Its composition is 65% active (naturalcationic) and 35% fatty alcohol. Theactive is predominantly (23%) a C22chain component. The company saysits Emulsense products contain nopalm derivatives. They are formulatedusing minimal, gentle processing, andwith almost no waste generated in theprocess. The primary cationic agentEmulsense HC is offered for use inhair care products, particularly naturalcream conditioners. The activecomponent is claimed to offerconditioning performance similar toclassic behenyl quats used widely inpersonal care products. It can beused as the primary anti-static agentand emulsifier in conditioner formulas.Emulsense HC demonstratesexceptional combability and reducedfly-away compared to popularcommercial conditioners, Inolex says.In addition, the emulsification andsensory system Emulsense SC istargeted for natural skin careformulations. In these applications itis said to provide a silky initial-feeland a powdery after-feel that areunmatched.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jan2010, 47 (1), 84 & SPC, Soap, Perfumery andCosmetics, Dec 2009, 82 (12), 56

Huntsman introduces Hydrapol RPsurfactants

Huntsman Corp’s PerformanceProducts division has unveiled theHydrapol RP range of nonionicsurfactants. The new products aresaid to be versatile and easy to use,and ideal for high-performancewetting and dispersion applications.According to ISO tests they arereadily biodegradable, do not requireclassification as dangerous goodsand demonstrate lower aquatictoxicity than conventional surfactants,Huntsman reports. The new series isthe result of ‘focused Huntsmanresearch directed specifically atfinding practical solutions toenvironmental challenges facing thespeciality chemicals industry’, thecompany says. The biodegradableproducts can be used in theformulation of domestic and industrialdetergents, leather degreasers,scouring detergents, adhesives,processing additives, and textile andpaper chemicals. They are currentlymanufactured at the company’s plant

in Botany Bay, Australia, with plans toexpand elsewhere.

HPC, Household and Personal Care Today, Dec 2009,(4), 51 & Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Dec 2009,25 (12), 17

Soaps and detergents: suppliers takestock of recovery

Suppliers to the soaps anddetergents market expect aneconomic recovery in 2010, but somefear that cost-cutting initiatives suchas the shift from surfactants tocheaper ingredients will remain.Some suppliers anticipate demand torecover as the economic upturnprogresses but others worry that adeep downturn could have a long-term effect on customers’ spendinghabits. Market analysts are positivethat demand in developing regionswill drive growth, and consumerdemand for greener products willpass recession survival strategies asthe main strategic concern. US-basedmarket research firm BizAcumenpredicts the global surfactants marketto reach $18 bn by 2015 from anestimated $14 bn in 2009. Inventoriesstarted to return in 4Q 2009 andrestocking is anticipated to continueinto 2010. On a positive note, the shifttowards low-cost soaps and detergentbrands had a minor impact onsurfactant sales, especially at Rhodia,which supplies materials for premium,mid-tier and value brands. EvonikGoldschmidt and Clariant also did notnotice significant shift in sales frompremium to cheaper brands. SasolO&S anticipates market demand toclimb 5-15% in developing marketsand 1-3% in developed nations.

Chemical Week, 25 Jan 2010, (Website:http://www.chemweek.com)

Sanyo Chemical planning capacityboosts in Thailand

Under its next medium-termmanagement plan, Sanyo ChemicalIndustries is considering expandingits surfactants plant in Thailand,Sanyo Kasei (Thailand) Ltd, which isexpected to generate a profit in FY2010. The Thai subsidiary is viewedby the company as a platform toserve Southeast Asian markets andthe fast-expanding Indian market.

Japan Chemical Web, 27 Jan 2010, (Website:http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

Chelating agents: BASF opens Trilon Mfactory in Ludwigshafen

After 18 months of construction[Focus on Surfactants, Oct 2008], thenew plant expansion for BASF’senvironment-friendly chelating agentTrilon M at the company’s site inLudwigshafen, Germany, has beenbrought on stream 3 months ahead ofschedule. The expansion has created18 new jobs in Ludwigshafen. Thesize of the investment and of thecapacity involved have not beendisclosed. The move strengthens thecompany’s position as one of theworld’s leading chelating agentproducers. BASF now has globalproduction capacity of 120,000tonnes/y for chelating agents.Worldwide production of thesematerials is estimated at 400,000+tonnes/y. BASF also makes chelatingagents in Guaratingueta, Brazil and inLima, OH. Trilon M is only made inLima and Ludwigshafen. Trilon M(methylglycinediacetic acid, MGDA) isan aminocarboxylate, a class of high-performance, eco-friendly, safechelating agents. It is readilybiodegradable, available in liquid andsolid forms, and does not need anyrisk phrase labelling according to theEU legislation. Used to increase thecleaning effect of detergents anddishwashing agents as well asindustrial and all-purpose cleaners, itcan be used as a substitute forphosphate in detergents. BASFexpects double-digit growth rates forenvironment-friendly chelating agents.

Press release from: BASF SE, D-67056 Ludwigshafen,Germany, tel: +49 621 600, website:http://www.basf.com) (14 Jan 2010) & ChimiePharma Hebdo, 18 Jan 2010, (493), 8 (in French)

India’s alkali industry - soda ash

The Indian Alkali Industry, which sawmarginal growth in the mid-1970s, hasof late experienced strong growth,largely influenced by demand acrossmajor consuming sectors such asalumina, soaps and detergents, pulpand paper, textiles and thepharmaceutical segment. The industrycomprises the caustic soda, soda ash

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(sodium carbonate), chlorine, salt andchlor-alkali sectors. Indian demandfor soda ash stands at 2.4 M tonnesannually, and the major end-userindustries include soaps anddetergents accounting for 33.6%,glass at 25.4%, and silicates at14.8%. The Indian soda ash industrystands at $1.3 bn, which is about 6%of the $23 bn world market. 40% ofIndia’s salt production is consumedby the chlor-alkali industry and thesoda ash sector. As regards theimport of soda ash, imports fromChina stood at 0.181 M tonnes duringJan-May 2009 (0.13 M tonnes in Jan-May 2008) representing an 18%share in the Indian market.

