Bordeaux Mixture Technical (Blue) Blue shade · copper sulfate + lime · CAS 8011-63-0
Same chemistry, with the shade written into the specification — for lines where the color on the shelf or in the spray tank is part of what the customer recognizes.
Chelora Chemicals is a blue Bordeaux mixture supplier and sourcing partner serving registrants, repackers and distributors across the United States, with the shade held against a retained reference sample for the contract term.
- CAS Number
- 8011-63-0
- Composition
- Copper sulfate + hydrated lime
- Product form
- Dry pre-blended technical
- Shade
- Blue, matched to reference sample
- Shade drivers
- Copper sulfate grade · lime ratio · fineness
- FRAC group
- M1 — multi-site contact
- Appearance
- Blue to blue-green powder
- Transport
- UN 3077 · Class 9 · PG III
- HS Code
- 3808 92
Note: Bordeaux is blue because the copper is. The mixture is famous for it — it historically stained workers blue, which is where the old nickname came from. What varies lot to lot is the depth and cast of that blue, and it follows the copper sulfate grade, the copper sulfate to lime ratio and the fineness of the blend. Unlike copper oxychloride, there is no crystal-polymorph story here: Bordeaux is a mixture, not a crystalline compound. There is no published numeric color standard, so shade is a house standard and the only reliable way to buy it is against a retained reference sample.
What actually moves the shade
In a mixture, color follows composition. Three variables do the work, and all three are specifiable.
Why it matters: lime is both a color variable and a phytotoxicity buffer — so shade and crop safety are not independent settings on this product
What a shade specification means on a mixture
Blue Bordeaux mixture technical is chemically the same product as the standard technical grade — copper sulfate and hydrated lime, CAS 8011-63-0, the same FRAC M1 multi-site contact chemistry. What differs is that appearance is part of the specification rather than an outcome.
The honest framing matters here. Bordeaux is blue to begin with — famously so; it historically stained workers blue. There is no second chemistry and no crystal-polymorph story of the kind that distinguishes blue from green copper oxychloride, because Bordeaux is a mixture rather than a crystalline compound. What varies is the depth and cast of the blue, driven by the copper sulfate grade, the lime ratio and the fineness of the blend. Buying that reliably means a retained reference sample, not a number.
How to buy a shade on a mixture
- Against a retained reference sample. The only dependable control; we hold one per lot and match the next to it.
- With the lime ratio fixed. It moves the color and buffers phytotoxicity, so it cannot float independently.
- With the copper sulfate source held. A grade change shifts the cast of the blue at identical copper assay.
- The standard grade for comparison: Bordeaux mixture technical.
Handling character
Bordeaux mixture is a Class 9 dangerous good and is corrosive to equipment. Full detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Blue to blue-green powder |
| Shade | Matched to retained reference sample |
| Copper sulfate content | Per agreed specification |
| Hydrated lime content | Per agreed specification |
| Copper as Cu | Per agreed specification |
| Particle size | Per agreed sieve specification |
Important: the figures above are indicative of commercial material and are offered for planning only. The batch certificate of analysis is the governing document.
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Physical state | Blue to blue-green powder |
| Nature | Mixture, not a single compound |
| Mode of action | Multi-site contact; FRAC M1 |
| Tank stability | Use the same day once mixed |
| Rainfastness | Longer lasting than fixed coppers |
| Phytotoxicity | Higher than fixed coppers |
| Equipment | Highly corrosive; rinse thoroughly |
Characteristics compiled from public agricultural extension guidance on Bordeaux mixture. Because the product is a mixture rather than a single compound, its properties depend on the ratio and on preparation. Treat the table as orientation, not as a specification.
Where a shade specification earns its place
Branded lines, repacking consistency and spray-deposit visibility.
Branded retail & shelf identity
Growers recognize a repeat purchase by appearance, so a shade shift between lots reads as a different product.
- Retail packs to your label artwork
- Shade held across the contract
- Retained reference per lot
Counterfeit differentiation
Where a branded line is copied, a consistently held house shade is one of the cheaper authenticity signals a distributor has.
- Retained reference per lot
- Shade tolerance agreed in writing
- Batch traceability to producer
Spray deposit visibility
Bordeaux leaves a visible deposit, and growers judge coverage by it. A consistent shade makes that judgement repeatable.
- Fineness specified alongside shade
- Lime ratio fixed
- Dormant-season use
Dormant-season disease control
Unchanged from the standard grade: peach leaf curl, shot hole, citrus brown rot, fire blight and walnut blight.
- FRAC M1 multi-site
- Label claims are registrant-specific
- Read the crop protection guide
Registrant & repacker supply
Bulk supply to registrants carrying a shade-specified branded Bordeaux line.
