How is SLES 70% Made?
Sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES) is a surfactant that is widely used in cosmetics and cleaning agents. This substance is made by ethoxylating dodecyl alcohol and then sulfating the resultant ethoxylate; it is a clear, viscous liquid with a pale yellow tint.
SLES 70% comprises 70% SLES and 30% water. Among its many uses, the solution is put to work as a foaming agent, emulsifier, and detergent. It’s a common ingredient in personal care products like soaps, shampoos, and shower gels because of its ability to generate a thick foam and wash away dirt and grease. Dishwashing solutions, laundry detergents, and all-purpose cleaners all use SLES 70% because of its effectiveness in removing grease and stains.
The efficacy of the product is impacted by the SLES concentration in the solution. Generally speaking, solutions with a higher concentration of SLES are more effective in cleaning, but they can also be more irritating to the skin and eyes. Being a high-concentration solution, SLES 70% must be handled with care to prevent skin and eye irritation. To avoid any unfavourable effects on the skin or the environment, it must be used in the correct concentrations and in accordance with all applicable safety regulations.
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Different SLES 70% Manufacturing Methods
Many methods exist for producing SLES 70%; the one chosen will rely on a number of variables, including, but not limited to, the accessibility of raw materials, the availability of specialised equipment, and the overall cost of production.
Below are a few of the distinctions between the OXO and Ziegler processes.
When 70% SLES is generated from coconut or palm oil, the Ziegler method is typically employed. The catalyst employed in the oxidation step is one of the fundamental differences between the OXO method and the Ziegler process. The oxidation in the OXO process is often accelerated by a transition metal catalyst, such as cobalt or rhodium. In contrast, the Ziegler method employs a Ziegler catalyst, which is often a compound of a transition metal, such as titanium or vanadium.
The reaction conditions, such as temperature and pressure, may be distinct between the two processes. The oxidation and sulfation phases of the OXO process are typically carried out under high temperature and pressure. The reaction conditions in the Ziegler process might vary depending on the catalyst employed.
The final SLES product’s purity may vary between the two methods. As a result of the Ziegler catalyst’s ability to selectively oxidise certain carbon chains in the fatty alcohol, it is well known that the Ziegler method yields a more pure product with fewer contaminants. In contrast, the OXO method may create a mixture of oxidised and non-oxidized compounds, necessitating additional purifying procedures.
The equipment necessary for the two operations may vary. The OXO method requires specialist equipment, such as a high-pressure reactor, whereas the Ziegler process can be conducted using regular industrial equipment.
Coconut or Palm Oil Based
Because of the large levels of lauric acid that it contains, coconut or palm oil is frequently used as a raw material in the production of SLES 70%. Lauric acid, a 12-carbon chain fatty acid, is a key component in the production of SLES.
On average, lauric acid makes up roughly 50% of coconut oil and 45% of palm kernel oil. Since these oils are easy to obtain and don’t cost an excessive amount of money, utilising them as a component in the creation of SLES is a sensible financial decision. In addition, both coconut and palm oil are natural resources that can be replenished, which is in line with the growing desire for manufacturing processes that are more sustainable and less harmful to the environment.
It’s important to note that tallow and other animal fats can also be utilised to produce SLES because they contain fatty alcohols. Nonetheless, there are certain customers who, for moral or religious reasons, cannot support a product that contains any substances produced from animals. Sources derived from plants, such as coconut or palm oil, are usually acknowledged to be more acceptable and offer a larger range of applications across a variety of markets.
Petroleum Based SLES 70%
SLES 70% is rarely made from feedstocks derived from petroleum. Chemical processes involving ethoxylation, oxidation, and sulfation are commonly used to create SLES from natural plant-based sources such coconut or palm kernel oil.
Certain surfactants used in cosmetics and household cleaners, however, may be derived from petroleum. Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS) is a surfactant that shares a chemical structure with SLES and is produced from petroleum.
Products like polymers, solvents, and fuels can all be made with the help of petroleum-based feedstocks, among many others. However there is an increasing interest in creating sustainable and renewable sources of raw materials for manufacturing processes, and this includes the creation of surfactants like SLES.
While some forms of surfactants can be made from petroleum-based feedstocks, SLES 70% typically isn’t.
