Winter weather creates operational and safety challenges for urban areas and public infrastructure. Roads, bridges, sidewalks, and public facilities must remain safe during snow and ice events. Governments and city agencies face the trade-off between efficient snow removal and reducing corrosion or environmental damage. Non-chloride deicers such as Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) are often considered for their potential to protect infrastructure and the environment.
Characteristics and Chemical Advantages of CMA
- CMA is non-chloride and minimally corrosive. Corrosion levels on metals and concrete are near tap water levels, making it ideal for bridges, lighting structures, and public facilities.
- Laboratory studies continue to evaluate different Ca/Mg ratios to optimize performance for urban infrastructure.
- CMA is environmentally friendly: biodegradable, low aquatic toxicity, and reduced impact on soil and vegetation compared with chloride salts.
CMA Adoption in Cities and Government Projects
Calcium Magnesium Acetate (CMA) has been recognized in multiple public procurement projects across the United States, Europe, and Asia, though its use is often targeted rather than widespread. These cases illustrate how government agencies and city authorities integrate CMA into winter operations, particularly in corrosion-sensitive areas or zones requiring environmental compliance.
Selected Procurement Examples
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Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA), USA
- Year: 2025
- Purpose: Runway and taxiway deicing at DCA & IAD airports
- Specification: Solid CMA‑40 for anti-icing and light deicing
- Usage Insight: CMA applied to selected surfaces where infrastructure protection is critical; bulk of runway deicing still relies on potassium acetate (KAc) for rapid melting.
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Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), USA
- Year: 2024–2025
- Application: Bridge winter maintenance (e.g., Zilwaukee Bridge)
- Procurement Volume: Approximately 110 tons per year
- Notes: CMA chosen to minimize corrosion on steel structures and reduce long-term maintenance costs, highlighting its value in critical urban infrastructure.
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Orange County Department of Public Works, New York, USA
- Year: 2025
- Application: Public sidewalks, pedestrian crossings, and municipal roads
- Form: Solid CMA and pre-mixed ice-melt blends
- Insight: Focus on safety for pedestrians and vehicles while limiting salt damage to vegetation and local waterways.
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City of Cleveland, Ohio, USA
- Year: 2025
- Application: Citywide pilot for public facilities and sensitive areas
- Composition: Ice-melt product containing 20% CMA
- Purpose: Test environmentally friendly deicing alternatives on sidewalks, parking lots, and municipal plazas.
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European City Example (Anonymous)
- Year: 2023
- Application: Historic bridge and pedestrian zone
- Form: Liquid CMA anti-icing solution
- Insight: Selected for high-traffic pedestrian areas where chloride salts could cause corrosion on historic metal railings and concrete surfaces.
Key Observations from These Projects
- CMA is procured mainly for targeted applications, such as bridges, elevated pavements, sidewalks, or areas with sensitive infrastructure.
- The volumes procured are typically smaller than mainstream deicers like NaCl or KAc, reflecting its niche, high-value role.
- Environmental considerations are a strong driver; CMA minimizes soil and water contamination, making it attractive for cities and government projects with sustainability goals.
- Pilot or trial programs are common before wider adoption, allowing agencies to evaluate cost-effectiveness and operational suitability.
CMA is actively purchased and used by cities and government agencies, but mainly in situational applications where infrastructure protection or environmental compliance outweighs the need for rapid, large-scale ice melting. It remains a specialized tool rather than a mass-deployed deicer.
Usage and Application Practices
Why Anti-icing
- Prevents ice from bonding to pavement
- Reduces mechanical clearing requirements
- Lowers total chemical usage
- Improves accessibility and safety for citizens
Typical Application Rates
- Anti-icing: ~0.5 gallon/1,000 ft² (≈1.9 L / 93 m²)
- De-icing (thin ice): 1–3 gallons/1,000 ft² (≈3.8–11.4 L / 93 m²)
Recommendation: Focus on anti-icing, with de-icing only for thin ice. Combine with mechanical clearing for thicker ice.
When implementing CMA anti-icing programs, cities typically work with CMA ice melt supplier to obtain pre-mixed formulations suitable for environmental compliance and corrosion-sensitive areas.
Benefits and Limitations
Benefits
- Infrastructure Protection: Minimizes corrosion and concrete damage, reducing long-term repair costs.
- Environmental Safety: Low impact on soil, vegetation, and surface water. Complies with environmental regulations.
Limitations
- Cost: Higher than KAc or formate-based deicers
- Melting Speed: Slower than chloride salts, less effective for rapid snow removal
- Limited Adoption: Best for pilot or targeted applications in urban/government infrastructure
Conclusion
CMA provides environmental and infrastructure advantages for urban and government projects. While not ideal for large-scale rapid snow removal due to cost and slower melting, it is suitable for sensitive zones, including bridges, sidewalks, public facilities, and environmentally regulated areas. Cities and government agencies can use CMA strategically to balance safety, cost, and environmental compliance.
