12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid, often abbreviated as 12-HSA, is a derivative of stearic acid. It is derived from castor oil through a process involving the hydroxylation of stearic acid, which is a common fatty acid found in various vegetable oils, including castor oil. It functions as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier.

12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid is a valuable intermediate chemical with various industrial applications, particularly in the production of lubricants, plasticizers, and cosmetics. It functions as a thickener, stabilizer, and emulsifier in cosmetic formulations and is also used as a base material for manufacturing high-performance lubricants and plasticizers. Due to its hydroxyl group, 12-Hydroxy Stearic Acid exhibits unique properties that make it suitable for a wide range of applications in different industries such as paints, resins, rubber, hot melts and wax compositions.