Acid (Hydrochloric)

Purified hydrochloric acid is an aqueous solution of gaseous hydrogen chloride.

It is generally divided into technical and food grade.  

Hydrochloric acid (technical) is a highly corrosive liquid with a pungent, irritating odour and colour from colourless to light yellow. Technical hydrochloric acid is produced as a by-product of the chlorination of chlorobenzene.

Technical hydrochloric acid is mainly used in industries that are less demanding on its quality. These include the production of agrochemicals, the regeneration of ion exchange filters in the energy sector, the adjustment of water pH in industrial water treatment processes, and the production of industrial chemicals. Purified hydrochloric acid is used in the production of water stone removers and disinfectants (household chemicals).

In the mining industry, it is used in ore mining, biofuels, oils and lubricants, and oil refining. In metal processing, hydrochloric acid is used to pickle steel, aluminium, titanium and magnesium, and in galvanising and zinc plating to clean the surface of metals.

Hydrochloric acid can be used as a degreasing agent in the leather industry, and in the textile industry, it is used as a neutraliser of residual alkalis in the direct cleaning of cotton before bleaching.

In addition, it is used in the construction industry, in the production of animal husbandry chemicals and for industrial cleaning and rinsing. It is also used in the production of lubricants and functional liquids, calcium chloride, magnesium chloride, ferric chloride or epichlorohydrin. Hydrochloric acid in combination with nitric acid forms the so-called "royal water" - the strongest acid.

Hydrochloric acid (food grade) - used for closed-cycle dosing as an acidity regulator for water used for washing production systems or for detergents, disinfectants and degreasers. It can also be used as an acidity regulator in food (E507). Small doses of this product are used in the production of confectionery, curds, homogenised curds, yoghurts, juices, syrups, beer, processed cereals, dietary foods, spices and products for children and infants, among others.