Surfactants, Detergents & Home Care

SLS (sodium lauryl sulphate) is an alkyl sulphate supplied as powder or needles; it foams strongly but is harsher on skin and less soluble in cold water. SLES (sodium laureth sulphate) is the ethoxylated version, typically with 1–3 moles of ethylene oxide, which makes it milder, more soluble and easy to thicken with salt. SLES is the base of most shampoos, hand washes and dishwash liquids, while SLS suits toothpaste, powders and bars.

SLES 70% is a pumpable paste, but on dilution it passes through a very viscous gel phase at roughly 30–60% active. To avoid lumps, add the paste slowly to the full quantity of water under steady stirring, rather than adding water to the paste, and allow time for it to dissolve. Below about 28% active the solution becomes a free-flowing liquid, which is why SLES Liquid 28% is offered ready to use.

LABSA (linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid) is the acid form of LAS, one of the most widely used anionic detergent actives. It is neutralised during manufacture, typically with caustic soda or soda ash, to form sodium LAS for detergent powders, cakes and dishwash liquids. SDBS is the ready-neutralised sodium salt, offered as 90% powder or 40% liquid, for plants that prefer not to handle the acid. LABSA itself is a strong, corrosive acid.

Alkyl polyglucosides are non-ionic surfactants made from fatty alcohols and glucose. They are mild to skin, readily biodegradable, stable in alkali and compatible with anionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants. Chain length sets behaviour: capryl glucoside (C8–10) is a low-foam wetting agent and hydrotrope for cleaners, while lauryl (C12–14) and coco glucoside foam well and suit sulphate-free shampoos, baby care and body washes.

Generally no. Benzalkonium chloride is a cationic quaternary ammonium compound, and anionic surfactants such as SLES, SLS, LABSA and AOS bind to it, forming an insoluble complex that can cloud the product and deactivate the quat. Disinfectant cleaners based on BKC are therefore built with non-ionic or amphoteric surfactants such as alcohol ethoxylates, glucosides or amine oxide. The BKC concentrate itself is corrosive and needs careful handling.

SLES, LABSA and other liquid actives are packed in 200 L HDPE drums or 1,000 L IBC tanks, with bulk tanker loads for larger volumes, while SLS, SDBS 90%, AOS powder and coated percarbonate come in 25 or 50 kg bags. Every batch carries the manufacturer's COA and SDS with product, batch and hazard labels, and samples are available for formulation trials before a first order.