Top 10 Manufacturers of Pharmaceutical Intermediate CAS No. 6419-36-9 in 2025

Understanding CAS No. 6419-36-9 – A Versatile Phosphonate-Based Intermediate

CAS No. 6419-36-9, also known as 1-Hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphonic acid (HEDP), is a phosphonate compound commonly used as a chelating agent, scale inhibitor, and corrosion control additive. While it is widely known for applications in industrial water treatment, it is also used as a pharmaceutical intermediate, particularly in the synthesis of bisphosphonates and bone metabolism regulators, such as etidronate.

Its ability to bind metal ions makes it useful in API formulation processes and certain drug precursor syntheses, especially for conditions like osteoporosis.

Importance of CAS No. 6419-36-9 in Pharmaceutical Manufacturing

Key Intermediate for Bisphosphonate Drugs

It is a structural base for bone resorption inhibitors, such as etidronate disodium, used in treating osteoporosis and Paget’s disease.

Chelating and Stabilizing Agent in Formulations

It acts as a metal ion chelator, maintaining the stability of pharmaceutical products during synthesis and storage.

High Affinity for Calcium Ions

This makes it suitable for targeting bone tissue, where calcium-rich surfaces are central to drug activity.

Application Beyond Pharma

Though used in water treatment and detergents, pharmaceutical-grade HEDP meets strict purity and heavy metal limits.

GMP-Compliant Manufacturing is Critical

When used in APIs or near-API processes, only pharma-grade HEDP produced under stringent regulatory standards is acceptable.

Top 10 Manufacturers of CAS No. 6419-36-9

1. Italmatch Chemicals

• Location: Genoa, Italy

• Overview: Italmatch produces HEDP at industrial and pharma-grade levels with high consistency, purity, and REACH/FDA compliance.

• Specialty: Phosphonate chemistry for life sciences and specialty chemical markets.

2. Solvay

• Location: Brussels, Belgium

• Overview: Solvay supplies high-purity phosphonates like HEDP used in pharmaceutical synthesis and formulation stabilization.

• Specialty: Advanced phosphorous chemistry and custom pharma applications.

3. Eastfine

• Location: Changzhou City, Jiangsu Province, China

• Overview: Eastfine offers pharma-grade HEDP (CAS 6419-36-9) for API and fine chemical use, backed by export certification, competitive pricing, and strict quality control.

• Specialty: Phosphonate intermediates for generic drug development under GMP guidelines.

4. Lanxess AG

• Location: Cologne, Germany

• Overview: Lanxess manufactures specialty phosphonates, including HEDP, with tight control over heavy metal content and purity.

• Specialty: Industrial and pharma-grade chelating agents with global reach.

5. Italmex Chemicals

• Location: Milan, Italy

• Overview: Focuses on fine chemical intermediates, including phosphonic acids and salts for life science applications.

• Specialty: Custom synthesis of phosphonate derivatives used in pharma.

6. ICL Group

• Location: Tel Aviv, Israel

• Overview: ICL is a global leader in phosphorus-based chemicals and supplies HEDP with grades suited for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

• Specialty: Phosphate and phosphonate intermediates tailored for drug processes.

7. Thermo Fisher Scientific (Acros Organics Division)

• Location: Massachusetts, USA

• Overview: Acros Organics provides research-grade and scale-up quantities of HEDP for pharma and life sciences research.

• Specialty: Analytical support and purity verification for R&D clients.

8. Zschimmer & Schwarz

• Location: Lahnstein, Germany

• Overview: Z&S offers specialty phosphonates for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and technical applications, including HEDP.

• Specialty: Customized fine chemical synthesis and ISO-certified manufacturing.

9. Alfa Aesar (Thermo Fisher Subdivision)

• Location: United Kingdom

• Overview: Supplies lab-scale and pilot-scale quantities of HEDP, supporting pharmaceutical research applications.

• Specialty: Broad catalog of high-purity intermediates with global logistics.

10. Valtris Specialty Chemicals

• Location: Independence, Ohio, USA

• Overview: Offers scale-up solutions for phosphonate intermediates like HEDP, suitable for high-end industrial and regulated markets.

• Specialty: Specialty chemical production with a focus on purity and regulatory standards.

Trends in the Pharmaceutical Intermediates Market

Increasing Demand for Bone Health Drugs

With aging populations, the need for bisphosphonates like etidronate continues to rise, driving demand for intermediates like HEDP.

Cross-Application Versatility

HEDP’s use across water treatment, cosmetics, and pharma makes dual-grade production more common, increasing availability.

Stricter Purity Requirements in Pharma

Heavy metals, impurities, and residual solvents must meet ICH Q3D and USP/NF requirements for pharma-grade HEDP.

Growth in Generic Bisphosphonate Markets

As patents expire, generic manufacturers require reliable suppliers for intermediates that can pass regulatory inspections globally.

Green and Sustainable Production

Manufacturers are exploring less polluting synthesis routes and waste minimization strategies in phosphonate chemistry.

Conclusion

CAS No. 6419-36-9 (HEDP) plays a dual role in industrial and pharmaceutical applications, but its high-purity version is indispensable in the manufacture of bisphosphonate drugs and metal-chelating agents in pharma formulations. With companies like Italmatch, Solvay, Eastfine, and Lanxess leading the market, the global supply chain is well-equipped to support both innovation and scale-up in bone health therapeutics.

As healthcare systems globally emphasize preventative treatment for bone-related disorders, demand for high-quality phosphonate intermediates like HEDP is expected to grow steadily in the coming years.