Triethyl Citrate (TEC): Properties, Specifications & Uses

Triethyl Citrate (TEC) is a widely used eco-friendly plasticizer produced through a non-toxic process. It is an ester derived from citric acid and ethanol, making it safe and versatile for multiple industries. TEC is commonly used as a food additive, plasticizer, emulsifier, and more. Its popularity stems from its excellent properties, cost-effectiveness, and broad range of applications. In this blog, we’ll explore the properties, technical specifications, applications, and challenges of Triethyl Citrate.

Chemically identified as CAS No. 77-93-0 and listed as food additive E1505 under EU regulations, Triethyl Citrate occupies a unique space in industrial chemistry — it genuinely bridges the gap between performance and safety. At a time when phthalate-based plasticizers are facing growing regulatory pressure across Europe, North America, and India, TEC gives formulators a credible, well-documented alternative that does not force a compromise on results.

The compound is synthesised through esterification of citric acid — a substance found naturally in citrus fruits — with three moles of ethanol. This plant-derived origin is one reason TEC has earned approval from the FDA, FSSAI, EU food safety authorities, and several certification bodies including Kosher and Halal. It is, in practical terms, one of the few industrial plasticizers that a pharmaceutical manufacturer and a food processor can both use with confidence.

Properties of Triethyl Citrate

TEC offers several unique properties that make it ideal for diverse applications:

• 🠊 Clear, colorless, oily liquid
• 🠊 Viscosity: ~35 mPa·s at 25°C
• 🠊 Slightly soluble in water
• 🠊 Miscible with oils, alcohols, and ethers
• 🠊 Low volatility and high boiling point for stability
• 🠊 Compatible with polar polymers like cellulose derivatives

Tip: Always source high-quality TEC for consistent performance. At Mamta Polycoats, we manufacture TEC under strict quality control and supply across India and globally.

Technical Specifications

General specifications for Triethyl Citrate include:

• 🠊 Synonym: Ethyl Citrate
• 🠊 CAS NO.: 77-93-0
• 🠊 Molecular Formula: C12H20O7
• 🠊 Molecular Weight: 276
• 🠊 Odor: Fruity Smell
• 🠊 Acidity: ≤ 0.02%
• 🠊 Specific Gravity: 1.135–1.139 at 25°C
• 🠊 Color: ≤ 50 APHA
• 🠊 Water Content: ≤ 0.25%
• 🠊 Refractive Index: 1.439–1.441 at 25°C
• 🠊 Odor: Fruity Smell

Also Read: What is Tributyl Citrate and Its Importance in Nail Care

Complete Physical & Thermal Data

For procurement teams, quality labs, and formulation engineers who need the full picture, here is an extended data sheet covering physical, thermal, and handling parameters for Triethyl Citrate:

Parameter	Value / Specification
IUPAC Name	Triethyl 2-hydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylate
Common Synonyms	Ethyl Citrate, TEC, Citroflex 2, E1505
Boiling Point	~294°C at 760 mmHg
Flash Point	~179°C (closed cup)
Melting Point	−55°C
Solubility in Water	~6.5 g/L at 25°C (slightly soluble)
Purity	≥ 99.0%
Shelf Life	24 months from date of manufacture (sealed containers)
Regulatory Status	FDA GRAS · EU E1505 · FSSAI Approved · REACH Registered · Kosher (Star-K) · Halal · COSMOS

Regulatory & Compliance Status of Triethyl Citrate

One of the strongest commercial arguments for Triethyl Citrate is how cleanly it sits within global regulatory frameworks. Whether you are manufacturing in India, exporting to the EU, or supplying the US market, TEC comes with approvals already in place — which is something not every plasticizer can claim.

