Potassium Acetate

The potassium salt of acetic acid, used as a pH regulator, preservative, and low-sodium alternative to sodium acetate in food and pharmaceutical applications. Provides acetate-based antimicrobial function with potassium fortification rather than sodium contribution.

White deliquescent crystals or powder. Very soluble in water (over 250 g per 100 mL at 20 °C), soluble in ethanol. Must be stored in tightly sealed containers due to strong hygroscopicity.

We supply food-grade and pharmaceutical-grade Potassium Acetate from manufacturers in China holding ISO, Halal, Kosher and other certifications relevant to the product and production.

Common market grades include Standard Food Grade (FCC compliant), Pharmaceutical Grade meeting USP/EP specifications, Reagent Grade for laboratory and analytical use, and Industrial Grade for de-icing and metal-treatment applications.

Bulk and reduced-MOQ shipments. Batch-level COA covering assay, water content, heavy metals, chloride, sulphate, and microbiology.

Potassium Acetate is produced industrially by neutralizing acetic acid with potassium carbonate or potassium hydroxide, followed by evaporation and crystallization. The compound has been in commercial production since the 19th century.

The salt is strongly deliquescent, absorbing moisture from atmospheric humidity until it dissolves. This property must be managed in storage and handling but is harmless in finished food and pharmaceutical applications where the salt is dissolved in solution.

Regulated as E261 in the EU, classified as Generally Recognized as Safe by the U.S. FDA, listed in USP and EP pharmacopoeias, and approved by JECFA without a numerical Acceptable Daily Intake limit.

The molecule provides the same acetate-based antimicrobial and pH-buffering function as sodium acetate, with potassium as the cation. This makes it the preferred choice for reduced-sodium product formulations where the functional benefit of acetate must be retained without the sodium burden.

In pharmaceutical applications the compound is used as a source of bicarbonate-equivalent alkali in electrolyte replacement therapy: acetate is metabolized to bicarbonate in the liver, providing physiological pH buffering without the carbon dioxide release that direct bicarbonate would cause.

• Low-sodium and reduced-sodium foods as a sodium-acetate replacement
• Cured and processed meats where potassium fortification is desired alongside acetate antimicrobial action
• Pickled vegetables and condiments for pH buffering
• Pharmaceutical electrolyte replacement solutions and parenteral nutrition
• Hemodialysis and continuous renal replacement therapy formulations
• De-icing fluids for airport runways and roadways where chloride alternatives are required
• Fire-extinguishing concentrates as the active ingredient in Class K kitchen fire extinguishers
• Catalysis and chemical-synthesis applications
• Textile and dyeing applications