Polysorbate 20 — Tween 20 / CAS 9005-64-5

Description

1. Product Overview

Polysorbate 20, also known as Tween 20, is a nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol, ethylene oxide, and lauric acid, widely used as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizing agent. It provides excellent dispersion and compatibility properties, making it essential across pharmaceutical, cosmetic, food, and industrial formulations. Its ability to improve ingredient blending, enhance stability, and maintain product consistency makes it a high-value functional additive in global manufacturing. As demand grows for advanced formulation technologies, Polysorbate 20 remains a strategically important ingredient for reliable, high-performance product development.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical Composition: Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate; nonionic surfactant derived from sorbitol and lauric acid
• CAS Number: 9005-64-5
• Chemical Formula: Approx. C₅₈H₁₁₄O₂₆
• Purity / Grade: Industrial grade, cosmetic grade, pharmaceutical grade, and food grade (FCC/USP/NF available depending on application requirements)
• Appearance: Clear to slightly yellow viscous liquid
• Odor: Mild characteristic odor
• HLB Value: Approximately 16.7, suitable for oil-in-water emulsification systems
• Solubility: Freely dispersible in water; soluble in alcohol and various organic solvents
• Density: Approximately 1.05–1.10 g/cm³ at 25°C
• Moisture Content: Controlled according to applicable grade specifications
• Packaging Options: 25 kg drums, 200 kg drums, 1,000 kg IBC tanks, bulk tanker supply available
• Shelf Life: Typically 24 months when stored in sealed containers under recommended conditions
• Storage Conditions: Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Pharmaceutical Industry: Used as a solubilizer, emulsifier, and stabilizer in oral, topical, and injectable formulations to improve active ingredient dispersion and bioavailability.
• Cosmetics & Personal Care: Applied in creams, lotions, serums, shampoos, and skincare products to create stable emulsions and improve texture performance.
• Food & Beverage Industry: Functions as an emulsifier and stabilizer in products such as beverages, bakery items, dairy formulations, and nutritional products.
• Biotechnology & Laboratory Applications: Used to stabilize proteins, enzymes, and biological compounds during processing and formulation.
• Industrial Formulations: Supports the production of detergents, coatings, agricultural formulations, and specialty chemical blends.

Performance Advantages: Polysorbate 20 delivers superior emulsification efficiency, excellent water compatibility, and reliable formulation stability compared with many conventional surfactants. Its multifunctional performance helps manufacturers reduce formulation complexity, improve product quality, and achieve consistent production results.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Consistent Quality Performance: Manufactured under controlled processes to ensure batch-to-batch consistency and reliable functional properties.
• Global Supply Reliability: Supported by established production networks and scalable supply capabilities for industrial and multinational buyers.
• Flexible Logistics Capability: Available in multiple packaging formats with bulk shipment solutions optimized for international distribution.
• Cost Efficiency: Provides high-performance emulsification and stabilization at competitive cost compared with alternative specialty surfactants.
• Sustainability Benefits: Supports efficient formulations by enabling lower additive requirements and improved product stability, reducing waste during manufacturing.
• Technical Documentation Support: Available with specifications, Certificate of Analysis (COA), Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and regulatory compliance documentation.
• Strategic Sourcing Value: A dependable ingredient choice for manufacturers seeking quality assurance, supply continuity, and formulation performance.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT
• Loading Capacity: Approximately 20–22 MT per 20-foot container (depending on packaging configuration and shipping requirements)