What is Dibutyl Adipate (DBA)?

Quick Summary: Dibutyl Adipate (DBA) is a colourless ester derived from adipic acid and n-butanol. It is widely used as a lightweight emollient in cosmetics and personal care products, an effective solvent for UV filters in sunscreen formulations, and a plasticizer for PVC and polymer applications. Its excellent spreadability, low volatility and broad compatibility make it a preferred specialty chemical for cosmetic and industrial manufacturers.

Key Takeaways

• ✔ Dibutyl Adipate is an adipate ester with applications in cosmetics and polymers.
• ✔ Functions as both an emollient and plasticizer.
• ✔ Provides excellent spreadability and skin feel.
• ✔ Improves UV filter solubility in sunscreen products.
• ✔ Suitable for PVC and industrial polymer formulations.
• ✔ Available from Mamta Polycoats in cosmetic and industrial grades.

Dibutyl adipate (DBA) is an organic compound used in various products. From cosmetics and personal care to PVC products, DBA finds applications across various industries. It is one of the most versatile speciality chemicals used as an emollient in cosmetics and a plasticiser in plastics. Let's have a closer what dibutyl adipate is.

Dibutyl Adipate Molecular Formula: C₁₄H₂₆O₄

What is Dibutyl Adipate (DBA)?

Dibutyl adipate (DBA), identified by CAS No. 105-99-7, is a di-ester formed through the esterification of adipic acid and n-butanol. The result is a colourless, low-viscosity liquid known for its excellent solvency, low volatility and broad compatibility with both cosmetic and industrial ingredients. Chemical, DBA belongs to the adipate family of esters, related to compounds in citrate and sebecate esters that are widely used as emollients and plasticizers.

Simply put, dibutyl adipate is a lightweight, fast-spreading carrier and conditioning agent. It doesn’t alter a formula on its own. DBA improves how ingredient behave, helping actives dissolve evenly, helping firms form smoothly and glide smoothly in the skin.

How is Dibutyl Adipate Made?

The dibutyl adipate manufacturers in India synthesizes this organic ester through esterfication. It is synthesised by reacting adipic acid (a six-carbon bicarboxylic acid) with two molecules of N-butanol, releasing water as byproduct of esterfication.

Key Chemical Identity and Structure of Dibutyl Adipate

Properties	Value
Chemical Name	Dibutyl adipate
CAS No.	105-99-7
Molecular Formula	C₁₄H₂₆O₄
Molecular Weight	258.35 g/mol
EINECS	203-350-4
Physical State	Clear, colourless oily liquid
Odour	Mild ester-like smell
Water Solubility	4-6 mg/L at 25°C
Melting Point	-10°C
Boiling Point	300-305°C

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

What are the Features of Dibutyl Adipate?

• 🠊 Lightweight & Non-greasy: It delivers a smooth, silky skin feel without the heaviness associated with some oils and esters.
• 🠊 Fast-spreading with Elegant After-feel: It is well-suited for leave-on cosmetic formulations where sensory finish matter,.
• 🠊 Strong Solvency for Crystalline UV Filters: It helps dissolve and stabilize chemical sunscreen actives that would be otherwise be difficult to formulate with.
• 🠊 Improves Dispersion of Actives: It promotes even distribution of ingredients in both cosmetic and industrial blends.
• 🠊 Excellent Low-temperature Flexility: It function as an effective plasticizer for PVC and cellulose esters, keeping products pliable in cold conditions.
• 🠊 Broad Ingreident Compatability: It works well alongside a wide range of cosmetic and polymer ingredients.

What are the Applications of Dibutyl Adipate?

Many industries rely on dibutyl adipate suppliers in India for top-notch DBA mainly in cosmetic, personal care and industrial polymer applications.

• 🠊 Cosmetic & Personal Care: In leave-on and rinse-off formulations, DBA functions as a lightweight emollient and skin-conditioning agent. It contributes a smooth, non-oily feel and enhances overall sensory appeal. This speciality chemical is an ideal ingredient for formulators looking for texture glides effortlessly.
• 🠊 Suncare: This is one of the most popular uses of dibutyl adipate. It superior solvency for crystalline chemical UV filters like avobenzone and octinoxate allows these actives to dissolve and disperse uniformly, which in turn supports better SPF efficiency and improved photostability. This is why DBA is used in sun lotions, sprays, sunscreen and sun sticks.
• 🠊 Babycare: Due to its mild, non-greasy character and good skin compatibility, DBA is used also used in baby lotions, creams and diaper care products. Its ideal for applications where comfort and gentleness on sensitive skin are essential.
• 🠊 Plastics & Polymers: Outside of personal care, DBA serves an effective plasticizer for PVC, cellulose ester and polyvinyl butyral (PVB).

Dibutyl adipate plays an important role in cosmetics, personal care and polymer applications. Its fast-spreading, lightweight feel combined with strong UV-filter solvency makes DBA perfect for suncare and leave-on skincare. If you are looking to source high-purity DBA, Mamta Polycoats is leading dibutyl adipate manufacturer in India. Our DBA meets stringent quality benchmarks for cosmetics, suncare and industrial applications. For quotes, call us today.

Disclaimer: This article is intended for B2B formulators and cosmetic chemists; it does not constitute medical or regulatory advice. Always validate ingredient performance through formulation trials and consult applicable regional cosmetic regulations before market launch.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dibutyl Adipate safe for cosmetic formulations?

🠊 Yes. Cosmetic-grade Dibutyl Adipate is widely used in skincare, sunscreen and personal care products because of its excellent skin feel, compatibility and formulation performance.

What is the CAS Number of Dibutyl Adipate?

🠊 The CAS Number of Dibutyl Adipate is 105-99-7.

Is Dibutyl Adipate soluble in water?

🠊 No. Dibutyl Adipate has very low water solubility but is highly compatible with many cosmetic oils, esters and organic solvents.

Why is Dibutyl Adipate used in sunscreen?

🠊 Its excellent solvency allows crystalline UV filters such as avobenzone and octinoxate to dissolve uniformly, improving sunscreen stability and SPF performance.

Which industries use Dibutyl Adipate?

🠊 DBA is widely used in cosmetics, personal care, baby care, sunscreen, PVC manufacturing, polymer processing and specialty industrial formulations.