Polysorbate 20 (Tween 20) Supplier in Malaysia
- Also known as
- Tween 20
- E432
- T20
- Polyoxyethylene 20 Sorbitan Monolaurate
ChemTrade supplies polysorbate 20 in bulk to cosmetic, food and pharmaceutical manufacturers across Malaysia. It is ordered as Tween 20 or T20 and labelled E432 in food, and we hold it in 25 kg pails and 200 kg drums of Chinese and Taiwanese origin.
Three grades cover almost every enquiry: cosmetic grade for personal care, food grade against the E432 additive specification, and pharmacopoeial grade for pharmaceutical work. Technical grade is available for cleaning, textile and agrochemical formulation.
At an HLB of 16.7 it is the strongest solubiliser of the polysorbates, which is why it is the one specified for clear water based systems: fragrance in a toner or a mist, flavour oil in a beverage, an active in an oral liquid. It is miscible with water and ethanol and practically insoluble in fatty oils, so it carries oil into water rather than the reverse.
If you are choosing between polysorbate 20, 60 and 80, send us the formulation and what it has to hold and we will tell you which one fits. Ask for the specification and the safety data sheet with your quote.
- CAS number
- 9005-64-5
- Grade
- technical, food, pharmaceutical
- Appearance
- oily, viscous, yellow to brownish yellow liquid
- Availability
- Local stock
Polysorbate 20 grades and forms
We supply several forms to suit different formulating and dosing setups. If you need a size that is not listed, ask us.
| Grade | Form | Assay | Typical use | Packing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Technical grade polysorbate 20 | oily viscous liquid | HLB 16.7, technical specification | Wetting agent and detergent in industrial cleaners, textile scouring and dyeing, agrochemical formulation and latex processing. The right grade where the surfactant does not end up in a finished consumer product. | 25 kg pail or 200 kg drum |
| Cosmetic grade polysorbate 20 | oily viscous liquid | HLB 16.7, INCI Polysorbate 20 | The volume grade for personal care. Solubilises fragrance and essential oil into water based toners, micellar water, mists and shampoo without clouding, and emulsifies light oil in water creams and lotions. Declared on an INCI list as Polysorbate 20. | 25 kg pail or 200 kg drum |
| Food grade polysorbate 20 (E432) | oily viscous liquid | HLB 16.7, food additive spec | Carries flavour and colour oil into beverages, and stabilises emulsions in dressings, ice cream and confectionery. Supplied against a food additive specification with the documentation a food safety audit asks for. | 25 kg pail or 200 kg drum |
| Pharmacopoeial grade polysorbate 20 (NF or Ph. Eur.) | oily viscous liquid | HLB 16.7, to monograph limits | Solubiliser and protein stabiliser in oral liquids, topicals and parenterals. Tested to monograph limits on peroxide value, ethylene oxide and dioxan. Tell us the monograph and the batch size when you enquire. | 25 kg pail or 200 kg drum |
How to buy polysorbate 20 from ChemTrade
Request a quote for polysorbate 20
Use the form below to request a quotation. You can also email sales@chemtrademalaysia.com or send us a message on WhatsApp.
Specifications
| Parameter | Value | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | oily, viscous, yellow to brownish yellow liquid | — |
| HLB value | 16.7 | — |
| Hydroxyl value | 96 to 108 | Ph. Eur. 2.5.3 Method A |
| Saponification value | 40 to 50 | Ph. Eur. 2.5.6 |
| Acid value | ≤ 2.0 | Ph. Eur. 2.5.1 |
| Peroxide value | ≤ 10.0 | — |
| Water | ≤ 3.0 % | Ph. Eur. 2.5.12 |
| Lauric acid in the fatty acid fraction | 40 to 60 % | Ph. Eur. 2.4.22 Method C |
| Relative density | about 1.10 | — |
| Viscosity at 25 °C | about 400 mPa·s | — |
| Solubility | miscible with water and ethanol, practically insoluble in fatty oils and liquid paraffin | — |
Polysorbate 20 applications
Safety and handling
- Classification
- irritant
Store sealed in a cool, dry place away from strong oxidising agents, and out of direct sunlight. Air, light and warmth oxidise polysorbates over time and raise the peroxide value, which is why the monograph caps it and why it matters if you are formulating a peroxide sensitive active, so keep drums closed and turn stock over rather than holding it long. It thickens when cold and pours normally again once it warms to ambient. Wear gloves and safety glasses: undiluted it can irritate skin and eyes.
Common questions about polysorbate 20
Which grade do I need, cosmetic, food or pharmacopoeial?
The chemistry is the same, so what you are buying is a documentation package and an impurity ceiling. Cosmetic grade covers personal care, food grade is supplied against the E432 additive specification for anything ingested, and NF or Ph. Eur. grade is tested to monograph limits on peroxide value, ethylene oxide and dioxan for pharmaceutical use. Buying up a grade costs more than it needs to, and buying down fails an audit.
What is the difference between polysorbate 20, 60 and 80?
The fatty acid on the sorbitan, which sets the HLB and decides what each one will hold. Polysorbate 20 is the laurate at HLB 16.7, the strongest solubiliser of the three and the one for clear water based systems and light oils. Polysorbate 80 is the oleate at a lower HLB and suits heavier oil in water emulsions, and polysorbate 60 the stearate. We stock all three, so send the formulation if you are unsure.
Is polysorbate 20 the same thing as Tween 20?
Yes. Tween is the original trade name, polysorbate 20 is the generic name, E432 is the food additive number and Polysorbate 20 is the INCI name. You will also see it written as polyoxyethylene 20 sorbitan monolaurate or T20. Order it by whichever name your specification uses.
Does it dissolve in oil?
No, and that is the point of it. Polysorbate 20 is miscible with water and ethanol and practically insoluble in fatty oils and liquid paraffin, which is what an HLB of 16.7 means. You blend it into the oil phase first so it can carry that oil into water, and how much you need depends on the oil, so it is worth trialling on a sample. If you need something oil soluble you want a low HLB sorbitan ester instead.
Is polysorbate 20 safe, and is it approved for food and cosmetics?
It is a long established food additive and cosmetic ingredient rather than a scheduled poison, carrying the food additive number E432 and used in personal care worldwide. Undiluted it is a mild skin and eye irritant, so handle it with gloves and safety glasses. Ask us for the safety data sheet and the specification with your quote and you will have what a product registration or an audit needs.
What packing and quantities do you supply?
25 kg pails and 200 kg drums from stock. We work with several producers across China and Taiwan, so if you need a different size or a specific origin, ask and we will source it rather than push you to the nearest thing on the shelf.
Can you send a sample and a specification before we order?
Yes. Tell us the grade and the application and we will send the specification, the safety data sheet and a sample to trial in your formulation. That is the normal way this starts, because a solubiliser has to be proven in your own system before anyone commits to a drum.