What is Copper Gluconate Used For?
Copper gluconate (CAS 527-09-3) is an organic copper(II) salt formed by combining copper with gluconic acid. As an essential trace mineral, copper plays critical roles in iron metabolism, collagen and elastin synthesis, immune function, antioxidant defense (as a cofactor of superoxide dismutase), and brain development. Copper gluconate is widely used as a bioavailable copper source in dietary supplements, infant formula, animal feed premixes, and cosmetic formulations — where the organic gluconate matrix improves both solubility and bioavailability compared to inorganic copper sulfate, while delivering better tolerance in sensitive applications.
WIS Biotech manufactures food-grade and feed-grade copper gluconate at its Shandong, China production facility, operating as part of a 10,000 m² dedicated gluconate complex with 60,000 MT/year combined output. Since 2015, we have supplied copper gluconate to supplement manufacturers, infant nutrition brands, feed premix producers, and cosmetic ingredient distributors in more than 80 countries. Our vertically integrated process — from gluconic acid fermentation to finished trace mineral salts — ensures consistent batch quality and supply continuity for international B2B buyers.
Key Applications
Dietary Supplements and Multi-Mineral Formulas
Copper gluconate is the preferred organic copper form in premium dietary supplement products targeting copper nutrition, immune health, antioxidant support, and connective tissue health. At standard RDA-aligned dosing levels (0.9–2.0 mg Cu per day), it is well tolerated and integrates cleanly into capsules, tablets, powder blends, and gummy formulations. In multi-mineral products, copper gluconate is frequently co-formulated with zinc gluconate at a zinc-to-copper ratio of 8:1 to 15:1 to maintain balanced mineral status and prevent zinc-induced copper depletion — a combination standard in immune health, longevity, and men’s health supplement formulations globally.
Infant Formula and Pediatric Nutrition
Copper is essential for infant development, with critical roles in brain development, cardiovascular function, and myelination of the nervous system. Infant formula regulations in major markets — EU Commission Delegated Regulation 2016/127, US FDA 21 CFR Part 107, and China GB 10765 — require adequate copper fortification, and copper gluconate is an approved, bioavailable source for this purpose. WIS Biotech’s food-grade copper gluconate is manufactured to E519 and JECFA purity standards, with heavy metal testing (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) performed on every production batch. Batch documentation supporting the strict purity requirements of the infant formula category is available on request.
Animal Feed and Trace Mineral Premix
Copper is a required trace element in compound feed for poultry, swine, ruminants, and aquaculture species, where it supports enzyme function, immune response, pigmentation, and growth performance. Feed-grade copper gluconate provides a highly bioavailable organic copper source with improved palatability and reduced mineral antagonism effects compared to copper sulfate at equivalent dietary inclusion levels. WIS Biotech produces FAMI-QS audited feed-grade copper gluconate on a segregated production line, supplying premix manufacturers and feed mills in Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia with full EU trace element additive documentation.
Cosmetics and Personal Care
Copper has gained significant attention in premium skincare for its roles in collagen and elastin synthesis, skin repair, and antioxidant function. Copper gluconate is used as an active ingredient in anti-aging serums, wound-healing formulations, and collagen-boosting topical products, where the organic gluconate carrier provides a skin-compatible, non-irritating delivery matrix for ionic copper. Approved for cosmetic use under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009 and listed on the EU CosIng database. WIS Biotech supplies cosmetic-grade copper gluconate to personal care manufacturers and ingredient distributors seeking verified-purity, documentation-supported material for formulation into premium skincare lines.
Product Specifications
| Parameter | Specification |
|---|---|
| CAS Number | 527-09-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C12H22CuO14 |
| Molecular Weight | 453.84 g/mol |
| Assay (dried basis) | 97.5% – 102.0% |
| Copper (Cu) Content | 13.8% – 14.5% |
| Appearance | Light blue to turquoise fine powder |
| Solubility | Freely soluble in water |
| pH (5% solution) | 4.5 – 6.5 |
| Loss on Drying | 2.0% max |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | 20 ppm max |
| Arsenic (As) | 3 ppm max |
| Lead (Pb) | 2 ppm max |
| Mercury (Hg) | 1 ppm max |
| Cadmium (Cd) | 1 ppm max |
| Available Grades | Food Grade (E519/JECFA), Feed Grade (FAMI-QS) |
Packaging & Supply
Copper gluconate is available in 25 kg net multi-layer kraft paper bags with inner PE liner, or 500 kg / 1,000 kg FIBCs (ton bags). Nitrogen-flush packaging available on request. Storage: below 30°C, dry and well-ventilated, away from direct sunlight.
