Tesque factory are ISO 14001 certified.
Industrias Químicas Fervalle S.L., established in Spain, is a chemical manufacturer and supplier founded in 1981. The company specializes in designing products to the nutritional efficiency of plants and prevent the appearance of diseases to improve the vegetative cycle. It serves various sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and agriculture, offering essential chemical solutions, and provides products as water conditioners, soil conditioners, bio-insecticides, bio-fungicides and bio-stimulants. It offers solutions for businesses seeking chemical products for organic, biodynamic and conventional agriculture.
Alliance Chemical, founded in Taylor, Texas, in 2013 is a distributor of industrial chemicals, laboratory reagents, or specialty materials. The company's product portfolio includes solvents, acids, bases, salts, polymers, and additives. Their products are used in industries such as Food and Beverage, Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology, Chemical and Petrochemical, Environmental Testing and healthcare. The company offers services such as national distribution, inventory management and warehousing, repackaging and private labeling, custom blending and customer support.
CamaChem, established in 2014, based in Beijing, China, is a supplier of chemicals and reagents products. The company’s main chemical products include categories of mining chemicals, water chemicals, industrial chemicals, and special use chemicals. Products serve global companies and smaller individual companies in China, the U.K., the U.S., Kenya, and Brazil. It's sourcing solutions offered to customers include product sourcing, negotiation, sample facilitation, localisation, and supplier development, among others. It's factories are ISO certified. The company’s main objective is to safeguard international environmental and human safety standards.
Ranking as of December 2024
Derivation Method| Rank | Company | Click Share |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Innophos Inc. |
14.6%
|
| 2 | CamaChem |
11.6%
|
| 3 | Ballestra |
8.1%
|
| 4 | VALCO GROUP |
7.9%
|
| 5 | NIPPON CHEMICAL INDUSTRIAL CO.,LTD. |
7.2%
|
| 6 | Northstar Chemical |
6.2%
|
| 7 | KANTO CHEMICAL CO.,INC. |
5.8%
|
| 8 | Columbus Chemical Industries |
5.3%
|
| 9 | Industrias Químicas Fervalle S.L. |
5.2%
|
| 10 | Alliance Chemical |
5.2%
|
Derivation Method
The ranking is calculated based on the click share within the phosphoric acid page as of December 2024. Click share is defined as the total number of clicks for all companies during the period divided by the number of clicks for each company.Number of Employees
Newly Established Company
Company with a History
*Including some distributors, etc.
*Including some distributors, etc.
| Country | Number of Companies | Share (%) |
|---|---|---|
|
Japan
|
5 | 50.0% |
|
United States of America
|
2 | 20.0% |
|
France
|
1 | 10.0% |
|
Spain
|
1 | 10.0% |
Canada
|
1 | 10.0% |
Cherrybell Japan Co., Ltd.
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Kiwa Chemical Co., Ltd.
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■We deliver high-quality/low-priced phosphoric acid and salts through our unique route of procuring raw materials for in-house production. For over...
