Span™ 80 is a biodegradable surfactant that utilizes a natural fatty acid (oleic acid) and the sugar alcohol sorbitol. It is produced through the RSPO's Mass Balance System, ensuring sustainability. This sorbitan ester is highly efficient in creating O/W emulsions, especially when used in conjunction with its polyethoxylated derivative, Tween 80.

Chemical Name: Sorbitan oleate

CAS Number: 1338-43-8

Functions: Emulsifier, Emulsifier (O/W), Solubilizer

Labeling Claims: Bio-based, Biodegradable, Halal, Kosher, Naturally Derived, Sustainable

Certifications & Compliance: Halal, Kosher, RSPO MassBalance Certified, Safer Choice, USDA BioPreferred

HLB Value: 4.3 - 4.3

Synonyms: E 494, Monodehydrosorbitol monooleate, Oleic acid sorbitan monoester, Sorbitan mono-(9Z)-9-octadecenoate, Sorbitan monooleic acid ester

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Identification & Functionality

Chemical Family
Chemical Name
Cleaning Ingredients Functions
CAS No.
1338-43-8
EC No.
215-665-4
Chemical Structrue

Span — Sorbitan esters
Croda’s sorbitan esters are marketed under the Span product name and are produced by the dehydration of sorbitol. Esterification with fatty acids in a controlled chemical process gives reproducible materials at the quality expected from Croda. A monoester of a generic Span can be represented as:

Croda Span 80 Chemical Structrue

Figure 1: Chemical structure — Sorbitan monoester

Features & Benefits

Product Background

Sorbitan esters and their ethoxylates
Croda’s unique expertise in ester technology and continuing commitment to customers has established the company as a world-leader in the supply of sorbitan esters and derivatives for an array of applications. A unique understanding of the highly complex properties and functions of sorbitan esters has been developed to ensure customer developments are cutting edge in today’s highly competitive environment.

The Spans are a range of mild nonionic surfactants providing formulating benefits in a number of Home Care applications. Croda’s Span and Tween materials have long-standing food and pharmacopeia approval with a safe history of use.
As nonionics, Spans offer many advantages over ionic surfactants including increased stability, formulating flexibility and wider compatibility. They are stable in mild acids, alkalis and electrolytes and do not react with ionic ingredients or actives. By combining Spans and Tweens at different ratios, formulators are able to produce systems with a wide HLB range to emulsify most oils and waxes. Certain Spans and Tweens are also highly effective solubilisers, dispersing agents and wetting aids.

Functional Benefits
  • Nonionic emulsifiers and co-emulsifiers
  • Solubilisers
  • Dispersants
  • Wetting agents
  • Stable over a wide pH range
  • Electrolyte tolerant

Applications & Uses

Markets
Applications

Span surfactants find widespread use in a diverse range of household consumer products and are useful as emulsifers, solubilisers, wetting agents and dispersants.

Polishes

Spans are key emulsifying agents for a number of applications. By using combinations of Spans with their corresponding Tweens it is possible to prepare a variety of oil in water and water in oil emulsion systems. Span 80 is excellent for water in oil emulsification of hydrocarbons and is particularly useful in aerosol systems such as multisurface spray polishes and cleaners. Water in oil based aerosol polishes using Span 80 break down rapidly on spraying ensuring an even application of wax and silicone. Span 60 and Span 80 when used in combination with Tween 60 and Tween 80 are excellent emulsifying systems for silicone fluids in furniture polishes, shoe polishes and vehicle exterior and interior polishes.

Hand Barrier Creams

Heavy duty hand cleaners are used for easy removal of oils, dirt and greases. Tween 21 and 60 may be used to form microemulsion gels based on solvents such as odorless kerosene or as a green alternative, Prifer 6813 Croda’s ecofriendly low odor degreasing solvent. Barrier products form a film which is designed to protect the skin from the effects of oil and water borne irritants. Combinations of Span 60 and Tween 60 or Span 80 and Tween 80 are good based emulsifying systems which can be tailored to produce either oil or water resistant products. They are suitable for vegetable oils and lanolin derivatives. Tween 80 in particular is a useful emulsifier for oil-resistant barrier products based on hydrophilic film-formers such as methyl cellulose of gum Arabic.

Properties

Physical Form
Appearance
Amber liquid
Typical Properties
ValueUnitsTest Method / Conditions
Aquatic Toxicity to Fishmin. 1000mg/l
Viscosity at 25°C1000cSt
HLB Value4.3

Regulatory & Compliance

Biodegradability

Spans are considered to be readily biodegradable and would not be expected to persist indefinitely in the environment. Tweens are considered to be inherently biodegradable and would not be expected to persist indefinitely in the environment.

Technical Details & Test Data

Emulsification

Spans are recommended as emulsifiers for natural and synthetic waxes and silicnne oils to produce low viscosity emulsions e.g. furniture/ multisurface polishes, and shoe polishes. Span 80 in particular is an excellent water In oil emulsifier for hydrwarbons (e.g. aerosol systems).

Packaging & Availability

Regional Availability
  • Asia
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • North America