Formic acid is used in various stages of leather and textile processing and in natural rubber manufacturing. Formic acid products are widely used in biomaterial preservation and as antibiotics replacers in industrial animal feed.
Due to its acidic and reducing reactions formic acid is an important chemical building block in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. It is used for acidity control and cleaning in processes where lowest environmental impact is sought and no residues allowed.
Formic acid is the simplest organic acid, present in large quantities in animal and plant life. It is a clear liquid with a sharp acidic smell. It decomposes easily in the environment into carbon oxides and water. It is manufactured from carbon monoxide and water.
Formic acid is present in the nature as a natural substance. The ants use it in their defence and alarm systems, and it is also found in plants such as the common stinging nettle.
Kemira is the world's second largest producer of formic acid.
Formic acid is available as standard water solutions up to 99% concentration.