Shell NEODOL

Three types of products derived from Shell NEODOL alcohols and ethoxylates play major roles in laundry detergency processes: alcohol sulfates, alcohol ethoxy sulfates and alcohol ethoxylates. Shell Chemicals offers NEODOL alcohols and alcohol ethoxylates for sulfation and alcohol ethoxylates for direct use and formulation into finished detergents.

A Shell NEODOL product may be chosen for a particular formulation for a variety of reasons including superior detergency for specific soils, compatibility or synergy with other surfactants or enzymes, cost/performance, and satisfactory supply position.

An important environmental consideration for an ingredient in cleaning products is its biodegradation profile. Shell NEODOL alcohol ethoxylates, and sulfates made from them, are readily biodegradable, in line with the EU Detergents Regulation. In addition, Shell NEODOL alcohol ethoxylates, and sulfates made from them, have a very high tolerance to calcium and magnesium ions which means that hard water does not precipitate them out of solution. This gives more flexibility in formulating finished products and use of builders which are present to manage the presence of hard water with laundry washing.

Although we do not supply NEODOL-based alcohol ethoxy sulfates, several low-mole ethoxylates are available for sulfation, such as NEODOL 23-2 and NEODOL 25-3. In addition, high-mole ethoxylates, such as NEODOL 25-7 or NEODOL 45-7, may be sulfated for use in liquid detergents.

Outstanding dishwashing foam performance can be obtained with liquids primarily based on alcohol ethoxy sulfate (derived from NEODOL alcohol ethoxylate) in combination with other ingredients such as alcohol sulfate (from NEODOL alcohol), NEODOL ethoxylate and amine oxide. In addition, NEODOL alcohol ethoxylates (and their sulfates) offer the advantage of good grease-cutting performance and suitable skin mildness.

Shell NEODOL alcohol ethoxylates and alcohol ethoxy sulfates are widely used to formulate hard surface cleaners in a variety of applications such as pine oil cleaners, bathroom cleaners, kitchen worksurface cleaners, floor and wall cleaners, and all-purpose spray cleaners.

The NEODOL 91 and 1 series (C9-11 and C11 respectively) of light alcohol ethoxylates are excellent candidates for hard surface cleaning applications. NEODOL 91 ethoxylates are often the most suitable for starting formulations. In some cases, NEODOL 25-7 alcohol ethoxylate is also suitable. An alcohol ethoxy sulfate, such as one based on NEODOL 25-3 or N23-2, is often an appropriate choice where a higher foaming anionic surfactant is required. NEODOL 91 and 1 alcohols can be ethoxylated to suit formulation needs.

The two key properties of an agrochemical formulation that are supplied by a surfactant component are a) the ability to wet the leaf surface and enable penetration of the formulation, and b) emulsification of ingredients that can be oily in nature. Emulsification keeps the aqueous formulation physically stable over time.

Shell NEODOL light alcohol ethoxylates based on N91 and N1 alcohols (with C9-11 and C11 carbon numbers, respectively) provide the properties required for agrochemical formulations. They are small, mobile molecules with light branching that result in low dynamic surface tension (rapid reduction in surface tension and wetting after application) and low oil/water interfacial tension (good emulsification).

Shell NEODOL alcohols can be used in the manufacture of many commonly used additives in lubricating oils, acting as viscosity index improvers and pour point depressants.