Typically an ionic halide often used as a dessicant,Calcium chloride is used as a drying and dehydrating agent for organic liquids and gases and for solids in desiccators. Common applications include brine for refrigeration plants and ice and dust control on roads. Use of calcium chloride and urea has been reported to significantly increase average fruit weight and ascorbic acid content in pomegranate. The strawberry fruit storability can also be improved by edible coating of calcium chloride. It is used in drying tubes in research laboratories, salt/chemical based dehumidifiers, fire-extinguishers, plastics, ceramic slipware, as flux in the Davy process for the manufacture of sodium and to increase water hardness in swimming pool. It provides inhibition of swelling clays in the water phase of invert emulsion drilling fluids. CaCl₂-Pybox (pyridine flanked by two oxazoline groups) has been reported to be an efficient chiral catalyst for asymmetric 1,4-addition reactions of 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds with nitroalkenes, affording gamma-nitro carbonyl compounds in high enantioselectivities.

This Thermo Scientific Chemicals brand product was originally part of the Alfa Aesar product portfolio. Some documentation and label information may refer to the legacy brand. The original Alfa Aesar product / item code or SKU reference has not changed as a part of the brand transition to Thermo Scientific Chemicals.