Potassium Sorbate — E202 / CAS 24634-61-5

Description

1. Product Overview

Potassium Sorbate (E202, CAS 24634-61-5) is a high-performance food-grade preservative widely used to inhibit mold, yeast, and fungal growth across food, beverage, and personal care formulations. It is a potassium salt of sorbic acid, valued for its strong antimicrobial efficacy at low usage concentrations and excellent stability across a broad pH range.

In industrial applications, it plays a critical role in extending product shelf life while maintaining sensory quality, making it essential for manufacturers seeking regulatory-compliant preservation solutions. Its global demand is driven by the expansion of processed foods, beverages, cosmetics, and pharmaceutical formulations.

Strategically, Potassium Sorbate is a cornerstone additive for modern preservation systems, offering a cost-effective, safe, and widely approved solution aligned with international food safety standards (FDA, EFSA).

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Name: Potassium Sorbate
• CAS Number: 24634-61-5
• Molecular Formula: C₆H₇KO₂
• Purity Grade: ≥ 99% (Food / Pharmaceutical Grade available)
• Appearance: White crystalline powder or granules
• Odor: Odorless or slight characteristic odor
• Solubility: Highly soluble in water
• pH Stability Range: Effective between pH 2.5 – 6.5
• Particle Size: Fine powder (customizable upon request)
• Packaging Options:
  • 25 kg kraft paper bags with inner PE liner
  • 1 MT jumbo bags (bulk industrial supply)
• Shelf Life: 24 months under recommended storage conditions (cool, dry environment)

3. Core Industrial Applications

Potassium Sorbate is extensively used across multiple high-volume industries:

• Food & Beverage Industry: Preservation of dairy products, baked goods, sauces, juices, wines, and processed foods to prevent yeast and mold spoilage.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Stabilization of creams, lotions, shampoos, and cosmetic emulsions against microbial contamination.
• Pharmaceutical Industry: Used in liquid formulations, syrups, and topical products as a safe antimicrobial preservative.
• Winemaking & Fermentation Control: Prevents secondary fermentation and microbial instability in wines and ciders.

Its superior advantage lies in its low toxicity, high efficiency at minimal dosage, and neutral impact on taste and aroma, making it preferred over many traditional preservatives such as benzoates in sensitive formulations.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Consistent High Purity: Strict quality control ensuring batch-to-batch uniformity for industrial reliability
• Global Compliance: Meets international standards including FDA, EFSA, and WHO specifications
• Supply Chain Stability: Scalable production capacity ensuring uninterrupted bulk availability
• Cost Efficiency: Low effective dosage reduces overall formulation cost
• Wide Applicability: Compatible with diverse formulations across food, pharma, and cosmetics
• Environmental Safety: Biodegradable and recognized as a safer preservative alternative
• Technical Documentation Support: Full COA, MSDS, and regulatory documentation available for compliance needs

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): 20 MT (Bulk Industrial Supply)
• Standard Bulk Packaging: 25 kg bags / 1 MT jumbo bags
• Loading Capacity:
  • 20–22 MT per 20FT container (depending on packaging configuration)
  • 25–27 MT per 40FT container (optimized bulk shipment)