Palm Alcohol (Fatty Alcohol)
Natural fatty alcohols derived from palm and palm kernel oil, and key intermediates for surfactants, detergents and cosmetics.
- Plant-derived alternative to petrochemical fatty alcohols
- Single cuts or blended fractions across C12–C18
- 99% minimum purity with low colour and acid value
About Palm Alcohol
Palm alcohol refers to the natural fatty alcohols produced from palm and palm kernel oil, principally lauryl (C12), myristyl (C14), cetyl (C16) and stearyl (C18) alcohol. They are made by splitting the oil into fatty acids and methyl esters, then hydrogenating those esters down to the corresponding alcohols. The result is a plant-derived intermediate that replaces the petrochemical alcohols the detergent industry historically ran on.
Surfactant manufacture is the dominant use. Fatty alcohols are the backbone of sulphates and ethoxylates, the workhorse actives in shampoos, shower gels, laundry liquids, dishwashing detergents and industrial cleaners. The chain length determines behaviour: shorter C12–C14 alcohols foam and clean, while longer C16–C18 alcohols emulsify, thicken and condition.
That second group matters enormously in cosmetics. Despite the name, cetyl and stearyl alcohol are not drying alcohols at all. They are waxy solids that thicken creams, stabilise emulsions and leave a soft skin feel, which is why they appear on so many personal care ingredient lists. Beyond surfactants and cosmetics, fatty alcohols feed lubricant additives, plasticisers, textile auxiliaries, agrochemical adjuvants and pharmaceutical excipients.
iFlowdeck supplies palm-derived fatty alcohols in single cuts and blended fractions, in drums, IBCs and bulk. The specification that matters is chain distribution and hydroxyl value, so send us the cut you are buying today and we will match it rather than asking you to reformulate around ours.
Typical export specification
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Purity | 99% min |
| Chain length | C12 – C18 (single cuts or blends) |
| Hydroxyl value | 265 – 290 mg KOH/g (C12–C14 typical) |
| Moisture | 0.1% max |
| Iodine Value | 0.3 max |
| Colour (APHA) | 10 max |
| Acid value | 0.05 mg KOH/g max |
| Packaging | 190 kg steel drums, IBC or bulk ISO tank |
| Minimum order | 1 × 20 ft FCL |
| HS code | 3823.70.00 |
| Incoterms | FOB, CFR, CIF (DAP by arrangement) |
| Port of loading | Apapa & Tin Can Island, Lagos; Onne, Rivers State |
| Inspection | SGS, Bureau Veritas or Intertek pre-shipment analysis |
Indicative specification. Final parameters are confirmed per contract and verified by an independent pre-shipment analysis before loading.
Applications & industries
- Anionic and non-ionic surfactant manufacture
- Shampoos, shower gels and personal cleansers
- Laundry and dishwashing detergent formulation
- Cream and lotion emulsifiers and thickeners
- Lubricant additives and plasticisers
- Textile auxiliaries and agrochemical adjuvants
Why source it from iFlowdeck
- Plant-derived alternative to petrochemical fatty alcohols
- Single cuts or blended fractions across C12–C18
- 99% minimum purity with low colour and acid value
- Specification matched to the cut you already buy
- Drums, IBCs or bulk ISO tank
Palm Alcohol: frequently asked
Is palm alcohol the same as drinking alcohol?
Which chain length do I need?
Why is cetyl alcohol in cosmetics if alcohols are drying?
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Ready to order Palm Alcohol?
Send us your volume, destination port and Incoterm. We will confirm the specification, availability and a firm price.