Lauric acid

Lauric acid (CAS 143-07-7) is a medium-chain saturated fatty acid derived primarily from coconut and palm kernel oils. Also known in the flavor industry under FEMA 2614.

Where is Lauric acid used?

• Flavor industry: building block for surfactants and emulsifiers
• Personal care and cosmetics: feedstock for sodium laurate and soap bases, contributing to lather quality and skin feel in bar soaps and cleansers
• Food-grade material: flavoring agent and processing aid in confectionery coatings and bakery fats
• Metalworking and lubricant formulators use it to produce metallic soaps and boundary lubricants
• Textile and leather processing: fiber softening, surface wetting, and preparation of fatty acid-based finishing agents

Good to know: Food-grade material meets FCC specification; pharmaceutical-grade supply meets USP and Ph. Eur. standards. Technical grade is offered for industrial surfactant and lubricant manufacturing where tighter purity tolerances are not required.

Commercial specifications

• Purity typically ranges from 98% to 99%+ depending on grade