High-Quality Acidity Regulator Citric Acid Supplier & Exporters

Precision pH Control, Chelation, and Preservative Solutions for Global Industries

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High-purity surfactants, stabilizers, and cosmetic-grade active ingredients sourced directly from our advanced facilities.

Industrial Whitepaper: Citric Acid as a Cornerstone Acidity Regulator

1. Scientific Foundations & Multifunctional Properties

Citric acid (IUPAC name: 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid) is a weak organic triprotic acid naturally found in citrus fruits. In modern chemical processing, it stands as the most widely used acidity regulator, chelating agent, and flavor enhancer. The molecular structure of citric acid contains three carboxyl groups (-COOH), giving it exceptional buffering capability across a wide range of pH levels (typically 3.0 to 6.2).

When used as an acidity regulator, citric acid controls the pH of emulsions, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals. This prevents degradation, controls viscosity, and improves preservative performance. Furthermore, its ability to form stable complexes with multivalent metal ions (such as $Ca^{2+}$, $Mg^{2+}$, and $Fe^{3+}$) makes it a powerful chelating agent, reducing oxidation reactions and preventing microbial activity.

“The triprotic structure of citric acid allows it to donate protons in stages. This property makes it an indispensable buffer in high-stability formulations, ensuring the long-term reliability of sensitive chemical systems.”

2. Global Market Dynamics & Procurement Demands

The global citric acid market is growing steadily, driven by the clean-label movement in food, the shift toward sustainable surfactants in home care, and the rising demand for safe ingredients in personal care. Citric acid remains the preferred choice over synthetic mineral acids because it is highly biodegradable and non-toxic.

B2B buyers, supply chain directors, and manufacturing plants face rising challenges related to price volatility, energy costs, and shifting environmental regulations. Securing a reliable supplier with strong production capacity, low carbon footprint manufacturing, and global logistics capability is essential to maintaining operations.

3. Synergy with Surfactants and Clean Formulations

Citric acid works in tandem with anionic and amphoteric surfactants. In cosmetic and home care products, citric acid is used to adjust pH to match the skin's natural acidic mantle (around pH 5.5). Lowering the pH optimizes the performance of surfactants like SLES 70%, Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate, and Cocamidopropyl Betaine. This optimization produces a richer lather, improves viscosity, and stabilizes active ingredients.

Technical Specifications

Grade Options: Food Grade, Cosmetic Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, Industrial Grade

Forms: Anhydrous (Water-free crystals), Monohydrate (Single water molecule bound crystalline form)

Assay: 99.5% - 100.5%

Certifications: REACH, HALAL, KOSHER, ISO 9001, FSSC 22000

Heavy Metals: < 5 ppm

Packaging: 25kg bags, 1000kg jumbo bags, custom packing options available

Why Choose Suzhou Yuantairun

We assure you that our products originate from well-managed, sustainable, and technologically advanced resources.

One-stop service

One-stop Services

Provide a comprehensive chemical portfolio for daily chemical and food industries.

R&D Lab

R&D and Lab

Innovative ODM and OEM formulations designed to meet custom specifications.

Moderate price

Moderate Price

Superior raw materials at competitive wholesale prices via direct factory pipelines.

Just-in-time Delivery

Just-in-time Delivery

Materials and products are delivered exactly when needed in the production process.

About YuantaiRun

As a leading supplier in the daily chemical raw materials industry, Suzhou Yuantairun Chemical Co., Ltd. is dedicated to delivering high-quality products and comprehensive one-stop services to support our customers in R&D, production, and supply chain optimization. Our mission is to drive innovation and efficiency in the global daily chemical industry by providing cutting-edge solutions tailored to our clients' needs.

2010
Founded In
7000+
Cooperative Partners
100%
Quality Assurance
80+
Export Regions
Suzhou Yuantairun Chemical Production Modern Chemical Testing Laboratory

China Factory 4.0: Achieving Global Supply Chain Resilience

Suzhou Yuantairun leverages China's advanced chemical manufacturing base, implementing Industry 4.0 principles to deliver reliable, sustainable, and high-purity acidity regulators to global markets.

Smart Fermentation & Automated Purification

Our partner facilities use advanced submerged fermentation processes, converting agricultural starches (corn and cassava) into high-purity citric acid using optimized Aspergillus niger strains. The entire system is monitored via real-time sensors that track glucose conversion, pH, temperature, and aeration rates. This high level of automation reduces batch-to-batch variation, ensuring consistent crystal sizes and moisture levels.

Logistics Network & Port Proximity

Suzhou Yuantairun's proximity to the Port of Shanghai and Port of Ningbo allows us to rapidly dispatch containers worldwide. By using integrated warehouse management systems (WMS) and real-time shipping tracking, we coordinate our logistics pipeline to reduce lead times, optimize shipping rates, and ensure on-time delivery of citric acid.

