Skip to content
SupplyList
Menu

Potassium carbonate

Potassium carbonate suppliers and sourcing guide

Potassium carbonate is an alkaline inorganic salt, a white, very water-soluble powder or granule. It is made commercially by reacting potassium hydroxide, from electrolysis of potassium chloride, with carbon dioxide, then drying the product. Food brands buy it as an alkali for Dutch-process cocoa, noodles, and pH adjustment, and it is also used in personal care and as a potassium source.

See suppliersWhat to ask for on the COA
Also known as
Potash · Pearl ash · E501 · CAS 584-08-7
Facts checked
November 2026

Forms and grades of potassium carbonate

Suppliers sell different products under the same name. Specify the one you need.

  • Anhydrous granular

    Dry granules, the common food and industrial form, which dissolve quickly.

  • Anhydrous powder

    Finer powder for dry blends.

  • Sesquihydrate

    A hydrated form with lower alkali content per kilogram, sometimes preferred for easier handling.

  • Solution

    Liquid potassium carbonate, often around 47 to 50 percent, for plants that meter alkali by pump.

What to check on the COA

Compare each result with your own specification when the lot arrives.

Assay (titration)
Potassium carbonate content by acid titration, reported on an anhydrous basis.
Loss on heating
Water content, which shows whether the lot is anhydrous or hydrated.
Insoluble matter
Material that does not dissolve in water, a check on purity.
Chloride and sulfate
Common impurities from the raw salt.
Heavy metals
Lead, arsenic and other metals by ICP-MS or ICP-OES against the supplier's specification or the Food Chemicals Codex (FCC) limits.

Storage, lots and expiry

Storage and shelf life

Potassium carbonate is strongly hygroscopic and will absorb water until it dissolves, so keep it in sealed, lined bags or drums in a dry area. It is alkaline and can irritate skin and eyes, so store away from acids. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with retest of assay and moisture.

Lots and expiry dates

Record whether each lot is anhydrous or a hydrate and its assay, since alkali content per kilogram changes with water. Reseal part-used bags right away and rotate first-in, first-out.

Regulatory status

Facts from regulators and standards bodies, each linked to its source.

This is general information, not regulatory advice. Status differs by country and by how the ingredient is used, so check the rules for your product and market.

Potassium carbonate suppliers

Manufacturers and distributors whose own websites say they sell it.

We are checking potassium carbonate suppliers now

Every listing is checked against the supplier’s own website before it goes live, so this list fills in over the coming weeks. The specs and COA checklist above are ready today.

Sell potassium carbonate? Request a listing

Frequently asked questions

What forms of potassium carbonate can brands buy?

Common forms include anhydrous granular, anhydrous powder, sesquihydrate and solution. Ask each supplier for the specification sheet of the exact grade they quote.

What should the COA for potassium carbonate include?

Expect assay (titration), loss on heating, insoluble matter, chloride and sulfate and heavy metals, each with its method, specification and result for that lot.

How should potassium carbonate be stored?

Potassium carbonate is strongly hygroscopic and will absorb water until it dissolves, so keep it in sealed, lined bags or drums in a dry area. It is alkaline and can irritate skin and eyes, so store away from acids. Shelf life follows the supplier's specification, with retest of assay and moisture.

What is the regulatory status of potassium carbonate?

21 CFR 184.1619 affirms potassium carbonate as GRAS for use in food with no limitation other than current good manufacturing practice. 7 CFR 205.605(b) lists potassium carbonate among the synthetic substances allowed in or on processed products labeled organic. Health Canada's List of Permitted Acidity Regulators and Acid-Reacting Materials includes potassium carbonate.

More acids, preservatives and leavening

All 72 acids, preservatives and leavening

Sell ingredients to brands?

Request a free listing for the ingredients you make or distribute. No paid placement.

Request a listing