Sodium palmitate

Sodium palmitate (CAS 408-35-5) is the sodium salt of palmitic acid, commercially available under trade names including PN 1, C-Lube 16, Nonsoul PN 1, and Natriumpalmitat. It carries no assigned E-code and is classified under HS code 29157000 within the fatty acid salts category.

In personal care formulations, sodium palmitate functions as a primary soap base, enabling oil-in-water emulsification by reducing interfacial tension between lipid and aqueous phases. In textile processing, it acts as a scouring and degreasing agent, saponifying natural waxes and oils from raw fibers to prepare them for dyeing. Food-grade applications leverage its emulsifying capacity to stabilize fat dispersions in processed products.

Sodium palmitate is supplied as a white powder and is available in food-grade (FCC-compliant) and technical grades depending on application requirements. The substance is registered under REACH and must be handled in accordance with applicable EU chemical regulations. Standard packaging formats include bags and bulk quantities for industrial procurement.