PcProChem

Raw Materials

Raw materials encyclopedia

Surfactants, builders, fillers, additives and liquids — with role, usage range, handling, and QC tests.

LABSA (Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid)

Surfactant

Primary anionic surfactant. Neutralized with caustic soda or soda ash to form active LAS in detergents.

Typical usage
Powders 6–12% (as LAS) · Liquids 4–15%
Handling & storage
Highly acidic, corrosive. Store in HDPE or lined steel tanks. Avoid contact with carbon steel.

QC tests

  • Active matter (titration with cetyl pyridinium chloride)
  • Free oil
  • Color (Klett)
  • Free sulfuric acid

SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate, 70%)

Surfactant

Mild anionic surfactant with strong foaming properties. Used in liquid dish, laundry and personal care.

Typical usage
Liquids 8–20%
Handling & storage
Highly viscous paste; heat with hot-water jacket to 30–40°C before pumping. Avoid prolonged heating.

QC tests

  • Active matter
  • Free oil (1,4-dioxane)
  • pH (10% solution)
  • Color

CAPB (Cocamidopropyl Betaine)

Surfactant

Amphoteric surfactant providing mildness, foam stability and viscosity boost in dishwash and personal care.

Typical usage
Liquids 2–6%
Handling & storage
Yellowish solution; protect from freezing. Store sealed.

QC tests

  • Active matter (30–35%)
  • Free amine
  • pH
  • Sodium chloride content

Nonionic surfactant (AE-7 / AE-9)

Surfactant

Nonionic ethoxylated alcohol for grease cutting, low foam in liquids and post-add in spray-dried powders.

Typical usage
Powders 1–3% post-add · Liquids 2–6%
Handling & storage
Cloud point 50–70°C; keep warm to remain liquid. Avoid open flames.

QC tests

  • Cloud point
  • HLB
  • Water content
  • Color

Caustic soda (NaOH 50%)

Liquid base

Strong base used to neutralize LABSA and adjust pH in liquid and powder slurries.

Typical usage
As required for neutralization (~14% of LABSA weight at 100% basis)
Handling & storage
Severely corrosive. Carbon steel acceptable for storage; PVC for piping. Use full PPE.

QC tests

  • Concentration (titration with HCl)
  • Carbonate content
  • Iron content

Soda ash (Sodium carbonate)

Builder

Alkaline builder providing carbonate hardness control and pH buffering in laundry powders.

Typical usage
Powders 15–35%
Handling & storage
Hygroscopic; store in dry silo with bag filter on vent. Avoid moisture ingress.

QC tests

  • Na2CO3 assay (titration with HCl)
  • Bulk density
  • Moisture
  • Sieve analysis

STPP (Sodium tripolyphosphate)

Builder

Powerful sequestrant for Ca/Mg hardness, soil suspension and slurry rheology in laundry powders.

Typical usage
Powders 5–25% (region-dependent)
Handling & storage
Store in dry silo. Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity (causes lumping).

QC tests

  • P2O5 content
  • Phase I/II ratio
  • Bulk density
  • Iron content

Zeolite 4A

Builder

Phosphate-free water softener via ion-exchange of Ca2+ in laundry powders.

Typical usage
Powders 15–25%
Handling & storage
Fine powder; use bag filters on silos and conveyors.

QC tests

  • Ca exchange capacity
  • Whiteness
  • Particle size
  • Moisture

Sodium silicate

Builder

Alkaline builder, anti-corrosion agent and structuring aid for spray-dried granules.

Typical usage
Powders 4–8% (as solid)
Handling & storage
Viscous liquid; store at >20°C. Avoid contact with aluminum.

QC tests

  • SiO2 / Na2O ratio
  • Density
  • Viscosity
  • Suspended solids

Sodium sulfate

Filler

Inert filler controlling bulk density and dilution of active matter in laundry powders.

Typical usage
Powders 20–45%
Handling & storage
Dry, free-flowing. Store in silos with dust collection.

QC tests

  • Assay
  • Insolubles
  • Moisture
  • Particle size

CMC (Sodium carboxymethyl cellulose)

Additive

Anti-redeposition polymer keeping soil suspended in the wash liquor.

Typical usage
Powders 0.5–1.2%
Handling & storage
Hygroscopic; store sealed. Disperse slowly in water to avoid lumps.

QC tests

  • DS (degree of substitution)
  • Viscosity (1% solution)
  • Moisture
  • pH

Detergent enzymes (Protease, Amylase, Lipase, Cellulase)

Additive

Biocatalysts for protein, starch, fat and cellulose stains. Post-added to powder, encapsulated in liquid.

Typical usage
0.3–1.5%
Handling & storage
Sensitive to heat, bleach and acidic pH. Store cool. Add last; avoid contact with surfactant in raw form.

QC tests

  • Activity (GU, KNPU, LU)
  • Granule integrity
  • Moisture

Optical brightener (OBA)

Additive

Fluorescent whitening agent that absorbs UV and emits blue light, masking yellowing.

Typical usage
Powders 0.1–0.25% · Liquids 0.1–0.3%
Handling & storage
Light-sensitive; keep in original packaging until use.

QC tests

  • UV/Vis absorption
  • Whiteness index on cotton swatch

Perfume

Additive

Olfactory signature, masks raw-material odors and provides freshness on garments.

Typical usage
Powders 0.2–0.6% · Liquids 0.3–1%
Handling & storage
Flammable. Store in dedicated, ventilated, cool room. Use stainless steel or HDPE containers.

QC tests

  • Specific gravity
  • Refractive index
  • GC fingerprint
  • Olfactory panel

Preservative (Isothiazolinones / phenoxyethanol)

Additive

Prevents microbial growth in water-rich liquid detergents.

Typical usage
Liquids 0.05–0.2%
Handling & storage
Sensitizer; use closed dosing. Follow regional regulations (CMI/MI limits).

QC tests

  • Active concentration
  • Microbiological challenge test

Sodium percarbonate + TAED

Additive

Oxygen bleach (releases H2O2 in water) with TAED activator for low-temperature bleaching in powders.

Typical usage
Powders 5–12% percarbonate + 1.5–3% TAED
Handling & storage
Strong oxidizer. Segregate from organics, perfume and enzymes. Cool, dry storage.

QC tests

  • Available oxygen
  • Stability after 4/8/12 weeks at 28°C/70% RH
  • Particle integrity