• 🠊 European Union — E1505: Triethyl Citrate is approved as a food additive in the EU under the designation E1505. It is permitted as a foam stabiliser and emulsifier, particularly in dried egg white and whipping agents used in the food industry.
• 🠊 United States — FDA GRAS: TEC holds Generally Recognised As Safe (GRAS) status under FDA regulations. It is also listed in 21 CFR for use as an indirect food additive in packaging coatings and films, and as a direct additive in specific food categories.
• 🠊 India — FSSAI: Approved by the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India for food applications, making it fully compliant for Indian manufacturers serving both domestic and export markets.
• 🠊 REACH (EU): Registered under the EU REACH regulation, confirming that TEC has passed safety assessment for its use across industrial, consumer, and professional product contexts within Europe.
• 🠊 Kosher & Halal: Mamta Polycoats' Triethyl Citrate carries Kosher certification from Star-K and Halal certification, meeting the dietary and formulation standards required by food and pharmaceutical clients serving these markets globally.

Applications of Triethyl Citrate

TEC’s versatility makes it indispensable across industries:

• 🠊 Food Industry: Emulsifier, stabilizer, thickener.
• 🠊 Flavoring Agent: Carrier for flavors.
• 🠊 Deodorants: Breaks down sweat particles, preventing odor-causing bacteria.
• 🠊 Fragrance Fixative: Solvent and fixative in perfumes.
• 🠊 Skin & Hair Care: Used in creams, sunscreens, and hair products.
• 🠊 Plasticizer: Softens polymers like PVC.
• 🠊 Solvent: Dissolves powders, crystals, and oily substances.
• 🠊 Pharmaceutical Coatings: Tablet and capsule coatings.
• 🠊 Medical Devices: Component in certain device manufacturing.

Triethyl Citrate Usage Rates

Knowing that TEC works across industries is useful. Knowing how much to use is what actually matters on the formulation bench. The table below covers practical starting function of TEC for each major application segment. These are typical industry ranges — actual levels depend on your specific formulation, substrate, and regulatory requirements.

Application	Function of TEC
Pharmaceutical tablet & capsule film coating	Plasticiser for HPMC, EC, Eudragit polymer films
Food – dried egg white / whipping agents	Foam stabiliser (E1505)
Deodorants & antiperspirants	Odour control, bacterial inhibition support
Perfumes & fragrance compositions	Fixative and solvent
Skincare – creams, sunscreens, lotions	Solvent, emollient carrier
PVC and flexible plastic compounds	Primary or co-plasticiser
Nail care products & lacquers	Film-forming plasticiser

Our technical team at Mamta Polycoats regularly supports clients with formulation queries. If you are working on a new application or scaling up, we are glad to advise on grade selection and loading levels.

Challenges & Safety Considerations

While TEC is generally safe, here are a few considerations:

• 🠊 May cause mild irritation on direct contact.
• 🠊 Allergic reactions possible in sensitive individuals.
• 🠊 Large ingestion can lead to gastrointestinal discomfort.

Storage, Handling & Safety Data Sheet

Triethyl Citrate is classified as non-hazardous under standard transport regulations (non-flammable, non-corrosive at ambient temperatures), but sensible handling practices are important to preserve product quality and maintain a safe working environment.

• 🠊 Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area — recommended temperature range 5°C to 35°C.
• 🠊 Keep containers sealed tightly when not in use; TEC absorbs moisture if left open.
• 🠊 Use stainless steel, HDPE, or glass for storage and transfer — avoid copper and brass fittings.
• 🠊 Flash point is approximately 179°C — not flammable under normal ambient conditions, but keep away from open flames in heated processing environments.
• 🠊 Wear nitrile gloves and safety goggles when handling in large volumes; rinse skin thoroughly with water on contact.
• 🠊 Shelf life is 24 months from manufacture date when stored correctly in sealed original containers.

Conclusion

Triethyl Citrate is a highly versatile, eco-friendly chemical with numerous benefits for food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications. That versatility is backed by three decades of manufacturing experience at Mamta Polycoats. We have seen TEC used in everything from enteric-coated tablets in European pharmacopoeias to deodorant sprays sold across Southeast Asia — and the consistent feedback from formulators is that it performs reliably, documents cleanly, and causes no regulatory surprises.

