Methyl glycine triacetate trisodium salt (MGDA)

Against the backdrop of increasingly stringent global environmental regulations and the indust

Details

I. Core Product Overview

Trisodium Methylglycinediacetate (MGDA-Na₃), with the chemical name Trisodium N,N-bis(carboxymethyl)alaninate, CAS No. 164462-16-2, 170492-24-7, molecular formula C₇H₈NNa₃O₆, and molecular weight of approximately 271.1g/mol, is a small-molecule organic chelating agent synthesized by modifying natural glycine. Its appearance is divided into two formulations: colorless to pale yellow clear liquid and off-white granules/powder. It is odorless, non-irritating, easily soluble in water, and free of harmful impurities. From production to end use, it complies with EU REACH, China's detergent environmental standards, and relevant OECD specifications, making it a truly "naturally derived and naturally degradable" environmentally friendly functional raw material.

Different from traditional EDTA, NTA, and phosphorus-containing chelating agents, MGDA-Na₃ relies on a unique molecular structure design. It not only retains strong metal ion chelating ability but also has excellent biodegradability. After use, it can be quickly decomposed into carbon dioxide, water, and mineral salts by microorganisms in the natural environment, without ecological accumulation risk. It fundamentally solves the industry problem of water pollution and eutrophication caused by residual traditional chelating agents, achieving a perfect balance between "high efficiency" and "environmental friendliness."

II. Core Performance Advantages

1. High-Efficiency Chelation, Suitable for Multiple Scenarios

MGDA-Na₃ contains multiple coordinating atoms (nitrogen and oxygen atoms) in its molecule, which can form stable 1:1 complexes with various metal ions such as calcium (Ca²⁺), magnesium (Mg²⁺), iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), and copper (Cu²⁺). It has a high chelation stability constant, especially excellent chelating ability for calcium and magnesium ions commonly found in washing and industrial cleaning. Its chelation capacity is much higher than that of natural chelating agents such as sodium citrate. A 1g/L solution can effectively remove dry calcium deposits, quickly soften hard water, prevent scale formation, and significantly improve the core efficiency of downstream products.

2. Environmentally Friendly, Excellent Degradability

As a benchmark product of green chelating agents, MGDA-Na₃ has industry-leading biodegradability. According to OECD 301 series test standards, the 28-day biodegradation rate can reach more than 80%, and even up to 98% under certain working conditions. It is fully compliant with EU EC 423-270-5 environmental standards, free of phosphorus and nitrogen pollution, and will not accumulate in water or soil. It completely avoids the environmental burden of traditional chelating agents and is suitable for various environmentally friendly product formulation needs.

3. Strong Stability, Suitable for Extreme Working Conditions

The product has excellent acid-base tolerance and high-temperature resistance. It can stably exert chelating performance in a wide pH range of 2-13.5. Whether in strong acid cleaning scenarios or high-alkaline detergent formulations, it will not precipitate or fail. At the same time, it can withstand high temperatures of 200-300℃, and still maintain structural stability and unattenuated chelating ability under harsh working conditions such as high-temperature washing and boiler cleaning, adapting to more complex application scenarios.

4. Good Compatibility, Easy Integration into Formulation Systems

MGDA-Na₃ has excellent compatibility with anionic, non-ionic, and cationic surfactants, as well as common raw materials such as bleaches (hydrogen peroxide, peracetic acid) and enzymes. It does not undergo chemical reactions or affect the activity of each component when mixed, and can be easily integrated into various liquid, powder, and tablet formulations without adjusting existing production processes, simplifying the formulation optimization process for downstream enterprises and reducing production costs.

5. Safe and Low-Toxic, More Assured to Use

The product is non-carcinogenic, non-reproductive toxic, non-irritating to the skin and eyes, and has extremely low aquatic toxicity (EC50 value is much higher than that of traditional chelating agents). It complies with relevant standards for food contact cleaning agents and can be widely used in scenarios that come into contact with the human body, such as food processing equipment cleaning and personal care products. Its use safety is far superior to that of traditional chelating agents.

