About Tannic Acid

Tannic acid is a naturally occurring polyphenol, made up of gallic acid esters bound to a central glucose molecule. It is extracted from plant sources including gall nuts, chestnut wood, quebracho and tara pods, then purified and dried. The product is supplied as a light yellow to pale brown amorphous powder that dissolves readily in water and alcohol. Tannic acid binds strongly to proteins, alkaloids and metal ions, which is the basis for most of its commercial applications. It is also listed as tannin, gallotannin or gallotannic acid, and as chestnut or quebracho extract depending on source.

Tannic Acid Uses

Wine, Beer and Beverage Production

Winemakers and brewers use tannic acid for fining and clarification, precipitating unstable proteins that cause haze. It also contributes structure, mouthfeel and astringency, assists colour stability in red wine, and helps protect must and juice from oxidation.

Leather Tanning

Tannic acid is the basis of vegetable tanning, cross linking collagen fibres in raw hide to produce firm, dimensionally stable leather. The process gives the warm brown tone and firm handle associated with sole leather, saddlery, belting and traditional leather goods.

Metal Treatment and Coatings

The compound reacts with iron oxide to form stable iron tannate, which is why it is used in rust converters and passivating treatments on corroded steel. It also serves as a corrosion inhibitor in primers, boiler water treatment and metal cleaning formulations.

Inks, Dyes and Industrial Applications

Tannic acid remains the basis of traditional iron gall inks and is used as a mordant in textile dyeing to fix dyes to natural fibres. Industrial uses include dispersing and flocculating agents in drilling fluids and water clarification.

Tannic Acid Supplier Australia, USA & More!

Redox are trusted, authorised suppliers of Tannic 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.