Benzoic acid was famously observed in the 1500’s by a well-known French astrologer, physician, and reputed seer, this naturally occurring aromatic carboxylic acid has an equally long historic connection to Redox.
The sixteenth century saw the discovery of benzoic acid with Nostradamus (1556) first describing the dry distillation of gum benzoin, followed by Alexius Pedemontanus (1560) and Blaise de Vigenère (1596), but it was Justus von Liebig and Friedrich Wöhler determined the chemical structure.
To produce benzoic acid, Nostradame dry-distilled gum benzoin, the balsam resin from trees of the genus Styrax.
Benzoic acid has a long history here at Redox also and has remained in our product line for 56 years. Our founder, Roland Coneliano, dealt with our current principal from the outset and found success in the coatings and resins sectors early on; a customer we still supply to today.
How is it Manufactured?
Benzoic acid is a natural component of numerous plants, animals, and berries (cranberries, plums, strawberries, apples, and prunes). As a result, it can also be found in many food products, including milk products such as yoghurt.
Synthetic manufacturing of benzoic acid occurs in the chemical reaction between Toluene and oxygen at high temperatures with a catalyst of cobalt and Manganese salts.
What is it used for?
Benzoic acid is produced in large quantities and utilised for a variety of reasons across a diverse range of industries, including the production of perfumes, dyes, topical medicines, and insect repellents. Other uses are:
- As a preservative in foods as it can fight off fungi, bacteria and assist in extending shelf life, it’s also ideal for preserving acidic foods, jams, pickles, fruit juices, aerated drinks and it doesn’t affect taste or odour.
- To stop corrosion when used in emulsion formulations and used in alkyd resins.
- In animal feed it regulates the gut, assists in digestion, nutrient absorption and helps the animal feel fuller.
- Cosmetics, where it acts as a soothing agent and in combination with salicylic acid, it can ease irritation with eczema, insect bites and fungal infection.
Benzoic acid can be used as a preservative given that it increases storage stability and mitigates corrosion when used in emulsion formulations, liquid detergents, paints, polishes and waxes.
Redox supplies benzoic acid across a wide range of industries, including coatings, construction, cosmetic, food and animal feed. We have also made significant inroads into the multinational beverage business with our FCC USP grade of Benzoic.
We have benzoic acid available in Australia and recently introduction sales to the US market. Redox can supply 25kg plastic vacuum sealed bag and 500kg TYPE C antistatic bags specifically for the coatings industry.
Contact us today and speak to one of our industry specialists to find out more.