TRIMELLITIC ANHYDRIDE- ▸ Plasticizers: Feedstock for trimellitate (high-temperature) PVC plasticizers
- ▸ Epoxy curing: Curing agent for epoxy resins
- ▸ High-performance resins: Monomer for poly(amide-imide) and poly(ester-imide) polymers
- ▸ Coatings and inks: Intermediate for alkyd coating resins, dyes, and printing inks
A grade-specific Safety Data Sheet (SDS) — with the complete hazard classification, handling precautions, and transport information — is supplied with every shipment and available on request. Confirm all safety and regulatory details against the SDS for your specific grade.
Request SDS →Trimellitic anhydride (CAS 552-30-7, C9H4O5) is the cyclic anhydride of benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid. It is used mainly to make trimellitate plasticizers for PVC and as a curing agent for epoxy resins, and as a building block for poly(amide-imide) and poly(ester-imide) resins, alkyd coatings, dyes, and printing inks.
Regulatory & registration requirements
- TSCA (US):
- REACH (EU):
- EC number: 209-008-0
Source: EPA TSCA Inventory (July 2025 release) · ECHA CHEM — retrieved 2026-07-12
Regulatory restriction status
Trimellitic Anhydride (TMA) (CAS 552-30-7) appears on the regulatory list(s) below. This is public regulatory information about the substance — not a statement about any specific supplier’s material, and not a safety claim. Confirm the current status for your jurisdiction and intended use.
- REACH SVHC Candidate List (EU): listed 27 Jun 2018 on the basis of respiratory sensitiser (Art. 57(f)). SVHC status triggers EU supplier-communication and notification duties above 0.1% w/w; it is not, by itself, a ban on sale.
Sources: ECHA Candidate List / Annex XIV / Annex XVII (echa.europa.eu); U.S. EPA TSCA; UN Stockholm Convention / EU POPs Regulation; California OEHHA Proposition 65 list. Retrieved 2026-07-13.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is trimellitic anhydride used for?
Trimellitic anhydride (TMA, CAS 552-30-7) is used mainly as the feedstock for trimellitate plasticizers, the high-temperature plasticizers used in PVC. It also serves as a curing agent for epoxy resins and as a monomer for poly(amide-imide) and poly(ester-imide) high-performance resins, plus alkyd coating resins, dyes, and printing inks.
What is trimellitic anhydride made from?
It is the cyclic anhydride of benzene-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (trimellitic acid), with molecular formula C9H4O5. Industrially it is produced by the catalytic air oxidation of pseudocumene (1,2,4-trimethylbenzene) followed by dehydration to the anhydride.
Who manufactures trimellitic anhydride and where can I source it in bulk?
TMA is produced by several specialty-chemical manufacturers worldwide. RawSource supplies it as a sourcing partner in bulk industrial quantities; request a quote for current packaging, lead time, and CoA/SDS documentation.
What is the CAS number and molecular weight of trimellitic anhydride?
The CAS number is 552-30-7 and the molecular formula is C9H4O5, giving a molecular weight of approximately 192.1 g/mol. It is commonly abbreviated TMA in plasticizer and resin specifications.
What is the HS code for importing trimellitic anhydride?
Trimellitic anhydride is generally classified under HS 2917.39 (aromatic polycarboxylic acids, their anhydrides and derivatives, other). Confirm the final classification with your customs broker against the as-shipped form and country of import.
What is the REACH and TSCA regulatory status of Trimellitic Anhydride (TMA)?
Trimellitic Anhydride (TMA) (CAS 552-30-7) is subject to U.S. TSCA Inventory requirements; supplying it into the EU requires valid REACH registration ((EC) No 1907/2006). RawSource cannot verify a third-party supplier's registrations — buyers should require documented TSCA and REACH compliance for their jurisdiction and volume (EC 209-008-0).