Aditan

Aditan / Chemistry

Tannins in industry.

Tannins are natural, water-soluble polyphenols of plant origin. They are listed among the substances permitted for food use by the FDA (USA) and COFEPRIS (Mexico).

Close-up of Quebracho Colorado wood showing the dense fibrous structure rich in natural tannins

01 — Applications

Some of their uses

  • Leather tanning, winemaking, food, corrugated cardboard, agglomerates, and sugar refining.
  • Water treatment: inhibit scale formation through affinity with calcium and magnesium ions.
  • Process lines: combat corrosion by forming a protective film through interaction with iron.
  • Clarification: enable particle aggregation to improve clarity in process streams.

02 — Origin

Quebracho Colorado

A South American tree native to the Chaco region (northeastern Argentina and southern Paraguay). The name comes from quiebra-hacha — "axe-breaker" — a reference to its exceptional hardness on the Janka scale. Its industrial value lies in its high tannin content, with strong antioxidant power and significant antibacterial capacity.

Quebracho Colorado tree native to the Gran Chaco region of Argentina and Paraguay

03 — History

Quebracho Colorado extract

Known globally since 1900 as a natural tanning agent, its extracts and derivatives have served as environmentally compatible industrial additives — innovation in harmony.