In the field of biotechnology, sodium acetate is widely used as a source of carbon for the culturing of many important bacteria. The yield of the ethanol precipitation process for the isolation of DNA can be increased with the use of sodium acetate. This compound is also vital to the textile industry, where it is used as a neutralising agent in order to neutralise streams of sulphuric acid which is produced as a waste. This compound is also used as a pickling agent during chrome tanning activities. Sodium acetate also acts as a concrete sealant and is, therefore, used to reduce the water damage suffered by concrete in the construction industry.