Ricinoleic acid polyoxyethylene ether is a yellow, thick liquid that is resistant to hard water, acids, alkalis, and inorganic salts. It is used for emulsifying and dissolving oils and other water-insoluble substances.

Ricinus oil polyoxyethylene ether, also known as Emulsifier EL-40, is branded Emulphor EL-620 internationally. It is a non-ionic surfactant. It is a pale yellow, transparent, viscous liquid. It is easily soluble in water, as well as in oils, fatty acids, and various organic solvents. Its solubility in cold water is greater than in hot water, and it exhibits excellent emulsifying properties with mineral oils. The pH of a 1% solution is between 6 and 8. The HLB value is 13. The cloud point of a 1% Chemicalbook solution is ≥85°C. It is resistant to acids, hard water, and inorganic salts, and also to alkalis at low temperatures, although strong alkalis can hydrolyze it. It can be produced by the reaction of ricinus oil with ethylene oxide in the presence of sodium (or potassium) hydroxide catalysis. It is suitable for the emulsification of various vegetable oils, mineral oils, fats, waxes, etc. It can also be used as a component in antistatic spinning agents for synthetic fibers like polyacrylonitrile, agricultural emulsifiers, and as a constituent of wool detangler and "grease" for "wool handling".