III. Main Technical Indicators

Item	Liquid Formulation	Solid Formulation
Appearance	Colorless to pale yellow clear liquid	Off-white granules or powder
Active Content	≥40%-55%	≥76%-84%
pH Value (1% Solution)	10.0-12.5	≥8.5
Density (20℃)	1.29-1.33 g/cm³	—
Biodegradation Rate (28 days)	≥80%	≥80%

IV. Multi-Field Application Scenarios

1. Daily Chemical Detergent Field (Core Application)

As a core additive for phosphorus-free detergents, MGDA-Na₃ is an ideal substitute for traditional phosphates and EDTA, widely used in automatic dishwasher detergents, laundry powder, laundry detergent, hard surface cleaners and other products: In automatic dishwasher detergents, it can strongly chelate hard water ions, prevent scaling and water spots on tableware and the inner wall of the machine, improve rinsing effect, and has a significant removal effect on tea stains and starch residues; In laundry detergents, it can soften hard water, prevent calcium soap deposition, avoid clothes turning gray and hard, improve decontamination power, reduce the dosage of surfactants, adapt to low-temperature washing processes, and can be used in detergent formulations for sensitive skin and baby clothes; In hard surface cleaners, it can effectively dissolve soap scum and water stains, suitable for cleaning kitchens, bathrooms, glass and other scenarios.

2. Industrial Cleaning Field

It is suitable for various industrial cleaning scenarios, especially fields with high environmental requirements: In metal cleaning and surface treatment, it can chelate metal ions, ensure the cleanliness of pre-plating and pre-coating treatment, prevent metal surface oxidation, and improve processing quality; In food processing equipment cleaning, it can efficiently dissolve calcium phosphate scale generated during milk processing, with no residue and no pollution, complying with food safety standards; In boiler and heat exchanger cleaning, it can inhibit the scaling of calcium carbonate and calcium sulfate, improve equipment thermal efficiency, and reduce energy consumption; In the textile printing and dyeing field, it can be used as an oxygen bleaching stabilizer to prevent heavy metal ions from catalyzing the decomposition of bleaching agents, and improve dyeing uniformity and color fastness.

3. Personal Care Field

Due to its mild and non-irritating characteristics, it can be used in shampoos, body washes, soaps, toothpastes and other products: In hair and body care products, it can chelate hard water ions, prevent calcium soap formation, avoid dry hair and tight skin, improve foam fineness, and enhance product use experience; In toothpaste, it can chelate calcium ions in saliva, prevent tartar deposition, improve teeth cleaning effect, and does not affect toothpaste taste and stability.

4. Other Fields

In the water treatment field, it can be used as an environmentally friendly scale inhibitor and dispersant to soften water quality, inhibit pipeline scaling (scale inhibition rate up to 95% or more), remove heavy metal ions in water, and improve water quality; In the agricultural field, it can be used as an agrochemical preparation stabilizer to improve the solubility and absorption rate of trace element fertilizers and promote crop growth; In the pulp and paper field, it can control metal ions in production water, prevent scaling and interference with the bleaching process, and improve paper quality.

V. Safe Operation and Storage Specifications

1. Safe Operation

Wear protective gloves and goggles during operation to avoid direct contact with skin and eyes; If it accidentally comes into contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of flowing water for no less than 15 minutes, and seek medical attention if necessary; If ingested by mistake, rinse mouth in time and seek medical attention, do not induce vomiting; Keep the operation site well-ventilated to avoid dust inhalation (solid formulation).

2. Storage Requirements

Seal and store in a cool, dry and ventilated warehouse, away from fire, heat sources and strong oxidants; The liquid formulation should be protected from freezing to avoid performance impact due to low-temperature freezing; The solid formulation should be prevented from moisture absorption and caking, stacked away from the ground and walls, and not mixed with acidic substances; The shelf life is usually 12 months, and expired products should be properly disposed of in accordance with environmental standards and shall not be discarded at will.

VI. Summary of Product Advantages

As a new generation of green and environmentally friendly chelating agents, Trisodium Methylglycinediacetate (MGDA-Na₃) takes "high-efficiency chelation, rapid degradation, stable compatibility, safety and low toxicity" as its core competitiveness. It not only solves the environmental pollution pain points of traditional chelating agents but also meets the strict requirements of various industries for product performance, making it a dual preferred choice for "environmental upgrading" and "efficiency improvement." Whether it is daily chemical enterprises creating phosphorus-free and environmentally friendly detergent products, or industrial enterprises optimizing cleaning processes and reducing environmental costs, MGDA-Na₃ can provide suitable solutions, helping the industry develop in a green, efficient and sustainable direction with broad prospects for future market applications.

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