TCS Industries Limited (China-sourced API supplier) supplies Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent CAS 57-11-4 for pharmaceutical B2B procurement — COA, MSDS, and technical documentation available on request.
> Overview
| Product Name | Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent |
|---|---|
| Structural Formula |  |
| CAS Number | 57-11-4 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₈H₃₆O₂ |
| Molecular Weight | 284.5 g/mol |
| InChIKey | QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| SMILES | Available on request where applicable |
| Appearance | White to yellowish-white waxy solid, flakes, or powder |
| Purity / Grade | By agreed specification and batch COA |
| Storage | Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place |
Stearic Acid (CAS 57-11-4) is a saturated fatty acid with the formula CH₃(CH₂)₁₆COOH (MW 284.48). Pharmaceutical-grade stearic acid is a mixture of stearic acid (≥40%) and palmitic acid (C₁₆), with the sum of both ≥90%. It is a white, waxy solid used as a tablet lubricant, emulsifying agent, solubilizing agent, and hardening agent in pharmaceutical and cosmetic formulations.
TCS Industries Limited, a Hong Kong-based trading and sourcing company, supplies Stearic Acid in pharmaceutical (NF/Ph.Eur.) and cosmetic grades from vegetable and animal sources for global procurement programs.
> Applications
Tablet lubricant and hardening agent
Stearic acid at 1–3% is used as a tablet lubricant (weaker than magnesium stearate but with less impact on dissolution). It also serves as a hardening agent in controlled-release wax matrix tablets. In emulsions, stearic acid reacts with triethanolamine to form the emulsifying agent triethanolamine stearate (self-emulsifying base). Patel et al. (AAPS PharmSciTech, 2007, 8:E142–E149) evaluated stearic acid as a tablet lubricant compared to magnesium stearate in terms of lubrication efficiency and dissolution impact.
Cosmetic emollient and emulsifier
Stearic acid is a major component of cosmetic creams and lotions, serving as an emollient, thickener, and emulsifier (when neutralized with alkali to form soap). It provides the characteristic “pearlescent” appearance in vanishing cream formulations. It is also used in candles, soaps, and plastic additives.
> Sourcing & Supply
TCS Industries Limited supports development, qualification and commercial purchasing discussions for Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent with buyers in South America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.
- Evaluation and commercial quantities: 25 kg bags for qualification; pallet for production. Type 50 and Type 95 grades from vegetable (palm) and animal (tallow) sources available. Specify source and grade.
- Pallet quantities and production campaigns: repeat supply is coordinated against packaging, lead time, annual demand and destination-market import requirements.
> Quality & Documentation
Key specification parameters include stearic acid content (≥40%), sum of stearic + palmitic (≥90%), acid value (195–212 mg KOH/g), iodine value (≤4.0), residue on ignition (≤0.1%), loss on drying (≤0.5%), heavy metals (Pb ≤10 ppm), arsenic, and congealing point (54–72 °C depending on grade). White to yellowish waxy solid. Meets NF (Stearic Acid, dual grade 50/95), Ph.Eur. (Acidum stearicum), and JP. COA and MSDS are standard.
> Packaging
Stearic acid is a white to yellowish waxy solid, available as flakes, prills, or powder. Non-hygroscopic. Standard packaging includes 25 kg multiply paper bags or cardboard boxes with PE liner, palletized. Store at room temperature in dry conditions. Shelf life is typically 24 months. Labels and documents are checked before dispatch.
> Pricing & MOQ
Pricing is quoted by specification, packaging and destination. Common commercial discussions use 25 kg bag/drum formats, pallet quantities and production-campaign planning; smaller samples may be reviewed for qualified formulation teams.
> Regulatory & Compounding Context
Stearic acid is monographed in NF (Stearic Acid, Type 50 and Type 95), Ph.Eur. (Acidum stearicum), BP, and JP. Listed in the FDA IID for oral, topical, and other dosage forms. GRAS in the US (21 CFR 184.1090). Approved as a food additive in the EU (E570). No special import permits.
> Alias Index
- IUPAC: Octadecanoic acid
- CAS Number: 57-11-4
- Formula: C₁₈H₃₆O₂ (MW 284.48)
- EU food additive: E570
- Pharmacopoeial name: Acidum stearicum (Ph.Eur.)
- NF grades: Type 50 (≥40% C₁₈), Type 95 (≥90% C₁₈)
- InChIKey: QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N
- Commercial request terms: stearic acid NF, E570, vegetable stearic acid, cosmetic grade stearic acid, TCS Industries Limited
> FAQ
What is the difference between Type 50 and Type 95?
NF Type 50: ≥40% stearic acid + ≥90% stearic + palmitic. NF Type 95: ≥90% stearic acid + ≥96% stearic + palmitic. Type 50 is more commonly used in pharmaceutical formulations. Type 95 (high-purity stearic) is used when specific melting behavior or chemical reactivity requires a higher stearic acid content.
What documents are available for Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent orders?
COA and MSDS are standard for commercial discussions. COO, packing list, invoice and other import-support documents can be arranged according to order scope.
Can TCS Industries Limited support Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent supply to South America?
Yes. We support B2B buyers in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname, subject to route and document review.
Do you support Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada?
Yes. These destinations can be reviewed for project supply, import documents, packaging and logistics planning before quotation.
How does Stearic Acid compare to Magnesium Stearate as a lubricant?
Stearic acid is a weaker lubricant than magnesium stearate (higher coefficient of friction) and typically requires 1–3% vs. 0.5–2% for MgSt. However, stearic acid has less hydrophobic effect on tablet wetting and dissolution. It is preferred when dissolution impact is a primary concern or when metallic stearate salts are incompatible with the API.
Is vegetable-origin Stearic Acid available?
Yes. Vegetable-origin stearic acid is produced from palm kernel oil or soy oil through hydrolysis and distillation. It is chemically identical to animal-origin (tallow) material. Specify vegetable origin for halal, kosher, vegetarian, or sustainability certification requirements.
Can you arrange samples before commercial purchasing?
Samples or evaluation quantities may be reviewed for qualified buyers after target specification, application and destination-market requirements are clarified.
How is Stearic Acid –- Lubricant, Emulsifier & Consistency Agent packaged for export?
Packaging is confirmed by quantity and material properties. Typical options include foil bags, HDPE containers, fibre drums, 25 kg bags or palletized export packaging.
Can buyer-defined specifications be reviewed?
Yes. Send the specification, methods, impurity limits and required documents. TCS can review feasibility before confirming quotation and lead time.
What payment terms are normally used?
Standard payment is 100% T/T before dispatch unless a different arrangement has been approved for an established commercial account.
What lead time should buyers expect?
Lead time depends on stock, batch size, document scope and destination. Available stock can move faster; made-to-order or pallet programs require longer planning.
What is a self-emulsifying base?
When stearic acid (~15–20%) is combined with triethanolamine (~1–2%) in a cream formulation, the acid-base reaction forms triethanolamine stearate in situ, which acts as an anionic emulsifier. This creates a stable oil-in-water emulsion without adding a separate emulsifier. This is a classic vanishing cream formulation approach.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Evaluation and research orders (≤10 kg) are shipped with COA, MSDS, and certificate of origin. Bulk commercial orders (>10 kg) qualify for volume pricing with a full technical documentation package available on request.
> Request a Quote
If your team already has a target application, estimated quantity, destination market, or documentation requirements, send those details so the commercial response can be prepared more efficiently.