Cognis launches microsite for green surfactants

Surfactants are obtained from natural, plant-derived raw materials, and have applications across a variety of industries including personal care.

In the personal care industry, APG surfactants can be used in shampoos, body washes and liquid soaps, and their properties include extreme mildness, excellent skin compatibility, and intensive and gentle cleansing, according to Cognis.

Tapping into trend for green ingredients​

​

The microsite taps into the trend for sourcing natural and sustainable raw materials with a low ecological footprint, and contains information about areas in which these surfactants can be used, along with the benefits their use can bring to these markets.

Additionally, the site allows manufacturers and formulators to quickly establish which certification bodies and eco-labels have approved APG surfactants.

The site provides easy-to-navigate guidance on surfactants, as well an overview of products offered for each of the industries Cognis serves, with the information being divided by region.

Personal care APG product lines​

​

In the personal care category, the APG surfactants are available under the Plantacare and Plantaren product lines. According to Cognis, the nonionic surfactants are suitable for use as a base-surfactant or co-surfactant in cosmetic cleansing preparations.

Widely used for eco-labeled formulations, the products are particularly suited for baby care and facial wash products due to their mildness.

Cognis’ portfolio also includes Plantapon LGC sorb, which is described as the ‘next generation APG’. Combining the characteristic mildness of APG surfactants with improved foaming and lathering performance, this liquid surfactant can be used in mild washes and specialties shampoos.

Experience in surfactants​

​

According to Cognis, the company was the first to succeed in designing an industrial process for APG surfactants, and has been producing them for approximately 15 years.

Cognis produces surfactants at its manufacturing sites in Düsseldorf, Germany, Cincinnati, USA, and will begin to produce them at a factory in Jinshan, China, from May 2010.