- 25 kg bags and bulk bags
- Second source shade-qualified
- Specification held across the contract
Import & FIFRA coordination
A pesticide import needs a Notice of Arrival on EPA Form 3540-1, and US sale or use needs an EPA-registered product.
- NOA coordination with your broker
- UN 3077 documentation prepared
- Registration remains yours
Delivered to US plants and ports
We ship blue Bordeaux mixture technical to nominated delivery points across the United States. The regions below are destinations we serve — Chelora Chemicals is a sourcing and supply partner, not a US manufacturer, and does not hold US stock.
Gulf Coast
The largest US chemical cluster, and the usual entry point for bulk consignments.
- Houston & Galveston, TX
- New Orleans & Baton Rouge, LA
- Mobile, AL
Northeast
Container and bulk delivery into the mid-Atlantic and New England manufacturing belt.
- Newark & Elizabeth, NJ
- Philadelphia, PA
- Boston, MA
Southeast
Port-side delivery for the Carolinas, Georgia and Florida processing plants.
- Savannah, GA
- Charleston, SC
- Jacksonville, FL & Norfolk, VA
Midwest & Great Lakes
Inland rail and truck forwarding from the nearest coastal port to the industrial Midwest.
- Chicago, IL
- Detroit, MI
- Cleveland & Columbus, OH
West Coast
Pacific routing for West Coast processors and formulators.
- Los Angeles & Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Seattle & Tacoma, WA
Southwest & Mountain
Inland delivery to interior states, forwarded from the Gulf or Pacific gateway.
- Dallas–Fort Worth, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Denver, CO
Importing into the United States
Blue Bordeaux mixture technical is a TSCA-regulated chemical substance. Under TSCA section 13 the importer of record, or its authorized agent, must certify to US Customs and Border Protection that each shipment either complies with TSCA or is not subject to it. We confirm the substance's TSCA Inventory status and agree in writing who files that certification before the first consignment moves.
Which party carries that duty follows the Incoterm. On FOB, CFR or CIF terms it is usually the US buyer; on DDP terms it can be the seller or its agent. Safety data sheets and labels are supplied to OSHA's updated Hazard Communication Standard, and the UN 3077 Class 9 transport documentation is prepared before booking.
| Item | How it works |
|---|---|
| Delivery points | Any nominated US plant, terminal or port of discharge |
| Incoterms quoted | FOB · CFR · CIF · DDP |
| Importer of record | Agreed in writing before the first shipment |
| TSCA certification | Section 13 positive certification filed at entry |
| Documentation | Batch COA, SDS, packing list, certificate of origin |
| Pack formats | 25 kg bags or retail packs |
Note: regional coverage describes where we deliver, not where we hold inventory. Lead time depends on producer scheduling and ocean transit to your nominated US port — we confirm both in the quotation.
How we supply blue Bordeaux mixture technical
Chelora Chemicals is a Bordeaux mixture supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. The thing to settle before quoting is the ratio, because CAS 8011-63-0 describes a mixture and tells you nothing about strength.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your specification, your price point and your delivery window, and settle the FIFRA and import position before booking.
We will also tell you when a fixed copper is the better product. If you are spraying into new growth, Bordeaux is the wrong tool — it is more phytotoxic than copper hydroxide or copper oxychloride, and that is a crop-damage risk, not a preference.
- Shade matched against a retained reference sample. No published numeric color standard exists for Bordeaux, so a physical reference is the only reliable control.
- Lime ratio fixed as part of the shade specification. It drives both the color and the phytotoxicity buffering, so it cannot be varied independently of the shade reference.
- Copper sulfate source held constant. A change of copper sulfate grade moves the cast of the blue even at identical copper assay.
- Second source shade-qualified in advance. A substitute lot that assays correctly but reads wrong is still a rejected lot.
- UN 3077 documentation prepared before booking. Class 9 on aquatic toxicity grounds; the paperwork is not optional.
- Honest advice on whether you need it. If the color is not exposed in your end use, we will say so and quote the standard grade.
Bagged or in retail packs
25 kg bags, bulk bags or retail packs — all to UN 3077 marking and labeling requirements.
25 kg poly-lined bags
Moisture-barrier bags on stretch-wrapped pallets, UN-marked, the standard commercial unit.
1 kg · 5 kg sealed packs
Small sealed packs in cartons to your approved label artwork where you hold the registration.
500–1,000 kg bulk bags
Liner-fitted bulk bags for repacking operations and large-scale distribution.
