Source of Tween 80 and Tween 20

Tween 80 (Polysorbate 80) and Tween 20 (Polysorbate 20) are types of Polysorbates. Chemically, they are produced from the reaction between polyethoxylated sorbitan and fatty acids.

• Tween 80 is primarily derived from sorbitan and oleic acid.
• Tween 20 is primarily derived from sorbitan and lauric acid.

While the chemical composition is known, the specific source of the raw materials (e.g., whether the fatty acids are plant-derived) and the name of the specific manufacturer are not available in the product information.

These substances function as surfactants and emulsifiers and are widely used in cosmetics, food (like ice cream), and pharmaceuticals.