90% 98% Palmitic acid 57-10-3

Product Overview

Palmitic acid (C16:0) is the most abundant saturated fatty acid in nature — the main component of palm oil — supplied as white, waxy flakes or beads melting near 63 °C. It is the fundamental building block of the oleochemical industry: saponified into the sodium and potassium soaps of bar soap and detergents, and esterified into the emulsifiers, texturizers and specialty esters of cosmetics, foods and industry.

As a fully saturated C16 acid, palmitic acid brings stability, texture and hydrophobicity wherever it is used: it hardens soap bars, thickens creams and lotions, builds candle and wax structures, lubricates metal forming, textures processed foods and coats tablets.  palmitic acid is the quiet backbone of consumer chemistry.

A single acid, four core value propositions:

Soap & Surfactants:

● the classic soap acid — sodium/potassium palmitate is the core of bar soap and detergent systems;

Cosmetics & Personal Care:

● an emulsifier, thickener and texturizer for creams, lotions and soap bars;

Candles, Waxes & Lubricants:

● a wax builder for candles and crayons and a lubricant/release agent for industry;

Food & Specialty:

● a food texturizer  and feedstock of metal soaps and esters.

Product Information (Quick Facts)

Chemistry & Structure

Palmitic acid is a straight-chain saturated fatty acid with 16 carbons: CH₃(CH₂)₁₄COOH. With no double bonds, it is fully saturated, oxidation-stable, and solid at room temperature with a sharp melting point near 63 °C — slightly below stearic acid . It is produced industrially by hydrolysis and distillation of palm oil and other fats, and is the principal saturated acid of the global fatty-acid market.

Its carboxylic group reacts cleanly to form salts (soaps), esters (emulsifiers, plasticizers, cosmetics esters) and amides, while the C16 chain provides the hydrophobic bulk that these derivatives need.

Key Features & Benefits

● Classic soap chemistry: the principal saturated acid of bar soap, delivering lather, hardness and cleansing.

● Excellent stability: fully saturated — resistant to oxidation and rancidity.

● Sharply defined melting point: ≈ 62 – 64 °C — predictable structure-building in waxes and creams.

● Broad derivative chemistry: salts, esters and amides feed surfactants, cosmetics and metal soaps.

● Renewable, abundant feedstock: the main fatty acid of palm oil — stable global supply.

● Multi-industry reach: soaps, cosmetics, candles, foods, lubricants and rubber.

Main Applications

1 Soap & Surfactants (Core Application)

Palmitic acid is a cornerstone of cleansing chemistry:

● Bar soap: sodium palmitate provides bar hardness, lather and cleaning power;

● Detergents and laundry: potassium palmitate and derivatives in liquid and powder systems;

● Emulsion polymerization: palmitate soaps stabilize latex in polymer production;

● Industrial cleaning: scouring and surfactant formulations.

2 Cosmetics & Personal Care

● Creams and lotions: emulsifier, thickener and texturizer giving rich, stable consistency;

● Soap bars and syndets: hardness, slip and skin-feel control;

● Lip and color products: structure and pay-off in sticks and balms;

● Skin care: emollient and barrier contribution in moisturizing formulas.

3 Candles, Waxes & Lubricants

● Candles: wax blend component raising hardness and burn stability;

● Crayons and polishes: structure and gloss in wax products;

● Industrial lubricants: component of greases, drawing and metalworking oils;

● Mold release: release and anti-block aid in rubber and plastics processing.

4 Food & Specialty Applications

● Food: texturizer, glazing and coating agent in bakery, confectionery and processed foods;

● Metal soaps: feedstock for zinc, calcium and aluminum palmitates;

● Rubber and plastics: processing aid, lubricant and stabilizer component.

Packaging, Storage

Packaging (customizable):

● 25 kg multi-wall paper bag with PE liner, 25 kg fiber drum, or 500 kg – 1,000 kg FIBC;

Storage:

● Keep in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area away from direct sunlight and heat;

● Keep containers tightly closed to prevent contamination and moisture pick-up;

● Store away from strong oxidizers and bases;

● Recommended storage temperature 5 °C – 35 °C.

Why Choose Jinan Future Chemical Co., Ltd.?

● Factory-direct supply: own production capacity, transparent pricing, no middleman markup;

● Stable quality: strict internal control, every batch tested, COA with every shipment;small trial orders accepted.

● Export experience: familiar with sea/air shipping documentation for chemical commodities, complete paperwork support;

FAQ

Q1: What is palmitic acid used for?

Palmitic acid is used to make soap (sodium/potassium palmitate) and detergents; as an emulsifier, thickener and texturizer in cosmetics; as a wax builder in candles and crayons and a lubricant in industry; and as a food texturizer, pharmaceutical excipient and feedstock of metal soaps and fatty esters.

Q2: What is the difference between palmitic acid and stearic acid?

Both are saturated fatty acids, but palmitic acid has 16 carbons (C16:0) and melts at ≈ 62 – 64 °C, while stearic acid has 18 carbons (C18:0) and melts at ≈ 69 °C. Palmitic acid is the principal acid of soap and palm-oil chemistry; stearic acid is preferred where firmer structure, higher melting point or metal-soap lubrication dominate. They are often blended in fatty-acid products.

Q3: Where does palmitic acid come from?

Palmitic acid is produced mainly by hydrolysis and distillation of palm oil, where it is the dominant fatty acid , and from other vegetable oils and animal fats. It is therefore a renewable, bio-based feedstock with stable global supply — a key advantage over petrochemical-derived acids.