Sorbitan Monooleate
Sorbitan Monooleate (SMO) is a non-ionic surfactant and low-HLB emulsifier. With an HLB of approximately 4.3, it is particularly suited for water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions, whilst also functioning as an effective wetting agent, dispersant and co-emulsifier in a wide range of industrial and technical formulations.
SMO is highly oil-soluble and is widely used across industries includingemulsion explosives, personal care, lubricants, textiles, agriculture and industrial processing. It can also be combined with higher-HLB surfactants, such as polysorbates, to achieve the desired emulsifier balance in more complex systems.
Product Information
Chemical family: Sorbitan fatty acid ester / oleate ester
Chemical name: Sorbitan Monooleate
Common name: SMO
INCI name: Sorbitan Oleate
Type: Non-ionic surfactant / low-HLB emulsifier
Appearance: Amber to brown viscous liquid
HLB: 4.3
Solubility: Oil-soluble with limited water solubility
Packaging: Drums / IBC / Bulk
Main functions
Water-in-oil emulsification
Supports the formation and long-term stability of W/O emulsions
Co-emulsification
Can be blended with higher-HLB emulsifiers to achieve optimum emulsion balance
Wetting and dispersion
Improves the distribution of oils, pigments, fillers and other formulation ingredients
Oil compatibility
Highly soluble in mineral oils, vegetable oils and many synthetic base fluids
Foam control
Acts to destabilise bubble lamellas
Lubricity / process aid
Can enhance lubrication and processing performance in industrial formulations
Stabilisation
Helps reduce phase separation and improve formulation consistency
Typical Uses by Industry
Metalworking & Lubricants
Emulsifier and co-emulsifier in soluble, semi-synthetic and synthetic metalworking fluids
Used in industrial lubricants and speciality lubricant formulations
Supports emulsion stability, oil dispersion and lubricity
Emulsion Explosives
Low-HLB emulsifier for ammonium nitrate water-in-oil emulsion explosive systems
Helps stabilise the oxidiser droplets within the continuous oil phase
Can be used as a primary emulsifier or alongside specialist emulsifier packages
Textiles
Used as a lubricant, softener, emulsifier and wetting agent during textile processing
Personal Care & Cosmetics
Non-ionic emulsifier for creams, lotions, balms, ointments and bath oils
Helps improve formulation stability, texture and spreadability
Commonly used in water-in-oil cosmetic formulations
Industrial & Technical
Used in industrial emulsions, release agents, coatings, wax emulsions and speciality process chemicals
Suitable for cleaning products, dispersions and oil-based formulations where stable emulsification is required
Agriculture
Used as an emulsifier and wetting agent in agrochemical and crop protection formulations
Helps improve dispersion and formulation stability