FORMIC ACID.

This paper is concerned with technology and economics of manufacturing formic acid (HCOOH) which is a medium volume chemical used mainly in textile dyeing and finishing, carpet printing, leather tanning, chemical synthesis and pharmaceuticals. In Europe, a major use is for silage treatment. Formic acid is produced as a byproduct of butane and light naphtha oxidation to acetic acid. In Europe, some formic acid is also produced from carbon monoxide and methanol via methyl formate and formamide. In this review-paper general considerations are followed by a discussion of the following topics: physical properties; chemical reactions; uses and markets; prices and price patterns; capacity and consumption; manufacture; formic acid quality; shipping, handling and storage; and formic acid derivatives.