Environmental Management and Carbon Neutrality

Sustainability is core to modern chemical manufacturing. Our facilities feature advanced wastewater treatment systems, which recycle process water and generate biogas to power our crystallization machinery. This circular economy model reduces the carbon footprint per ton of citric acid, helping B2B buyers meet their scope 3 emissions targets.

Hot Products

Discover our highly requested surfactants and chemical additives, formulated for high performance and stability.

Cocamidopropyl Betaine 35%

Cocamidopropyl Betaine 35% CAB-35 Cosmetic Grade Amphoteric Surfactant Foaming Agent for Personal Care Product CAS NO.: 61789-40-0

APG0810 Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside

APG0810 Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside Liquid 50% C8-10 Alkyl Glycosides Nonionic Surfactant Foaming & Thickening Agent for Personal Care & Home Care products CAS NO.: 68515-73-1

Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate 30%

Sodium Myristoyl Sarcosinate 30% Liquid No Preservative Amino Acid Surfactant Degreasing and Foaming Agent for Personal Care Product CAS NO.: 30364-51-3

Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate Powder 95%

Disodium Lauryl Sulfosuccinate Powder 95% Mild Succinic Acid Monoester Anionic Surfactant for Facial Cleanser Personal Care Product CAS: 13192-12-6

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate 30%

Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate 30% Liquid No Preservative Amino Acid Surfactant Foaming Agent for Personal Care Product CAS NO.: 137-16-6

Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids

Cosmetic Grade Sodium Cocoyl Apple Amino Acids 30%/50% Liquid Amino Acid Surfactant & Foaming Agent & Conditioner for Personal Care & Home Care Product CAS NO.: 68188-38-5

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride

Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride Multifunctional Solvents Moisturizing Agent Base Oil for Creams Emulsions and Makeup Removers CAS: 65381-09-1

Disodium Edetate EDTA

Chelating Agent Disodium Edetate Dihydrate EDTA for Detergents and Food Additives Daily Chemicals Raw Materials 6381-92-6

Phenoxyethanol 99.9%

Cosmetic Grade & Industrial Grade Phenoxyethanol 2-Phenoxyethanol 99.9% Preservative Solvent for Cosmetics & Industry CAS 122-99-6

Ethylene Glycol Price EGDS

Ethylene Glycol Price EGDS Pearlescent Agent for Pearlescent in Body Care As Shower Gel and Shampoo

Industry Applications

Engineered formulations for cleaning, personal care, and heavy-duty industrial degreasing applications.

Home Care

High-Efficiency Eco-Friendly Laundry Detergent Development

Application: Home Care (Laundry Detergent, Cleaners)

Advantages: Uses SLES (Sodium Laureth Sulfate) and AOS (Sodium Alpha-Olefin Sulfonate) as core surfactants for superior cleaning and rich foam. Combined with thickener CMEA (Cocamide MEA) for optimal viscosity and user experience. Eco-friendly and mild formula, compliant with international standards, reduces skin irritation while maintaining strong cleaning performance.

Personal Care

Gentle Amino Acid Facial Cleanser

Application: Personal Care (Facial Cleansers, Body Wash)

Advantages: Features Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate (YG02-95) and Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate (LS-100N) for ultra-mild cleansing, ideal for sensitive skin. Natural amino acid-based surfactants produce fine, easy-to-rinse foam while retaining moisture. Certified by ECOCERT, meeting the demand for clean beauty in premium markets.

Textile Care

Concentrated Fabric Softener Production

Application: Textile Care (Fabric Conditioners)

Advantages: Utilizes cationic surfactant 1631 70 (Cetrimonium Chloride) for enhanced fabric softness and anti-static properties. Concentrated formula reduces packaging and transportation costs, improving sustainability. Compatible with cold-water washing, supporting energy-efficient laundry practices.

Personal Care

High-Foaming Shower Gel Formulation

Application: Personal Care (Shower Gels, Shampoos)

Advantages: Combines amphoteric CAB-35 (Cocamidopropyl Betaine) and non-ionic APG1214 (Lauryl Glucoside) for rich, low-residue lather. Sulfate-free formula minimizes skin dryness, suitable for children and sensitive skin. Includes thickener Xanthan Gum for improved stability and luxurious texture.

Industrial Cleaning

Industrial Heavy-Duty Degreaser

Application: Industrial Cleaning (Machinery, Vehicle Oil Removal)

Advantages: Powered by LAS (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate) and solvent EGDS (Glycol Distearate) for rapid breakdown of tough grease. Enhanced biodegradability with Alkaline Lipase, meeting industrial wastewater regulations. Highly concentrated formula, dilutable for cost-effective use, reducing overall operational expenses.

