Carbomers

Description

1. Product Overview
Carbomers are cross-linked polyacrylic acid polymers that serve as high-efficiency rheology modifiers, stabilizers, and suspending agents. They are primarily used in aqueous and hydro-alcoholic systems to produce clear, stable gels with precise viscosity control. The key value proposition lies in their exceptional thickening efficiency at low use concentrations (0.2–1.0%), enabling formulators to achieve elegant textures and enhanced stability. Strategically, Carbomers are indispensable in high-value segments like topical pharmaceuticals and premium cosmetics, where batch-to-batch consistency directly impacts regulatory compliance and brand trust.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Cross-linked polyacrylic acid (allyl pentaerythritol or allyl sucrose crosslinker)

• Purity level: ≥99.5% (residual monomer: <0.1% acrylic acid, USP/NF compliant grades available)

• Physical characteristics: White, fluffy, hygroscopic powder; particle size 100–400 µm (mesh 40–140); bulk density 0.15–0.25 g/cm³

• Packaging options: 20 kg multi-ply paper bags with PE liner, 50 kg fiber drums, or 500 kg super sacks

• Shelf life: 24 months from date of manufacturing when stored in original sealed containers at 15–25°C, <50% RH

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Personal care (60% of demand): Clear gels, lotions, creams, sunscreens, hair styling products – Carbomers provide superior electrolyte tolerance and shear-thinning behavior for smooth spreadability.

• Pharmaceuticals (30%): Topical gels, transdermal patches, oral suspensions – outperforms natural gums by offering microbial resistance, chemical stability, and reproducible viscosity without heating.

• Industrial & specialty (10%): Adhesives, water treatment thickeners, conductive gels – cost advantage through lower dosage (0.5% vs. 2–5% for alternatives like HEC or xanthan gum).

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2025 certified production with real-time NIR spectroscopy for viscosity profiling (target ±5% of nominal cP value per lot).

• Supply reliability: Dual-sourced raw materials and three regional warehouses (NA, EU, SEA) guaranteeing ≤7-day lead time for standard grades.

• Logistics capability: Temperature-controlled container shipping available; full traceability from reactor to receipt.

• Price competitiveness: Volume tiers unlock 8–15% below regional distributor benchmarks for contracts >100 MT/year.

• Sustainability: Biobased crosslinker option (30% renewable carbon content); recyclable packaging program.

• Technical support: Dedicated application labs offering free viscosity optimization studies and custom neutralization protocols.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT (mixed grade permissible)

• Loading capacity: 20 MT per 20-foot dry container (palletized: 20 MT; loose fill: up to 22 MT)