| HS Code | |
| Product Name | Choline Chloride |
| Chemical Formula | C5H14ClNO |
| Molecular Weight | 139.62 g/mol |
| Cas Registry Number | 67-48-1 |
| Einecs Number | 200-655-4 |
| Iupac Name | 2-Hydroxy-N,N,N-trimethylethanaminium chloride |
| Synonyms | Choline chloride; (2-Hydroxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride; Vitamin B4; Hepacholine; Biocolina |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Odor | Mild amine odor |
| Melting Point | 302-305 °C (decomposes) |
| Density | 1.11 g/cm3 at 25 °C |
| Water Solubility | Very soluble |
| Ethanol Solubility | Soluble |
| Ether Solubility | Insoluble |
| Ph | 5.0-7.0 (10% aqueous solution) |
| Flash Point | >100 °C (closed cup) |
| Vapor Pressure | Negligible at 25 °C |
| Logp | -3.5 (estimated) |
| Storage Conditions | Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area in a tightly closed container |
| Stability | Hygroscopic; stable under normal temperatures and pressures |
| Decomposition Temperature | >300 °C |
| Assay | ≥98% (typical) |
| Common Grades | Feed grade, food grade, pharmaceutical grade, industrial grade |
As an accredited Choline Chloride factory, we enforce strict quality protocols—every batch undergoes rigorous testing to ensure consistent efficacy and safety standards.
| Packing | Choline Chloride is packaged in 25 kg polyethylene-lined woven bags, securely palletized and shrink-wrapped for industrial transport and storage. |
| Container Loading (20′ FCL) | Choline Chloride in 25 kg bags, palletized and shrink-wrapped, securely loaded into a 20′ FCL container for sea export. |
| Shipping | Choline chloride is generally shipped as a non-hazardous chemical. Use sealed, moisture-proof packaging to prevent deliquescence and caking. Store and transport in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from oxidizers. Label according to local regulations; no UN dangerous-goods classification normally applies. Keep containers closed and protect from moisture during handling. |
| Storage | Store choline chloride in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area. Keep containers tightly closed to prevent moisture absorption, as it is hygroscopic. Protect from heat, direct sunlight, acids, and incompatible oxidizers. Use appropriate personal protective equipment when handling, and avoid dust generation. Maintain clear labels, segregate from foodstuffs, and follow local chemical storage regulations. If liquid, provide secondary containment. |
| Shelf Life | Choline chloride is stable for about two years when stored airtight in a cool, dry place, as it is hygroscopic and moisture-sensitive. |
In broiler integrator feed mills, liquid choline chloride at 70% or 75% aqueous concentration is transferred from stainless-steel 316L storage tanks through peristaltic dosing pumps into continuous belt or vacuum coaters, where it is sprayed post-pelleting onto crumbled or pelleted feed at a rate delivering 400–1,500 mg choline chloride per kg complete feed, depending on breeder strain, growth phase, and ambient heat load. The upper application band is normally selected when maize-based diets contain limited soybean meal, because raw-material choline contribution is lower under those formulation conditions. The active substance is regulated as a nutritional additive under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; feed-safety systems at premix and integrator level are required to operate under FAMI-QS Code Version 6.0, GMP+ B1, or ISO 22000:2018 according to the customer audit scheme. In liquid dosing circuits, mild steel and aluminum fittings are incompatible because the chloride ion initiates pitting corrosion; the operational constraint is therefore concentrated in equipment rather than feed chemistry. Dry choline chloride 60% on silica or corn-cob carriers, when introduced before the conditioner, raises the free-moisture point of the meal; if post-conditioning moisture exceeds 16–17%, pellet die plugging and cooler discharge bridging are observed in final-stage pneumatic conveying. Integrators with single-stage or short-retention conditioners therefore select post-pelleting liquid application, while compound-feed plants producing vitamin-mineral premixes blend dry 60% carrier forms in twin-shaft paddle mixers at 0.5–3.0 kg per tonne of premix, followed by bagging under 60% relative humidity. Terminal finished product forms are broiler starter, grower, and finisher compound feeds, layer mash, and breeder vitamin-trace mineral premixes.
