Calgon is an American brand of bath and beauty products, owned by PDC Brands.

Early history

The original product consisted of powdered sodium hexametaphosphate (amorphous sodium polyphosphate), which, in water, would complex with ambient calcium ions and certain other cations—preventing formation of unwanted salts and interference by those cations with the actions of soap or other detergents. Its name, a portmanteau derived from the phrase "calcium gone", was originally promoted for general use in bathing and cleaning. It gave rise to derivative products which have diverged from the original composition. Today, Calgon water softener contains the active ingredient sodium citrate, and the now discontinued powder used zeolite and polycarboxylate, all of which are less problematic in wastewater treatment than phosphates.

Companies

The brands have their origin in Calgon, Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which first put Calgon water softener on the market in 1933. In 1965, Calgon was broken into: