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Lactic Acid Storage — Food, Biodegradable Cleaning, PLA Feedstock

Storing Lactic Acid? Start Here

Lactic acid is a versatile organic acid used in food, cleaning, and bioplastic production. It's biodegradable and safe for use in various industries, including food and beverage, where it acts as a mild acidulant and flavor enhancer. When storing lactic acid, it's important to know that it can be safely kept in polyethylene tanks, especially at concentrations of 10% and 90%. These tanks are suitable for both food-grade and industrial applications, provided they meet standard specifications.

Can you store it in a poly tank?

Yes, you can store lactic acid in a polyethylene tank. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) tanks are suitable for both 10% and 90% concentrations at temperatures up to 140°F. These tanks are a reliable choice for most applications, including food-grade storage.

Key Issue: Temperature Control

While lactic acid is safe in polyethylene tanks, it's crucial to maintain the right temperature. For food-grade storage, keep the temperature below 140°F to prevent degradation. Outdoor tanks should be heat-traced to avoid freezing but not for high-temperature conditions.

The safety that actually matters

  • Ensure tanks are made from HDPE, LDPE, or MDPE.
  • Use compatible fittings like PVC, polypropylene, or PVDF.
  • Match gaskets to the manufacturer chart for EPDM, Viton, or silicone options.
  • Maintain temperatures below 140°F for concentrated lactic acid.

Common questions

Is lactic acid safe to store in plastic tanks?
Yes, HDPE tanks are suitable for storing lactic acid at various concentrations.
What precautions should I take with outdoor tanks?
Ensure outdoor tanks are heat-traced to prevent freezing but avoid high-temperature settings.
What materials should I use for tank fittings?
Use PVC, polypropylene, or PVDF fittings for high-purity applications.

Lactic Acid storage tanks from OneSource

For lactic acid storage, specify HDPE rated to specific gravity 1.9. Verified, compatibility-matched options:

Confirm chemical compatibility and a ZIP freight quote with our team at 866-418-1777.

Storing a corrosive acid? Material of construction is everything.

Acids attack the wrong metals fast. These vendor-neutral guides help you match resin, liner, and containment to your acid and concentration.

Explore: FRP & Fiberglass Tanks  ·  Double Wall Tanks  ·  Chemical Compatibility

Sources & References

All compatibility ratings, hazard classifications, and chemical identifiers on this page are sourced from authoritative third-party publications. Verify against the original references before final specification.

  1. PubChem Compound Database — entry for Lactic Acid (CID 612, CAS 50-21-5). pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. National Library of Medicine / NCBI. Canonical chemical-identity reference.
  2. Snyder Industries Chemical Resistance Recommendations — system-of-construction guidance for polyethylene chemical-storage tanks at industrial ASTM 1.9 SG design rating. SNY-3041 Chemical Resistance Chart. Snyder Industries, current edition. Resin + fitting + gasket + bolt MOC matrix.
  3. Equistar Technical Tip — Chemical Resistance of Polyethylene — LDPE / MDPE / HDPE rating chart by concentration and temperature, distributed by Enduraplas. enduraplas.com (PDF). Equistar polyethylene resin chemical-resistance data, distributed via Enduraplas.
  4. NFPA 704: Standard System for the Identification of the Hazards of Materials for Emergency Response. nfpa.org. NFPA 704 'fire diamond' health/flammability/instability/special-hazard rating system (0–4 scale).
  5. UN Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS), current revision. unece.org/transport/ghs. GHS pictograms, signal words, and H-statement codes referenced in this guide.
  6. ASTM D1998 — Standard Specification for Polyethylene Upright Storage Tanks, current edition. astm.org. Cited as the design-specific-gravity standard (typically 1.9 SG) for industrial chemical-service polyethylene tanks.
  7. NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards — occupational exposure limits, PPE, and IDLH data for Lactic Acid. cdc.gov/niosh/npg. CDC / NIOSH chemical-specific occupational-safety reference.

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