PolyDADMAC Supplier South Africa

What Is PolyDADMAC?

PolyDADMAC (poly-diallyldimethylammonium chloride, poly-DADMAC) is a linear cationic polyelectrolyte with permanent quaternary ammonium charge, widely used in water treatment and industrial processes as a coagulant, charge neutralisation agent, and flocculation aid. Unlike pH-dependent coagulants (alum, ferric), polyDADMAC carries a fixed positive charge at all pH values (4–12) because its charge derives from quaternary ammonium groups, not from ionisable amine sites. This makes it highly effective across a wide pH range and particularly useful where inorganic coagulant performance is limited by pH or alkalinity. PolyDADMAC introduces no metal ions, generates no metal hydroxide sludge, and does not affect water alkalinity.

Drinking Water Treatment Applications

PolyDADMAC is approved for use in drinking water treatment in many countries (including NSF/ANSI Standard 60 certification for potable water) as a primary coagulant or coagulant aid for turbidity and NOM (natural organic matter / dissolved organic carbon / colour) removal. It is particularly effective for treating low-turbidity, high-NOM (high-colour) surface waters — a difficult case for alum coagulation where sweep-floc cannot form at adequate density. PolyDADMAC at low dose (0.5–2 mg/L) neutralises negatively charged NOM and humic acid colloids, allowing them to aggregate and be removed in subsequent filtration. It is used in combination with inorganic coagulants (PAC, alum) to reduce inorganic coagulant dose and improve performance.

Industrial and Wastewater Applications

In the paper and pulp industry, polyDADMAC is extensively used as a retention aid, fixing agent, and pitch control agent. As a fixing agent, it precipitates dissolved and colloidal substances (anionic trash) in white water, reducing white water COD and improving sheet formation. In textile wastewater treatment, polyDADMAC coagulates anionic reactive dyes and colour-causing colloids. In oilfield produced water, it coagulates emulsified oil and fine solids for disposal or reinjection. In municipal wastewater, it functions as a primary clarifier aid and sludge dewatering conditioner. In the synthesis of water treatment chemicals, polyDADMAC is used as a raw material for manufacturing polyamine by further reaction. Terracore Chemicals supplies polyDADMAC (20–40% active) in 25 kg and 200 kg drums.