Sorbitan esters
W/O emulsifiers, low HLB
Sorbitan esters
At a glance
Esters
Emulsifying, pearling, mildness
- Ionic type
- Nonionic
- Typical HLB
- 1.8–16.7 (sorbitan ester/polysorbate/GMS)
- Foam
- Low
- Key industries
- Personal care, Agro, Food-adjacent
Biodegradability: Ester linkages hydrolyse readily; often preferred where a renewable or mild profile is required.
Chemistries
Ester chemistries
Esters are formed by the reaction of an alcohol and an acid under basic or acid conditions. Esters have a wide range of applications in every industry segment. Esteem offers a comprehensive list of esters as per required specifications.
Esters are manufactured by a condensation reaction under basic or acidic conditions by the process of esterification which takes place between an alcohol and an acid. Our ester chemistries include glycol esters (ethylene glycol esters CAS 111-60-4, propylene glycol esters), glycerol esters (glyceryl monooleate, glyceryl monostearate), and specialty ester compounds. Our esters find applications across multiple industries including personal care (emulsifiers, conditioners), paint & coating (resin plasticizers, dispersants), textile (wetting agents, dispersing agents), paper (defoamers), and metal (lubricants). Explore our custom ester synthesis services.
Product range
Ester families we manufacture
Also explore
Related chemistry families
Related CAS Numbers
Glycol Monostearate CAS
CAS 31394-71-5
Glycerol Monostearate CAS 123-94-4
Glycerol Monooleate CAS
GTO CAS 122-32-7
CAS 1323-39-3
SMO CAS
Sorbitan Monostearate CAS 1338-41-6
CAS 1338-39-2
STO CAS 26266-58-0
STS CAS 26658-19-5
Glycerol Tristearate CAS 555-43-1
Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5
Polysorbate 80 CAS 9005-65-6
Polysorbate 60 CAS 9005-67-8
PEG 1000 Monostearate CAS
CAS 67784-80-9
Selection guide
Ester chemistry selection for formulators
Polysorbates
O/W solubilizers, high HLB
Polysorbate 20/60/80Glycol / glycerol esters
Creams, lotions, food-adjacent
EsterificationEmulsifying waxes
Cosmetic O/W creams
Emulsifying waxes
Learn the chemistry
Technical guides for this product family
Primers matched to this chemistry family. Start here, then open a TDS.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - Ester Chemistries
Find answers to common questions about ester chemistries
Ester chemistries involve the production of esters through esterification reactions between alcohols and carboxylic acids. Esteem Industries produces various ester-based surfactants including glycol esters, glycerol esters, and methyl ester ethoxylates.
We offer glycol esters (ethylene and propylene glycol esters), glycerol esters (mono, di, and tri esters), methoxy PEG esters, methyl ester ethoxylates, and betaines.
Ester-based surfactants are used as emulsifiers in personal care products, conditioners in textile processing, dispersants in paint & coating, and specialty additives in agriculture and home care applications.
Ester chemistries offer excellent emulsification properties, good biodegradability, mildness suitable for personal care, versatility across industries, and often derive from natural sources. They provide effective performance while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Sorbitan esters are low-HLB, oil-soluble W/O emulsifiers. Polysorbates are high-HLB O/W solubilizers. Formulators often blend them to hit required HLB. See polysorbate 20/60/80 and the HLB guide.
Yes. Methyl ester ethoxylates are part of our specialty alkoxylate range for detergency and agro emulsification. Share the target HLB and hydrophobe (coco, soya) for a starting grade.
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Next step
Need a sample or formulation support?
Talk to Esteem Industries formulators about grade selection, HLB matching, custom ethoxylation, and application trials. Request a sample or technical discussion for your next project.