A Surfactant Supplier in the Philippines You Can Depend On

Introduction 

Surfactants are considered one of the most versatile products in the chemical industry. Some of us are unaware, but most of the essentials we use every day cannot function properly if this compound is not added. Hence, it is safe to say that we cannot live conveniently without it.

Because of its versatility, a surfactant is used by different industries ranging from detergent and soap manufacturers to food producers. So, the next time you are eating or taking a bath, know that that’s possible because of the surfactants in the product you are using.

With the endless benefits surfactants bring, it is not a surprise that many businesses use them to produce quality products. If you’re looking for a reliable surfactant supplier in the Philippines, you can count on Wills International Sale Corporation. We have partnered with various local manufacturing companies in the Philippines before, and we have successfully supplied them with top-of-the-line food specialties, commodities, and non-food products for a competitive price.

What Are Surfactants? 

Surfactants, also known as surface-active agents, are the components responsible for decreasing the surface tensions between two phases like gas and liquid or liquid and solid.

They are the best ingredients to break surface tensions because they are composed of amphiphilic molecules. These molecules have two covalently bonded components called hydrophobic and hydrophilic. The hydrophobic part is the property that repels water or any liquid. Meanwhile, the hydrophilic part is the property that attracts water or liquid and easily dissolves in it.

These molecules allow them to be absorbed in the air-water interface. This means that they can easily align their hydrophobic part in the air and place their hydrophilic part in the water.

This alignment is what lowers the interfacial tensions and makes the surfactant highly-effective detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, and dispersants.

If you’re planning to manufacture products that will need surfactants, it is best to partner with a dependable surfactant supplier in the Philippines like Wills International Sales Corporation. We can be your ingredients provider, and you can contact us whenever you need to replenish your stocks!

How Do Surfactants Work? 

In a nutshell, surfactants break tensions. However, since manufacturers are the only ones who experience using these compounds, people are still unfamiliar with how it works and why it’s an important additive in manufacturing different products.

To explain it simply, here’s its application in some products:

Foaming Agents 

A foaming agent is a compound that facilitates the production of foam. A surfactant is considered a foaming agent, and it is used in creating cleaning detergents, whether powder or liquid. They break down the surface between water and oil or dirt and produce foam to wash things. After that, they hold the dirt in suspension, resulting in its removal. Without it, the dirt will stay on the surface of clothes or any material.

Dispersants 

Another thing that surfactants do is make detergent powders mix easily with water. This is called dispersing. The surfactants prevent the formation of clusters or clumps of powder when mixed in water. If the products do not contain surfactants, the water would just roll off, and cleaning would be more difficult.

Emulsifiers 

Surfactants also act as emulsifying agents. They allow oil and water to mix by breaking the tension between the two phases. With this, they are effective in many applications within the production of metalworking fluids and oil creation.

Knowing how surfactants work allows you to determine where to use them to maximize their potential. A reliable surfactant supplier in the Philippines should know the properties and applications of the compound they sell to give you the best products.

The Different Types of Surfactants 

As manufacturers, it is your responsibility to educate and make yourself aware of the different types of surfactants before even contacting a surfactant supplier in the Philippines. Each has specific uses and applications that greatly affect a product’s quality. Using a surfactant incorrectly can drastically change your product’s effectiveness and consistency, which can have a big impact on your sales and credibility as a company and business owner.

Here are the four types of surfactants:

Anionic Surfactants 

Sulfates, sulfonates, and gluconates are all examples of anionic surfactants. This type of surfactant has a negative charge on its water-attracting part, which helps the molecules lift and suspend particles.

Because of this capability, anionic surfactants can combat a wider range of soil, sebum, dirt, and other particles, making them perfect agents for personal care products and laundry detergents. Anionic surfactants are generally strong cleaners. The only downside when using them on shampoo and conditioners is they may increase the negative electrical charges of hair’s surface, resulting in frizz and friction.

They also produce a lot of foam when mixed with liquid which further helps with suspension. Although this surfactant is terrific as a foaming agent, it is not recommended to be used as an emulsifying agent.

Nonionic Surfactants 

The common nonionic surfactants include cocamide, ethoxylates, and alkoxylates. This type of surfactant is neutral and does not have any charge on its water-attracting parts. Compared to anionic surfactants, nonionic surfactants are excellent at emulsifying and removing oils, which makes them the ideal surfactants to use in producing dual-action, multi-purpose cleaners.

With nonionic surfactants, these cleaning agents can lift and suspend particular soils as well as emulsify oily soils. Moreover, specific nonionic surfactants can be non-foaming or low-foaming, which is advantageous for detergents needing this kind of foam production.

A unique property called cloud point also appears when using nonionic surfactants. It is the temperature where the surfactant begins to separate from the cleaning agent. This separation phase makes the solution cloudy and is considered the perfect temperature for maximizing the detergent’s effectivity. Low-foaming detergents are most effective during the cloud point. On the other hand, foaming cleaners reach optimal detergency just below the cloud point or before it starts.

No Comments

Post A Comment

This website uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website.