Sodium formate is also unavoidably formed as a by-product in the final step of the pentaerythritol synthesis and in the crossed Cannizzaro reaction of formaldehyde with the aldol reaction product trimethylol acetaldehyde [3-hydroxy-2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propanal].

Sodium formate is slightly water-hazardous and inhibits some species of bacteria but is degraded by others.

In structural biology, sodium formate can be used as a cryoprotectant for X-ray diffraction experiments on protein crystals,[6] which are typically conducted at a temperature of 100 K to reduce the effects of radiation damage.

Solid sodium formate is used as a non-corrosive agent at airports for de-icing of runways in mix with corrosion inhibitors and other additives, which rapidly penetrate solid snow and ice layers, detach them from the asphalt or concrete and melt the ice rapidly.

By mixing the corresponding saturated alkali metal formate solutions any densities between 1,0 and 2,3 g/cm3 can be set.