Production of potassium formate

This invention relates to a process for the continuous production of potassium formate by the reaction of formaldehyde present in the reactor outlet gas in formaldehyde production plants with an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide, wherein the formaldehyde is in gaseous monomeric form, the formaldehyde being fed to the reaction column at a temperature of 100° C. and above. By this invention, a straightforward method of potassium formate production and removal of excess reactant(s) are realized very efficiently. Pure potassium formate solution at any strength is produced. The strength of the product solution depends on where it will be used. Potassium Formate solution is used mainly as deicer, drilling mud, and/or in the production of flaked or granular Potassium Formate by appropriate methods. The flaked and granular Potassium Formate in turn is used in the fields mentioned above and also as an additive to animal feed.