Formic Acid and Formates: a Review of the Russian and Ukrainian Markets

     Formic acid, also known as methanoic acid (HCOOH), is the first member of the homologous series of alkyl carboxylic acids. At room temperature it is a colourless hygroscopic liquid with an intense and pungent smell. Formic acid occurs naturally in conifers, nettle, fruit, and the defensive secretions of bees and ants.
     Only several years ago formic acid was commercially produced in the CIS by the Cherkessian Chemical Production Association JSC and Rubezhnoye State Chemical Plant Zarja. However, currently, CIS companies’ demand for the product is 100% satisfied by imports.
     НСООН salts and esters are called formates. Sodium formate, produced by Metafrax JSC (Russia), enjoys the most extensive use on a commercial scale among all the formic acid salts. In 2007, the company turned out nearly 9,000 tonnes of the product, chiefly utilised in the manufacture of concrete antifreezing agents. Calcium, potassium and aluminium formates are used commercially as well.
     This article mainly deals with the Russian and Ukrainian markets of formic acid, as well as its salts and esters.

© Eurasian chemical market, 2005-2012