Formulation Card
FC-7.4-I
Industrial Softener
industrialSource: Chapter 7 §7.3.3
Ingredients
| Component | INCI / Chemical Name | % w/w | Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| DHTDMAC (75% active paste) | Dihydrogenated tallow dimethyl ammonium chloride | 28.00 | Cationic softening active (where permitted) |
| or Esterquat (90% aq.) | Di(palmiticcarboxyethyl)hydroxyethyl methyl ammonium methylsulfate | 23.50 | Alternative active (EU/compliant markets) |
| Nonionic dispersant | C12-15 pareth-7 | 1.50 | Dispersion stabilization |
| Defoamer | Silicone emulsion (10% active) | 0.20 | Foam control (high-shear dosing) |
| Fragrance | Fragrance (industrial grade) | 0.30 | Odor masking |
| Colorant | Acid Blue 9 | 0.001 | Visual identification |
| Preservative | 1,2-Benzisothiazolin-3-one (20% aq.) | 0.03 | Microbial stability |
| Deionized water | Aqua | 69.97 or 74.47 | Solvent / dispersion medium |
| pH adjuster | Formic acid (85%) | q.s. to pH 3.0–4.0 | Active stability |
| Total | 100.00 |
Addition Order & Process
Manufacturing procedure (DHTDMAC): Heat water to 65–70 °C. Add C12-15 pareth-7 and mix 5 minutes. Slowly add molten DHTDMAC paste (55–60 °C) with moderate shear. Mix 20 minutes at 60–65 °C. Cool to 35 °C. Add defoamer, fragrance, colorant, and preservative. Adjust pH to 3.0–4.0 with formic acid .
Manufacturing procedure (esterquat): Same procedure, substituting esterquat at 23.50% and water at 74.47%. Processing temperature reduces to 55–60 °C .
Expected Parameters
Key parameters: DHTDMAC version — active matter 21.0% ± 0.5%; pH 3.0–4.0; esterquat version — active matter 21.2% ± 0.5%; pH 2.8–3.2. DHTDMAC adsorption onto cotton exceeds 95% at rinse-cycle dilution . In EU markets, DHTDMAC consumption decreased by 80–90% following environmental restrictions .
Formulation Notes
Commercial laundry operations (hotels, hospitals, linen services) require high-volume, cost-effective softening. While esterquats dominate consumer markets, industrial formulations in regions without DHTDMAC restrictions may still employ this legacy active for superior adsorption efficiency. Where DHTDMAC is prohibited (EU, parts of North America), esterquat-based industrial formulations at elevated active matter serve as replacement.