For manufacturers looking to move away from phthalate plasticisers — whether that decision is driven by tightening regulations, sustainability targets, or customer preference — Triethyl Citrate is one of the most credible and well-established alternatives available. The regulatory approvals are already there. The performance data is well-documented. The supply chain, through Mamta Polycoats, is stable.

Why Source Triethyl Citrate from Mamta Polycoats?

• 🠊 Manufacturer, Not Trader: We produce TEC at our own facility in Padra, Vadodara — full traceability from raw material to finished product, no intermediary margin.
• 🠊 Certified Across Segments: Bureau Veritas, FSSAI, REACH, FDA, Kosher (Star-K), Halal, and COSMOS — our certifications cover pharmaceutical, food, cosmetic, and export requirements.
• 🠊 Flexible Packaging: 200 kg drums, 1,000 L IBC totes, and bulk tanker supply — scaled to your production volume and logistics requirements.
• 🠊 Full Documentation Support: CoA, SDS/MSDS, REACH registration dossier, and regulatory letters available with every batch — no delays, no chasing.
• 🠊 Global Supply Network: We supply to clients across India, Germany, the UK, USA, Brazil, South Korea, Singapore, and 17 countries in total. Our team handles export documentation and freight coordination.
• 🠊 Technical Support: Our formulation team is available for application queries, grade selection guidance, and trial support — particularly for pharmaceutical coating and food-grade use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for premium-quality TEC?

🠊 Mamta Polycoats is a trusted supplier of specialty chemicals, including Triethyl Citrate, Tributyl Citrate, ATEC, and ATBC. We ensure advanced manufacturing, strict quality control, and competitive pricing.

What is Triethyl Citrate (TEC) used for?

🠊 Triethyl Citrate is used as a plasticizer, food additive, emulsifier, fragrance fixative, pharmaceutical coating agent, and cosmetic ingredient. Its non-toxic nature makes it suitable for food, personal care, and medical applications

Is TEC biodegradable?

🠊 Yes, Triethyl Citrate is biodegradable and breaks down naturally without releasing harmful by-products, making it suitable for eco-conscious formulations.

Is Triethyl Citrate safe for food applications?

🠊 Yes. TEC is classified as food-grade and is approved by various global regulatory authorities. It is commonly used as a stabilizer, thickener, and flavor carrier in processed food and beverages.

Can TEC be used in cosmetics and personal care products?

🠊 Absolutely. TEC is widely used in deodorants, perfumes, creams, sunscreens, lotions, and hair care products due to its excellent solubility and mild, non-irritating profile.

What is the E-number for Triethyl Citrate?

🠊 Triethyl Citrate is approved as a food additive in the European Union under the designation E1505. It is used primarily as a stabiliser and emulsifier in food products, particularly to stabilise foams in dried egg white and whipping cream applications.

What is the difference between Triethyl Citrate and Acetyl Triethyl Citrate?

🠊 TEC and ATEC are both citrate ester plasticisers, but ATEC has an additional acetyl group that gives it lower volatility, higher plasticising efficiency, and better resistance to water extraction. TEC is generally preferred for food-grade and standard pharmaceutical coating applications due to its E1505 approval, while ATEC is chosen when higher performance or longer shelf life is the priority in cosmetics or flexible plastic applications.

What packaging options are available for Triethyl Citrate from Mamta Polycoats?

🠊 We supply Triethyl Citrate in 200 kg sealed drums, 1,000 L IBC totes, and bulk tanker quantities for large-volume industrial customers. All packaging meets UN standards for chemical transport. Custom labelling for pharmaceutical GMP facilities is available on request.

📞 Contact us today to place your order!

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. Always consult official regulations and professionals before making formulation decisions.