Polysorbate 20 & 80
Premium nonionic surfactants for precision emulsification and solubilization with industry-leading quality and consistency for pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and food applications.
Ultra-Low Peroxide
<0.5 meq/kg for oxidative stability
Batch-to-Batch Consistency
ΔHLB ≤0.5
Cold Process Compatible
Hydrates fully at 25°C
USP/NF/EP Compliant
Meets injectable-grade standards
Vegan & RSPO MB Certified
Sustainable and ethical sourcing
Molecular & Physical Specifications
Comprehensive characterization data demonstrates superior quality and precise physical parameters for optimal formulation performance.
Polysorbate 20 Specifications
Key Quality Indicator
Our Polysorbate 20 maintains ultra-low peroxide values (<0.5 meq/kg) for exceptional oxidative stability, preventing degradation of sensitive actives and extending formulation shelf life.
Advanced Characterization
Polysorbate 20 Structure
Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monolaurate
Comparative Specifications
| Test | P20 Spec | P80 Spec | Method |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saponification Value | 40-55 mg KOH/g | 45-60 mg KOH/g | USP <401> |
| Residual Ethylene Oxide | <1 ppm | <1 ppm | GC-MS |
| Heavy Metals | ≤10 ppm | ≤10 ppm | ICP-OES |
| Peroxide Value | <0.5 meq/kg | <0.5 meq/kg | AOCS Cd 8b-90 |
HLB Value Significance
The Hydrophilic-Lipophilic Balance (HLB) is critical for emulsion stability and active solubilization. Our manufacturing process ensures batch-to-batch HLB consistency (ΔHLB ≤0.5) for reliable formulation performance.
0W/O Emulsifier
4-6O/W Emulsifier
8-16Water-soluble
20
Superior Emulsification & Solubilization
Direct comparative testing reveals significant performance advantages that directly impact product efficacy and stability.
Emulsification Efficiency
Droplet size measurements following high-pressure homogenization (10,000 psi, 3 passes) demonstrate the superior emulsification capabilities of our Polysorbate surfactants.
| Oil Phase | P20 (5%) Droplet Size | P80 (5%) Droplet Size |
|---|---|---|
| Silicone (DC245) | 2.1 ±0.3 μm | 3.8 ±0.4 μm |
| Mineral Oil | 1.8 ±0.2 μm | 2.3 ±0.3 μm |
| Sunflower Oil | 3.5 ±0.5 μm | 1.9 ±0.2 μm |
Selection Guidance:
- Choose P20 for synthetic oils (silicones, mineral oil) and flavor emulsions
- Choose P80 for natural oils (vegetable oils, essential oils) and sterile injectables
- For extremely stable emulsions, use our proprietary P20/P80 blend (contact for details)
Solubilization Capacity
Maximum loading capacity (mg of active per g of surfactant) highlights the significant differences between P20 and P80 for different active ingredients.
| Active Ingredient | P20 Max Load | P80 Max Load |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin E Acetate | 120 mg/g | 85 mg/g |
| CoQ10 | 25 mg/g | 40 mg/g |
| CBD Isolate | 55 mg/g | 75 mg/g |
HLB Matching Guide
| Application | Recommended HLB | Preferred Polysorbate |
|---|---|---|
| O/W Creams | 10-12 | P80 + Span 80 blend |
| Vaccine Adjuvants | 14-16 | P20 |
| Flavor Emulsions | 16-18 | P20 |
| Injectable Lipids | 12-14 | P80 |
Preservative Synergy
Our polysorbates enhance preservative efficacy through improved dispersion and micelle-assisted transport, potentially allowing for reduced preservative levels.
Application & Processing Guidelines
Expert recommendations for incorporating our polysorbates into various formulation types to deliver exceptional product performance and stability.
Processing Recommendations
Cold Processing Advantage
25°C
Room Temperature
15-30 min
Hydration Time
Complete
Dissolution
Unlike competitive products that require heating to 40-60°C, our premium Polysorbate 20fully dissolves at room temperature (25°C) in just 15-30 minutes, enabling energy-efficient cold processing with reduced manufacturing time.
Addition Order
For optimal results, add polysorbate to the aqueous phase before oil addition. For difficult-to-emulsify actives, pre-blend the active with polysorbate before adding to the aqueous phase.
pH Stability Range
Our polysorbates maintain stability between pH 3.0-8.0. Avoid extreme pH conditions (below 2.5 or above 9.0) to prevent hydrolysis and maintain long-term emulsion stability.
Concentration Guidelines
For emulsions: 2-5% for most applications. For solubilization of actives: Start with a 5:1 to 10:1 ratio (polysorbate:active) and optimize based on clarity and stability testing.
Application Recommendations
Primary Applications for Polysorbate 20
Flavor Emulsions
Excellent for water-dispersible flavor systems requiring high clarity and stability against ripening.
Typical use level: 0.5-1.0%
Vaccine Adjuvants
Preferred for parenteral emulsions requiring smaller droplet size and high biocompatibility.
Typical use level: 0.01-0.1%
Vitamin E Formulations
Superior solubilization of vitamin E acetate for clear aqueous solutions with extended stability.
Typical ratio: 1:8 (vitamin:polysorbate)
Industry-Specific Optimization
Pharmaceutical Applications
- For sterile injectables, use our low-peroxide, low-endotoxin grade P80 (LAL tested)
- For ophthalmic formulations, limit concentration to 0.1-0.5% to minimize irritation potential
- For high-potency APIs, implement nitrogen purging to mitigate oxidation during processing
Regulatory Status & Quality Assurance
Complete regulatory information and quality certifications to support your compliance requirements and product documentation.
Regulatory Status
Global Regulatory Compliance
| Region | Status | Compliance |
|---|---|---|
| USA | Approved | FDA 21 CFR 172.515 (food), 21 CFR 175.105 (indirect food contact) |
| EU | Approved | EFSA E432-436 approved |
| Global Pharma | Approved | USP/EP/JP compliant (meets <591> and <3.2.9>) |
Toxicology Profile
Certifications
Vegan Certified
100% plant-derived
RSPO MB Certified
Sustainable palm oil
Ordering Information
Grade Comparison
| Grade | P20 Price | P80 Price | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharma | Contact for price | Contact for price | <0.1% free PEG |
| Cosmetic | Contact for price | Contact for price | RSPO MB certified |
| Food | Contact for price | Contact for price | Kosher/Halal |
Packaging Options
1 kg sample
P20
P80
25 lb drum
P20
P80
450 lb tote
P20
P80
Shelf Life: 3 years when stored <30°C
Technical Support Services
Free Services:
- HLB Calculator (custom surfactant blends)
- Microscopy Analysis (emulsion droplet imaging)
- Accelerated Stability Modeling
Troubleshooting Kits:
- Preventing gel phase formation
- Solubilizer optimization guide
- EO/PEG reduction protocols
Ready to Optimize Your Formulations?
Experience how our premium polysorbates can enhance your product stability, appearance, and performance with industry-leading quality and consistency.
"Using California Chemical's Polysorbate 80 reduced our vaccine adjuvant production time by 20% due to faster cold hydration."
– Director of Formulation, Top 10 Pharma
Questions About Our Polysorbates?
Our technical team is ready to assist with your formulation needs.