Glacial Acetic Acid

Glacial acetic acid is the concentrated, essentially water-free form of acetic acid (CH3COOH), at 99.5% or higher. Named 'glacial' because it freezes into ice-like crystals just below room temperature, it is a key industrial organic chemical and solvent, used to make vinyl acetate monomer, acetic anhydride, acetate esters and salts, and as an acidulant and processing acid in textiles, food and pharmaceuticals. As both a reactive carboxylic acid and a good polar solvent, glacial acetic acid bridges commodity chemistry and specialty applications. It is corrosive and combustible in concentrated form, and is supplied as technical, food (E260) and pharmaceutical grades. Industrial buyers sourcing Glacial Acetic Acid in bulk also track glacial acetic acid pricing closely, since it feeds directly into their downstream costs - which is why working with an established glacial acetic acid supplier and distributor like Elchemy matters.

Manufacturing Process of Glacial Acetic Acid

Most glacial acetic acid is produced by the methanol carbonylation process, in which methanol reacts with carbon monoxide over a rhodium or iridium catalyst (the Monsanto/Cativa process) to form acetic acid directly. Older routes include acetaldehyde oxidation and butane/naphtha oxidation. The crude acid is purified by distillation to glacial (99.5%+) quality, with water, formic acid and other carbonyls controlled as the key impurities. As a quality-focused glacial acetic acid manufacturer and sourcing partner, Elchemy tests every shipment for assay, water content, formic acid and readily oxidisable substances before dispatch, with a Certificate of Analysis travelling alongside each order.

Glacial acetic acid price: Bulk Pricing for Industrial Buyers

If you are comparing glacial acetic acid price for bulk procurement, Elchemy provides quotes based on your exact requirements. Share your volume, grade, destination and packaging on the quote form and our team reverts with a detailed offer within 24 to 48 hours. Pricing is quoted rather than published because the cost is driven by the price of methanol and carbon monoxide feedstock and the petrochemical cycle, not a fixed list. This is why a live quote from a glacial acetic acid supplier is always more accurate than any headline figure. Beyond that, several factors shape the final glacial acetic acid price: grade, committed volume, origin country, packaging format, freight, Incoterm (FOB, CIF or DDP) and import duty (HTS 2915.21 for US-bound shipments). For an approximate read on where the market sits, procurement teams often reference methanol and acetic acid price indices. Trade publications also report the glacial acetic acid price per kg as a unit-level benchmark, useful for spotting short-term regional shifts. At bulk procurement scale, the glacial acetic acid price per ton (or per MT) is the most relevant commercial unit, since contracts are negotiated at that level. For an exact rate, none of these replaces a direct quote. Your final price depends on contract structure, destination, volume and timing - so a quote from our team is always the most accurate number for your procurement.

Packaging & Logistics for Bulk Glacial Acetic Acid

Glacial Acetic Acid ships in standard export packaging - bags, drums, IBCs or bulk as the material requires - with both metric and imperial weights, supplied to your specification. A typical 20' container holds a full commercial load depending on packaging. For US, UK and UAE buyers, Elchemy arranges compliant freight and customs documentation, offering EXW, FOB, CIF and DDP terms. Transit times and stock position are confirmed at quotation, and samples are dispatched within 24 to 48 hours. Store per the conditions on the TDS. As a global glacial acetic acid distributor, Elchemy ships to 40+ countries with the documentation each destination market requires.

Why Choose Elchemy as a Trusted Glacial Acetic Acid Supplier

Elchemy makes sourcing Glacial Acetic Acid straightforward for industrial buyers. Every order ships with a Certificate of Analysis, TDS and GHS-aligned SDS as standard, across the grades listed above. Because we source across multiple origins, we quote the best landed cost for your destination rather than a single glacial acetic acid manufacturer's list price. Partner plants operate to recognised quality standards (ISO 9001, plus food/pharma certifications where relevant), with Halal and Kosher documentation on request. From the USA and UK to the UAE and beyond, Elchemy serves as a single glacial acetic acid supplier, manufacturer and distributor relationship - with samples before bulk and pricing tailored to your volume and contract terms.

Safety & Handling

Classified under GHS as Flammable Liquid Category 3 (H226) and Skin Corrosive Category 1A (H314). DOT/UN: UN2789, Class 8 Corrosive (subsidiary 3 Flammable), Packing Group II. Glacial acetic acid is corrosive and combustible. In concentrated form it causes severe skin and eye burns and its pungent vapour irritates and damages the respiratory tract; it is far more aggressive than the dilute acetic acid in household vinegar. It is combustible (flash point 39 °C) and forms explosive vapour-air mixtures, so it must be kept from heat and ignition sources. Note it solidifies below 16.6 °C and may need warming to handle. Use full PPE, ventilation, and store away from oxidisers and bases. The full 16-section GHS-aligned SDS is available alongside every Glacial Acetic Acid order.