Heat-producing agglomerates and their application in flameless heaters and self-heating packaging

A heat-producing agglomerate contains particles of an acidic component selected from acid anhydrides, acid salts, and mixtures thereof, or a basic component selected from bases, basic anhydrides, basic salts, and mixtures thereof, or a mixture of such acidic and basic components. The heat producing agglomerate provides high heat output at a controllable rate of heat generation, minimizes safety and environmental risks, and is useful as a heat-producing component in self-heating packaging.