Hydrogen peroxide
Anticipating and satisfying the needs of an ever-changing world
We have world-class production capacities in North America, Europe and Asia totaling more than 400,000 tons per year. All our production facilities are ISO 9001 and ISO 14001 certified
Through our worldwide presence, we offer one of the most comprehensive services, including reliable and customized logistics, safe handling expertise and technical support for process optimization and storage practices. With research centers equipped with the most advanced technology in King of Prussia, PA, USA and in Lyon, France, we are a leader in the development of new applications for growing markets and we offer a comprehensive range of H2O2 market solutions including:
- Reliable and personalized logistics
- Expertise in safe handling
- Technical support for process optimization and storage practices.
Our hydrogen peroxides are particularly suitable for the following sectors:
Synthesis of peroxides
The peracids (peracetic acid, perpropionic acid) are produced by oxidation of the corresponding acids by hydrogen peroxide, in the presence of an acidic catalyst.
Epoxidation of double bounds C=C
Different routes are available to carry out epoxidation of double bond C=C: epoxidation by hydroperoxides, epoxidation by peracids and epoxidation by hydrogen peroxide.
Hydroxylation of phenols
Hydrogen peroxide is an efficient chemical for the hydroxylation of aromatic rings. Thanks to its high selectivity towards monohydroxylation, after its activation with an acidic catalyst, hydrogen peroxide is a preferred route for the production of hydroquinone and catechol.
Oxidation of amines and hydrazine hydrate
Arkema has a wide range of Albone® and Peroxal® commercial hydrogen peroxides grades, which perfectly meet the requirements of the reactions described above. Our customers may choose the hydrogen peroxide concentration, which allows them to guarantee the safety of the process and, in some cases, a distilled grade (low content of carbon and of stabilizer).
Ask for the chemical process products data sheet (EMEA only)
Albone®, developed by Arkema as a concentrated hydrogen peroxide solution with environmental compatibility, helps customers comply with strict regulations and is able to treat pollutants in air, water and soil. Compared to other oxidizing agents used for environmental applications or existing technologies, hydrogen peroxide offers definite advantages:
- The decomposition products of hydrogen peroxide are water and oxygen. Therefore, there is no induced pollutant
- Hydrogen peroxide is easy to use with minimum installation of equipment and thus requires less capital investment, making it competitive among the different existing technologies
The storage and handling requirements for Albone® are no more stringent than those already followed in chemical manufacturing plants or wastewater treatment plants that use caustic soda, sodium hypochlorite, etc. In environmental applications, hydrogen peroxide is used in particular for:
- Oxidation of sulfide and mercaptans
- Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal
- Elimination of sulfur dioxide
- Reduction of active chlorine
- Removal of cyanide
- Soil and groundwater treatment.
Hydrogen peroxide is one of the most widely used disinfectants for sterilizing cardboard and plastic packaging materials intended for contact with food products. Most aseptic packaging systems use hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of 35%, more rarely at 25%. Disinfection achieved with hydrogen peroxide does not lead to any toxic by-products (only water and oxygen) and the small excess of hydrogen peroxide is removed when drying the packaging with hot sterile air. No additional rinsing with sterile water is required, unlike some other chemicals.
Arkema has developed a wide range of hydrogen peroxide solutions called Valsterane®, suitable for all aseptic technologies:
- “Bath technology”: the packaging material (cardboard rolls or plastic film) is taken from a reel and dipped into a bath of aqueous 35% hydrogen peroxide whose temperature is generally 60 to 85°C, depending of the aseptic machine. Contact time with the solution is a few seconds and excess solution is removed by squeeze rolls and/or air jets after removal of the material from the bath, which leaves a thin film of solution that is then dried by hot air. In bath aseptic technologies, hydrogen peroxide stability is the key parameter.
- “Spray technology”: this is the method for preformed cardboard containers, plastic bottles and plastic preforms whereby hydrogen peroxide is sprayed in the form of small dispersed droplets. Further hydrogen peroxide vaporization ensures the complete sterilization of the inner surface of the packaging, and further hot sterile air drying removes hydrogen peroxide residue. In spray aseptic technologies, hydrogen peroxide dry residue is the key parameter.
Valsterane® is even is versatile enough to meet the 2 technologies requirements. Furthermore, hydrogen peroxide can also be used as a bleaching agent in the food industry based on local regulations.
Ask for packaging disinfection products data sheets (EMEA only)
Mining
In mining applications, hydrogen peroxide is used to increase the extraction rate.
Metal treatment
At the surface of metals, some oxides are resistant to most standard acidic treatments. In this respect, hydrogen peroxide proves to be a very effective way eliminate of these impurities.
Oxidants beyond hydrogen peroxide
Alpure® sodium chlorate (NaClO3) by Arkema is a white crystalline solid produced from salt and water. This strong oxidant primarily serves for the generation of chlorine dioxide (ClO2), a key bleaching agent in the manufacturing of high quality chemical pulps for a large variety of papers and packaging applications.
Alpure® sodium chlorate also finds uses in a variety of processes:
- To produce sodium perchlorate, used as propellants and in plastic additive formulations
- To produce sodium chlorite, for small scale production of ClO2 used for water disinfection
- To produce iron chloride, a coagulant for waste water treatment.
In addition, Alpure® sodium chlorate is a chemical solution in the mining industry, for example for uranium ore treatment, in the electronics industry for Printed Circuits Board (PCB) etching and for several other special applications.