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Cetyl alcohol carries a molecular formula of C16H34O, marking it as a long-chain fatty alcohol. Sourced mainly from natural fats and oils, this material frequently comes as white flakes, solid pearls, or powder form. It stands out as a non-ionic surfactant and a key ingredient in many pharmaceutical and personal care products. Its European Pharmacopoeia (EP), British Pharmacopoeia (BP), and United States Pharmacopeia (USP) grades guarantee a high level of purity. The HS Code assigned to cetyl alcohol is 29051700, identifying it within customs and trade documentation as a specific organic compound.
Working with cetyl alcohol in a lab or manufacturing space, you’ll quickly notice its waxy texture and mild smell. At room temperature, it settles into a white, crystalline solid that feels greasy between the fingers. Its melting point ranges between 49°C to 52°C and density hovers around 0.81 g/cm3 at 20°C. Water does not dissolve cetyl alcohol, so you see it forming stable emulsions or suspensions when blended. Chemically stable, it plays well with various additives and withstands light, air, and heat exposure for storage and processing. In solution, it displays mild amphiphilic behavior, which helps it blend oil and water, a property you notice immediately during emulsion preparation. Cetyl alcohol remains odorless or gives off a faint fatty scent, making it suitable for fragrance-sensitive applications.
Cetyl alcohol presents itself in various formats, including flakes, powder, solid pearls, and even prepared liquid solutions. Flakes break up easily for blending and melting processes in both industrial mixers and benchtop glassware. Pearls pour freely and dissolve smoothly when heated, helping manufacturers measure and meter it out without hassles or dust clouds. Powdered cetyl alcohol provides a higher surface area, dispersing and melting with speed, though dust control should remain a focus for worker safety and batch consistency. Some processes leverage prepared aqueous or oil solutions, which speed up manufacturing pipelines by skipping the melting stage. The choice between flakes, pearls, powder, or premixed forms often boils down to specific equipment and batch size.
Cetyl alcohol features a straight 16-carbon chain capped with a single hydroxyl group. This chemical configuration makes the molecule partly hydrophilic (the hydroxyl head) while being predominantly hydrophobic (the long carbon tail). That blend of water- and oil-loving behavior explains why cetyl alcohol finds favor in emulsions, lotions, and ointments. The carbon chain provides a stable fatty base, offering slip and spreadability, while the hydroxyl group allows a degree of interaction with water-based ingredients. Combination with other emulsifiers or surfactants brings out its full performance, reinforcing creaminess in topical formulations and helping active ingredients remain homogeneously distributed in liquids or ointments.
Pharmaceutical-grade cetyl alcohol comes under strict scrutiny. Raw material suppliers test each batch for specific melting range (49–52°C), molecular purity (>98.5% C16H34O), and trace impurities such as lauryl or stearyl alcohols. Visual clarity, the absence of notable odor, and a uniform solid consistency point to a quality supply. Microbial load remains negligible, as chemical synthesis and purification steps all but eliminate contamination. For anyone in production or formulation labs, Certificates of Analysis become the roadmaps, as they confirm each physical and chemical requirement for BP, EP, or USP standards. Working with substandard batches throws out yield, impacts consistency, and can introduce irritant residues that pose risks to patients or consumers.
Working in compounding labs—whether blending in kilo pails or running industrial reactors—safety always takes priority. Cetyl alcohol rates as a low-toxicity material for most uses, but like many raw chemical powders or flakes, it can still throw hazards if mishandled. Heating above its melting point requires care not to overheat and produce hot splashes or irritant vapors. Dust and fine powder demand proper ventilation or respirators, particularly on production lines. Liquid spills create slippery, hazardous surfaces. On skin and in eyes, cetyl alcohol acts as an irritant in concentrated form, calling for gloves and goggles during handling. Experienced staff know to store it in a cool, dry space, away from strong oxidizers, and always label pails or drums with chemical ID, HS Code, and batch reference. Safety Data Sheets (SDS) must remain accessible for all staff, listing first aid, spill response, and disposal instructions.
Experience in formulation teaches that cetyl alcohol shines as a stabilizer and consistency booster in semi-solid preparations. Pharmaceutical creams, ointments, and emulsions depend on its lubricating, thickening, and emollient powers. It's not rare to see it combined with other fatty alcohols to optimize spreadability, mouthfeel, and absorption rates in topical and oral medications. Beyond pharma, personal care industries draw on its soothing, non-greasy texture to improve everything from face creams to deodorant sticks. As a chemical intermediate, cetyl alcohol participates in producing surfactants, lubricants, and specialty waxes, feeding into cosmetic, food, and industrial supply chains alike. Handling and specifications shift to match the end use, but the starting material stays reliably consistent across sectors when sourced at pharma grade.
The backbone of cetyl alcohol production lies in hydrogenating fatty acids derived from coconut, palm kernel, or petroleum sources. Fluctuations in raw material supply or production costs downstream can send ripples through the entire value chain, especially for manufacturers tied to batch repeatability. Reputation in the industry doesn’t come from cutting corners; it comes from securing high-quality, traceable supply, testing rigorously, and communicating openly with procurement, packaging, and QA teams. Scarcity or quality issues with source oils or petrochemicals have, at times, produced headaches for pharma and personal care industries, resulting in delays, price fluctuations, and reformulation crunch time. Companies who track global commodity pricing and partner with sustainable suppliers ride out disruptions with far less drama—and their customers feel the difference on shelves or in hospital pharmacies.
Responsible manufacturers and professionals never overlook the importance of safe and informed handling. Regulatory compliance, deep familiarity with handling procedures, and tight documentation ensure that cetyl alcohol works as intended in medicines and care products. By reviewing Safety Data Sheets, confirming batch quality, and continuously monitoring for changes in regulations, teams protect both workers and consumers. Safe disposal methods, such as incineration or controlled chemical landfill, prevent environmental release or misuse. By grounding every step—from sourcing raw materials to product formulation and final packaging—in registered pharmacopeial standards and transparent traceability, stakeholders keep the risks low and the trust level high.
Chengguan District, Lanzhou, Gansu, China
