Essential Commodity Chemicals

Supporting Industry with Consistency, Quality and Expertise

At Biocel, we recognise the crucial role that commodity chemicals play in everyday operations across various industries. Whether you’re managing hygiene in a dairy plant, ensuring compliance in pharmaceutical manufacturing, or maintaining clean water systems, these core chemicals are the building blocks of safe, efficient production.

We supply a carefully selected range of high-purity commodity chemicals, including caustic soda, nitric acid, hydrochloric acid, phosphoric acid, sodium hypochlorite, and hydrogen peroxide, each backed by Biocel’s commitment to quality, traceability, and expert support.

Meeting Industry Needs with Trusted Chemical Solutions

Let’s take a closer look at the commodity chemicals we supply and why they matter to the industries we serve.

7. Hydrogen Peroxide

For applications that demand chlorine-free disinfection, hydrogen peroxide is an excellent choice. It’s effective, biodegradable, and leaves no harmful residues. From cleanroom sterilisation to odour control, we help customers integrate it safely into their cleaning protocols with technical support at every stage.

At A Glance: Which Commodity Chemical is Best for Your Industry?

• Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) – A strong base, ideal for removing organic buildup in CIP systems and dairy lines.
• Potassium Hydroxide – Effective in soft water areas; strong cleaning base used in pharma and cosmetics.
• Nitric Acid – Strong acid used for descaling and passivation, particularly in dairy and food plants.
• Hydrochloric Acid – A rapid descaler for mineral build-up, effective in heavy-duty cleaning applications.
• Phosphoric Acid – Food-safe acid for scale removal and pH adjustment.
• Sodium Hypochlorite – Widely used disinfectant; effective but may leave residues.
• Hydrogen Peroxide – A chlorine-free disinfectant that breaks down into water and oxygen, making it ideal for use in the pharmaceutical and food industries.

Compare Cleaning Power, Residue Impact & Material Suitability

This comparison chart outlines the key commodity chemicals supplied by Biocel, focusing on three critical factors for industry buyers: cleaning power, residue impact, and material suitability. Each chemical is colour-coded by function, acid, base, or disinfectant, to help quickly identify its primary role. The chart is designed to support informed decision-making across various sectors, including food and beverage, pharmaceutical, dairy, and water treatment, offering practical insights into performance, compatibility with equipment, and residue behaviour after application.

A Quick-Reference Guide for Process Engineers & Buyers >> 🟩 Base 🟥 Acid 🟦 Disinfectant

Industry-Specific Applications

For Food & Beverage Plants

Our food-grade commodity chemicals ensure safe, effective sanitation while protecting product integrity:

• Choose Phosphoric Acid or Hydrogen Peroxide for food-safe sanitation. Phosphoric Acid is ideal for scale removal and food-safe pH adjustment in beverage and bottling plants. Hydrogen Peroxide disinfectant is a powerful, chlorine-free sanitation solution that leaves no harmful residues, perfect for food processing disinfection.
• Use Sodium Hydroxide for highly effective organic residue removal, pipeline cleaning, and CIP (Clean-in-Place) systems.

For Dairy Processing

Dairy plants face unique sanitation challenges due to the combination of proteins, fats, and minerals:

• Use Nitric Acid for descaling pasteurisers, evaporators, and pipelines, preventing costly downtime.
• Sodium Hydroxide (Caustic Soda) breaks down protein residues to ensure hygienic equipment surfaces and prevent bacterial contamination.
• Phosphoric Acid offers gentle pH control with no aggressive odours.

For Pharma & Cleanrooms

Sterility and purity are non-negotiable in pharmaceutical manufacturing and cleanroom operations. Our high-purity commodity chemicals meet the strictest standards:

• Opt for Hydrogen Peroxide to maintain sterile environments, surface decontamination, and equipment disinfection without chlorine residues.
• Potassium Hydroxide is commonly used in the production of personal care products, cosmetics, and certain pharmaceutical formulations. It’s controlled alkalinity supports consistent product quality and precise pH control.

For Water Treatment

Effective chemical treatment ensures safe, clean water across public water services, industrial processes, and commercial facilities:

• Sodium Hypochlorite provides reliable disinfection for public water supply systems and wastewater treatment.
• Hydrochloric Acid controls scale buildup in pipelines, boilers, and water treatment equipment, helping maintain system efficiency.

Why Choose Biocel for Your Commodity Chemical Solutions?

Whether you’re formulating a detergent or managing a sensitive production environment, we’ll advise on the right concentration and grade for your needs. We are:

• ISO-Certified manufacturing facility in Ireland
• Over 40 years of industry experience
• Trusted by leading food, dairy, and pharma brands
• In-house technical support team and tailored chemical solutions

“

Biocel have helped us to establish validation of our cleaning processes, offered technical advice and solutions. They have supported us with staff chemical training and been on hand to offer advice as and when required.” — Charis Lewis, Glenilen Farm

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Talk to Our Technical Team

Looking for guidance on the right chemical for your facility? Need support with implementation or training? Need technical information? We provide detailed SDS (Safety Data Sheets) and application guides to ensure full compliance and effective use:

👉 Speak to a Technical Advisor

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the safest disinfectant for food production?

Hydrogen Peroxide is often the best choice as it’s chlorine-free and leaves no residues, ideal for food-contact surfaces.

Is Sodium Hypochlorite suitable for stainless steel?

It should be used cautiously. Long-term exposure or improper dilution can cause stainless steel to corrode.

Can I use Phosphoric Acid in CIP systems?

Yes, it is widely used for pH adjustment and scale removal, particularly effective in breweries for eliminating beerstone and in dairy operations for removing milkstone deposits. 

What’s the difference between Sodium Hydroxide and Potassium Hydroxide?

Both are strong bases, but KOH is more soluble and less aggressive, making it suitable for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use.

Are Biocel’s chemicals available in bulk?

Yes. We are a wholesale and bulk chemical supplier. We offer a range of supply formats including IBCs, drums, and tanker loads.