10/28/2026 | Press release | Archived content
FutureFuel Chemical Company is a U.S. based chemical synthesis company and manufacturer of specialty chemicals. With 50 years of experience, FutureFuel produces materials for high-performance applications in the global marketplace. Leveraging advanced process development and manufacturing capabilities, FutureFuel supplies FutureChem® CDS and other products for customers who require dependable product quality and a consistent supply.
FutureChem® CDS (Disodium Catecholdisulfonate, Tiron) is a versatile, high-performing chelating agent known for its affinity for hard water ions and other metals such as iron, titanium, aluminum, copper, lead, and nickel. By changing color as it binds certain metals (iron, titanium, and aluminum), FutureChem® CDS provides a "Clean You Can See," a real-time visual indicator of active performance. Furthermore, its ability to work synergistically with other ingredients allows formulators to reduce or replace odor-heavy additives (such as thioglycolates) to lower overall formulation costs while improving user safety and product fragrance profiles.
Formulators and industrial manufacturers gain a comprehensive suite of advantages by sourcing FutureChem® CDS directly from FutureFuel:
FutureChem® CDS is a functionalized catechol-based disulfonate salt designed for powerful metal ion chelation across a broad pH range.
Key physical and chemical characteristics include:
FutureChem® CDS offers versatile performance across demanding cleaning, building material, and specialty applications:
FutureChem® CDS is an ideal additive for vehicle and wheel wash products designed to lift tough road grime and iron brake dust.
Acts as an effective chelating agent in household, commercial, and industrial cleaning formulations. It binds hard water ions (Ca2+ log K = 5.8) and transition metals to prevent mineral scale build-up, staining, and unwanted metal-catalyzed oxidation.
With a high binding affinity for iron (Fe3+ log K > 20), FutureChem® CDS enables rust removal without relying on harsh acids. It is an ideal additive for heavy-duty rust removers, bath cleaners, and exterior surface restoration products.
Before · While Cleaning · AfterFunctions as a specialty additive and accelerator in cement and concrete formulations.
Utilized as a specialized complexing agent, stabilizing additive, and analytical indicator in photographic chemical processing and sensitive photometric metal-testing applications.
FutureFuel produces FutureChem® CDS to meet strict quality and performance standards for formulators:
| Property, Unit | Value |
| Assay, % | ≥ 93.0 |
| Acidity, % as H2SO4 | ≤ 0.2 |
| SO4, % | ≤ 0.4 |
| Catechol, wt% | ≤ 0.1 |
| Other Disulfides | ≤ 0.2 |
| Volatiles, % (Mettler 120°C 120s Auto) | ≤ 0.5 |
| Water, % (KF) | ≤ 6.0 |
| APHA Color, ppm | ≤ 100 |
FutureFuel Chemical Company offers flexible supply options to meet the needs of manufacturers and formulators.
FutureChem® CDS delivers powerful, versatile chelation. By replacing harsh acids, minimizing expensive additives, and providing visual performance feedback, it improves formulation safety and efficacy across cleaning, construction, and specialty chemical markets. Backed by FutureFuel Chemical Company's US manufacturing capabilities and commitment to quality, FutureChem® CDS provides formulators with a reliable, high-purity additive designed for the most demanding applications.