A Deep Dive into the Unexpected Uses and Benefits of Calcium Chloride

What comes to your mind when you read or hear about calcium chloride? Well, the perceptions may differ for different people based on the usage. Usually, you will come across the name of this product listed in the ingredients of various food products. The unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride are commonly seen in the food and beverage industry. Moreover, it is recommended as safe for consumption in requisite quantities. However, do you know that it has some unexpected uses as well?

Let us take a look at some of the surprising uses of calcium chloride apart from the food and beverage industry:

Controlling Dust in Construction Sites and Roads

Wondering what are the top 5 surprising uses of calcium chloride? You must have driven through dusty roads and endured a lot of dust during the construction of your home. No matter where it is, dust is clearly one of the worst problems that humans need to face. From causing respiratory issues to damaging properties and damaging the vision, it is a menace we all want to avoid. Well, the unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride include dust control, as it absorbs moisture from the air. So, when dust spreads across widely on the roads, calcium chloride is used to attract and bind the particles, preventing it from becoming airborne. That way, the air quality improves greatly, helps in maintaining roads, and prevents diseases caused due to dust.

Softening Hard Water with the Unexpected Uses and Benefits of Calcium Chloride

Hard water contains high levels of magnesium, and calcium is least appropriate for regular use. At home, hard water is more unfit for use as it tends to build up sediment inside appliances, pipes, as well as on skin and hair. That’s when you remember one of the unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride. It can be used in water softening plants to rev up the quality of water. Wondering how? The calcium ions present in the compound take over the magnesium ions, reducing the instance of buildup. Apart from this, the unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride include making water more appropriate for daily use like cooking, drinking, and washing.

Unexpected Uses and Benefits of Calcium Chloride in the Agricultural Industry

When it comes to the unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride in agriculture, it is widely used for managing over 35 variants of physiological plant disorders. Used as a spray, this compound helps increase plant yield to a great extent. It is used for the formulation of liquid fertilizers, in the washing water for fruits, and lowers the chances of diseases. It is also added to the drinking water of chickens, allowing them to absorb calcium for eggshell structure and bone health. Furthermore, it is used as an additive to manure to maintain pH balance and reduce the volatilization of ammonia. The unexpected uses and benefits of calcium chloride also include improving the impact of drought stress on several plants.

Unexpected Uses and Benefits of Calcium Chloride in Industrial Applications

Calcium chloride has a wide range of industrial uses. Here are the industrial uses of calcium chloride:

Treatment of Pulp and Paper

Calcium chloride is widely used in the pulp and paper industry in the form of a coagulant to rev up the performance of organic polymers. Naturally, the compound is one of the major components of this industry that helps improve printing of texts and images.

Mining Industry

It is used as an FCA or freeze conditioning agent that helps ease the handling of minerals and their uploading during the winter months. Also, it helps minimize emission of dust in the working environment during mining operations and also cut down the maintenance costs to a great extent. If you are wondering how is calcium chloride used in agriculture and industry, you probably got your queries replied by now.

Manufacturing of Polymers

In the manufacturing process of polymers, calcium chloride is used to separate the aggregate molecules from the emulsifier. It is primarily used in the manufacturing of synthetic rubber.

Unexpected Uses and Benefits of Calcium Chloride in Absorption of Humidity

Due to the hygroscopic property of calcium chloride, it is used for the absorption of humidity for solvents and dry gases in various industrial applications.

Is Calcium Chloride Safe For Food Preservation And Melting Ice?

Yes, food preservation is one of the primary usages of calcium chloride and here is the purpose it serves:

·       As a firming agent, it helps maintain the texture of canned fruits and vegetables and prevents them from becoming mushy

·       Calcium chloride is used to balance minerals during the brewing process of beer

·       It is one of the ingredients of sports drinks and functions as an electrolyte

·       While it helps in maintaining the level of calcium in milk during the cheesemaking procedure and preserves the calcium level of milk

So, calcium chloride in food preservation is known to all. As far as melting ice is concerned, calcium chloride acts as a protective warrior and helps in deicing on the sidewalks and roads. It is one of the calcium chloride uses you never knew about for winter and gardening.

You are now familiar with the unexpected benefits of calcium chloride in everyday life. It’s time to source food-grade and high-quality of calcium chloride. At Cape Crystal Brands, we offer the best quality of calcium chloride, 100% natural food-grade product for users.

Conclusion

Calcium chloride is a versatile compound with a wide range of applications beyond its common use in the food and beverage industry. From controlling dust on roads and softening hard water to enhancing agricultural productivity and supporting industrial processes, its benefits are far-reaching. Whether used for food preservation, ice melting, or even improving plant health, calcium chloride plays an essential role in everyday life. If you are looking for high-quality, food-grade calcium chloride, Cape Crystal Brands offers a trusted and premium solution to meet your needs.

FAQs

Is Calcium Chloride Safe For Consumption?

Yes, calcium chloride is recognized as safe for consumption in regulated quantities. It is commonly used in food products as a firming agent, electrolyte, and preservative.

How Does Calcium Chloride Help In Water Softening?

Calcium chloride helps soften hard water by replacing magnesium ions with calcium ions, reducing buildup in appliances, pipes, and improving water quality for daily use.

Can Calcium Chloride Be Used In Agriculture?

Yes, calcium chloride is widely used in agriculture to manage plant disorders, improve crop yield, and maintain pH balance in manure. It also helps in strengthening eggshells in poultry farming.

About the Author Ed is the founder of Cape Crystal Brands, editor of the Beginner’s Guide to Hydrocolloids, and a passionate advocate for making food science accessible to all. Discover premium ingredients, expert resources, and free formulation tools at capecrystalbrands.com/tools. — Ed