Lauric acid

Lauric acid (CAS 143-07-7) is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid derived primarily from coconut and palm kernel oils. Known in the flavor industry under FEMA 2614, it functions as a building block for surfactants and emulsifiers. It is also used in lubricants across multiple industrial sectors. In personal care and cosmetics, it is a key feedstock for sodium laurate and other soap bases, contributing to lather quality and skin feel in bar soaps and cleansers.

Food-grade material is used as a flavoring agent and as a processing aid in confectionery coatings and bakery fats. Metalworking and lubricant formulators use it to produce metallic soaps and boundary lubricants for operations. In textile and leather processing, it supports fiber softening, surface wetting, and the preparation of fatty acid-based finishing agents. This versatile chemical is supplied as white flakes or powder with high purity levels.

The purity typically ranges from 98% to 99%+ depending on the specific grade required. Food-grade material is available to FCC specification, while pharmaceutical-grade supply meets USP and Ph. Eur. standards. Technical grade is also offered for industrial surfactant and lubricant manufacturing where tighter purity tolerances are not required. This ensures compatibility with a wide range of manufacturing processes and end-use applications.