Primarily used for the production of stearates, it is widely applied in manufacturing cosmetics, cold-resistant plasticizers for plastics, mold release agents, stabilizers, surfactants, rubber vulcanization accelerators, water-repellent agents, polishing agents, metal soaps, flotation agents for metal minerals, softening agents, pharmaceuticals, and other organic chemicals. Additionally, it can also serve as a solvent for oil-soluble pigments, a smoothing agent for crayons, a polishing agent for wax paper, and an emulsifier for glycerol stearate, among other applications.

　　[Plastics Industry]

　　Stearic acid is widely used in the manufacturing of PVC plastic pipes, sheets, profiles, and films. It serves as a heat stabilizer for PVC, offering excellent lubricity as well as superior light and thermal stability. In PVC pipes, stearic acid helps prevent "scorching" during the processing stage. Meanwhile, when added to PVC film production, it acts as an effective heat stabilizer while also protecting the finished film from discoloration caused by exposure to sulfides.

　　[Rubber Industry]

　　Stearic acid plays a crucial role in the synthesis and processing of rubber. Widely used as a vulcanization activator in natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and latex, stearic acid also serves as a plasticizer and softening agent. During the production of synthetic rubber, stearic acid is added as an emulsifier; when manufacturing foam rubber, it acts as a foaming agent. Additionally, stearic acid can be employed as a mold-release agent for rubber products.

　　[Cosmetics Industry]

　　Stearic acid serves as an emulsifier in two types of skincare products—face creams and cold creams—helping them transform into stable, white-textured formulations. Stearic acid is also a key ingredient in the production of almond honey and milk lotions. Moreover, stearic acid-based soap esters are used more extensively across the cosmetics industry.

　　Stearic acid is widely used primarily as a basic raw material for surfactants. Currently, in China, it is mainly applied in: the rubber industry as a vulcanization activator; the plastics industry as a lubricant and stabilizer; the textile industry and household detergents as a softening agent and fungicide; and in precision casting for wax molds, as well as serving as a soap base in the grease industry, among other applications.