Appearing as a white crystalline or powder solid with a slight sulphur odour, this compound has many major and niche uses with applications set to soar.
In 2016 global Sodium Metabisulphite production was a little under 2 million tons and is predicted to reach over 3 million tons by 2023. It’s no surprise, as its application is wide and varied with Sodium Metabisulphite increasing in significance in various fields such as Water Treatment, Pulp and Paper Industry, Textile Industry, Mining Industry, Construction Industry, Food Industry and others.
Sodium Metabisulphite is manufactured by the absorption of Sulphur Dioxide (SO2) into either Soda Ash or Caustic Soda. These raw materials are the main cost drivers of Sodium Metabisulphite.
Commonly used in foods as an antioxidant and preservative, on fruits as a bleaching agent and in the production of coconut cream, as well as on prawns after capture to prevent blackspots.
However, you will find it being used in various other products and applications such as:
- Pharmaceutical – excipient/antioxidant in medications/antimicrobial
- Mining – the destruction of cyanide (gold mining), flotation (lead and zinc)
- Photography
- Water treatment – quench chlorine residual
- Fungicide for anti-microbe and mould prevention during the shipping of consumer goods such as shoes and clothing.
Redox supplies 2 grades of Sodium Metabisulphite, in both technical and food grade and is available in Australia, New Zealand the United States and Malaysia.
If you’d like to know more, please contact one of our industry specialists today.
