GLDA-Na4 for Multiple Formulations: A Buyer's Guide

Most cleaning and care brands in Europe now run on a shortlist of chelating agents, and GLDA-Na4 sits on nearly every one of them. The reason is practical: one molecule does the calcium work in a floor cleaner, a laundry liquid and a shampoo formula, so the purchasing team buys one raw material instead of three. This article walks a buyer through the decision, from the performance data to the paperwork that arrives with the first container.

What GLDA-Na4 

GLDA-Na4 is the tetrasodium salt of glutamic acid diacetic acid, CAS 51981-21-6, with the INCI name Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate. The molecule is built from L-glutamic acid, an amino acid produced by fermentation from plant sugars, which is why it carries a natural-origin index of 0.56 under ISO 16128. Like other aminopolycarboxylates, it wraps around metal ions with its acetate groups and holds them in solution, so calcium and magnesium cannot deposit on surfaces or interfere with surfactants.

For a buyer the relevant point is simpler. GLDA-Na4 replaces EDTA in most formulations without a performance penalty, and it biodegrades under OECD 301, which EDTA does not. The switch is driven by regulation and retailer policy in Europe, not by preference.

The Numbers That Matter

Before changing a raw material, compare the figures side by side.

Property	GLDA-Na4
INCI name	Tetrasodium Glutamate Diacetate
CAS number	51981-21-6
Active content	38–47% (liquid grades)
Calcium chelation	~550 mg CaCO₃/g
pH stability range	2–13
Thermal stability	Stable to 170 °C
Biodegradation	OECD 301, ready
Natural-origin index	0.56 (ISO 16128)

The calcium figure and the pH window decide whether the change is a straight swap or needs a small dose adjustment. At roughly 550 mg of CaCO₃ per gram, GLDA-Na4 binds more calcium per gram than the EDTA it replaces, which usually allows a lower use level rather than a higher one.

Where One Molecule Covers Several Lines

GLDA-Na4 earns its place on the raw material list because it crosses product categories without a change in chemistry.

In hard-surface and institutional cleaning, the pH varies from task to task, from acidic descalers to caustic floor cleaners. GLDA-Na4 keeps calcium in solution across that whole window, so one grade covers the range. In liquid laundry detergents, it holds hardness away from fabric at roughly 0.1 to 0.5 per cent active, and it helps stabilise peroxide at lower wash temperatures. In personal care, it protects oils, fragrances and preservatives from metal-catalysed oxidation at low use levels, in both rinse-off and leave-on products. In agrochemical formulations, it keeps micronutrient solutions stable until application.

One grade, one set of documentation, one supplier. That is what makes GLDA-Na4 attractive to a purchasing manager who runs several product lines at once.

Compliance for European Buyers

Three things matter when the material crosses into the EU.

The Detergents Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 limits phosphate in consumer dishwasher detergents and requires ingredient disclosure on the label, and a chelating agent must be listed within its concentration band. REACH (EC) No 1907/2006 governs registration and safe-use communication down the supply chain. CLP (EC) No 1272/2008 sets classification and labelling rules, including the safety data sheet that accompanies every shipment.

Retailer schemes raise the bar further. EU Ecolabel criteria for detergents restrict EDTA, and the Nordic Swan takes the same position, which pushes formulators towards readily biodegradable chelators such as GLDA-Na4. A supplier that can show the OECD 301 report and full batch traceability shortens the path to approval.

Specification and Packaging

Liquid grades of GLDA-Na4 are clear, light yellow solutions with a pH around 10 to 12 as supplied and a density of roughly 1.25 g/cm³. They ship in drums or IBCs, and the grade is confirmed during the order review, not assumed from a brochure. Every delivery carries a Certificate of Analysis with the batch values, and those numbers should match what you agreed before the order was placed.

Sourcing from Yuanlian Chemical

Yuanlian Chemical has run a dedicated GLDA synthesis line since 2015 at its plant in Shandong Province. The company is ISO 9001 certified, holds high-tech enterprise status, and operates an annual capacity above 12,000 tonnes across its chelating agent range. Batch records can be audited by the customer or a third party, which matters when your own customer asks where the raw material came from.

The usual first step is a request for the specification sheet and a one-kilogram sample for a bench trial. The order review then confirms the grade, packaging and lead time against your forecast. Samples and technical documents are available from the contact details at the end of this article.

FAQ

Can GLDA-Na4 replace EDTA in my current formula?

In most detergents, cleaning products and personal care formulations, yes. The higher calcium binding per gram usually means the dose stays the same or drops slightly. A bench trial against your own hardness profile confirms it within a week.

Which grade should I order for a liquid detergent?

The 47 per cent liquid grade is the standard offering and suits most liquid formulations. The 38 per cent grade is available for buyers who want a lower active content for handling or regulatory reasons. The order review will confirm the right fit.

Does GLDA-Na4 work in cold-wash detergents?

Yes. Its chelation does not depend on heat, and it helps stabilise peroxide in low-temperature washes, which is why cold-wash liquid formulations use it.

What documents do you provide with a shipment?

A Certificate of Analysis per batch, a safety data sheet in the required language, and batch traceability records. REACH registration status for the relevant tonnage band is confirmed during the order review.

Do you supply samples for bench trials?

Yes. One-kilogram samples are available with the specification sheet, and the technical team can discuss dosage before you order.

Starting the Conversation

GLDA-Na4 keeps the raw material list short and the compliance file in order, and one supplier can serve several of your product lines with the same molecule. For specifications, samples or a quotation, contact [email protected] or call +86-537-3739818. Full product details are available at the company website: https://www.yuanlianchem.com