Formulation of sow lactation diets with supplemental choline chloride must resolve a moisture-management conflict: the 60% dry product on vegetable-fiber or silica carrier releases free choline chloride under high-shear mixing, and the resulting hygroscopic film binds molasses, fat, and limestone fines. In conventional horizontal ribbon mixers with 3–5 min dry-mix cycles, dry choline chloride 60% is introduced into the ration at 300–1,000 mg/kg complete feed, expressed as choline chloride, with the upper band reserved for high-producing sows nursing 10–14 piglets per litter according to herd-specific genetic management. EU compliance is carried under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; when the product is delivered as a feed additive to commercial compound-feed plants, FAMI-QS Version 6.0 and ISO 22000:2018 apply to the additive supply chain, while US food-chain use is anchored to 21 CFR 182.8252 for choline chloride as a nutrient. Process operators introduce the dry additive with the mineral fraction rather than by direct addition into the fat spray line; the sequencing prevents clumping on the paddle shaft and reduces carry-over between batches. If a liquid 75% source is selected, it is metered through diaphragm pumps into the main mixer after the dry ingredients have been pre-blended, keeping final moisture below 13% before pelleting. Steam conditioning at 70–85 °C does not degrade choline chloride to a significant extent, but it mobilizes free moisture; dry carrier products are therefore kept below 10% water absorption in bulk storage. Finished product types include sow lactation compound feed, piglet creep feed, and custom vitamin-trace mineral premixes for integrated swine production systems.
| Scope | Standard or code | Application boundary |
|---|---|---|
| EU feed additive authorization | Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 | All animal feed and premix applications |
| US food-chain nutrient status | 21 CFR 182.8252 | Human food and selected supplement manufacturing |
| Feed safety management | FAMI-QS 6.0, GMP+ B1, ISO 22000:2018 | Additive supply chain, premix plants, feed mills |
| US animal food CGMP | 21 CFR 507 | Dairy and swine feed manufacturing sites |
| Industrial hazard communication | OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200 | Oilfield and electroplating workplace safety |
| EU industrial chemical registration | REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 | Downstream non-feed uses |
| Processing route | Typical use rate | Process anchor |
|---|---|---|
| Broiler complete feed | 400–1,500 mg/kg | Post-pelleting liquid 70–75% |
| Swine lactation feed | 300–1,000 mg/kg | Dry 60% carrier or liquid 75% |
| Transition cow ration | 15–45 g/cow/day | Rumen-protected coating in TMR |
| Warmwater shrimp feed | 400–2,500 mg/kg | Vacuum post-coating after fat |
| Hydraulic fracturing fluid | 0.05–1.0 wt% | Post-hydration addition to blender |
| Electroplating deep eutectic solvent | 1:2 molar ratio ChCl:HBD | 60–80 °C preparation, water <1 wt% |
Rumen-protected choline chloride products are introduced into transition-cow total mixed rations during the final 3 weeks prepartum through 30 days postpartum at an active choline chloride equivalent of 15–45 g per cow per day, depending on body condition score, dietary methionine, and forage-to-concentrate ratio; the lipid or pH-sensitive coating is the rate-limiting barrier rather than the choline chloride itself. Unprotected choline chloride is not a practical direct-to-rumen additive because free choline is rapidly degraded in the rumen before reaching the small intestine; the protected form is therefore the only route for postruminal supply in lactating dairy cattle. The product is regulated as a nutritional feed additive under Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003; in the US, dairy premix manufacturers operate under 21 CFR 507 current good manufacturing practice for animal food and AAFCO official ingredient definitions, but site-specific premix and TMR production remains under a feed-safety plan rather than a standalone product standard. Production integration occurs after the TMR mixer has completed 80–90% of the mixing time, and the additive is added with the grain concentrate fraction to limit prolonged shear exposure in vertical auger mixers or horizontal reel mixers; long mixing beyond 10 min after inclusion is avoided because lipid coating loss exposes free choline to ruminal degradation. Storage is maintained below 70% relative humidity because moisture penetration into the coating triggers surface caking and reduces flowability through auger delivery systems. Finished product forms are transition-cow grain mixes, dry-cow mineral supplements, and total mixed rations distributed to lactating dairy cattle.
