Tween 20 Tween 20, with CAS No. 9005-64-5, is a widely used non-ionic surfactant, chemically known as Polysorbate 20. It is typically a clear to pale yellow liquid, soluble in water, ethanol, and most organic solvents.
As a key emulsifier, solubilizer, and stabilizer, it finds applications in cosmetics (e.g., lotions, serums), pharmaceuticals (e.g., oral formulations, injections), and food industries (e.g., beverages, baked goods). It effectively reduces surface tension, enhances ingredient compatibility, and improves product texture or stability, making it a versatile additive in various formulations.
Product Advantage
Ultra-High Purity for Safe Application
Our Tween 20 (CAS 9005-64-5) achieves a purity level of ≥99.5%, verified by third-party lab tests (with impurity content ≤0.5%). This high purity meets strict standards of the food (FDA GRAS), pharmaceutical (USP/NF), and cosmetic (ECOCERT) industries, eliminating risks of harmful residues. It ensures safe use in sensitive scenarios like oral pharmaceuticals and baby skincare products, winning trust from 200+ global clients.
Superior Emulsifying & Solubilizing Efficiency
With a hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) value of 16.7, our Tween 20 exhibits exceptional emulsifying ability—it can stabilize oil-in-water emulsions for up to 12 months without phase separation (tested under 45℃/RH 75% conditions). In solubilization, it increases the solubility of fat-soluble active ingredients (e.g., vitamins) by 50-80% compared to ordinary surfactants, reducing formulation costs while boosting product efficacy.
Excellent Thermal & Chemical Stability
Our Tween 20 maintains stable performance across a wide temperature range (-10℃ to 60℃) and pH range (3.0-10.0). After 1,000 hours of accelerated aging tests, its active component retention rate remains ≥98%, and it shows no degradation when mixed with common ingredients (e.g., preservatives, pigments). This stability avoids product spoilage or efficacy loss during storage and transportation.
Low Foaming & Gentle Formula
Unlike traditional surfactants, our Tween 20 has low foaming properties (foam height ≤5mm in 5% aqueous solution, measured by Ross-Miles method), making it ideal for low-foam products like facial cleansers and industrial metal cleaners. Meanwhile, its mild formula (skin irritation index ≤0.5, tested by dermatological labs) ensures no dryness or redness, suitable for sensitive skin and personal care formulations.
Bulk Supply with Consistent Quality
Equipped with an automated production line (annual capacity 5,000 tons), we guarantee bulk supply with consistent quality—each batch’s key indicators (purity, HLB value, moisture content) have a variation rate ≤1%. We also offer customized viscosity (250-400 cPs at 25℃) and packaging options, supporting fast delivery (lead time ≤7 days for orders ≤100 tons) to meet urgent client needs.
Technical Parameters
| Parameter | Specification |
| Chemical Name | Polyoxyethylene (20) sorbitan monoaleate |
| Appearance | Pale yellow to yellowish-brown paste-like substance |
| Lonicity | Non-ionic |
| Hydroxyl Value | 90~110 mg KOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 40~55 mg KOH/g |
| Acid Value | ≤ 2.0 mg KOH/g |
| Water Content | ≤ 3.0% |
| HLB Value | 16.5 |
Product Uses
Cosmetics & Personal Care
In lotions, serums, and creams, it acts as an emulsifier to blend oil and water phases, preventing separation. It also enhances the absorption of active ingredients (e.g., hyaluronic acid) and improves product spreadability, making it a key additive in facial moisturizers and body lotions.
Pharmaceutical Industry
Used in oral formulations (syrups, suspensions) to solubilize fat-soluble drugs, ensuring uniform drug distribution. It’s also added to injectable preparations (under strict purity standards) to stabilize drug particles, reducing irritation and boosting bioavailability.
Food Industry
As a food-grade emulsifier, it’s applied in beverages (fruit juices, milk drinks) to keep flavors and pigments evenly dispersed. It also improves texture in baked goods (cakes, bread) by emulsifying fats, making products softer and extending shelf life.
Industrial Cleaning & Biotechnology
In low-foam industrial cleaners (for metal parts, machinery), it removes oil stains without leaving residue. In biotech, it’s used in protein extraction processes to solubilize membrane proteins, supporting research and diagnostic reagent production.
Product Operate Guide
Cosmetics/Pharmaceuticals: Add 0.5-5% (based on total formulation) to water phase first. Stir at 40-60℃ for 10-15 mins, then mix with oil phase and homogenize (2000-3000 rpm) for 5 mins until uniform.
Food: Blend 0.1-2% (by weight) into liquid ingredients (e.g., water, milk) at room temp. Stir gently for 5-8 mins to ensure full dissolution before adding other components.
Storage: Keep in a cool, dry place (5-30℃), away from direct sunlight. Seal tightly after use to avoid moisture absorption.
FAQ
Q: Is your Tween 20 compatible with other surfactants?
A: Yes. It works well with anionic, cationic, and other non-ionic surfactants (e.g., SDS, CTAB). Test small batches first to ensure no precipitation or phase separation.
Q: What’s the shelf life of Tween 20, and how to extend it?
A: Unopened, it has a 2-year shelf life. After opening, seal tightly, store at 5-30℃, and avoid contamination—this maintains quality for 6+ months.
Q: Can Tween 20 be used in baby skincare products?
A: Absolutely. Our Tween 20 (purity ≥99.5%) meets ECOCERT standards, with a skin irritation index ≤0.5, making it safe for baby lotions or wipes.
Q: Do you provide samples for testing before bulk orders?
A: Yes. We offer 50-100g free samples (freight collect) for quality verification. Simply share your formulation needs, and we’ll send samples within 3 working days.
