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Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters)

  • Nonionic surfactants
  • CAS 1338-43-8

Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) (CAS 1338-43-8) appears in 2 of the 1,812 car-care products CarCareTruth tracks (as of June 2026). It is readily biodegradable.

Low toxicity profile. No GHS hazard classification at product-use concentrations. Not a known skin sensitizer. Used widely in food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic applications.

Sorbitan esters (commonly Span or Tween series) are nonionic surfactants derived from sorbitol and fatty acids. They function as emulsifiers and cleaning agents in leather care products, helping to create stable oil-in-water emulsions that combine cleaning surfactants with conditioning oils in a single formula.

These compounds are among the most widely used and well-studied food-grade emulsifiers (Span 60, Tween 80 are approved food additives). Their presence in leather care products is a positive chemistry signal — mild, biodegradable cleaning action without the skin-sensitizer risk of some other surfactant classes.

Health & environment profile

VOC
no
Prop 65 listed
no
Asthmagen
no
EPA Safer Choice
no
Aquatic toxicity
no
Biodegradable
yes
Bioaccumulative
no
Persistent
no
Ozone depleting
no
Microplastic
no
PFAS
no
Env. score
4/5
Purpose: Nonionic emulsifier and surfactant; used to create stable oil-in-water emulsions in cleaning and conditioning products

Common questions about Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters)

What is Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) used for in car care?
Nonionic emulsifier and surfactant; used to create stable oil-in-water emulsions in cleaning and conditioning products
Is Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) a VOC?
No. Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
Is Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) on California's Proposition 65 list?
No. Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
Is Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) biodegradable?
Yes. Sorbitan Derivatives (Sorbitan Esters) has a confirmed biodegradable profile.

2 products contain this

Related

Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.