Magnesium stearate

Magnesium stearate (CAS 557-04-0), also designated E470B in food and feed applications, is a magnesium salt of stearic acid used across pharmaceutical, food, and industrial manufacturing. Its primary commercial function is lubrication, reducing friction between particles and contact surfaces during processing and compaction. In pharmaceutical tablet and capsule manufacturing, it prevents powder blends from sticking to punches and dies.

This enables consistent high-speed compression runs. Food and nutraceutical producers use it as an anti-caking and flow agent in powdered blends, seasonings, and dietary supplement capsules. In plastics processing, it acts as a release agent and stabilizer, helping PVC and other polymer compounds release cleanly from molds while improving heat stability during the manufacturing process.

Personal care formulators incorporate it into pressed powders and cosmetic compacts to improve slip, binding, and texture uniformity. Magnesium stearate is supplied as a fine white powder in varying particle size distributions. These distributions are suited to different processing requirements. Established grades include pharmaceutical (USP/NF, Ph. Eur., BP), food-grade (FCC), and technical grade for industrial applications.

Packaging typically ranges from multi-layer bags to bulk containers, with vegetable-source and animal-source variants available to meet specific formulation and labeling requirements for global distribution.