A production-scale twin-screw extruder producing 400–2,000 kg/h of shrimp feed applies specific mechanical energy in the 30–40 kWh/t range; choline chloride is therefore preferentially applied after extrusion through vacuum or atmospheric post-coating rather than in the raw material mix, because free choline chloride in the extruder barrel increases die wear and hygroscopic fines. Preconditioner steam addition raises mash moisture to 25–30%; dry choline chloride 60% introduced at that point forms sticky fines along the barrel wall and interferes with barrel fill. Shrimp feeds are typically formulated to deliver 400–2,500 mg choline chloride per kg finished feed, with the upper segment used for fast-growth intensive ponds and low-natural-feed systems. Compliance for exported aquaculture feed is anchored to Regulation (EC) No 1831/2003 for the choline additive, and feed-mill quality systems follow ISO 22000:2018, GMP+ B1, or national aquaculture feed safety programs; in some importing jurisdictions, the finished feed must also meet residue and contaminant limits from Codex Alimentarius guidelines. The post-coating operation uses a batch vacuum coater operating at –0.7 to –0.9 bar gauge pressure for 8–15 min, allowing the liquid choline chloride 70% or 75% to penetrate into the pellet after lipid application; the order of addition is fat first, then aqueous choline chloride, because reversing the sequence creates a water layer that blocks oil absorption and produces surface shatter. Terminal products are extruded shrimp pellets, crab-stick feed, and sinking prawn grow-out diets.
If a fracturing operation substitutes choline chloride for potassium chloride as a temporary clay stabilizer, the dosing target is normally 0.05–1.0 wt% of the liquid phase, with the lower band limited to low-smectite sandstone and the upper band reserved for water-sensitive shale with high cation-exchange capacity. The chemical is regulated for hazard communication under OSHA 29 CFR 1910.1200; in the EU, registrations under REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 apply to supply and use in industrial fluids. Laboratory compatibility testing follows the shale-erosion and cuttings-dispersion protocols of API RP 13I, and final fluid disclosure may be required through FracFocus or operator-specific chemical disclosure lists. In field pumping, the additive is injected into the fracturing fluid blender or hydration unit after the polymer is fully hydrated, because early addition during polymer wetting competes with guar or friction-reducer polymer for water and can increase the slurry viscosity transiently. The terminal product forms are slickwater, linear guar frac fluids, and crosslinked borate or zirconate systems used in multi-stage completions. The use limit is operational rather than toxicological: choline chloride is not an approved potable-water treatment chemical under NSF/ANSI 60, so groundwater-adjacent completions require separate regulatory review before injection.
In non-aqueous electrodeposition lines, choline chloride is combined with a hydrogen bond donor such as ethylene glycol or urea at a molar ratio of 1:2, forming a deep eutectic solvent that enables nickel, copper, or zinc deposition without aqueous hydrogen-evolution side reactions. The mixture is prepared in jacketed stirred vessels at 60–80 °C until optically clear, with water content held below 1 wt% because water narrows the electrochemical window and shifts the reduction potential of the metal species; the electrolyte then enters a heated filtration loop through 1 µm polypropylene bag filters before reaching the plating cells. Compliance is governed by REACH Regulation (EC) No 1907/2006 and, for electroplated articles, relevant coating specifications such as ISO 2081:2018 for zinc coatings or ISO 4526:2004 for nickel deposition, depending on the substrate and end-use corrosion class. Process control typically maintains plating temperature at 50–70 °C; pH limits are not applicable in the same sense as aqueous baths because water content and chloride activity are the controlling parameters. Published data for this specific configuration is limited in open industrial literature, but equipment suppliers and research institutions report that anode dissolution, not cathode deposition, is the first failure mode when water rises above 1 wt%. Terminal product types are electroplated electronic connectors, decorative nickel-chromium parts, and zinc-plated fasteners where the DES bath replaces cyanide or acid chloride plating lines.
Infant formula manufacturers receiving choline chloride as a 99% crystalline powder must control bulk density and particle-size distribution before dry blending, because unmilled crystals segregate in low-shear bin blenders and produce batch-to-batch choline variability. The finished formula choline level is set between 7.1 mg and 50 mg per 100 kcal under Commission Delegated Regulation (EU) 2016/127; US manufacturing is aligned to the nutrient specifications of 21 CFR 107.100, and the raw material is normally released against the Food Chemicals Codex choline chloride monograph and USP/NF specifications. Process integration occurs after the wet-mixing and spray-drying step in powdered products; the dry choline chloride is added with the vitamin-mineral pre-blend in a V-blender or tumble blender operating at 60–70% fill volume, and the blend is then passed through a 0.5 mm sieve to break agglomerates before packaging. For ready-to-feed liquid formulations, choline chloride is dissolved in the aqueous phase prior to thermal processing, with retention verified after UHT or retort sterilization. Terminal product types are infant formula powder, ready-to-feed infant formula, and adult oral nutritional supplements where choline chloride is a declared nutrient in the formulation.
