Embracing Performance Advantages, We Create Carbopol® Polymers for The Future: Lubrizol's 60-year Journey of Innovation And Sustainable Solutions

I. Introduction: An Era Unimaginable Without Carbopol®

It is hard to recall an era without Carbopol® polymer. Lubrizol pioneered this groundbreaking technology over six decades ago, and since then, Carbopol® polymer has always been the highest-quality carbomer in the beauty, health, and household care product markets.

Sixty years later, today, as the global cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries are undergoing unprecedented changes - with consumers demanding greater safety, continuous tightening of regulatory policies, and the urgent need for sustainable development - Lubrizol has once again taken the lead in innovation.

This article will systematically elaborate on how the Carbopol® polymer "upholds its performance advantages and creates a product portfolio oriented towards the future", providing formulators with a reliable choice that can stand the test of time.

II. Sixty-Year Performance Advantage: Why Carbopol® Has Always Been the Industry Benchmark

1. Unrepeatable Quality DNA

The core advantage of Carbopol® polymer stems from its unique molecular design:

2. Stability that can withstand the test of time

More than 60 years of market validation has demonstrated the outstanding stability of Carbopol® polymers:

• Long-term storage stability: Maintaining viscosity stability in various formulation systems

• Temperature tolerance: Capable of withstanding a wide range of temperature variations without degradation

• Batch consistency: Lubrizol's strict quality control ensures consistent performance for each batch.

3. Comprehensive coverage of application scenarios

From skin care products to makeup, from oral care to household cleaning, Carbopol® polymers cover almost all scenarios that require rheological control:

• Personal Care: Gels, Lotions, Creams, Sunscreen, Hair Styling Products

• Oral care: Toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss

• Pharmaceuticals: Topical preparations, oral suspensions, mucosal adhesion preparations

• Home care: Cleaners, disinfectants, surface care

III. Innovation for the Future: From Traditional Products to Sustainable Solutions

1.Safety Enhancement: Phenol-Free Carboxymethyl Cellulose Sets New Standards

As global regulatory bodies impose stricter restrictions on the use of benzene-based solvents, Lubrizol has proactively completed its technological upgrade and launched the Toxicity-Optimized Series - produced using an ethyl acetate or ethyl acetate + cyclohexane co-solvent system without benzene.

Important update in 2026: The United States Pharmacopeia (USP) has officially removed the monograph on benzalkonium chloride, marking that the elimination of benzalkonium chloride has become a new benchmark for industry safety standards.

Replacement Plan Quick Reference Table:

https://www.skincarematerial.com/

2. Process Innovation: Ultrez Series Enhances Production Efficiency

The Carbopol Ultrez series (Ultrez 10, Ultrez 20) is an innovative product launched by Lubrizol to address challenges in production efficiency and operating environment.

Core breakthrough - Self-wetting technology:

• No special mixing equipment is required. Just add it directly to water and it will quickly disperse.

• Reduce dust Fly high and improve the working environment

• Simplify the production process to save processing time and energy consumption.

Customer value: For manufacturers engaged in mass production, the Ultrez series can significantly reduce production costs and enhance production efficiency.

3. Technological Breakthrough: ETD Series Overcomes Electrolyte Sensitivity Issues

Traditional carbopol is sensitive to electrolytes - it becomes diluted upon contact with salt. Carbopol ETD 2020 significantly enhances electrolyte tolerance through the design of copolymer molecules.

Applicable scenarios:

• Formula containing active salt components

• Cleaning products containing surfactants

• Water-alcohol gel system

4. Sustainable Revolution: Carbopol® BioSense Biobased Polymer

In 2025, a major announcement - Lubrizol collaborates with Brazilian company Suzano and has pre-released the Carbopol® BioSense polymer. This is the first biodegradable product in the Carbopol series.

Product Features:

Market significance:

The launch of Carbopol® BioSense signifies that Lubrizol, while maintaining the high-performance characteristics of Carbopol®, is actively responding to the market's demand for sustainable solutions. It demonstrates that high performance and sustainability can coexist – consumer tests have shown that its skin feel experience is not significantly different from that of synthetic organic silicone elastomers.

IV. Product Portfolio Overview: Provide solutions for each type of demand

Key information: From our Carbopol® polymer product portfolio, it can be seen that Lubrizol is fully committed to providing you with the most innovative sustainable solutions for today and for many years to come.

V. Formula Selection Guide: How to Choose the Most Suitable Carbopol® Product

Decision Process：

1. Determine the application type

├─ Transparent gel/serum → Ultrez 10 / 980 / ETD 2020 (if electrolyte tolerance is required)

├─ Lotion/cream → 974P / 5984 EP / Ultrez 20

├─ Electrolyte-containing formula → ETD 2020 / Pemulen series

└─ Oral preparations → 71G / 971P (pharmaceutical grade)

2. Determine safety and compliance requirements

├─ For exports to Europe and the United States → Mandatory non-toxic series (980/981/974P/Ultrez/ETD)

├─ For pursuit of sustainability → BioSense series

└─ For the domestic market → Can be selected according to regulations

3. Determine production conditions

├─ Pursue efficiency → Ultrez series (self-wetting)

└─ Traditional process → Classic benzene-free series

Concentration Usage Recommendations

VI. Future Outlook: The Next Step for Carbopol®

Looking ahead, the technological development of Carbopol® polymers will continue along the following directions:

1. Sustainable deepening: More biobased and degradable products will be introduced to the market.

2. Function enhancement: Specialized products tailored for specific application scenarios will become more abundant.

3. Green manufacturing: The integrated processes for reducing environmental impact will continue to be optimized.

4. Formula Empowerment: Helping Formulators Address the Challenges of Emerging Formulations

Lubrizol will continue to uphold its innovative spirit that has lasted for over 60 years. While maintaining the performance advantages of Carbopol®, it will continuously expand the boundaries of technology and provide the industry with safer, more efficient and more sustainable solutions.

VII. Preserving the Classics, Innovating for the Future

Since the moment when Capomer technology was pioneered over sixty years ago, Lubrizol has been entrusted with the mission of defining industry standards. Today, as we look back on the evolution of Carbopol® polymers, what we see is:

• Unchanging quality commitment: Consistent performance over six decades

• Continuous technological breakthroughs: from no benzene to self-wetting, from electrolyte resistance to bio-based products

• Vision for the Future: Proactively Planning Sustainable Solutions

As we have stated: From our Carbopol® polymer product portfolio, it is evident that Lubrizol is fully committed to providing you with the most innovative sustainable solutions today and for many years to come.

No matter how your formulation requirements evolve, Carbopol® polymers will always be your reliable partner.

If you need further technical consultation or sample support, please feel free to contact our technical team.