Surfactants are made on an industrial scale worldwide mostly by multinational corporations. The base of production could be natural or synthetic raw material, also known as a feedstock.

Synthetic feedstocks

PetrochemicalSynthetic or petrochemical feedstocks are produced by oil, gas and chemical processing. Synthetic alcohols can then be further processed (ethoxylation or sulphation, for instance) to produce a range of surfactant molecules.

Their synthetic structure allows precise control of the molecular structure throughout manufacturing, which allows them to attain specific performance and physical characteristics. They are also chemically altered, which makes them compatible for a wide assortment of substances and chemicals.

This means they can mix with various ingredients, such as other surfactants, to make an end-product with characteristics that are tailored to the specific specifications.

Renewable feedstocks

Natural, also known as bio-based (or Oleo), nonionic surfactant suppliers, are made of oils from coconut and palm kernels. These feedstocks can be regenerated from large tropical plantations, which typically yield a yield that is greater than 25 years prior the need to replant.

In order to make a fatty alcohol, the plant oils are chemically treated (including hydrogenation and esterification). Although their origin may be quite different but these alcohols are very similar to synthetic counterparts and consequently undergo the same kind of further chemical processes to create the final IRO Surfactant.

While natural feedstocks can be considered more sustainable, there are additional aspects to be taken into consideration when evaluating sustainability as well as the surfactant's entire life cycle.

Manufacturing compatibility

The main difference in the technical aspects between the two types of feedstock is that synthetic feedstocks have more molecular function (called branching) which can offer additional flexibility in formulation and improved performance for highly demanding applications requiring surfactants.

From a nonionic surfactant suppliers standpoint, however, the two kinds of feedstocks aren't mutually exclusive, with producers capable of using both whether in combination or separately according to economics, availability market demand and the performance requirements. Surfactants with at least one ingredient derived from natural raw materials enjoy an average of 50 percent of the European surfactant market.

No matter the source of the feedstock, most surfactant production takes place in large industrial facilities in carefully controlled conditions.

Surfactants in the end are delivered to converters and formulators in a range of downstream industry sectors, the most important being detergent manufacturers (also known as'soapers') where they turn into finished products for both consumers and industrial customers. Surfactant chemistry is now one of the most technologically advanced and researched fields. This enables the safe and secure production of a vast range of different kinds of surfactants. Each has their own characteristics of performance and suitability for an equally diverse range of applications, some of which can enhance our daily lives.

Posted by: Technology Positive at 05:02 AM | No Comments | Add Comment
Post contains 463 words, total size 4 kb.