Sorbitan esters

Description

1. Product Overview

Sorbitan esters are lipophilic, nonionic surfactants derived from the esterification of sorbitol with fatty acids. They serve as primary emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers in food processing, cosmetics, and industrial lubricants. Their key value proposition lies in enabling stable water-in-oil (W/O) and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with low irritation profiles. Strategically, they are critical for manufacturers navigating tightening regulations on ethoxylated surfactants while demanding high-performance emulsion stability.

2. Key Specifications & Technical Characteristics

• Chemical composition: Sorbitan monostearate (Span 60), monooleate (Span 80), monopalmitate (Span 40), or tristearate (Span 65)

• Purity level: ≥ 99.5% active matter; food/pharma grades available (EP, USP-NF, FCC)

• Physical characteristics: Cream to tan waxy beads or viscous amber liquids; HLB range 1.8–8.6; density 0.98–1.05 g/cm³ at 25°C

• Packaging options: 25 kg multiwall paper bags, 200 kg net fiber drums, 1,000 kg IBC totes

• Shelf life: 24 months in original unopened container, stored below 40°C away from oxidizers

3. Core Industrial Applications

• Food industry (bakery & confectionery): Aerates fat-based systems (icings, whipped toppings) and prevents chocolate bloom. Outperforms mono- and diglycerides in high-temperature processing due to superior oxidative stability.

• Cosmetics & personal care (creams, lotions, sunscreens): Functions as a primary W/O emulsifier. Lower irritation potential than polysorbates, enabling sensitive-skin formulations.

• Industrial lubricants & metalworking fluids: Acts as a corrosion inhibitor and dispersant for solid additives. Provides longer sump life compared to petroleum sulfonates, reducing fluid change frequency by 15–20%.

4. Competitive Advantages

• Quality consistency: ISO 9001:2025-certified production with <0.1% batch-to-batch variability in acid value and saponification value.

• Supply reliability: Dual-sourced raw materials (vegetable-based in EU, palm-free in Americas) with 99.5% on-time-in-full (OTIF) track record over 24 months.

• Logistics capability: Temperature-controlled warehousing in 6 global hubs (Rotterdam, Houston, Shanghai, Dubai, Santos, Singapore) — 48-hour dispatch for stocked grades.

• Price competitiveness: 8–12% below EU and US benchmark prices for equivalent NF-grade sorbitan esters, driven by integrated production from sorbitol to finished ester.

• Sustainability: 100% RSPO Mass Balance certified; bio-based carbon content ≥ 95% (ASTM D6866).

5. Commercial & Supply Information

• Minimum order quantity (MOQ): 5 MT (equivalent to 200 × 25 kg bags)

• BULK 20MT loading capacity: 20 MT per 20′ dry container (palletized: 18 pallets × 1,111 kg net) — weight limited, not cube.