Other acids
Nitric Acid 55–68% — Strong Oxidizer for Nitrates & Metal Processing
FOB Black Sea / MENA · CFR/CIF worldwide on request
Key parameters
Full specification
| HNO3 (nitric acid) | 55–68% (buyer-specified grade) |
| Nitrogen oxides (as NO2) | 0.2% max |
| Chlorides (Cl) | 10 ppm max |
| Iron (Fe) | 5 ppm max |
| Residue on ignition | 0.02% max |
| Appearance | Clear, colourless to pale yellow liquid |
| Density (at 60% HNO3) | ≈ 1.40 g/cm³ |
| UN number | 2031 (nitric acid, other than red fuming) |
| HS code | 2808.00 |
Full product details
Product overview
Nitric acid is the workhorse oxidizer in the global nitrogen chemicals chain. Produced by catalytic oxidation of ammonia over platinum-rhodium gauze, merchant-grade HNO3 at 55–68% concentration feeds ammonium nitrate and calcium nitrate neutralization lines, stainless steel pickling and passivation baths, and organic nitration reactors for dyes, explosives intermediates and pharmaceutical precursors. Our export grade carries nitrogen oxides capped at 0.2% and iron at 5 ppm — low enough for colour-sensitive nitration and AN crystallization where iron contamination discolours product.
Clear liquid appearance confirms low organic and heavy-metal impurity levels typical of integrated acid plants at Black Sea and MENA chemical complexes with dedicated acid loading jetties and ISO tank infrastructure. Typical buyers include fertilizer complexes securing merchant acid when own nitric units run at reduced rates, independent AN blenders building seasonal inventory ahead of planting windows, metal finishing shops on long-term acid supply contracts, and chemical manufacturers running continuous nitration campaigns.
Concentration selection balances freight efficiency against downstream dilution cost: 65–68% HNO3 maximizes nitrogen content per ISO tank movement, while 58–60% suits direct feed to ammonium nitrate neutralizers without intermediate dilution. HS code 2808.00. MOQ from 100 MT on FOB, CFR or CIF terms.
Loading ports & logistics
Nitric acid demands acid-compatible handling at every transfer point — standard bulk carriers, carbon steel tanks and unlined road tankers cannot receive this cargo. We coordinate three principal delivery modes depending on parcel size and receiver infrastructure.
316L stainless steel ISO tank containers hold approximately 20–24 MT net per unit and suit multi-modal routes to inland fertilizer plants and metal finishing facilities with dedicated acid unloading bays. Ideal for parcels of 100–500 MT assembled from multiple tank units on FOB Black Sea or MENA origins.
Dedicated acid tank trucks and coastal chemical tankers move parcels of 500–2,000 MT on short-sea routes between integrated chemical complexes and Mediterranean or Red Sea discharge terminals. Stainless cargo tanks are mandatory; tanks must be passivated after each discharge cycle to restore the protective oxide layer on steel walls.
Stainless-lined parcel tankers handle larger industrial contracts above 2,000 MT on long-haul routes to dedicated acid jetties in India, Turkey and North Africa. FOB loading at exporter-nominated acid berth; CFR and CIF quotes include tank freight, marine insurance and discharge-port compatibility check before firm offer. Typical lead time 10–20 days from contract execution to loading window.
Packaging & documentation
Cargo ships as liquid HNO3 in 316L stainless ISO tank containers, dedicated acid road tankers or stainless-lined chemical tankers — no drummed form exists for bulk merchant grade. Each lot is accompanied by a mill certificate of analysis showing HNO3 concentration, nitrogen oxides, chloride and iron results, safety data sheet (SDS) per GHS with oxidizer hazard classification, commercial invoice, tank list, bill of lading and certificate of origin. Concentration is confirmed by titration against sodium hydroxide standard on the COA, with density cross-check via calibrated hydrometer.
Third-party inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas or equivalent) at loading can be arranged on buyer request. Tank cleanliness certificate and previous-cargo confirmation are mandatory before ISO reload; we issue passivation and cleaning documentation with the shipping instructions package. IMO dangerous goods declaration and emergency response guide (ERG) references are included for Class 8 oxidizer carriage.
FAQ
What HNO3 concentration do ammonium nitrate plants typically order?
Most AN neutralization lines run on 58–60% HNO3 for controlled exotherm and ammonia consumption. Higher grades (65–68%) reduce freight cost per unit of nitrogen but require in-plant dilution before the neutralizer — the trade-off depends on your dilution capacity and tank freight distance.
How is bulk nitric acid shipped on international trade routes?
Nitric acid moves in 316L stainless ISO tank containers (20–24 MT net per unit) or dedicated acid tank trucks for short-sea legs. Parcels above 500 MT may load on stainless-lined coastal chemical tankers to acid-compatible jetties. IMO Class 8 oxidizer documentation is mandatory on every shipment.
Related products
- Ammonium Nitrate — downstream nitrogen fertilizer from HNO3 neutralization
- Ammonia — feedstock for catalytic nitric acid synthesis
- Sulfuric Acid — companion industrial acid for phosphate and mining circuits