Carbomer / Acrylates Copolymer
Tanpol
Tanpol is a range of synthetic, high-molecular-weight, cross-linked water-soluble polymers of acrylic acid, known as Carbomers. It is widely used in the pharmaceutical, cosmetic and household industries.
Supplied as a fine powder soluble in water, alcohol and glycols. Before neutralization, the pH of Tanpol grade solutions lies between 2.5 and 3.0.
Applications
Controlled release, rheology modification, oral care, emulsification, suspending agent
01
Controlled release
Highly efficient gel-matrix formers for controlling drug release in solid dosage forms. They show slower drug release at lower concentrations than other commercially available excipients, enabling formulation cost savings and smaller tablet sizes.
| Grade | Pharmacopoeial monograph | Solution (%) | Viscosity (cps, pH 7.3–7.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanpol 934P | USP/NF: Carbomer 934P | 0.5 | 29,400 – 39,400 |
| Tanpol 974P* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type B; EP: Carbomers | 0.5 | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Tanpol 971G* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type A | 0.5 | 4,000 – 11,000 |
| Tanpol 912G* | In house | — | — |
02
Rheology modifiers
Used at very low concentrations (under 1%) to produce a wide range of viscosities and flow properties in lotions, creams and gels, oral suspensions and transdermal gel reservoirs.
| Grade | Pharmacopoeial monograph | Solution (%) | Viscosity (cps, pH 7.3–7.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanpol 940 | USP/NF: Carbomer 940 | 0.5 | 40,000 – 60,000 |
| Tanpol 980* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type C | 0.5 | 40,000 – 60,000 |
| Tanpol 934 | USP/NF: Carbomer 934 | 0.5 | 30,500 – 39,400 |
| Tanpol 974* | In house | 0.5 | 30,500 – 39,400 |
| Tanpol 934P | USP/NF: Carbomer 934P | 0.5 | 29,400 – 39,400 |
| Tanpol 974P* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type B; EP: Carbomers | 0.5 | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Tanpol 941 | USP/NF: Carbomer 941 | 0.5 | 4,000 – 11,000 |
| Tanpol 971* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type A | 0.5 | 4,000 – 11,000 |
03
Oral care
Efficient thickeners and co-binders at low usage levels in toothpastes and gels, desensitizing and whitening products. Their viscoelastic structure gives shear-thinning rheology and low thixotropy, so a clear ribbon of toothpaste extrudes from the tube.
| Grade | Pharmacopoeial monograph | Solution (%) | Viscosity (cps, pH 7.3–7.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanpol 980* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type C | 0.5 | 40,000 – 60,000 |
| Tanpol 934P | USP/NF: Carbomer 934P | 0.5 | 29,400 – 39,400 |
| Tanpol 974P* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type B; EP: Carbomers | 0.5 | 25,000 – 45,000 |
| Tanpol 971P* | USP/NF: Carbomer homopolymer Type A | 0.5 | 4,000 – 11,000 |
04
Emulsifiers
Emulsification of topical oil-in-water systems, even at elevated temperatures, with essentially no need for surfactants.
| Grade | Pharmacopoeial monograph | Solution (%) | Viscosity (cps, pH 7.3–7.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanpol TR-1* | USP/NF: Carbomer copolymer Type B | 1.0 | 10,000 – 26,500 |
| Tanpol TR-2* | USP/NF: Carbomer copolymer Type A | 1.0 | 4,500 – 13,500 |
05
Suspending agent
Suspension of insoluble ingredients in oral and topical liquids and semisolids.
| Grade | Pharmacopoeial monograph | Solution (%) | Viscosity (cps, pH 7.3–7.8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tanpol ELT-31* | In house | 1.0 | 5,500 – 6,000 |
06
Featured grades
Tanpol ET 2020
Acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer. A fast-wetting grade designed to make dispersions before neutralization; a thickener for both emulsion-based and surfactant-based products.
Applications Shampoos, hand sanitizers, hand wash gel, face washes, clear gels, high-electrolyte skin gels
Tanpol ELT 10
Self-wetting carbomer grade. High viscosity with short flow; excellent clarity in gels and exceptional thickening with desirable sensorial performance.
Applications Creams, sunscreen lotions, moisturizing gels, bath gels, hair styling gels, hand, face and body lotions
Tanpol ELT 20
Self-wetting acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer. Moderate to high viscosity with excellent clarity; a versatile rheology modifier and stabilizer with electrolyte tolerance and appealing sensory benefits.
Applications Shampoos, lotions, creams, face washes, bath gels, hair and skin gels
Tanpol ELT 21
Self-wetting acrylates/C10-30 alkyl acrylate crosspolymer. High viscosity with short flow; good clarity in gels in the presence of electrolytes.
