Aluminum Sulfate Supplier — Low-Iron Alum for Water Treatment & Paper

Mainly as the primary coagulant in municipal and industrial water treatment and in wastewater treatment, where it removes turbidity, colour, suspended solids, organic matter and phosphate. It is also used in papermaking for rosin sizing and pH control, as a dye mordant in textiles, in leather tanning, in shotcrete accelerators, as a fast soil acidifier for blue hydrangeas, and as a flocculant to clear cloudy swimming pools.

In the water-treatment and paper industries, yes: aluminum sulfate is commonly called alum or papermaker's alum. Chemically, alum also refers to double salts such as potassium aluminium sulfate, which is a different product. When buying, specify aluminum sulfate, Al2(SO4)3, and its Al2O3 content.

Yes. Aluminum sulfate is the American spelling and aluminium sulphate the British spelling of the same compound, CAS 10043-01-3. The product, the HS code and the specification are the same whichever spelling a tender or contract uses.

When aluminum sulfate dissolves in water it reacts with the natural alkalinity to form aluminium hydroxide. This neutralises the negative charge on fine particles so they stick together, and the gelatinous flocs sweep them out of the water. The flocs then settle or are filtered, removing turbidity, colour, some organic matter and phosphate. It works best at roughly pH 6 to 7.

There is no fixed dose. It depends on turbidity, colour, alkalinity, temperature and pH, so plants set it by jar testing. Drinking-water plants commonly dose in the range of tens of milligrams of product per litre. Each mg/L of alum consumes about 0.5 mg/L of alkalinity as calcium carbonate, so low-alkalinity water may need lime or soda ash.

Yes, when it is dosed correctly. Almost all of the aluminium is removed with the settled flocs and filters, and well-run plants keep residual aluminium in treated water very low, typically around 0.1 to 0.2 mg/L or less. Good pH control during coagulation is the main factor that keeps residual aluminium down.

PAC, polyaluminium chloride, is a pre-hydrolysed aluminium coagulant. It works over a wider pH range, consumes less alkalinity, performs better in cold water and often produces less sludge. Aluminum sulfate costs less per kilogram, is simple to store as a solid and is still the most widely used coagulant. Many plants run jar tests on both before choosing.

Ferric chloride works over a wider pH range and forms heavier flocs, which helps in some wastewater and phosphorus-removal duties. It is, however, much more corrosive and can leave colour or stains if overdosed. Aluminum sulfate is milder to handle, gives colourless treated water when a low-iron grade is used, and is usually the cheaper option for drinking water.

It is aluminum sulfate with a very low iron content, usually stated as a maximum figure such as 0.01% Fe. Low iron matters in drinking water and white paper, where iron can add colour. Standard or ferric grades contain more iron and are used where colour does not matter, such as some wastewater duties.

Aluminum sulfate is not flammable, but it forms an acidic solution on contact with moisture. It can irritate the skin and cause serious eye damage, so goggles, gloves and a dust mask should be worn when handling it. The transport classification is set by the safety data sheet of each producer and is stated on the offer and shipping documents.

Yes, for bigleaf hydrangeas. Aluminum sulfate lowers soil pH quickly and makes aluminium available to the plant, which turns pink flowers blue. For other acid-loving plants such as blueberries, elemental sulfur is usually the safer choice, because too much aluminium can damage roots. Apply at the label rate and water it in.

Yes. It is used as a flocculant to clear cloudy pool water: it binds fine particles into flocs that sink to the floor, where they are vacuumed to waste. It lowers pH and alkalinity, so the water chemistry should be rebalanced afterwards.

Aluminum sulfate is classified under HS code 2833.22 (aluminium sulphate) in the Harmonized System. Many countries add further digits to this code, so importers should confirm the full national tariff line with their customs broker before filing.

The minimum order is one full 20ft container. Packing options are 25 kg and 50 kg woven polypropylene bags with a moisture-proof liner, or 1 MT jumbo bags. A 20ft container typically carries about 18 to 20 MT and a 40ft about 22 to 25 MT, confirmed on each offer.

Aluminum sulfate is quoted in US dollars per metric ton for a named Al2O3 content, iron limit, form, packing and Incoterm, so there is no single price. It follows sulfuric acid, aluminium hydroxide, energy and freight costs, and every offer carries a validity date. To compare offers fairly, divide the price per ton by 170 to get the cost per kilogram of Al2O3 at 17%.

Ask for an offer that states minimum Al2O3, maximum iron and insoluble matter, form, packing, net weight per container, origin, Incoterm and validity date. A reliable aluminum sulfate supplier sends a batch certificate of analysis with a lot number that matches the bags, provides the SDS and certificate of origin, and allows a sample or independent inspection before loading.