Triethyl Citrate
Triethyl citrate is an environmentally friendly non-toxic ester with strong solvency and good compatibility with a range of resins. It is the plasticizer used in omeprazole enteric-coated capsules and pharmaceutical enteric pellets, the triacetin replacement in tobacco filter rods, and a non-phthalate plasticizer for soft and hard PVC. It is offered in industrial and refined grades and against GB 29967-2013 for food additive use.
What You Get With This Grade
- Three specification columns published — enterprise industrial, enterprise refined and GB 29967-2013 food additive
- Refined grade at 99.5% minimum content with chroma 20 APHA and acid value 0.15 mg KOH/g maximum
- Heavy metals as Pb at 10 ppm maximum on the industrial and food additive grades
- Non-phthalate, which is what the toy, food contact and pharmaceutical markets now require
Technical features
- Environmentally friendly, non-toxic, with strong solubility and good compatibility with many resins
- Relative density 1.135-1.139 at 25/25 °C industrial grade, 1.136-1.140 refined grade
- Colourless transparent liquid on the enterprise standard grades
- Colourless to light yellow under GB 29967-2013
Where Triethyl Citrate Is Used
Pharmaceutical enteric coating
Used in omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, pharmaceutical enteric-coated pellets, coating liquids and enteric-coated hollow capsules.
Tobacco filter rods
Replaces triacetin as the plasticizer for acetate fibre filter rods.
Soft and hard PVC
An environmentally friendly non-toxic plasticizer used widely across PVC soft and hard products.
Food additive use
A bulking agent improving foaming and bulk in baked goods, an antioxidant stabilising soybean oil salad oil margarine and shortening, and a flavouring for soft drinks cold drinks candy and baked goods.
Coatings cosmetics and film
Used in ink coatings, children's toys, blended flavours and fragrances, cosmetics manufacture, cellulose acetate film and varnish, and as a chelating agent and pharmaceutical carrier solvent.
Buyers This Grade Is Built For
- Pharmaceutical formulators making enteric coated capsules and pellets
- Tobacco filter rod manufacturers moving away from triacetin
- PVC compounders required to supply non-phthalate articles
- Food and beverage manufacturers needing a GB 29967-2013 grade additive
What It Stops Going Wrong
- Phthalate plasticizers are restricted in toys, food contact and pharmaceutical applications
- Industrial grade material fails a food or pharmaceutical audit when the standard is not named
- Heavy metals content above limit disqualifies a plasticizer from food contact use
- Acid value drift in an ester plasticizer destabilises the coating polymer
Quality Index for Triethyl Citrate
| CAS number | 77-93-0 |
|---|---|
| Molecular formula | C12H20O7 |
| Molecular weight | 276.28 |
| Appearance enterprise standard | Colourless transparent liquid |
| Appearance GB 29967-2013 | Colourless to light yellow |
| Content by GC industrial grade | 99.0% minimum |
| Content by GC refined grade | 99.5% minimum |
| Content by GC GB 29967-2013 | 99.0% minimum |
| Chroma APHA industrial / refined | 30 maximum / 20 maximum |
| Acid value industrial / refined / GB | 0.25 / 0.15 / 1.0 mg KOH/g maximum |
| Moisture industrial / refined / GB | 0.25% / 0.15% / 0.25% maximum |
| Relative density at 25/25 °C industrial / refined | 1.135-1.139 / 1.136-1.140 |
| Heavy metals as Pb | 10 ppm maximum industrial and GB grades |
How It Ships and How to Store It
Packing
- 230 kg iron drum or plastic drum
- IBC drum
- ISO tank
- Flexitank
Storage and transport
- Store in a cool dry place away from strong oxidisers
- Keep containers closed to protect moisture and acid value
How the Lot Is Released
Each lot is reported against the relevant column — enterprise industrial, enterprise refined or GB 29967-2013 — covering appearance, chroma, content, acid value, moisture, density and heavy metals.
What We Can Change
State the grade with the enquiry. Industrial, refined and GB 29967-2013 food additive have different chroma, acid value and moisture limits and are priced differently.
Against the Alternatives
Triethyl citrate is the non-phthalate plasticizer in our range. Where phthalic anhydride and 2-ethylhexyl alcohol feed the phthalate route, triethyl citrate is the direct alternative for applications where phthalates are restricted — food contact, pharmaceutical coatings, toys and tobacco filters. It also replaces triacetin specifically in filter rod plasticising.
Handling Triethyl Citrate on Your Site
Written for the person who receives the drum, not for a brochure.
- Name the grade and the standard on the purchase order, since three specification columns exist
- For food additive use, order against GB 29967-2013 National Food Safety Standard
- Check the chroma figure where the finished article is clear or pale
- Choose IBC, ISO tank or flexitank once volumes move past the 230 kg drum
Triethyl Citrate FAQ
Which grades of triethyl citrate do you supply?
Industrial grade and refined grade to an enterprise standard, and a food additive grade against GB 29967-2013 National Food Safety Standard.
What content does the refined grade carry?
99.5% minimum by GC with chroma 20 APHA, acid value 0.15 mg KOH/g maximum and moisture 0.15% maximum.
Is it suitable for pharmaceutical enteric coating?
It is widely used in the preparation of omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, pharmaceutical enteric-coated pellets, coating liquids and enteric-coated hollow capsules.
Can it replace triacetin in filter rods?
Yes. It replaces triacetin as a plasticizer for acetate fibre filter rods in the tobacco industry.
What is the heavy metals limit?
10 ppm maximum as Pb on the industrial and GB 29967-2013 grades.
What packing options exist?
230 kg iron or plastic drum, IBC drum, ISO tank and flexitank.
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