About Phosphoric Acid

Phosphoric Acid, with the chemical formula H₃PO₄, is a colourless, odourless, and moderately strong acid that is highly soluble in water. It typically appears as a clear liquid or colourless crystals depending on concentration and temperature. Industrial-grade phosphoric acid is usually supplied in liquid form at concentrations around 75% to 85%. It is produced through two main processes: the wet process, which involves reacting phosphate rock with sulfuric acid, and the thermal process, which involves burning elemental phosphorus to produce high-purity acid.

Phosphoric acid plays a vital role in a wide range of industries due to its acidity, buffering capacity, and ability to form stable phosphate compounds. It is extensively used in fertiliser production, food and beverage processing, surface treatment of metals, cleaning formulations, and as a chemical intermediate in the manufacture of other phosphate-based products.

Phosphoric Acid Uses

Fertiliser Manufacturing

The majority of phosphoric acid produced globally is used in the manufacture of phosphate fertilisers such as monoammonium phosphate (MAP) and diammonium phosphate (DAP). These fertilisers provide essential nutrients to crops, supporting healthy root development and improving overall plant yield.

Food & Beverage Additive

Food-grade phosphoric acid is commonly used as an acidity regulator and flavouring agent in soft drinks, particularly colas. It also functions as a preservative and pH stabiliser in processed foods, cheeses, and jams. Its tartness complements sweet flavours, making it a popular additive in beverage formulation.

Metal Surface Treatment

Phosphoric acid is widely used in metal finishing to clean and passivate surfaces, remove rust and scale, and promote adhesion of paints or coatings. It is an essential component in phosphate conversion coatings, which enhance corrosion resistance and paint adhesion on steel and aluminium surfaces.

Industrial Cleaning Products

Thanks to its effectiveness in removing mineral deposits and rust, phosphoric acid is used in cleaning agents for boilers, heat exchangers, dairy equipment, and bathroom surfaces. It dissolves scale and hard water stains without excessive foaming or corrosion, making it suitable for both domestic and industrial formulations.

Chemical Intermediate

Phosphoric acid serves as a precursor for various phosphate salts and esters used in water treatment, flame retardants, detergents, and pharmaceuticals. Its reactivity allows it to be incorporated into numerous downstream chemical products for specialised applications across multiple sectors.

Phosphoric Acid Supplier Australia, USA & More!

Redox are trusted, authorised suppliers of phosphoric acid. With distribution centres worldwide, we can supply to Australia, USA, UK, NZ, Europe, Asia and more. Get in touch with our expert team, who can help you order the right product, form and amount for your needs.

Form: Liquid

Common use-cases: Phosphoric Acid has various applications, including water pH adjustment, cleaning irrigation lines and phosphate fertiliser source. It is comprised of orthophosphate, a readily available form of phosphorus that will stimulate root growth, energy transfer, and flowering. A high strength acidifying agent that can be used in various treatment situations to effectively reduce water and soil pH. Phosphoric acid is not typically used directly as a fertilizer on its own due to its highly corrosive nature and acidity.

Typical Nutrient composition: Varied

Pack Sizes: Carboys, Drums, IBC’s