LITHIUM 12-HYDROXYSTEARATE

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    Prove It in Your Plant

    Run a trial with us and see what optimization can do for your process

    Lithium 12-Hydroxystearate (CAS No. 7620-77-1) is a pre-formed thickener used to manufacture lithium greases with fewer steps, less energy, in significantly less time and with greater accuracy and consistency than in-situ processing.

    With water removed during manufacture, no evaporation is required in grease making. The LD version is a coarse powder for easier handling with lower dusting; the HX-1 version is NSF listed for incidental food contact. Pre-formed lithium thickeners have strict control of free lithium and free fatty acid to eliminate concerns in the thickener or finished grease.

    This formula can be customized. Find out how

    Key Features
    • 190–220 °C dropping point
    • Accurate and consistent grease production
    • Suitable with most base oils including soy, vegetable, PAO, ester
    • Low-dusting version (LD) available
    • No water to remove
    • Processing time vs in-situ reduced from days to hours
    • NSF HX-1 & White Book™ listed (selected versions)
    • <0.1% free lithium (LiOH) in finished grease
    Certifications
    • <0.1% Free Lithium (LiOH)
    • NSF HX-1 Listed
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    Tailored chemistries engineered to match your process when off-the-shelf can't.

    How Trials Work

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    Understanding

    Is your current product improving your processing downstream? Is your current product increasing your downtime, is it messy – foaming, dusting, not coating, are you changing solids regularly?

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    Recommendation

    Our experts will recommend the right product for your process.

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    We provide in plant support before, during and after the trial. Our goal is to give our customers real solutions that save time and money.

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    What makes Blachford the category leader in pre-formed thickeners?

    A century of specialty stearates expertise, ISO 9001 North American manufacturing, HX-1 options, and a portfolio engineered for faster cycles, lower energy, and repeatable quality at scale.
    Fully saponified, dehydrated soaps that go straight into base oils—eliminating in-situ saponification and the extra time, high heat, and water-removal it requires.
    Hours instead of days, lower energy use (no water removal), tighter batch-to-batch consistency, and easier formulating with heat-sensitive esters, synthetics, and vegetable oils.
    Yes—HX-1 food-grade thickeners, NSF-registered, to support food, beverage, and pharmaceutical applications.
    Yes—sodium, calcium, aluminum complex, and polyurea systems are available to meet performance and compliance targets where lithium isn’t preferred.
    Grease manufacturers, lubricant blenders, toll processors, and OEMs serving automotive, rail, industrial, food, and specialty markets.
    Low-dust, easy-to-disperse materials that support cleaner handling and more predictable processing.
    No—standard kettle and mixing setups are typical; we provide usage guidance to speed trials and scale-up.
    ISO 9001 facilities in North America, proven global supply, and application support that helps lock in specs and maintain consistent output.

    Momentum That Moves Your Profit Margin

    Eliminate bottlenecks and boost profit with patented additives and 90+ years of global innovation.

    • 30+

      Countries Served

    • 3

      Global Manufacturing Locations

    • 200+

      Patents Granted

    • 4B

      Gallons of Lubricant Delivered Annually

    • 90+

      Global Manufacturing Locations

    • 1

      Academy Award