Glycol palmitate

Glycol palmitate (CAS 4219-49-2), also known as ethylene glycol monopalmitate, is a fatty acid ester derived from palmitic acid and ethylene glycol. It functions as an emulsifier, plasticizer, and moisturizing agent across food, pharmaceutical, and personal care manufacturing. In personal care formulations, it acts as an emulsifier and skin-conditioning agent in creams, lotions, and body butters, improving texture and moisture retention. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use it as a plasticizer in tablet coatings and controlled-release formulations.

Where flexibility and film integrity are critical, this ester provides reliable performance. In food processing, it supports emulsification in fat-based systems and coatings where a palmitate-derived ester meets clean-label or functional requirements. Cosmetic formulators also incorporate it into hair care products to improve spreadability and deposit conditioning actives more uniformly. This versatility makes it a staple ingredient for manufacturers seeking to enhance product stability and sensory profiles.

Glycol palmitate is typically supplied as a white to off-white waxy solid or flake. Food-grade and cosmetic-grade specifications are the most commonly available, ensuring high purity for sensitive applications across various industrial sectors. Pharmaceutical-grade material is supplied to USP or BP standards where required for regulatory compliance. Packaging ranges from small quantities for R&D use to bulk industrial volumes for large-scale commercial production.