Peracetic Acid (PAA) Disinfectant
Zyax supplies peracetic acid (PAA), a powerful, fast-acting disinfectant and sanitiser that breaks down into acetic acid, water and oxygen. It is used across food, dairy and beverage plants, hospitals, poultry and aquaculture, and for disinfecting water and treated effluent.
- Manufacturer & supplier, Mumbai
- Send your water report, get a product recommendation
- Bulk packs, delivered across India
- What it is
- An equilibrium mixture of peracetic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acetic acid and water, supplied in different strengths
- Used for
- CIP and surface sanitation, bottle and container rinsing, fruit and vegetable wash water, hospital and lab disinfection, poultry, aquaculture, cooling water and effluent disinfection
- Breaks down into
- Acetic acid (vinegar), water and oxygen
- How we help
- Tell us your application and contact time; we suggest the strength and dilution to discuss with your quality team
Why industries use peracetic acid
- Broad-spectrum and fast: PAA is effective against bacteria, yeasts, moulds and viruses with short contact times, and against spores at higher concentrations or longer contact.
- Works in cold water: useful for cold sanitation and CIP where hot water is not practical.
- Breaks down into simple substances: acetic acid, water and oxygen, leaving little residue on rinsed surfaces.
- Less affected by organic matter than chlorine, and it does not form chlorinated by-products.
- Some approved PAA sanitisers can be used without a final rinse at set concentrations. This depends on the product's approval and FSSAI rules, so check the label and your food safety plan.
Peracetic acid vs other disinfectants
| Peracetic acid | Sodium hypochlorite (chlorine) | Quaternary ammonium (BKC) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed of action | Very fast | Fast | Moderate |
| Works in cold water | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Effect of organic load | Less affected | Strongly reduced | Reduced |
| Breakdown products | Acetic acid, water, oxygen | Chloride; can form chlorinated by-products | Persistent residues |
| Foaming | Low | Low | Can foam |
| Smell | Sharp vinegar smell | Chlorine smell | Mild |
| Main cautions | Corrosive and oxidising concentrate; handle with PPE | Corrodes metals; by-products | Residues; inactivated by some detergents |
Where peracetic acid is used
| Industry | Typical use |
|---|---|
| Dairy, beverage and breweries | CIP final sanitation of tanks, pipelines and fillers; bottle and crate rinsing |
| Food processing | Equipment and surface sanitation; fruit and vegetable wash water |
| Poultry and meat | Carcass chill water and processing equipment, where permitted |
| Hospitals and healthcare | Instrument and surface disinfection, dialysis systems |
| Pharmaceuticals | Clean room and equipment sanitation |
| Aquaculture and animal husbandry | Pond, tank and equipment disinfection, farm hygiene |
| Water and effluent | Disinfection of treated effluent and cooling water, membrane system sanitation (check membrane compatibility) |
Handling and safety
Peracetic acid concentrate is corrosive and a strong oxidiser. Always:
- Wear chemical goggles or a face shield, gloves and protective clothing when handling the concentrate.
- Store in the original vented container, upright, in a cool, shaded, ventilated area, away from heat, alkalis, reducing agents and combustible materials.
- Never mix PAA with other chemicals, especially chlorine products or alkalis.
- Dilute by adding PAA to water, not water to PAA, and use compatible materials (stainless steel, suitable plastics).
- Follow the safety data sheet and local rules for food-contact use and discharge.
Who buys peracetic acid from us
- Dairies and milk chilling centres
- Beverage and packaged drinking water plants
- Breweries and distilleries
- Food processors
- Poultry processors
- Hospitals and dialysis centres
- Pharmaceutical units
- Aquaculture farms
- Effluent treatment plants
- Hygiene and facility contractors
Grades and specifications
Typical values for each grade we supply. Technical data sheet and safety data sheet available on request.
Peracetic acid 3%
High peroxide ratio grade for preservative action in industrial water circuits and food and beverage use.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| Odour | Strong, pungent |
| Specific gravity at 20°C | 1.0 |
| pH (1% solution) | 1.0 to 2.0 |
| Standard packs | 50 kg jar |
| HS code | 29153990 |
Peracetic acid 5%
Sanitiser for pre-cleaned equipment, tanks, fillers and pipelines in dairies, breweries, beverage and food plants.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| Density at 20°C | 1.12 |
| Freezing point | -28°C |
| HS code | 29153990 |
Peracetic acid 7.5%
Disinfection of pipelines, tanks, evaporators, bottles and food packaging surfaces.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| HS code | 29153990 |
Peracetic acid 15%
Stabilised high-activity grade for dairy and food plant disinfection, process water and produce washing.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| pH | Below 2 |
| HS code | 29153990 |
Peracetic acid 18%
Terminal disinfection, cooling water treatment and membrane disinfection.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| HS code | 29153990 |
Peracetic acid 35%
Textile bleaching, membrane disinfection, pharma and cosmetics.
| Appearance | Clear, colourless liquid |
|---|---|
| HS code | 29153990 |
Frequently asked questions
What is peracetic acid used for?
Peracetic acid is used as a disinfectant and sanitiser in food, dairy and beverage plants, hospitals, pharmaceutical units, poultry and aquaculture, and to disinfect water and treated effluent.
Is peracetic acid better than chlorine?
Peracetic acid acts quickly, is less affected by organic matter and does not form chlorinated by-products, breaking down into acetic acid, water and oxygen. Chlorine is cheaper and leaves a measurable residual. The best choice depends on the application.
What does peracetic acid break down into?
Peracetic acid breaks down into acetic acid (the acid in vinegar), water and oxygen.
Is peracetic acid safe?
Diluted correctly it is widely used in food and healthcare. The concentrate, however, is corrosive and a strong oxidiser, so it must be handled with gloves, eye protection and good ventilation, and never mixed with other chemicals.
Can peracetic acid be used in CIP?
Yes. Peracetic acid is commonly used as the final sanitising step in clean-in-place systems in dairies, breweries and beverage plants, including in cold water.
What strength of peracetic acid do you supply?
Peracetic acid is supplied as solutions of different strengths for different uses. Tell us your application and we will recommend a suitable strength.
How should peracetic acid be stored?
Keep it in its original vented container, upright, in a cool, shaded, well-ventilated place, away from alkalis, reducing agents, metals that are not compatible and combustible materials.
Is peracetic acid harmful to the environment?
Peracetic acid breaks down into acetic acid, water and oxygen, but the concentrate is toxic to aquatic life before it breaks down. It must be diluted and discharged in line with local norms.
Get a quote for peracetic acid (PAA)
Tell us what you are treating and how much you use. Send your water or effluent analysis if you have one, and we will recommend the right product and pack size.
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