Sorbitan Esters (Spans) are a family of non-ionic lipophilic emulsifiers produced by esterifying sorbitan with fatty acids, used primarily for W/O emulsions and as co-emulsifiers with polysorbates.We supply bulk Sorbitan Esters sourced from leading China manufacturers, available in liquid form for food and beverage manufacturers worldwide. Our Sorbitan Esters is widely used in bakery emulsifiers, toppings, spreads, desserts and confectionery. CAS No.: 1338-39-2 | HS Code: 29157090 | E Number: E491-E495
Sorbitan Esters (Spans) are manufactured by direct esterification of sorbitan (sorbitol anhydride) with food-grade fatty acids.
The family includes Sorbitan Monolaurate (Span 20, E493), Monopalmitate (Span 40, E495), Monostearate (Span 60, E491), Tristearate (Span 65, E492) and Monooleate (Span 80, E494), all low-HLB lipophilic emulsifiers used in W/O systems and as co-surfactants with polysorbates.
Grades / Types Available: Food Grade, Pharmaceutical Grade
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Appearance | Cream to amber waxy solid or viscous liquid |
| Acid Value | ≤ 8.0 mg KOH/g |
| Saponification Value | 145-225 mg KOH/g |
| Hydroxyl Value | 190-490 mg KOH/g |
| Iodine Value | ≤ 4.0 g I₂/100g (stearates) |
| HLB Value | 1.8-8.6 (grade-dependent) |
| Heavy Metals (as Pb) | ≤ 2 mg/kg |
| Purity/Assay | ≥ 99% (Food Grade) |
| Viscosity | 1000-3000 mPa·s (Food Grade) |
| Moisture/Loss on Drying | ≤ 1% (Food Grade) |
| pH | 5.0-7.0 (Food Grade) |
| Lead | ≤ 2 ppm (Food Grade) |
| Arsenic | ≤ 1 ppm (Food Grade) |
| Total Plate Count | ≤ 1000 cfu/g (Food Grade) |
| Yeast & Mold | ≤ 100 cfu/g (Food Grade) |
Our MOQ for bulk food/feed ingredient is generally 500 kg. We also support mixed containers — combine Sorbitan Esters with other food ingredients in one shipment to save on freight.
We provide free samples (100–500g) for quality testing before you place a bulk order. The buyer covers shipping costs only. Samples are typically dispatched within 2–3 business days.
Standard lead time is 7–15 days after order confirmation and payment. For stock items, delivery can be faster. We will confirm the exact timeline before you place the order.
You will receive the original COA (Certificate of Analysis), COO (Certificate of Origin), MSDS, TDS, and relevant certifications directly from the manufacturer. We guarantee full document authenticity and traceability.
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Whether you're sourcing bulk ingredients or mix container, contact our team for pricing, free samples, and technical support.