Applications Shampoos, sunscreen lotions, creams, hair styling gels, moisturizing gels, hand, face and body lotions
Tanpol TR – 1
Polymeric emulsifier of cross-linked copolymers of acrylic acid. Stabilizes oil-in-water systems with up to 20% oil loading at typical use levels of 0.2–0.4%. HLB independent and cold processable.
Applications Face creams, sunscreen creams, moisturizing body lotions
Tanpol TR – 2
Polymeric emulsifier of cross-linked copolymers of acrylic acid. Up to 50% oil loading at 0.2–0.4%; HLB independent, cold processable, and highly effective below 0.4%, giving a low-viscosity emulsion.
Applications Skin lightening serums, hand, face and body lotions, sunscreen lotions
Tanpol SF – 1
Liquid acrylic rheology modifier that suspends, stabilizes and thickens surfactant-based cosmetic, pharmaceutical and household formulations. High yield value for suspending beads and mica pearl powders; useful where surfactant level is high.
Applications Shampoos, shower gels, foaming facial cleansers, gel cleansers, facial scrubs
07
Grade guide
| Grade | Form | INCI | Key benefits | Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tanpol 940 Tanpol 980* | Powder | Carbomer | High viscosity Very high clarity | Hair styling gels, aloe vera gels, creams, peel-off masks |
Tanpol 934 Tanpol 974* | Powder | Carbomer | Opaque gel Short flow properties | Lotions, toothpastes, creams |
Tanpol 941 Tanpol 971* | Powder | Carbomer | Ionic tolerance High-clarity gels | Lotions, clear skin gels |
| Tanpol 956 | Powder | Carbomer | Hydroalcoholic system Medium viscosity | Hand sanitizers, hydroalcoholic gels |
| Tanpol 990 | Powder | Carbomer | High viscosity Short flow properties | Fuel gels, home-care cleaning systems |
| Tanpol ETD-2020* | Powder | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Fast wetting High electrolyte tolerance | Shampoos, face washes, high-electrolyte gels, creams, lotions, hand sanitizers |
| Tanpol ELT-10* | Powder | Carbomer | Self wetting High viscosity Desirable sensorial performance | Creams, hair styling gels, lotions, moisturizing gels |
| Tanpol ELT-20* | Powder | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Self wetting Excellent clarity High electrolyte tolerance | Shampoos, face washes, high-electrolyte gels, creams, lotions |
| Tanpol ELT-21* | Powder | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Self wetting High viscosity Superior aesthetic performance | Creams, high-electrolyte skin gels, moisturizing gels, lotions |
| Tanpol TR-1* | Powder | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Medium emulsification capacity HLB independent Medium viscosity | Creams, lotions, serums, sunscreen products |
| Tanpol TR-2* | Powder | Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer | Higher emulsification capacity HLB independent Low viscosity | Creams, lotions, serums, cleansing milk |
| Tanpol SF-1 | Liquid | Acrylates Copolymer | Easy to use High suspending value Transparent gel Cost effective | Foaming facial cleansers, transparent shampoos, baby shampoos, shower gels, face washes |
| Tanpol SF-12 | Liquid | Acrylates Copolymer | Easy to use Higher viscosity Transparent gel Stable viscosity in high-alkaline systems High ion tolerance | Face washes, hand washes, anti-dandruff shampoos, shower gels, depilatories, soap-based formulations, peel-off masks |
| Tanpol SF-22 | Liquid | Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Copolymer | For surfactant-free formulations Best strength for anionic surfactant systems High curl activators and wave sets | Hair gels, emulsifier-free and sulphate-free formulations, depilatories, creams |
| Tanpol SF-28 | Liquid | Acrylates/Beheneth-25 Methacrylate Copolymer | High viscosity Stable viscosity in high-alkaline systems High salt tolerance | Hair gels, face washes, depilatories, shower gels, soap-based formulations |
| Tanpol SF-88 | Liquid | Acrylates/Steareth-20 Methacrylate Crosspolymer | High suspending value Higher viscosity Curl activator | Hair gels, emulsifier-free and sulphate-free formulations, creams |
| Tanpol AT-100 | Liquid | Oleyl Amine Ethoxylate | Acid compatibility | Toilet bowl cleaner, anti-acne creams and lotions |
| Tanpol ST-100 | Powder | Acrylic Polymer | Pre-neutralized Low pH stability | Shampoos, face washes, vaginal wash |
| Tanpol 640 NT | Powder | Sodium Carbomer | Pre-neutralized grade Quick gel former | Creams, lotions, aloe vera gels |
| Tanpol 641 NT | Powder | Sodium Carbomer | Pre-neutralized grade High viscosity | Transparent gel, toothpaste, moisturizing cream, lotions |
* Benzene-free grades. Viscosity of neutralized solutions measured at 25 °C and 20 RPM.