Monoethanolamine

Monoethanolamine (CAS 141-43-5), abbreviated MEA and also known as Olamine in cosmetic and pharmaceutical contexts, is a bifunctional compound combining amine and alcohol groups.

Where is Monoethanolamine used?

• Refining and natural gas: active absorbent in amine gas sweetening units, selectively removing H₂S and CO₂ from process streams
• Personal care: neutralizer for carbomer-based gels and pH adjuster in creams, lotions and hair products
• Water treatment: corrosion inhibitor and pH buffer in boiler and cooling water systems
• Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as an alkalizing agent in topical and oral formulations.
• Present in hair colorations marketed as ammonia-free to promote opening of hair cuticles.
• Used in cosmetic hair lightening creams as a pH buffering agent.
• Used as a scale inhibitor.
• Used for alkalization of water in steam cycles of power plants, including pressurized water reactor nuclear plants, to control corrosion of metal components.

Good to know: Pharmaceutical and personal care buyers can source USP and BP grades with tighter purity and impurity specifications.

Formulation notes

• Attacks copper, aluminium, their alloys and rubber.

Typical specification

• Easily soluble in water.

Regulatory status

• Classified as H332, harmful if inhaled.
• Listed under index number 603-030-00-8 in Annex VI of the CLP regulation.

Storage, packaging and handling

• Reacts violently with strong acids and strong oxidants, generating fire and explosion risk.
• Solid below 11 °C (approximately 10.6 °C).
• Store separately from strong oxidants, strong acids, aluminium, and food and feed, in a dry area with ground-level ventilation and no access to drains or sewers.

Frequently asked questions about Monoethanolamine

What is the transport classification for monoethanolamine?

For transport, it is classified as UN Class 8, packing group III.

Can monoethanolamine be used as a neutralizing agent for anionic emulsifiers?

Yes, it is used as a neutralizing agent for anionic emulsifiers.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.