Chemical Weekly, 3 Nov 2009, 55 (12), 189-194

Cosmedia Triple C: for hair and skincare products

Consumers today expect careproducts to improve the condition ofthe skin and hair, and also to feelpleasant when applied, making bodycleansing and care a wellnessexperience to savour. At the sametime, they also prefer mildformulations that are free fromethylene oxide (EO). Cosmedia TripleC is a new-generation liquiddispersion polymer from specialitychemicals supplier Cognis thatenables manufacturers to meet thesedemands. It is claimed to improve theviscosity and stability of skin and hairformulations, while also offeringoutstanding sensory and conditioningproperties. It consists of an efficientcationic inverse emulsion polymer(IEP), a high-grade cosmeticemollient and an EO-free emulsifieras an activating agent. It issignificantly more tolerant towardselectrolytes, and generates improvedviscosity behaviour in skin and haircare products, the company claims.Its pseudoplastic flow behaviourmakes formulations containingCosmedia Triple C very easy forconsumers to apply, while the cationiccharge of the polymer and thespreadability of the emollient itcontains give a pleasant dry silky feelon the skin. It also measurablyimproves the combability of both wetand dry hair. In developing CosmediaTriple C, Cognis made a consciousdecision to avoid ethoxylated andalkoxylated emulsifiers, enabling

formulators to fit in with the trendtowards EO-free products. Theproduct is also free from preservatives.Cosmedia Triple C is cold and hot-processable and does not requireneutralization. It can be used across abroad pH range. The polymercompound is suitable for pH-neutralskin care formulations, as well as acidicformulations such as hair conditionersand DHA self-tanning products.

Press release from: Cognis GmbH, Postfach 130164,D-40551, Düsseldorf, Germany, website:http://www.cognis.com (11 Jan 2010)

Fresher, cleaner, longer, stronger:household cleaners drive salesthrough novel fragrances

Consumers are likely to rely onscents when finalizing their homecleaning purchases, promptingmanufacturers to come up with novelfragrances in order to boost sales.Simple, easy-to-understand scentsare the general trend in the homecare products segment, indicatingthat consumers these days do notwant to take a risk with the productsthey purchase. Another trend in homecleaners is the focus on progressive,green and sustainable features. Inrecent years, the home cleaningsegment has seen the rise of boldfragrances, including essential oil-inspired fragrances such as lavenderand eucalyptus, which connotesustainability. Laundry care is one ofthe categories noted for its novelscents. The use of floral scents inhome cleaners, especially laundryproducts, continues to grow. Yetdespite the newest product launches,Information Resources Inc reportedthat overall sales in the home cleanercategory dropped 2.7% to $1.5 bn forthe year ended 1 Nov 2009 insupermarkets, drugstores and mass-market retailers, not including Wal-Mart. All-purpose cleaner/disinfectants declined 4.9% to $393.7N; glass cleaner/ammonia dropped7.9% to $145.4 M; and nonabrasivetub/tile cleaner fell 7.5% to $235.2 M.In contrast, spray disinfectants hadsales of $110.9 M, up 7.6%, whiletoilet bowl cleaner/deodorizer rose2.3% to $250.4 M. Laundry detergentsales rose 2.6% to $3.72 bn.

HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jan2010, 47 (1), 57-58,60,62

Antimicrobial soap raises concerns

The widespread use of triclosan andtriclocarban in antimicrobial soapsand other personal care productsshould be looked into by USregulators because of their potentialto disrupt the human endocrinesystem and cause antibioticresistance, according to a UScongressman. In letters to theEnvironmental Protection Agency andthe Food and Drug Administration,the legislator noted the prevalence ofthe chemicals in US waters. Theagencies were asked to look atregulating the chemicals under theSafe Drinking Water Act andassessing them under the EndocrineDisruptor Screening Programme.

Chemical and Engineering News, 11 Jan 2010, 88 (2),26 (Website: http://www.cen-online.org)

APPLICATIONS

Household products

Ecover develops patented applicationof eco-surfactants in new and improvedecological cleaning products

Ecological home cleaning productsfirm Ecover has created Eco-Surfactants using a special bioreactorrequiring no chemical processingwhatsoever. As a result, the companyclaims to deliver ‘even more effectiveand even more ecological cleaningpower’ with the application ofImproved Formula Ecover AllPurpose Cleaner available at retail inSpring 2010 across the US; 32 ouncebottles will retail for an SRP of $5.75beginning in Apr 2010. ImprovedFormula 16 ounce Glass & SurfaceCleaner becomes available at retailSummer 2010, and new 16 ouncePower Cleaner and 32 ounce Refilland 32 ounce Glass and SurfaceRefill will be available at retail Fall2010. Ecover holds the patent on theuse of eco-surfactants in cleaningproducts, making them even moreecological and more effective. For 30years, the company has beendevoted to developing and producingeffective and ecological washing andcleaning products made from plant-and mineral-based ingredients.

Press release from: Ecover, USA, tel: +1 800 4494925, website: http://www.ecover.com (6 Jan 2010)

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