Fiber drums
Sealed fiber drums where extra moisture protection or extended storage is needed.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with dangerous goods documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for mixing, suspension and crop safety trials before a commercial order.
Class 9, corrosive and phytotoxic — all three matter
Bordeaux mixture carries three separate cautions that the fixed coppers do not all share: it is very toxic to aquatic life, which drives the Class 9 transport classification; it is highly corrosive to spray equipment; and it is more phytotoxic than the fixed coppers. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H302Harmful if swallowed.H315Causes skin irritation.H318Causes serious eye damage.H410Very toxic to aquatic life with long lasting effects.
Three practical cautions from agricultural extension guidance. First, phytotoxicity: applying Bordeaux to newly growing leaves can injure new growth, which is why it is principally a dormant-season material. Second, equipment corrosion: it is highly corrosive, and guidance is to rinse spray equipment at least three times with a little vinegar added to neutralize the high-pH residue. Third, same-day use: once mixed it begins losing effectiveness immediately. Dry ingredients also need a tank with mechanical agitation, as bypass agitation is usually inadequate. On US registration the ordinary FIFRA rule applies — the product must itself be EPA-registered for sale or use here, and imports need a Notice of Arrival on EPA Form 3540-1.
Storage
Store the dry pre-blend in sealed, moisture-barrier packaging in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from food, seed and feedstuffs. Keep dry: the blend cakes if it takes up moisture, and the lime fraction carbonates on exposure to air. Bunded or contained storage is advised because of the aquatic hazard.
Handling
Handle with dust control, impervious gloves and tight-fitting eye protection; the material causes serious eye damage and is harmful if swallowed. Extension guidance notes that copper sulfate and stock solutions are very toxic and corrosive and should be stored in clearly labeled containers. Prevent any release to drains or watercourses. Follow the exposure controls set out in the batch SDS.
Transport
Bordeaux mixture is classified as dangerous goods for transport on the basis of aquatic toxicity, normally shipped as UN 3077, Environmentally hazardous substance, solid, n.o.s., Class 9, Packing Group III. Marked and labeled packaging, a dangerous goods declaration and compliant documentation are required. We confirm and document the classification for your specific grade, packaging and destination before booking.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Copper content basis, crystal form, shade, particle size and moisture confirmed against your requirement before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS, TSCA or FIFRA position and UN 3077 dangerous goods paperwork checked by our desk before the shipment is booked.
Traceable dispatch
Each shipment is traceable to its producing batch, with full chain-of-custody records on request.
Why the shade varies at all
Bordeaux is a reaction product, not a compound. Copper sulfate dissolved in water is acidic; adding hydrated lime raises the pH and precipitates the copper as a sparingly soluble basic copper sulfate. The color of what precipitates depends on how far that reaction is taken, which is set by the lime ratio.
Published guidance notes that only about 0.225 kg of lime per kg of copper sulfate is needed to precipitate all the copper, while traditional field practice uses roughly equal weights — a large excess. Between those two extremes sits a wide band of legitimate formulations, and they do not all look the same. Add the copper sulfate grade and the fineness of the blend, which changes how light scatters off the powder, and you have three independent variables moving the appearance.
None of them is a crystal-form difference. That is worth stating because the blue-versus-green distinction in copper oxychloride genuinely is a polymorph story, and the reasoning does not carry across. Here, shade is a composition and process outcome — reproducible, specifiable, but only against a physical reference.
We do not publish operating process parameters here; this is background only. Full technical documentation accompanies every shipment, and any process-specific detail you need is best confirmed directly with our technical desk.
| Nature | Mixture, not a single compound |
|---|---|
| Why it is blue | The copper — Bordeaux always was |
| Shade driver 1 | Copper sulfate grade and source |
| Shade driver 2 | Copper sulfate to lime ratio |
| Shade driver 3 | Fineness of the blend |
| How to specify | Retained reference sample |
The copper range and related inorganics
The other copper chemistries and the acids and salts supplied from the same desk.
Blue Bordeaux mixture, answered
Is blue Bordeaux a different product from standard Bordeaux?
Is not Bordeaux blue anyway?
What actually makes one lot bluer than another?
Is there an industry standard for blue Bordeaux?
Can I specify the shade without fixing the lime ratio?
Does the blue grade perform differently?
How do you stop the shade drifting between lots?
Should I pay for a shade specification?
Is it dangerous goods to ship?
Do you supply blue Bordeaux mixture in the United States?
Get a quote on blue Bordeaux mixture technical
Send us your shade reference — or ask for trial packs so you can set one — with the lime ratio, copper basis, pack format and US delivery point. If the color is not exposed in your end use we will say so and quote the standard grade.