Acetic Acid (Glacial Acetic Acid, Ethanoic Acid)

Glacial acetic acid (CAS 64-19-7), the systematic name ethanoic acid, is concentrated, essentially water-free acetic acid — the workhorse carboxylic acid behind a large share of the world’s organic chemistry. “Glacial” denotes the anhydrous grade (typically ≥99.5%), which crystallizes to an ice-like solid near 16.6 °C; it is a different product from the dilute aqueous solutions sold as vinegar (roughly 4–8% acid). Buyers source the glacial grade when they need a reactive feedstock or a high-strength acidulant they can dilute to their own specification, rather than paying to ship water. RawSource is a bulk acetic acid supplier — glacial and dilute, technical through food and USP grade — quoting against your CAS, purity, and packaging spec.

Applications by sector

Chemical intermediate & synthesis feedstock

The largest pull on acetic acid is as a building block. It is the principal feedstock for vinyl acetate monomer (VAM), which downstream becomes polyvinyl acetate and polyvinyl alcohol for adhesives, paints, and films. It is also the route to acetic anhydride and to acetate esters — ethyl, butyl, and isopropyl acetate solvents used in coatings, inks, and process chemistry. Acetic acid is consumed in purified terephthalic acid (PTA) production as the reaction solvent for the oxidation of para-xylene, and it serves as a precursor to cellulose acetate for fibers, filters, and films. For these uses, purity, water content, and trace-metal limits matter; specify the grade your process tolerates.

Food & beverage

In food-grade form (commonly ≥99.7%, meeting the relevant food-additive specification), acetic acid functions as an acidulant, acidity regulator, and pH-control agent, and is the acid component used in producing and standardizing vinegar. It is valued where a strong, well-characterized acid is needed for tartness, preservation, or buffering. Food and beverage producers should confirm grade, food-additive compliance, and documentation requirements against their own quality system; RawSource provides CoA and SDS with shipment.

Textile & dyeing

Textile mills use acetic acid to set and control dye-bath pH and as a mordant-assist in dyeing and printing, where consistent acidity drives shade reproducibility and fastness. It also neutralizes residual alkali after scouring and bleaching. Technical grade is typically sufficient here, diluted on site to the working concentration.

Pharmaceutical & personal care intermediate

USP-grade acetic acid (typically ≥99.7%, with tightened heavy-metal and residue limits) serves as a process intermediate, pH adjuster, and reagent in pharmaceutical and personal-care manufacturing. RawSource supplies it as a raw material; it is not sold for therapeutic use, and buyers are responsible for qualifying any grade against their own regulatory and pharmacopeial requirements.

Descaling, cleaning & latex coagulation

As a diluted working solution, acetic acid is used for descaling and acid cleaning of equipment and surfaces, and for pH adjustment in wastewater treatment. In natural-rubber processing it acts as a coagulant, dropping field latex out of suspension. These applications generally run on technical grade.

Bulk Acetic Acid Supply from RawSource

RawSource is a bulk acetic acid supplier to chemical, food, textile, and pharmaceutical producers and their purchasing teams. We source glacial acetic acid (≥99.5%), technical, food, and USP grade, plus dilute aqueous solutions blended to a defined concentration, and supply them in drums, IBCs/totes, and bulk tankers / ISO tanks for full-container and tanker-load volumes. Sourcing runs across domestic and import channels, so we can match grade, lead time, and landed cost to your program rather than to whatever a single warehouse happens to hold. Every lot ships with a Certificate of Analysis (CoA) and the current Safety Data Sheet, and we quote against your stated purity, grade certification, concentration, and destination. We source to order rather than carry fixed stock, which is why pricing and availability are confirmed by quote — send your spec and volume for a current bulk price.

Grades, purity & packaging

Acetic acid is supplied across a grade ladder, and the right choice is driven by the impurity tolerance of your process, not by paying for purity you don’t need. The table below maps the common grades to typical purity, intended use, and the packaging we quote them in:

RawSource quotes against your stated purity, grade certification, and concentration; exact specifications are confirmed on the Certificate of Analysis for each lot.

Handling & safety

Glacial acetic acid is corrosive — it causes severe skin burns and eye damage and its vapor is irritating to the respiratory tract — and it is a flammable liquid with a flash point well above ambient but within reach of process heat. Store away from ignition sources, strong oxidizers, and strong bases, in compatible (e.g., suitably rated) containment, with adequate ventilation. The governing Safety Data Sheet is the authority for personal protective equipment, exposure limits, storage compatibility, spill response, and the assigned packing group and transport classification — always work to the SDS for the specific grade you receive.

Request a bulk acetic acid quote

To buy acetic acid in bulk from RawSource, send your CAS, grade and purity requirement, concentration, packaging (drums, IBCs/totes, or bulk/tanker), and destination, and we’ll return a current bulk quote. CoA and SDS accompany every shipment. Request a quote to get started.