VALUPAP Solutions

Flexible, customizable products for institutional, retail, and commercial applications.

Shampoo Customized service

Shampoo & Shower Gel Custom Service

We customize solutions to match your target use cases, including hotels, salons, or retail shelves. Offers multiple packaging formats, functionalities, and target pricing tiers.

Laundry Detergent

Laundry Detergent Customization

Custom solutions with a variety of fragrance options, packaging formats, concentrations, and target performance metrics tailored to regional water hardness.

Hand washing

Hand Washing Soap Customization

Formulations designed for high-traffic environments, commercial properties, retail brands, and food service venues.

Looking for a Reliable Citric Acid Acidity Regulator Supplier & Exporter?

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Technical FAQ: Acidity Regulators & Citric Acid

Expert technical answers regarding quality, chemical specifications, global supply chain procurement, and applications.

Q1: What is the primary difference between Citric Acid Anhydrous and Monohydrate?
A: The difference lies in their crystalline structure and moisture content. Citric Acid Anhydrous does not contain bound water molecules and is crystallized from hot water solutions. It is preferred in dry powder formulations, effervescent tablets, and moisture-sensitive systems. Citric Acid Monohydrate contains one water molecule per citric acid molecule, crystallized from cold water. It is commonly used in liquid solutions, beverages, and wet process chemical manufacturing where moisture content does not affect final stability.
Q2: How does Citric Acid function as an effective acidity regulator?
A: Citric acid is a weak organic triprotic acid. When added to water, it dissociates and releases hydrogen ions ($H^+$) in a staged process. This creates a buffering system when combined with its conjugate base (citrate salts). This system stabilizes pH levels and resists changes from external inputs, which is crucial for chemical formulation, food safety, and shelf-life extension.
Q3: Why is citric acid preferred over phosphoric or malic acid in personal care products?
A: Citric acid is highly bio-compatible, cost-effective, and biodegradable. Unlike harsh mineral acids like phosphoric acid, it acts as a mild alpha-hydroxy acid (AHA) that supports skin exfoliation. It adjusts pH without causing irritation, making it suitable for sensitive skin formulations. It also offers stronger metal-ion chelation than malic acid, which helps protect personal care products from oxidation.
Q4: How does citric acid act as a metal chelating agent?
A: The three carboxyl groups of citric acid coordinate with multivalent metal ions (such as copper, iron, calcium, and magnesium) to form stable, water-soluble ring structures. This locks away the metal ions, preventing them from catalyzing oxidation reactions that lead to discoloration, rancidity, and breakdown of active ingredients.
Q5: What certifications should a high-quality citric acid exporter hold?
A: Reliable global exporters should hold international quality, safety, and supply chain certifications. These include ISO 9001 (Quality Management), FSSC 22000 or ISO 22000 (Food Safety), REACH registration for European chemical import compliance, and HALAL & KOSHER certifications to meet regional and cultural standards.
Q6: How does Suzhou Yuantairun ensure the quality consistency of exported citric acid?
A: We enforce strict Quality Assurance protocols. Every batch undergoes rigorous testing, including HPLC assays, heavy metal detection, moisture content verification, and particle size distribution analysis. Our logistics process ensures containers are protected from moisture and humidity during transit to prevent caking and clumping.
Q7: Can citric acid be used in sulfate-free surfactant formulations?
A: Yes, it is essential in sulfate-free formulations. Surfactants like Sodium Cocoyl Glutamate require a narrow pH window to maintain foaming capability, viscosity, and transparency. Citric acid acts as a gentle buffering agent, allowing developers to adjust pH to 5.0 - 5.5 without destabilizing the surfactant matrix.
Q8: What packaging options are available for bulk commercial buyers?
A: We offer versatile shipping packaging. Our standard size is 25 kg moisture-barrier multi-wall paper bags. For high-volume manufacturing facilities, we supply 1000 kg and 1200 kg woven PP jumbo bags (Super Sacks) with interior plastic liners to protect against moisture absorption.
Q9: How long is the shelf life of bulk citric acid under standard storage?
A: Citric acid is highly stable and has a shelf life of up to 3 years when stored in its original, unopened packaging in a cool, dry warehouse. It should be kept away from direct sunlight, moisture, and high humidity to prevent caking.
Q10: What are the shipping lead times for global deliveries from Suzhou Yuantairun?
A: Standard lead times for standard grades are 7 to 15 days from order confirmation to port departure. Shipping times depend on the destination port, with typical transit times of 15 to 25 days to Western Europe, 18 to 28 days to North America, and 5 to 12 days to Southeast Asian regions.

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