stearate SE, which is sold under thebrand name Dermorganics GMS-SE.Glyceryl stearate is a naturallysourced emulsifier usually present incertified natural cosmetics.Dermorganics GMS-SE ismanufactured using a fully-certifiedprocess and offers similarspecifications as its non-organiccounterparts in the market. DrStraetmans is forming a newingredients line under theDermorganics brand name to meetdemand for organic emulsifiers.

HPC, Household and Personal Care Today, Sep 2010,(3), 10

Market scope expanded for synthetic-alcohol nonionic surfactants

Dai-Ichi Kogyo Seiyaku and BASFJapan are expanding the applicationscope of a series of nonionicsurfactants, from the currentcommercial and industrial applicationsinto the consumer segment of high-concentration, household-use liquiddetergents. The eco-friendlysurfactants comprise syntheticalcohols with optimized branchedhydrophobic groups. They are highlybiodegradable and less-toxic toaquatic organisms. Dai-Ichi Kogyo hasbeen manufacturing BASF’s Lutensolseries of surfactants and supplyingthem under the brand name Noigen.These materials effectively lessendynamic surface tension and exhibitstrong wetting and osmotic properties,compared with natural alcohols andother linear-chain alcohols.

Japan Chemical Web, 18 Oct 2010, (Website:http://www.japanchemicalweb.jp)

Meet the BlanovaMULS emulsifiers

Azelis is offering BlanovaMULS, anew range of high-performancenatural emulsifiers that comprises fivevariants based on glyceryl stearatecitrate. BlanovaMULS GMSC delivershigh spreading pressure at theoil/water interface for small, finedroplets, resulting in stable O/Wemulsions; BlanovaMULS ECO 77 isan O/W anionic emulsifier for naturalcosmetics; and BlanovaMULS ECP2277 is an O/W anionic emulsifier forrich, caring formulations.BlanovaMULS ECO 2277-2C andBlanovaMULS ECO 2277-5C areboth emulsion concentrates for high

performance without preservatives.The materials are claimed to allowformulators to emulsify huge quantitiesof oil with just one component.

SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Sep 2010, 83(9), 69

Momentive introduces advancementsin polyurethanes technology to improvesustainability, energy efficiency

At UTECH North America 2010,Momentive Performance Materialsshowcased a number of technologicaladvancements that can help lower theimpact of polyurethane foam productson the environment. Silicone L-6635is a new surfactant that can reducesurface and sub-surface voidformation in rigid polyurethane foamsproduced by continuous lamination. Itcan help increase energy efficiencyparticularly in constructionapplications, such as structuralinsulated panels, by eliminatingdefects at the foam’s surface, thecompany says. Among otherhighlighted products were NiaxSilicone L-670 (see also p 6) andNiax Silicone L-6952 – a highlyefficient surfactant and excellentcandidate to consider for use in pour-in-place foam applications thatemploy HFC-245fa as the blowingagent. By providing both good flowand fine cell production, it promotesenergy efficiency by leading to theformation of consistent, high qualityfoams with excellent insulatingproperties. In addition, Momentiveoffers a range of surfactants,catalysts and other additives that areexcellent candidates to considerwhen flexible slabstock and mouldedfoam manufacturers want to meetstringent volatile organic carbon(VOC) emission requirements.

Press release from: Momentive Performance Materials,187 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897, USA, website:http://www.momentive.com (7 Oct 2010)

ASSOCIATEDPRODUCTS

New enzyme removes fruit-basedstains

Novozymes launched a newdetergent enzyme solution, XPect, at

the 7th World Conference onDetergents in Montreux, Switzerland.XPect removes fruit- and pectin-based stains that traditional detergentingredients have trouble removing.Pectin is a natural constituent ofmany fruits and vegetables and isused as a gelling agent and stabilizerin food production. The classicapplication is giving the jelly-likeconsistency to jams or marmalades,but pectin is also gaining popularityas a texturizer in low-fat dairyproducts. Current detergents areunable to satisfactorily remove stainsfrom fruit- and pectin-based foodssuch as jams, jellies and processedtomato. XPect is able to degrade thepectin, thereby removing the stains,and as an additional benefit it isefficient even at 20°C, unlike manytraditional detergents.

Press release from: Novozymes A/S, Krogshojvej 36,2880 Bagsvaerd, Denmark, tel: +45 4446 0000, fax:+45 4446 9999, e-mail: info@novozymes.com,website: http://www.novozymes.com (5 Oct 2010)

Colonial introduces green hydrotropes

Colonial Chemical has rolled out twococonut oil-derived hydrotropes calledVerdeTrope 120 and VerdeTrope 162,which are suited for use in shampoos,hand soaps and body washes.VerdeTrope 120 does not add foam tothe composition, while VerdeTrope162 imparts minimal foam. Thematerials are 100% natural and canbe used as a substitute to petroleum-derived hydrotropes such as sodiumcumene sulfonate and sodium xylenesulfonate.

SPC, Soap, Perfumery and Cosmetics, Sep 2010, 83(9), 69

APPLICATIONSLaundry & cleaningproducts

21st century biotech in a soap bar

An estimated 1 bn people worldwidedo their family’s laundry by hand.Many of them use a soap bar, a low-tech product that has remained thesame for decades. It is a slow,tedious way of washing clothes,requiring many rewashings and muchwater to get clothes clean. Leading

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F O C U S O N S U R F A C T A N T S