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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2026-08-05 Origin: Site
Calcium formate (CAS 544-17-2) is the calcium salt of formic acid, with the chemical formula Ca(HCOO)₂. It appears as a white, free-flowing crystalline powder with high solubility in water and a calcium content of approximately 30.8% by weight. As a versatile industrial chemical, calcium formate serves critical functions across construction, animal nutrition, leather processing, oil drilling, and de-icing — making it one of the most in-demand formate salts in the global chemical market.
Property | Value |
Chemical Formula | Ca(HCOO)₂ |
CAS Number | 544-17-2 |
Molecular Weight | 130.11 g/mol |
Appearance | White crystalline powder |
Calcium Content | ≥ 30.1% (feed grade) / ≥ 30.5% (industrial grade) |
Purity | ≥ 98.0% |
Water Solubility | Highly soluble (~16 g/100 mL at 20°C) |
pH (aqueous solution) | 6.0–8.0 |
Moisture | ≤ 0.5% |
These properties make calcium formate a preferred choice over alternatives like calcium chloride in applications where controlled solubility, neutral pH, and non-corrosive behavior are essential.
The largest industrial application of calcium formate is as a cement setting accelerator. It speeds up the hydration of tricalcium silicate (C₃S) in Portland cement, significantly improving early compressive strength without compromising long-term durability.
Key benefits in construction:
Faster setting time
● : Reduces curing time, enabling faster demolding and construction progress
Enhanced early strength
● : 1-day compressive strength gains of up to 50 MPa have been demonstrated with as little as 0.7% calcium formate by binder mass
Cold-weather performance
● : Maintains accelerating effectiveness even at near-freezing temperatures, unlike many chloride-based accelerators
Non-corrosive
● : Unlike calcium chloride, calcium formate does not corrode steel reinforcement, making it safe for reinforced concrete structures
Compatibility
● : Works effectively with Portland cement, pozzolanic cement, slag-based binders, and calcium hydroxide-activated systems
Typical dosage rates range from 0.5% to 2.0% by weight of cement, depending on the desired setting time and ambient temperature conditions.
Related applications in construction:
● Tile adhesives and grouts
● Self-leveling floor compounds
● Plaster and repair mortars
● Soil stabilization and backfill pastes
Calcium formate is widely used as a feed additive and preservative in livestock and aquaculture nutrition. It serves a dual purpose: providing bioavailable calcium while acting as an organic acidifier that supports gut health.
How it works in animal feed:
Function | Mechanism | Benefit |
Acidifier | Releases formic acid in the digestive tract | Lowers gut pH, inhibits pathogenic bacteria (E. coli, Salmonella) |
Calcium source | High bioavailability (~30.8% Ca) | Supports bone development and metabolic function |
Preservative | Antimicrobial action in stored feed | Extends feed shelf life, prevents mold growth |
Growth promoter | Improved nutrient digestibility | Better feed conversion ratio (FCR) and weight gain |
Target species:
Piglets
● : Reduces diarrhea incidence during weaning transition; improves daily weight gain
Poultry (broilers, layers)
● : Enhances feed efficiency, reduces gut pathogen load
Aquaculture (fish, shrimp)
● : Stabilizes feed pH in water, reduces ammonia buildup
Dairy cattle
● : Provides supplemental calcium during lactation
The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has evaluated calcium formate as safe for all animal species at a maximum concentration of 10,000 mg formic acid equivalents per kilogram of complete feed (Regulation EC No. 1831/2003). In the EU, it is also registered under E238 as an approved feed preservative.
In the leather industry, calcium formate functions as a masking agent in chrome tanning processes. It helps achieve:
● Uniform chrome distribution across the hide
● Improved penetration of tanning agents
● Reduced chrome consumption through better fixation
● Enhanced leather softness and dye uptake in finishing stages
Calcium formate is also used as a pickling auxiliary to condition hides before the main tanning step and as a preservative to extend the shelf life of wet-blue leather during storage and transport.
In oilfield operations, calcium formate serves as a component in high-density, solids-free drilling and completion fluids. Its advantages include:
● High specific gravity without suspended solids, reducing formation damage
● Excellent shale inhibition properties
● Compatibility with reservoir formations
● Biodegradability compared to synthetic alternatives
● Use as a cement accelerator in oil well cementing operations
Formate-based brines are particularly valued in deep-water and high-pressure/high-temperature (HPHT) drilling environments where conventional drilling fluids face performance limitations.
Calcium formate is an effective eco-friendly de-icing agent for airport runways, highways, and pedestrian areas. Compared to traditional chloride-based de-icers:
Lower corrosion
● : Significantly less corrosive to steel, aluminum, and concrete infrastructure
Environmental profile
● : Biodegradable, lower aquatic toxicity
Effective at low temperatures
● : Performs well below -10°C
Reduced vegetation damage
● : Less harmful to roadside plants and soil
Its combination of rapid ice-melting action and reduced environmental impact makes it the preferred choice for sensitive areas such as airport aprons, bridges, and environmentally protected zones.
Textile industry
● : pH buffering agent in dyeing processes
Silage treatment
● : Preservative for ensiled forage, maintaining nutritional quality
Chemical intermediate
● : Feedstock for synthesizing other formate salts and formic acid derivatives
Corrosion inhibitor
● : Protective additive in industrial water systems and antifreeze formulations
Flue gas desulfurization
● : Absorbent for SO₂ removal in certain industrial processes
Calcium formate is commercially available in two primary grades, each meeting distinct purity and regulatory requirements:
Parameter | Industrial / Technical Grade | Feed Grade |
Purity (as Ca(HCOO)₂) | ≥ 98.0% | ≥ 98.0% |
Calcium Content | ≥ 30.5% | ≥ 30.1% |
Moisture | ≤ 0.5% | ≤ 0.5% |
Water-Insoluble Matter | ≤ 0.05% | ≤ 0.05% |
Heavy Metals (as Pb) | — | ≤ 10 ppm |
Arsenic (As) | — | ≤ 2 ppm |
Regulatory Standard | Industry spec | 21 CFR §573.230 / EU Reg. 1831/2003 |
Feed grade calcium formate must comply with stricter heavy metal and impurity limits mandated by feed safety regulations in destination markets. When sourcing for animal nutrition applications, always request a Certificate of Analysis (COA) confirming compliance with the relevant feed additive regulation for your target market.
Calcium formate accelerates cement setting without corroding steel reinforcement, while calcium chloride — though cheaper and faster-acting — causes significant chloride-induced corrosion. For reinforced concrete, calcium formate is the safer choice.
Yes. Calcium formate is a dry, free-flowing powder that releases formic acid upon dissolution in the digestive tract. It is easier to handle than liquid formic acid, provides additional calcium nutrition, and achieves comparable acidification and antimicrobial effects.
When stored in a cool, dry environment in sealed original packaging, calcium formate typically has a shelf life of 24 months. Exposure to moisture can cause caking, so proper storage conditions are essential.
Calcium formate is biodegradable and has a favorable environmental profile compared to alternatives. It does not bioaccumulate and poses low toxicity to aquatic organisms, making it acceptable for de-icing applications near water bodies and in ecologically sensitive areas.
Standard dosage ranges from 0.5% to 2.0% by weight of cementitious material. The exact rate depends on desired setting time, ambient temperature, cement type, and the presence of other admixtures. Laboratory trials are recommended to optimize dosage for specific mix designs.