MOQ: 500 kg. Standard 20-foot FCL at 10–18 MT. Terms: FOB Qingdao (standard); CIF, CFR, DDP available for established accounts. Lead time: 7–14 business days from order confirmation. Samples (1–5 kg) dispatched by DHL/FedEx within 3–5 business days for qualification trials.
Quality & Compliance
WIS Biotech’s copper gluconate production is covered under the following active certification programs:
- ISO 9001:2015 – Quality Management System covering procurement, in-process control, and final QC release
- FSSC 22000 – Food Safety System Certification (GFSI-recognized); governs food-grade production lines
- Halal – IFANCA – Islamic Food and Nutrition Council of America; valid for export to Muslim-majority markets globally
- Kosher – OU – Orthodox Union; required for US specialty retail and export to Israel
- FAMI-QS – Feed Additive and Premixture Quality System (feed-grade lines only)
WIS Biotech does not produce pharmaceutical-grade (USP/BP/EP) material. Products are intended for food, feed, and industrial use. Every shipment includes CoA, SDS, and origin documentation. Health Certificates, Fumigation Certificates, and ASEAN Form E available on request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is copper gluconate preferred over copper sulfate in dietary supplements?
Copper sulfate contains ~25% elemental copper but has a strong astringent, metallic taste and can cause nausea at supplement dosing levels. Copper gluconate (~14% Cu) is organically chelated, significantly better tolerated, and integrates cleanly into multi-mineral formulations, gummies, and flavored powders. For consumer supplement brands where tolerability and taste profile determine repeat purchase, organic copper gluconate is the industry standard despite the higher per-gram cost of copper delivery.
What elemental copper content does WIS Biotech’s product guarantee?
Our specification guarantees 13.8%–14.5% elemental copper (Cu) on an as-is basis, assay 97.5%–102.0% dried basis per E519/JECFA methods. Heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) are tested on every production batch given the importance of trace metal purity for infant formula and premium supplement applications. Full CoA with all parameters provided with every shipment.
Is your copper gluconate suitable for infant formula?
Yes. Our food-grade copper gluconate is manufactured to E519 and JECFA purity criteria meeting the strict heavy metal and purity requirements of infant formula regulations in the EU, USA, and China. Batch-specific heavy metal testing data (Pb, As, Hg, Cd) is included in every CoA. Pre-shipment sample review and ingredient qualification dossier support are available on request for infant formula customers.
What is the minimum order and lead time?
MOQ is 500 kg. In-stock orders ship 7–14 business days FOB Qingdao. Laboratory samples (1–5 kg) are dispatched by international courier within 3–5 business days. Copper gluconate is a lower-volume specialty product; please inquire in advance for large-volume requirements to confirm stock availability and production scheduling.
Is copper gluconate approved for cosmetic use in the EU?
Yes. Copper gluconate is listed on the EU CosIng database and approved for use in cosmetics under EU Cosmetics Regulation (EC) No 1223/2009. WIS Biotech can supply copper gluconate for cosmetic applications with CoA, SDS, and CosIng reference documentation to support product registration and formulation development.
Do Halal and Kosher certificates cover copper gluconate?
Yes. Both IFANCA Halal and OU Kosher certificates explicitly cover copper gluconate production at our Shandong facility. Certificates are available on our Downloads page. For export to Indonesia (MUI), Malaysia (JAKIM), or other markets requiring country-specific Halal documentation, contact our sales team for options.
Related Resources
- Feed-Grade Gluconate & FAMI-QS: What European Buyers Need to Know
- Sourcing Gluconate from China: A Buyer’s Checklist
For concrete admixture and construction chemical applications, explore Definly Chemicals — our group company supplying PCE superplasticizer raw materials globally.
Related Products
Customers ordering copper gluconate from WIS Biotech frequently also source Zinc Gluconate and Ferrous Gluconate for complete trace mineral premix formulations.
About WIS Biotech
WIS Biotech is a dedicated gluconate ingredient manufacturer founded in 2015, headquartered in Shandong Province, China. Our 10,000 m² production facility delivers a combined annual output of 60,000 MT across eight mineral gluconate and specialty ingredient products. With a 90% export ratio and active customer relationships in over 80 countries, WIS Biotech is one of China’s leading direct-manufacturer gluconate suppliers. We are part of a group that includes Definly Chemicals, our export trading and construction chemicals affiliate. Learn more about our group structure.