Industry grade Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5 Tween 20

Product Overview

Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) is a non-ionic surfactant from the polysorbate family — polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate — supplied as a pale-yellow viscous liquid. With an HLB of about 16.7, it is strongly hydrophilic, which makes it the classic oil-in-water emulsifier, solubilizer and stabilizer of food, cosmetics and countless industrial and laboratory systems.

Polysorbate 20 combines mildness with versatility: it is approved as a food emulsifier (E432),  dissolves essential oils into clear water-based cosmetics, and is the standard wash-buffer detergent of molecular biology (Western blotting). Its stability and low toxicity are why it appears across the kitchen,  and the lab bench.

A single surfactant, four core value propositions:

Food Emulsifiers:

● an E432 emulsifier, stabilizer and dispersant for beverages, ice cream, bakery and sauces;

Biotech:

● a solubilizer and stabilizer for laboratory assays;

Cosmetics & Personal Care:

● an O/W emulsifier and solubilizer for essential oils in clear water-based products;

Industrial & Specialty:

● an emulsifier and wetting agent for agrochemicals, cleaners, coatings and textiles.

Product Information (Quick Facts)

Chemistry & Structure

Polysorbate 20 is the sorbitan monolaurate ester extended with 20 ethylene-oxide units: a lipophilic lauric-acid tail and a large hydrophilic polyoxyethylene head give the molecule a strong oil-in-water (O/W) character (HLB ≈ 16.7). It emulsifies oils into water, solubilizes lipophilic actives into clear aqueous phases, and stabilizes emulsions and dispersions against separation and aggregation.

Its non-ionic nature means it is compatible with ionic ingredients, pH-independent in behavior, and gentle on skin and proteins — the basis of its use in cosmetics, parenteral formulations and biotech assays.

Key Features & Benefits

● Excellent emulsifying power: forms stable oil-in-water emulsions across food, pharma and cosmetics.

● Strong solubilizing action: dissolves essential oils, flavors, vitamins and into clear aqueous systems.

● Food-approved (E432): a GRAS-listed emulsifier with a long regulatory history in food.

● Biocompatible and mild: low irritation, protein-friendly

● Broad pH and ionic compatibility: non-ionic surfactant stable across formulation conditions.

● Laboratory standard: the classic detergent of Western-blot washing and protein studies.

● Stable and easy to handle: clear liquid, freely water-soluble, long shelf life.

Main Applications

1 Food Emulsifiers (Core Application)

Polysorbate 20 is a multi-function food additive (E432):

● Beverages and juices: emulsion and dispersion stability, preventing separation and sedimentation;

● Ice cream and frozen desserts: aeration, texture and stability improvement;

● Bakery products: crumb softening and batter emulsification in cakes and breads;

● Sauces, dressings and confectionery: oil–water stabilization and flavor solubilization.

2 Biotech Applications

● Emulsion and liposome systems: stabilizer in lipid formulations;

● Laboratory assays: the standard wash-buffer detergent of Western blotting, ELISA and protein studies.

3 Cosmetics & Personal Care

● O/W emulsifier: stable emulsions in creams, lotions and cleansers;

● Essential-oil solubilizer: clear water-based gels, toners and fragrance waters;

● Gentle cleansing: mild surfactant in facial cleansers and makeup removers;

● Hair and body care: conditioning and dispersion aid in shampoos and body washes.

4 Industrial & Specialty Applications

● Agrochemicals: emulsifier for pesticide and herbicide formulations;

● Cleaning products: wetting and emulsifying agent in detergents and degreasers;

● Coatings and inks: emulsification and dispersion aid;

● Textiles and metalworking: wetting and emulsifying additive in processing.

Packaging, Storage

Packaging (customizable):

● 25 kg HDPE jerry can, 200 kg HDPE drum, 1,000 L IBC, or ISO tank for bulk;

Storage:

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

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

● Store above 20 °C to keep the product fluid (pasty below ≈ 20 °C);

● Recommended storage temperature 15 °C – 35 °C.

● Full export documentation (COA, MSDS, packing list, commercial invoice) provided with every order.

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 polysorbate 20 used for?

Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20, E432) is used as an emulsifier, stabilizer and solubilizer in food (beverages, ice cream, bakery, sauces), vaccines , as an O/W emulsifier and essential-oil solubilizer in cosmetics, and as an emulsifier/wetting agent in agrochemicals, cleaners and laboratories.

Q2: What is the difference between polysorbate 20 and polysorbate 80?

Both are non-ionic polysorbates, but they differ in the fatty-acid tail: Tween 20 is the monolaurate (C12 saturated) with HLB ≈ 16.7, while Tween 80 is the monooleate (C18:1 unsaturated) with HLB ≈ 15. Tween 20 is preferred for beverage, juice and clear-product stabilization and for Western-blot washing; Tween 80 is the workhorse of injectable formulations, vaccine adjuvants and broader pharma/industrial use. They are often interchangeable with slight performance differences.

Q4: Is polysorbate 20 safe to handle?

Polysorbate 20 has low toxicity and is food-approved (E432, GRAS) with decades of use in food, drugs and cosmetics; skin irritation is minimal at typical use levels. The viscous liquid can irritate eyes on direct contact, and the product thickens below 20 °C. Use gloves and goggles for bulk handling, and comply with the destination market's food/pharma regulations for the respective grades.