Surfactants from India include anionic products such as sodium lauryl ether sulphate and linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid, non-ionic ethoxylates, and a narrower range of cationics. Textile auxiliaries from India cover wetting agents, scouring agents, softeners, levelling agents and finishing chemicals. Both are bought on a written specification and a performance trial.
A surfactant manufacturer in India will normally list several grades of one family, so the first task is to identify the grade, not the name.
Which surfactants are made in volume?
The big volume families are the anionics used in detergents and personal-care bases, and the non-ionic ethoxylates used in industrial cleaning, textile processing and agricultural formulations. What surfactants are and which types India makes gives the overview, and anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactants explains what each charge type does.
Quality in these products depends on raw materials and process control. The same name can cover products with different active matter, different free-oil levels and different colour, so name the key parameters.
What should the surfactant spec include?
- Active matter, stated as a percentage by a named test method.
- Appearance, colour and, for liquids, viscosity at a stated temperature.
- pH of a stated dilution.
- Unreacted raw materials, such as free oil or unsulphated matter, and residual salts.
- For ethoxylates, the degree of ethoxylation or the hydroxyl value, and the cloud point where relevant.
- Preservative content if the product is aqueous, and any 1,4-dioxane limit for ethoxylated products used in personal care.
What are textile auxiliaries, and how do you specify them?
Auxiliaries are the chemicals that prepare, dye and finish fabric apart from the dyes themselves. Textile auxiliaries explained lists the main groups. Because these products are often formulated blends, the maker may not publish a full composition. Ask for solids content, ionic character, pH and a recommended dosage, then judge the product in your own process.
If your customer works to a restricted-substance programme, ask the maker what it can document before you order. Requirements differ by brand and market, so confirm them with your customer.
How should you test before ordering?
Run the sample in your process against your current product, with the same fabric, bath and temperature. Check performance, foaming and rinse-off, not only the data sheet. Ask for a second batch to confirm consistency. For the performance test routine, see how to test a specialty chemical's performance before buying.
What packing and shelf life should you expect?
Liquid surfactants move in drums, IBCs or tanks, and pastes and powders in bags or drums. Some thicken in cold weather or separate after long storage, so ask the maker how the product behaves at the temperatures it will meet in transit and in your store. Ask for the shelf life in months, the storage conditions and the date of manufacture on every label. Textile auxiliaries are often supplied in smaller packs, so check that the label shows the product name, batch number and hazard information in the language your plant staff can read.
Next step
We find surfactant and auxiliary makers whose plants already produce your grade, check samples and documents, and have lots tested before shipment. We work only for the buyer, for one written fee agreed in advance. Book a free sourcing review, or see what we source in chemicals.