China, Germany, and the United States are the leading exporters of ferric chloride, collectively accounting for a substantial share of global supply, while India, Brazil, and Mexico represent the largest importers in recent years. Ferric chloride prices have remained relatively stable amid steady cross-border flows, with regional demand driven primarily by water treatment and printed circuit board manufacturing. Exports from China have expanded moderately since 2022, while European exports—particularly from Germany—have shown resilience despite tightening environmental regulations affecting production volumes.
Ferric chloride (FeCl₃) is a deliquescent solid that appears as dark brown to black crystals or flakes, often sold as a yellow to brown aqueous solution; it has a pungent, acidic odor and decomposes before melting (sublimes at ~315 °C). It is an inorganic metal salt and strong Lewis acid. Ferric chloride is widely used as a catalyst and reagent in organic synthesis—particularly in Friedel–Crafts reactions—and as a coagulant/flocculant in water and wastewater treatment. It serves as a key precursor in the production of ferric-based pigments, printed circuit board etchants, and iron oxide pigments. Typical application areas include water treatment, electronics manufacturing, pigment synthesis, and metallurgical processing.
Iron(III) chloride occurs naturally as the mineral molysite. The compound is widely used to prepare a number of iron(III) salts. Also, it is applied in sewage and industrial waste treatment processes. It also is used in the manufacture of dyes, pigments and inks; as a chlorinating agent; and as a catalyst in chlorination reactions of aromatics.
Ferric chloride,FeCl3, is a brown crystalline solid and is soluble in water,alcohol,and glycerol. It is also known as anhydrous ferric chloride,ferric trichloride, Flores martis,and iron chloride. Ferric chloride is used as a coagulant for sewage and industrial wastes, as an oxidizing and chlorinating agent,as a disinfectant, in copper etching, and as amordant. In addition, this compound is employed in the ferric chloride test,which is used to assess the relative corrosion resistance of stainless and nickel-base alloys. The ferric chloride test has been shown to be an appropriate measure of the suitability of such alloys for service in paper mill bleach plants and seawater.
This chemical is included in Fine Chemicals. See more about what is Ferric chloride and Ferric chloride SDS information.
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