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Choline chloride is a quaternary ammonium salt with the formula C5H14ClNO, a CAS registry number of 67-48-1, and an overall molecular weight of 139.62 g/mol. The choline cation, C5H14NO+, has a molecular weight of 104.17 g/mol and represents 74.6 % of the dry salt mass; this cation density is the principal specification for comparing choline sources. Industrial production proceeds by the controlled addition of trimethylamine hydrochloride to ethylene oxide in aqueous solution, with pH maintained in a narrow neutral-to-weakly alkaline band to limit trimethylamine off-gas and to preserve the quaternary ammonium structure. Commercial models are not defined by a single global designation but are commonly supplied as 70 % and 75 % aqueous solutions, 50 % silica-dried powder, 60 % corn cob or plant-fiber carried powder, and 98 % crystalline material. The 70 % aqueous grade corresponds to approximately 52.2 % choline cation, while the 75 % grade corresponds to approximately 56.0 % choline cation. Because the chloride salt is deliquescent, dry crystalline and carrier-based grades require sealed packaging and storage below RH 60 % to avoid moisture uptake, lump formation, and metering drift in downstream blending equipment.
| Form | Choline chloride content (wt%) | Choline cation equivalent (wt%) | Moisture / water | pH of 10% solution | Carrier / diluent |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 % aqueous | 70.0–72.0 | 52.2–53.7 | water 28.0–30.0 % | 6.0–8.0 | water |
| 75 % aqueous | 75.0–76.0 | 56.0–56.7 | water 24.0–25.0 % | 6.0–8.0 | water |
| 60 % corn cob | 60.0–62.0 | 44.8–46.3 | ≤2.0 % | 6.0–8.0 | corn cob meal / plant fiber |
| 50 % silica | 50.0–52.0 | 37.3–38.8 | ≤2.0 % | 6.0–8.0 | precipitated silica |
| 98 % crystalline | 98.0–100.5 | 73.1–74.9 | ≤0.5 % | 5.5–8.0 | none |
Assay values are reported on an as-is basis and may be determined by argentometric titration of chloride after cation exchange, or by high-performance liquid chromatography with refractive index detection. Moisture is measured by Karl Fischer titration according to ISO 760 or ASTM E203, and pH is measured by calibrated glass electrode according to USP <791>. Heavy metal limits in feed-grade materials are frequently specified as lead not more than 5 mg/kg, arsenic not more than 3 mg/kg, and total heavy metals not more than 10 mg/kg, although buyer specifications may be tighter for pharmaceutical or infant nutrition applications.
Aqueous solutions of choline chloride contain chloride at approximately 17.8–19.0 % by mass in the 70–75 % concentration range, calculated from the chloride-to-salt mass ratio. This chloride activity makes the solution corrosive to carbon steel and to 304 stainless steel at temperatures above 40 °C, particularly under crevice conditions at flanges and pump seals. Storage tanks, transfer piping, and pump internals are therefore specified in 316L stainless steel or polypropylene. The pitting resistance of 316L is governed by its pitting resistance equivalent number, commonly in the range 24–25, which is acceptable for near-neutral pH at ambient temperature but does not eliminate chloride stress corrosion cracking under continuous welded or pressurised service. Aqueous choline chloride should not be blended with strong oxidising agents such as sodium hypochlorite, strong mineral acids, or anhydrous strong bases, because decomposition can release trimethylamine and reduce cation assay. Dry carrier grades exposed to relative humidity above 60 % can cake at the discharge gate of screw conveyors; the resulting lumps alter feed rate and may change the coefficient of variation of choline chloride in finished premixes by a measurable amount, although published data for a specific mixer configuration remains limited.
