Tannic acid isn’t one of those ingredients that grabs headlines. But ask anyone in beverage production, leather processing, pharmaceutical manufacturing, or animal nutrition—they’ll tell you it’s indispensable. Known by its CAS number 1401-55-4 and dozens of synonyms (tannin, gallotannic acid, Chinese gallotannin), this pale yellow to light brown powder shows up everywhere: in beer tanks as a clarifier, on tannery floors as a curing agent, in pharmaceutical labs as a precursor for sulfa drugs.
For buyers sourcing from China, understanding the supplier landscape, price benchmarks, and quality specifications matters. Here’s what the market looks like today.
The Market Picture
The global tannic acid market is not massive, but it’s expanding steadily. According to QYResearch, the market was valued at USD 666 million in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1,029 million by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 6.5%. A broader market report covering tannic acid powder puts the numbers higher—USD 3.42 billion in 2025, growing to USD 6.18 billion by 2032 at 8.83% CAGR. The difference in figures comes down to what each report includes, but the direction is clear: demand is rising.
Asia Pacific holds the largest share, accounting for about 52% of the global market, followed by North America at 23% and Europe at 19%. In terms of product type, industrial-grade tannic acid dominates at 53%, with the industrial sector itself being the largest application area.
On the supply side, China remains a significant player. The country recorded visible export transaction unit prices around USD 2.63 per kilogram as of late 2025, compared to USD 5.86 per kilogram for Vietnam and USD 1.05 per kilogram for India. China’s export transaction count did show a year-over-year decline of 33.5%, but the country continues to be a major source of both industrial and food-grade material.
Who Are the Major Chinese Suppliers?
China‘s tannic acid production is geographically concentrated. Shaanxi province (especially Xi’an) has a dense cluster of food-grade ingredient suppliers. Hubei province—specifically the Wufeng County area—is home to larger-scale manufacturers that draw on local gallnut resources. Jiangsu and Hunan have notable players as well.
Some of the established names in the space include:
Chicheng Biotech — one of the global key players mentioned in market reports
Jiurui Biochem — based in Hunan, with food-grade tannic acid meeting FCC-IV standards
Hubei Tianxin Biotech — also listed among key global suppliers
Hebei Yanxi Chemical Co., Ltd. — manufacturing multiple purity grades from 93% to 99.5%, with supply capacity of 2,000 tons per month
Xi‘an-based suppliers — a range of companies including Xi’an Haotian Biotechnology, Xi’an Da’erwen Biotechnology, and others offering food-grade tannic acid at price points between USD 45 and USD 80 per kilogram
Pricing varies widely by grade, order volume, and supplier location. Data from early 2026 shows wholesale prices at roughly USD 49,000 per metric ton (USD 49 per kilogram) for 99% purity from Shandong-based suppliers. Smaller quantities from Jiangsu suppliers can range from USD 60 to USD 100 per kilogram. Meanwhile, food-grade material from Hunan sources has been listed around USD 143–145 per kilogram for smaller orders, and medicinal-grade tannic acid from Hubei around USD 130 per kilogram in 25‑kg packaging.
These price differences reflect variations in purity, manufacturing standards, and supplier positioning. It pays to compare multiple sources.
Understanding Specifications and Quality
Tannic acid is not a single chemical compound but a mixture of gallotannins—hydrolyzable polyphenols derived primarily from Chinese gallnuts. The chemical formula is C76H52O46, with molecular weight around 1,701. It appears as pale yellow to light brown amorphous powder, soluble in water and ethanol, and turns darker when exposed to light and air.
For buyers, the key specification is purity (tannin content) . Different grades serve different applications:
Industrial grade — tannin content ≥78–83% depending on grade level. Used for leather tanning, ink manufacturing, drilling mud additives, and metal complexation.
Food grade (食用级) — typically ≥93–99% purity. Used as beer and wine clarifier, antioxidant in food processing, and stabilizer in beverages. Must comply with national standard GB5308-85 or international standards like FCC-IV.
Medicinal grade — ≥92–96% purity, meeting USP or BP pharmacopoeia standards. Used as raw material for sulfa drugs and other pharmaceutical intermediates.
Feed grade — gaining traction since China‘s 2021 “antibiotic reduction” policy positioned tannic acid as a promising alternative to antimicrobial growth promoters in livestock production.
Key quality parameters to check on a Certificate of Analysis (COA):
Loss on drying (moisture) — ≤9% standard across most grades
Water insoluble matter — ≤0.1–0.2% for higher grades
Residue on ignition (ash) — ≤0.1–1.0% depending on grade
Gallic acid content — ≤4% for basic grades, under 1% for premium food grade
China has established specific technical standards for tannic acid: LY/T 1300 (industrial) and LY/T 1640 (medicinal), now consolidated into updated standards under the National Forestry and Grassland Administration. Reputable suppliers will provide COAs referencing these standards or international equivalents like FCC-IV or USP.
What Buyers Should Know Before Ordering
First, grade matters enormously. An industrial-grade product suitable for leather tanning will fail food safety requirements. Confirm upfront which grade you need and whether the supplier’s certification matches it.
Second, purity isn‘t the only number. Gallic acid content is worth watching—lower gallic acid typically means more refined product. Heavy metals and arsenic limits are especially critical for food and pharmaceutical applications.
Third, packaging and storage affect quality. Standard packaging is 25 kg per fiber drum with inner plastic liner. Tannic acid is hygroscopic and oxidizes in light; keep sealed, away from moisture, and in cool, dry conditions.
Fourth, minimum order quantities vary. Many suppliers offer trial amounts starting at 1 kg. Larger orders at 25–1,000 kg generally bring per‑kilo prices down.
Finally, know your raw material source. Chinese tannic acid is overwhelmingly derived from galls on Rhus chinensis (Chinese sumac) trees. Suppliers who own their gallnut supply chains tend to offer better batch consistency and traceability.
Final Thoughts
Tannic acid is a workhorse ingredient with a long industrial track record and expanding applications in food, feed, and pharmaceuticals. China’s wholesale market for CAS 1401-55-4 offers a range of options—from commodity industrial material to tightly controlled food and medicinal grades. The key for buyers is matching the right grade to the application, verifying quality documentation thoroughly, and testing samples before committing to volume orders. The ingredient has been around for centuries; the supply chain is mature. Now it’s about finding the right fit for your specific needs.