The Sirius Effect:

Sirius International takes the final hurdle in the transition process from petrochemical to bio-based surfactants, namely the production of anionic benzene-containing surfactants such as Britens LAS. A new discovery makes it possible to produce these highly effective surfactants from organic non-food raw materials. Thanks to the Sirius effect, even more effective bio-based washing powders and bio-based liquid detergents can now be produced.

A very effective surfactant

LAS, or Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonate, is a very effective and widely used surfactant. Unfortunately, the most commonly used anionic surfactant is still one made from petrochemical raw materials. LAS is used in two-thirds of all laundry detergents, more than half of all industrial cleaning products and more than three-quarters of all household cleaning products.

Until now, surfactants such as LAS are generally not produced from bio-based raw materials, which is why Sirius International customers often had to make do with this biodegradable but petrochemically based surfactant, Britens LAS. That is until now, because Sirius International is changing that.

Innovation

“Sirius has discovered that LAS can be produced from a bio-based waste stream,” says innovation manager Leo Verboeket enthusiastically. Normally this waste is disposed or burned. Every year, this concerns no less than three million tons of waste worldwide, which can now be put to good use.

Sirius examined this waste and it contains various phenolic substances. All these substances consist of a phenol ring with a long hydrophobic chain of about fifteen carbon atoms and one or more unsaturated bonds.

“This structure is very similar to the structure of LAS, making it possible to make LAS or similar surfactants from it,” says innovation chemist Jorrit van der Velde. “There are also all kinds of other variants, such as a carboxylated or ethoxylated surfactant, or a combination of these. This can result in different types of surfactants, such as milder or stronger surfactants with various applications. We are certainly open to suggestions from our customers.”

New discovery

The discovery of this bio-based variant of LAS is a typical example of Sirius International's working method. “We are always looking for new ways to produce our products even more sustainably. By traveling a lot, talking and listening, we visit many different places and speak to many different people. This is our way of making all kinds of new discoveries. If we combine these ideas, it will result in wonderful new products, such as this bio-based Britens LAS,” Verboeket explains. This opens up new possibilities for washing powders and liquid detergents based on bio-based raw materials, which deliver the same washing results as traditional detergents with petrochemical LAS.

Are you in?

Sirius International has taken a big step with this. Will you join us and switch to 100%bio LAS, 100%bio ethoxylates, 100%bio SLES, 100%bio PEG solid, 100%bio PEG liquid 100%bio or recycle-based glucamides? Please contact us and tell us what exactly you need and we will work with you for a healthier future for our planet.

© Copyright Sirius International Detergents BV | Sirius International Water Treatment BV

Share