In animal nutrition, choline chloride is incorporated into vitamin-mineral premixes and complete feeds because hepatic synthesis of choline is insufficient for rapidly growing broilers, layers, and weaned pigs. The carrier-based grades are metered through loss-in-weight feeders into ribbon mixers or paddle mixers; label quantification is usually expressed as choline chloride equivalent or choline cation equivalent. The National Research Council 1994 poultry requirement tables list total choline need for young broilers near 1,300 mg/kg complete feed, but practical supplemental levels are adjusted for ingredient choline bioavailability, methionine status, and phytase addition. In premix manufacturing, the 60 % corn cob grade is commonly dispersed at 0.5–2.0 kg per 100 kg mineral premix in twin-shaft paddle mixers with a mixing time of 4–8 min; silica-carried 50 % grade is preferred where moisture and abrasion resistance are more critical. Choline chloride is chemically stable in dry vitamin-mineral premixes when the moisture content is held below 1.0 %, but it can accelerate degradation of oxygen-sensitive vitamins when moisture enters the package. Operational boundaries include pre-drying of carrier grades after exposure to RH > 60 %, avoidance of direct contact with copper sulfate pentahydrate in concentrated blends, and exclusion of strong alkalising agents that raise pH above 8.0.
The selection between choline salts is driven by choline cation density and moisture tolerance, not by a generic hierarchy of biological effect. Choline chloride supplies the highest choline cation per gram among common choline salts, but its hygroscopicity creates handling constraints in dry powder blends. Choline bitartrate has a molecular weight of 253.25 g/mol and a choline cation content of 41.1 %; it is less deliquescent and is therefore used in tablets and capsule formulations where low moisture pickup is required. Choline dihydrogen citrate has a molecular weight of 295.29 g/mol and a choline cation content of 35.3 %; its acidic character can buffer against alkalinity in effervescent formulations, but the lower cation density increases the mass required per unit choline. The comparative data appear in the following table.
| Property | Choline chloride | Choline bitartrate | Choline dihydrogen citrate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Molecular weight (g/mol) | 139.62 | 253.25 | 295.29 |
| Choline cation content (wt%) | 74.6 | 41.1 | 35.3 |
| Hygroscopicity | high | low | low |
| Typical pH of 10% solution | 6.0–8.0 | 3.2–3.8 | 3.0–4.0 |
| Common physical form | aqueous solution, carrier powder, crystal | crystalline powder | crystalline powder |
| Primary application | animal feed, industrial stabilisation | dietary supplements | dietary supplements |
For feed use, choline chloride remains the dominant salt because of its cation concentration and lower cost per unit choline. In pharmaceutical or supplement dry blending, choline bitartrate and choline citrate are selected when moisture caking and acid-base compatibility outweigh the disadvantage of lower cation content. The difference in hygroscopicity is not a cosmetic property; in direct-compression tablet formulations, choline chloride can increase granulation moisture and reduce tablet hardness under RH 65 % storage, whereas choline bitartrate maintains acceptable hardness under the same condition.
Choline chloride also functions as a temporary clay stabiliser in water-based drilling, completion, and workover fluids. In fresh-water or low-density brine packages, the quaternary ammonium cation exchanges with sodium and calcium on smectite surfaces, reducing clay swelling and fines migration. Field technical bulletins describe effective addition rates commonly in the range of 1.0–3.0 wt%, with performance evaluated by capillary suction time reduction and rheological measurement according to API RP 13B-1. The inhibition is weaker than that of polymeric cationic clay stabilisers and is not permanent, making choline chloride suitable for applications where the producing formation must be restored to its original water sensitivity after the treatment. Published data for specific formation compatibility is limited, particularly in high-temperature reservoirs above 120 °C, where the quaternary ammonium structure may undergo thermal decomposition and lose inhibition capacity.
For 75 % aqueous material, the decisive pump selection parameter is low-temperature viscosity. Supplier technical datasheets commonly report density in the range 1.10–1.12 g/cm³ at 20 °C, with dynamic viscosity rising into the range 100–180 mPa·s at 10 °C depending on trace water and residual trimethylamine. Positive displacement lobe or gear pumps with internal clearances above 0.1 mm are preferred over centrifugal pumps because cavitation can occur when viscosity exceeds 100 mPa·s. Storage tanks are heat-traced and insulated when ambient temperature falls below 10 °C; heating above 40 °C accelerates trimethylamine formation and colour development. The aqueous solution should be protected from repeated freeze-thaw cycling, as solids can crystallise unevenly and create concentration gradients that alter the metered cation content. For dry crystalline choline chloride, the primary handling boundary is the deliquescent threshold near RH 60 %; exposure above this value within an open mixer or bag dump station can initiate surface dissolution and particle fusion.
