Potassium Sorbate (E202)

Description

1. Product Overview

Potassium Sorbate (E202) is the potassium salt of sorbic acid, supplied as a white, crystalline powder used primarily as a broad‑spectrum preservative and microbial inhibitor. In industrial contexts it prevents yeast, mold and some bacterial growth across food processing, beverage, personal care, cosmetics, and certain chemical formulations. The key value proposition is reliable, food‑grade preservation that extends product shelf life while enabling cost‑efficient microbial control and regulatory compliance. Strategically, Potassium Sorbate is a low‑odor, water‑soluble preservative favored by large manufacturers for its stability, ease of use in aqueous systems, and compatibility with clean‑label positioning.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical name: Potassium sorbate (E202)

• Chemical formula: C6H7KO2

• CAS number: 24634-61-5

• Purity / grade: Food‑grade / technical‑grade options; typical purity ≥ 99.0% (food grade)

• Appearance: White to off‑white crystalline powder

• Solubility: Readily soluble in water (approx. 58 g/L at 20°C); limited solubility in alcohols; insoluble in non‑polar solvents

• pH stability: Effective in pH range ~3.0–6.5; optimal activity in acidic to mildly acidic media

• Particle size: Supplied in standard powder granulation (typical D50 range 50–300 µm); customizable milling available on request

• Bulk density: Approx. 0.6–0.9 g/mL (dependent on granulation)

• Moisture content: ≤ 1.5% (typical for food grade)

• Impurities: Compliant with major pharmacopeia/food specifications for heavy metals, loss on drying, and related substances

• Packaging options: 25 kg polyethylene‑lined multi‑wall paper sacks; 500 kg and 1000 kg flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC/tonne bags); bulk pneumatic tanker loading for large industrial customers (subject to availability)

• Shelf life: 24 months when stored in a cool, dry place in original sealed packaging away from moisture and strong oxidizers

• Storage conditions: Recommended 5–25°C, relative humidity <65%

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Food & Beverage: Used in dairy products, cheese, fruit preparations, juices, soft drinks, bakery fillings, and condiments to inhibit yeast and mold growth; allows manufacturers to extend shelf life without refrigeration in certain formulations.

• Confectionery & Bakery: Prevents surface mold and spoilage in fillings, icings and packaged baked goods while maintaining organoleptic properties.

• Personal Care & Cosmetics: Preserves creams, lotions, shampoos and other aqueous formulations where mild, effective antimicrobial action is required with low irritancy profile.

• Beverage & Brewing: Controls wild yeasts and mold in non‑alcoholic and low‑alcohol beverages, retaining flavor stability.

• Industrial & Chemical Formulations: Acts as a microbial control agent in adhesives, latex emulsions and certain water‑based industrial fluids where biological growth impairs performance.
  Why it outperforms alternatives: Potassium Sorbate delivers effective antifungal activity at low dosages, dissolves readily for easy incorporation in aqueous systems, has minimal impact on taste and odor compared with some alternatives, and supports clean‑label declarations (where regional regulations permit). It often provides lower total cost of preservation due to reduced over‑formulation and simplified processing.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: Batch‑tested certificates of analysis (CoA) with traceable raw material sourcing and in‑house QC for purity, moisture, and heavy metals.

• Supply reliability: Production and inventory planning targeted for continuous availability with scheduled replenishment and safety stock for contract customers.

• Logistics capability: Multiple packaging formats for small to bulk orders; support for container stuffing, FIBC, and pneumatic offloading; export documentation (COO, MSDS, Phytosanitary where applicable).

• Price competitiveness: Flexible commercial terms for bulk contracts, volume discounts, and long‑term supply agreements to lower landed cost.

• Sustainability: Sourcing and manufacturing practices aligned to minimize waste and energy use; product enables shelf‑life extension that reduces food waste in downstream supply chains.

• Technical support: Application guidance, dosage recommendations, stability testing support, and regulatory documentation (CoA, SDS, product specifications) provided to industrial customers.

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): BULK 20 MT

• Loading capacity (MT per container):

  • 20‑ft container: up to 20 MT (palletized 25 kg sacks or FIBC configuration)

  • 40‑ft container: up to 24–26 MT (depending on pallet and packing configuration)

  • 20 MT recommended standard for bulk pallets; higher densities achievable with FIBC and optimized packing—confirm per order.