Span 80 (sorbitan monooleate, E494) and Span 20 (sorbitan monolaurate, E493) are non-ionic low-HLB emulsifiers produced by esterification of sorbitan with oleic or lauric acid.
Span 80 (HLB 4.3) and Span 20 (HLB 8.6) are used in W/O emulsions, fat-soluble vitamin formulations, and as co-emulsifiers with Polysorbate 80 and 20 respectively.