Tween 85, chemically known as Polysorbate 85 (CAS 9005-70-3), is a high-performance, water-soluble nonionic emulsifier. Derived from sorbitan trioleate and ethylene oxide, it excels at blending oil and water-based ingredients, delivering strong stability for formulations.
Available in food, pharmaceutical, and industrial grades, it suits diverse applications: cosmetics (creams, lotions), pharmaceuticals (oral/topical meds), food (beverages, baked goods), and industrial uses (lubricants, paints). It ensures consistent texture, enhances product shelf life, and meets global safety standards. Offered in bulk quantities, it’s a reliable choice for manufacturers seeking efficient emulsification solutions.
Product Advantage
1. Ultra-High Purity with Strict Quality Control
Tween 85 achieves a purity level of ≥99.5%, far exceeding industry average standards. Our production process adheres to ISO 9001 and GMP guidelines, with 6 rounds of quality inspections (from raw material selection to final packaging) to eliminate impurities. This high purity ensures no harmful substances are introduced into formulations, making it safe for sensitive applications like pharmaceutical oral solutions and baby food additives. Lab tests confirm it meets FDA, EU EC 1333/2008, and GB 29221 standards, providing customers with reliable quality assurance.
2. Multi-Grade Adaptability for Diverse Industries
We offer three specialized grades of Tween 85 to meet distinct industry needs: Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade, and Industrial Grade. Food Grade Tween 85 has a hydroxyl value of 65-80 mg KOH/g, ideal for stabilizing emulsions in beverages (e.g., plant-based milks) and baked goods, improving texture retention for up to 12 months. Pharmaceutical Grade features a low heavy metal content (≤10 ppm) and is suitable for topical ointments and injectable drug carriers. Industrial Grade boasts high viscosity stability (300-500 mPa·s at 25℃), perfect for lubricants and paint formulations.
3. Excellent Emulsifying Performance & Long-Term Stability
Tween 85 exhibits superior emulsifying efficiency, capable of forming stable oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions with a particle size of ≤5 μm—a key factor in preventing phase separation. In practical tests, formulations containing our Tween 85 maintained stability for over 24 months at 25℃ (RH 60%), while competing products showed signs of layering after 18 months. Its HLB value of 11.0 balances hydrophilic and lipophilic properties, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of oils (e.g., mineral oil, vegetable oil) and water-based ingredients, reducing formulation development time for customers.
4. Bulk Supply Capacity with Short Lead Times
Backed by a 5,000-ton annual production line and 3,000-square-meter warehouse, we can fulfill bulk orders of up to 100 tons per shipment. Our supply chain system enables a lead time of 7-10 working days for standard orders, significantly faster than the industry average of 15-20 days. We also provide flexible packaging options (20L plastic drums, 200L iron drums, 1000L IBC tanks) to meet different transportation and storage needs. This large-scale production and efficient logistics ensure customers avoid supply chain disruptions, supporting their long-term production plans.
5. Environmental-Friendly & Sustainable Production
Our Tween 85 production process uses 100% renewable electricity and recycles over 80% of process water, reducing carbon emissions by 35% compared to traditional manufacturing methods. The raw materials (sorbitan trioleate and ethylene oxide) are sourced from certified sustainable suppliers, with no deforestation-related ingredients. Additionally, our packaging materials are fully recyclable, aligning with global environmental protection trends. This commitment to sustainability not only reduces environmental impact but also helps customers meet their own ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
| Chemical Name | Polysorbate 85 |
| Appearance | Yellow to amber viscous liquid |
| Lonicity | Non-ionic |
| Hydroxyl Value | 40~60 mg KOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 83~98 mg KOH/g |
| Acid Value | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g |
| Water Content | ≤ 3.0% |
| HLB Value | 11.0 |
Product Uses
1. Cosmetics & Personal Care
As a safe emulsifier, Tween 85 is widely used in creams, lotions, and sunscreen products. It blends oil-based ingredients (e.g., plant oils, UV filters) with water-based components, preventing layering and ensuring a smooth texture. For example, in body lotions, it enhances moisture retention by 20% and keeps the formula stable for 18 months, meeting consumer demands for long-lasting, gentle skincare.
2. Food & Beverage Industry
In the food sector, Food Grade Tween 85 acts as an emulsifier and stabilizer. It’s added to plant-based milks (soy, oat milk) to eliminate sediment and improve mouthfeel, and to baked goods (cakes, bread) to make textures softer and extend shelf life by 5-7 days. It also works in salad dressings, keeping oil and vinegar mixed evenly without separation during storage.
3. Pharmaceutical Field
Pharmaceutical Grade Tween 85 is crucial for drug formulations. It’s used in oral syrups to dissolve oil-soluble active ingredients, ensuring uniform drug distribution for better absorption. In topical ointments (e.g., anti-itch creams), it helps active components penetrate the skin gently. Its low impurity content (≤0.1%) meets strict pharma standards, making it safe for both adults and children.
4. Industrial Manufacturing
Industrial Grade Tween 85 serves in lubricants, paints, and textile auxiliaries. In metalworking lubricants, it reduces friction by 15% and prevents oil-water separation under high temperatures. In water-based paints, it disperses pigment particles evenly, improving color consistency and coating adhesion. It also aids in textile dyeing, ensuring dyes attach firmly to fabrics for long-lasting color.
5. Agricultural Chemicals
Tween 85 is an effective adjuvant in pesticide formulations. It helps mix oil-based pesticides with water, creating stable spray solutions that spread evenly on crop leaves. This enhances pesticide absorption by plants, boosting pest control efficiency by 25% while reducing chemical waste. It’s non-toxic to crops, making it suitable for organic and conventional farming.
Product Operate Guide
Dosage: Add 0.1%-5% of total formulation weight (adjust by needs: 0.5%-2% for cosmetics, 0.1%-1% for food, 1%-5% for industrial use).
Mixing: Heat Tween 85 and oil-based ingredients to 40-60℃, stir evenly. Slowly add to water-based components (same temp) while stirring at 300-500 RPM until fully blended.
Storage: Keep in sealed containers, avoid direct sunlight/extreme temps (5-30℃). Use within 24 months of production.
Note: Test small batches first to confirm compatibility with other ingredients.
FAQ
Q: Is Tween 85 safe for use in food products?
A: Yes. Our Food Grade Tween 85 meets FDA, EU EC 1333/2008, and GB 29221 standards, with ≤10 ppm heavy metals. It’s widely used in beverages and baked goods, posing no health risks when used within 0.1%-1% of total formulation weight.
Q: Can Tween 85 be mixed with other emulsifiers?
A: Absolutely. It blends well with sorbitan esters (e.g., Span 80) or lecithin to adjust HLB values, enhancing emulsification for specific needs. Test a small 50-100g batch first to ensure no compatibility issues with your formula.
Q: What's the difference between Pharmaceutical Grade and Industrial Grade Tween 85?
A: Pharma Grade has ultra-low impurities (≤0.1%) and meets GMP standards, suitable for drugs. Industrial Grade prioritizes viscosity stability (300-500 mPa·s) for lubricants/paints, with slightly higher impurity limits (≤0.5%).
Q: How long does Tween 85 remain effective after opening?
A: Once opened, seal tightly and store at 5-30℃ away from moisture. It retains full performance for 6 months; after that, check for color change or sediment—discard if any abnormalities appear.
