Ethoxylated castor oil

Description

1. Product Overview

Ethoxylated Castor Oil is a nonionic surfactant produced by reacting ethylene oxide with high-purity castor oil, yielding a hydrophilic ethylene oxide chain attached to a hydrophobic castor oil backbone. Its primary industrial use is as an emulsifier, solubilizer, and low-foam wetting agent in agrochemical formulations, textile processing, metalworking fluids, and industrial cleaning. The key value proposition is its exceptional ability to stabilize oil-in-water emulsions under wide pH and temperature ranges while remaining biodegradable and low-irritancy. Strategically, it is critical for formulators seeking to replace alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEOs) and achieve high-performance, regulatory-compliant systems in global supply chains.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Ethoxylated castor oil (EO adduct, typically 20–40 moles EO; common grades: EL-20, EL-40, CO-36, etc.)

• Purity / Grade: Industrial grade / Technical grade (≥99.5% active matter)

• Physical form: Pale yellow to amber viscous liquid at 25°C

• Appearance: Clear to slightly hazy (depending on EO mole count)

• HLB value range: 10–14 (adjustable by ethoxylation degree)

• pH (1% aqueous solution): 5.0–7.0

• Density (25°C): Approx. 1.05–1.10 g/cm³

• Viscosity (25°C): 300–800 mPa·s (varies by EO content)

• Cloud point (1% in 10% NaCl): 65–85°C

• Packaging options: 200 kg net plastic drums, 1000 kg IBC totes, bulk flexitanks, ISO tanks

• Shelf life: 24 months in original unopened container, stored below 40°C, away from direct sunlight and moisture

3. Core Industrial Applications

Cost & Efficiency Advantage: Low use levels (0.5–3% of formulation) achieve equivalent or better emulsification, reducing total surfactant cost-in-use by 10–15% compared to non-ionic blends.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2015 certified production with batch-to-batch HLB control (±0.5), supported by full COA (GC for residual EO, cloud point, pH, and active matter).

• Supply reliability: Dedicated multi-site manufacturing (Asia, Europe, Americas) with 5,000+ MT monthly capacity; safety stock held in regional hubs (Rotterdam, Houston, Shanghai).

• Logistics capability: 24/7 order tracking, expedited LCL/FCL options, and dangerous goods classification (non-hazardous under GHS for most EO grades) simplifies international shipping.

• Price competitiveness: Direct sourcing of castor oil from India/Brazil + long-term ethylene oxide contracts = 8–12% below market average for equivalent HLB grades.

• Sustainability: 100% bio-based castor oil backbone (renewable carbon index >85%), APEO-free, REACH and TSCA compliant. Available with HCS (Hazard Communication Standard) labels in 20+ languages.

• Technical support: Free formulation troubleshooting, stability testing (accelerated at 40°C/75% RH), and custom EO mole tailoring (20–60 moles) for specific solubility requirements.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ):

  • Drums: 1 MT (5 drums)

  • IBC: 2 MT (2 IBCs)

  • Bulk / Flexitank: 20 MT

• Bulk Loading Capacity (20MT standard):

  • 20-ft container (flexitank): 20 metric tons net

  • ISO tank (24 MT equivalent): Upon request for 24 MT (not standard for 20MT; available as separate SKU)

• Lead time:

  • Stock items (Asia/EU/US warehouses): 3–5 business days

  • Bulk production (20–100 MT): 15–20 days after PO and advance payment/LC confirmation

• Incoterms supported: EXW (factory), FOB (Shanghai/Rotterdam/Houston), CIF, CFR, DAP

• Certifications available: ISO 9001, REACH (EU), TSCA (US), K-REACH, Halal, Kosher (upon request for food-contact grades)