Vegan Magnesium Stearate (E470b): Plant-Based and Palm Oil-Free

Magnesium stearate is one of the most widely used excipients in tablet and capsule production. More and more brands now ask for a vegan magnesium stearate that is also free from palm oil. This guide explains what makes magnesium stearate vegan, what to check in the documents and how to choose the right quality for your production.

What is magnesium stearate?

Magnesium stearate is the magnesium salt of stearic acid. It is a fine, white, water-insoluble powder with a soft, slightly greasy feel. In the EU it is approved as food additive E470b. Its CAS number is 557-04-0.

In tablet and capsule production, magnesium stearate is used as a lubricant. A small amount in the blend reduces friction between the powder and the metal parts of the tablet press. This helps tablets leave the die cleanly and keeps capsule filling smooth.

What makes magnesium stearate vegan?

The stearic acid in magnesium stearate can come from animal fat or from vegetable oils. Only magnesium stearate made from vegetable sources is suitable for vegan products. Because the finished powder looks the same in both cases, the source must be confirmed by the supplier.

Many brands also want to avoid palm oil in their supply chain. A palm oil-free magnesium stearate is made from other vegetable oils and helps brands meet these requirements.

Vegan magnesium stearate at a glance

Where vegan magnesium stearate is used

• Nahrungsergänzungsmittel: vitamin and mineral tablets, plant extract capsules and vegan supplement ranges.
• Arzneimittel: tablets and capsules that must meet pharmacopoeia requirements.
• Confectionery tablets: pressed mints and dextrose tablets.

Our article on magnesium stearate in vitamin tablets explains dosage and blending time in detail.

Tips for formulation

• Add magnesium stearate at the very end of the blending process.
• Keep the blending time short. Overblending can make tablets softer and slow down dissolution.
• Use only as much as needed. Small amounts are usually enough for good lubrication.
• Test the final blend on your own tablet press before scaling up.

Checklist: documents to request

• Specification and Certificate of Analysis (CoA)
• Confirmation of the vegetable, palm oil-free source
• Pharmacopoeia compliance (USP, BP or EP)
• Sicherheitsdatenblatt (SDB)
• Allergen and non-GMO statements, if required by your customers

Häufige Fragen

Is magnesium stearate always vegan?

No. Magnesium stearate can be made from animal or vegetable stearic acid. Only grades from vegetable sources are suitable for vegan products, so always ask your supplier for confirmation.

What does E470b mean?

E470b is the EU food additive number for magnesium salts of fatty acids, which includes magnesium stearate.

Is your magnesium stearate available from stock?

Yes. biolla chemicals delivers vegan, palm oil-free magnesium stearate from stock in Hamburg.

Vegan magnesium stearate from biolla chemicals

biolla chemicals supplies vegan, palm oil-free magnesium stearate E470b (CAS 557-04-0) in USP, BP and EP quality. It is packed in 15 kg sacks and delivered from stock in Hamburg to manufacturers across Europe. Specification, CoA, SDS and samples are available on request.

See all details on our product page: Magnesium Stearate CAS 557-04-0

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