Evonik offers food-grade potassium hydroxide

Evonik is now offering its 50% potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution as a food grade. The designation highlights the product's properties that are particularly relevant for the food industry. The focus here is on the particularly low chlorate content of the solution.

Potassium hydroxide is widely used in food manufacturing as an acidity regulator or as a starting material of various food additives.

Christiane Neels, market segment manager for Life Sciences on the background: "After switching to the membrane process for the production of KOH in 2018, the chlorate content became a key concern for our customers. We are proud that after intensive research, we can offer a product that meets the requirements of our most demanding customers in the food and pharmaceutical sectors. With a guaranteed chlorate content of below 5mg/kg, Evonik can definitely be relied upon.”

Evonik's production plant for potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution in Ibbenbueren, Germany, complies with the highest hygiene standards. 

The new designation is also intended to underpin the high standards Evonik sets for hygiene, and consistent quality - both criteria being essential in food production.

The introduction of the food grade for KOH is part of the Functional Solutions business line's positioning as a partner for the food industry. Hans Put, sales director in the business line explains: “Last year, we already demonstrated the high quality of our products by extending the FSSC22000 certification for potassium carbonate granular and potassium hydrogen carbonate powder. With the HACCP-certified food grade for KOH, we now offer our customers in this industry an even larger portfolio of suitable raw materials from the potassium derivatives portfolio.”