Formic Acid

Formic acid is the simplest carboxylic acid, containing a single carbon. Occurs naturally in various sources including the venom of bee and ant stings, and is a useful organic synthetic reagent. Formic acid is in use as a preservative and antibacterial agent, it is also useful in the manufacturing of leather and rubber. It is useful as a miticide by beekeepers.

Neutralization and Acidification
Textiles: dyeing, impregnating, pre-treatment, mercerization
Leather: tanning, bating, dyeing and refining
Rubber: latex coagulation
Waste-gas treatment: desulfurization 

Preservation
Grass silage: preservation of green fodder
Feed: preservation of grain, corn, etc.
Fish silage: prevention of salmonellae
Drinking water: salmonella control

Cleaner and Biocide
Industrial plants: cleaning, descaling, derusting
Household: descaling, cleaning
Wine casks, beer barrels and kegs
Dairy

Reactant
Plasticizers: epoxidation of soy bean oil to ESO
Paper: sizing agent for surfacing
Artificial sweetener
Semiconductor board soldering

Starting material
Oilfield chemicals: formate salts (cesium, potassium formates)
Runway deicing (potassium formate)
Refrigerant for cold stores (potassium formate)