Poloxamer

Poloxamer (CAS 9003-11-6), also known commercially as Pluronic, is a family of nonionic block copolymer surfactants available in a range of molecular weights and ethylene oxide/propylene oxide ratios.

Different grades deliver distinct solubilization, emulsification, and wetting performance, making grade selection a critical procurement decision for industrial buyers and formulation scientists.

Buyers source poloxamers across pharmaceutical, personal care, and food-adjacent applications where controlled surface activity and compatibility with sensitive formulations are required for product stability.

In pharmaceutical manufacturing, poloxamers function as solubilizers and drug delivery excipients. This enables poorly water-soluble APIs to be formulated into stable oral, topical, and injectable products.

Personal care formulators use specific grades to stabilize emulsions in creams, gels, and shampoos. These materials contribute mild conditioning and moisturizing effects to the final consumer product.

In industrial and institutional cleaning, poloxamers act as low-foaming surfactants suited to spray and CIP systems. This is where foam control is operationally critical for efficiency.

Food-contact and nutraceutical applications draw on food-grade poloxamer for encapsulation and dispersion of active ingredients. The material is supplied as white to off-white waxy solids or liquids.

Pharmaceutical grades are available to USP, NF, BP, and Ph. Eur. specifications. Poloxamer 188 and Poloxamer 407 are among the most commercially traded grades available.