Formaldehyde
The core raw material for UF, PF and MF resin production — the chemistry behind plywood, MDF, particleboard and laminates worldwide.
Chelora Chemicals supplies formaldehyde solution to resin, wood-panel and textile manufacturers worldwide, with full documentation and consistent concentration on every consignment.
Product identity
- CAS Number
- 50-00-0
- IUPAC name
- Methanal
- Molecular formula
- CH₂O
- Molecular weight
- 30.03 g/mol
- Supplied form
- 37-50% aqueous solution
- Melting point (pure gas)
- -92 °C
- UN Number
- UN 2209*
- HS Code
- 2912 11
* UN 2209 applies to formaldehyde solutions above 25%; methanol-stabilised grades may also trigger UN 1198 (flammable). Confirm exact classification for your shipment with your regulatory affairs team.
What Formaldehyde is used for
Formaldehyde is the simplest aldehyde — a pungent, colourless gas at room temperature, almost always supplied and handled as an aqueous solution known as formalin, typically stabilised with a small percentage of methanol to retard polymerisation. It is produced industrially by the catalytic oxidation or dehydrogenation of methanol.
Formaldehyde's single largest use is as the raw material for amino and phenolic resins — urea-formaldehyde (UF), phenol-formaldehyde (PF) and melamine-formaldehyde (MF) — which bind wood panels (plywood, MDF, particleboard), laminates and moulding compounds. It is also widely used in textile finishing (permanent-press and wrinkle-resistant treatments), and in smaller volumes as a disinfectant, biocide and biological preservative.
Where it sits in the petrochemical value chain
- Methanol the sole feedstock formaldehyde is oxidised from. See that page.
- Formaldehyde (this product) the resin raw material supplied as formalin solution.
- UF / PF / MF Resins the finished adhesive resins produced from formaldehyde by wood-panel and laminate manufacturers.
Handling character
Formaldehyde is classified as a carcinogen and is acutely toxic and corrosive. Full hazard detail is in the Safety section below.
| Parameter | Typical value |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Clear, colourless aqueous solution |
| Formaldehyde content | 37% or 44-50% |
| Methanol stabiliser | 5-15% (grade-dependent) |
| Acidity (as formic acid) | Within producer 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 | Clear, colourless aqueous solution |
| Pure substance boiling point | -19 °C (gas) |
| Density (37% solution) | ~1.09 g/cm³ |
| Water solubility | Fully miscible |
| Flash point (37% w/ methanol) | ~50-60 °C |
| Odour | Pungent, sharp |
Physical constants compiled from public reference data for CAS 50-00-0 and rounded for readability. Treat them as orientation, not as a specification.
Where our customers put this chemistry to work
The raw material the wood-panel and resin industries are built on.
Urea-formaldehyde (UF) resins
The highest-volume formaldehyde resin, binding particleboard, MDF and interior plywood.
- Resin-grade specification
- Bulk & drum supply
- Technical desk review on request
Phenol & melamine-formaldehyde resins
Weather-resistant PF resins for exterior plywood and laminates, and MF resins for decorative surfaces.
- Industrial-grade specification
- Documented batch traceability
- Contract & spot supply
Textile & finishing treatments
Used in permanent-press and wrinkle-resistant finishing treatments for textiles.
- Packs sized to customer volumes
- Full analytical documentation available
- Retained sample held against the lot
Moulding compounds
Used in amino and phenolic moulding compounds for electrical fittings, tableware and components.
- Documented batch traceability
- Technical desk review on request
Disinfectant & preservative
Used as a biocide and in biological-specimen preservation in controlled, lower-volume applications.
- Research & process-scale quantities
- Full documentation supplied
Contract & scheduled supply
Resin plants running continuous consumption are supported with scheduled bulk delivery.
- Annual contracts with scheduled call-off
- Price held across the contract period
- Second source held in reserve
How we supply Formaldehyde
Chelora Chemicals is a supplier and sourcing partner, not a manufacturer. Concentration, methanol stabiliser level and acidity are critical to resin-cure quality — that shapes how we manage this line.
