HIDS™ Biodegradable Chelating Agent Reduces Environmental Impact While Retaining Performance

Though useful for a wide range of industries, chelating agents like ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) are under scrutiny for their negative environmental impact. To support the sustainability goals of both governments and industries, Nippon Shokubai’s HIDS™ is a biodegradable chelating agent that doesn’t sacrifice performance.

High Chelating Ability

HIDS (tetrasodium 3-hydroxy-2,2'-iminodisuccinate) excels at trapping and inactivating heavy metal ions like Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ over a wide pH range. Thanks to its high stability in harsh conditions, HIDS maintains its performance at high temperatures and a pH range from 4 to 13.

When it comes to chelating Fe³⁺ ions, HIDS greatly outperforms EDTA, methylglycine diacetic acid (MGDA) and glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA). It also inhibits impurity and precipitation caused by iron hydroxide generation.

For copper chelating, HIDS performs as well as EDTA. In an alkaline solution of 40% NaOH, it dissolves well at about 15 wt.% and is less corrosive to glass than chelating agents like nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA).

High Biodegradability

Like NTA and MGDA, HIDS is a readily biodegradable chelating agent. Its chemical structure allows it to degrade more easily, and it degrades completely after 28 days. Thanks to its performance benefits, HIDS can easily replace more harmful chelating agents in applications like cleaning products.

Here are other applications suitable for HIDS:

• Textile processing
• Bleach stabilization
• Photography
• Paper and pulp processing
• Scale removal and prevention
• Metal treatment working
• Water treatment
• Agriculture

Visit our product page for more information.