Why are specialty surfactants so special?
What makes specialty surfactants so special? Is it the best performance? Do they also have other uses? Read on for interesting information!
Specialty surfactants are mainly used as cosurfactants together with basic surfactants. They are a fundamental ingredient in a number of domestic and industrial applications. Special surfactants remove stains and dirt from the surface being cleaned. These products are used in shampoos, conditioners, and body soaps. They are generally extracted from petrochemical and oleochemical sources.
What are the different types of specialty surfactants?
– Anionic surfactants: These products are negatively charged and are widely used in shampoos. They can be found in the form of sulfonates, sulfosuccinates, etc.
– Cationic surfactants: Cationic surfactants form one of the smallest surfactant categories in terms of volume and value. They are used primarily in hair rinses and conditioners.
– Nonionic surfactants These surfactants are uncharged and therefore resistant to deactivation in water with a high mineral content; hence they are especially effective degreasers.
– Amphoteric surfactants These products have a variable charge, depending on the pH of the solution in which they are placed. They have excellent dermatological properties and are frequently used in shampoos, skin cleansers, and other cosmetics.
Why the ecological special surfactants?
Specialty surfactants face many environmental concerns because they are biodegradable and environmentally friendly. The growing desire of consumers for “green” products has created an uncertain market.
Amphoteric surfactants, amidoamines, esters, alkoxylates, and quats are some of the green surfactants that are available on the market. They usually come in combination with conventional surfactants. But the downside they face is their high prices. Because of this, these products are currently available in a very specialized segment, that is, some natural brands. Instead of producing new green surfactants, many companies have adopted the policy of making the production process of their current surfactant green. This can be done by reducing the consumption of non-renewable fuels, decreasing direct emissions, and using enzymatic processes to speed up the reaction.
A report from a market research firm estimates a moderate growth rate for the global specialty surfactants market.
Special surfactants hold dirt in a water solution to prevent it from re-depositing on the surface from which it was removed. Surfactants can disperse non-water soluble contaminants and are therefore used in addition to water for cleaning purposes. Due to the large middle-class population, Asia-Pacific is considered the fastest growing region.
The main obstacles to the specialty surfactants market are; the growing popularity of the use of green products and the environmental restrictions imposed on the manufacturing process