We place your order with whichever qualified producer best matches your required grade, your price point and your delivery window, and confirm your jurisdiction's import requirements before booking.
We keep a second qualified source on this line, so a single-plant disruption never becomes your production problem.
- Concentration and acidity confirmed before we quote. Consistency matters to downstream resin-cure quality.
- UN 2209 documentation managed end to end. Classification, labelling and carrier compliance confirmed before booking.
- Scheduled call-off scheduling. We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
- Batch traceability to the producing plant. Full chain of custody documentation on request.
- Export machinery handled in-house. Classification, approved packing, labelling, freight booking and customs paperwork are ours to manage.
- 37% and 44-50% grades both sourced. Matched precisely to your resin process.
Packed the way your plant receives it
Drum, tote or bulk tank — tell us your preferred format and we will quote and classify to it.
200-litre drums
Plastic (HDPE) drums suited to corrosive formalin, for smaller-volume orders and trial quantities.
~1,000 litre totes
Returnable or one-way IBC totes sized for mid-volume converter orders.
Large-volume bulk shipment
Temperature-controlled ISO tank or flexi-tank bulk shipment to prevent premature polymerisation.
Incoterms to suit you
Quoted on the Incoterm your purchasing team works to, with documentation filed before booking.
Trial / sample quantities
Small packs dispatched for process trials before a commercial order is placed.
Contracted call-off supply
We hold contracted tonnage and release it against your consumption calendar.
Carcinogenic and corrosive — handle accordingly
Formaldehyde is a recognised human carcinogen and causes severe skin, eye and respiratory irritation on contact or inhalation. The summary below is orientation only — the safety data sheet supplied with your specific batch is the authoritative document.
Classified hazards
H301Toxic if swallowed.H314Causes severe skin burns and eye damage.H317May cause an allergic skin reaction.H331Toxic if inhaled.H350May cause cancer.
Handle only with engineering controls and full PPE. Always read the SDS issued with your specific batch and store accordingly.
Storage
Store in tightly closed containers in a cool, well-ventilated area above the solution's cloud point to prevent paraformaldehyde precipitation, segregated from oxidisers and strong bases.
Handling
Use full PPE (chemical-resistant gloves, goggles/face shield, respiratory protection) and work under local exhaust ventilation or in a fume hood. Avoid any skin, eye or respiratory exposure.
Transport
Shipped as UN 2209 (Formaldehyde solution, >25%), Packing Group III, with UN 1198 applying to methanol-stabilised flammable grades. We confirm and document exact classification for your specific shipment and destination.
Every batch, documented
We verify documentation before dispatch so there are no surprises at your incoming-goods bench.
Specification agreed
Concentration, methanol content and acidity confirmed against your resin process before order placement.
Producer batch testing
The producing plant tests each batch against the agreed specification before release.
Documentation review
COA, SDS and transport 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.
How formaldehyde is made
Formaldehyde is produced industrially by the catalytic oxidation or dehydrogenation of methanol, typically over a silver or metal-oxide catalyst, a long-established route in petrochemical chemistry. The gaseous product is absorbed into water to form the formalin solution supplied commercially, usually stabilised with methanol.
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.
| Chemical family | Aldehyde |
|---|---|
| Functional groups | One carbonyl (aldehyde) group |
| Reactivity | Condenses with urea, phenol and melamine to form amino/phenolic resins |
| Related compounds | Methanol (feedstock); UF, PF, MF resins (derivatives) |
Explore the wider petrochemical range
Formaldehyde, answered
What is Formaldehyde used for?
How is formaldehyde related to methanol?
Is Formaldehyde hazardous?
What grade do you supply?
What packing do you offer?
Do you manufacture this yourself?
Get a quote on Formaldehyde today
Send us your required grade, pack size and delivery window. We will come back with a firm quote, lead time and full documentation.