COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY
PHOSPHATES CLEAN UP IN DETERGENT MANUFACTURING
In the world of chemicals, one group of substances is riding high with a boost in sales and a surge in consumption across the detergent manufacturing industry. Here, Airedale Chemical tell us why phosphates are on the up.
Certain phosphates are emerging as the go-to chemical in detergent manufacturing with a huge growth in demand in the last year.
Airedale Chemical, has seen a big rise in demand for its own range of Airophos phosphates, experiencing a 20% increase in production in the last 18 months alone.
It has also observed a growing trend for phosphate chemicals being supplied to the detergent manufacturing industry, with a massive 80% of phosphate products sold now going to household cleaning manufacturers and personal care producers.
Traditionally, phosphates are used as ‘builders’ in chemistry development, contributing to the formulation of other finished products so that less high-activity, high-cost ingredients are required, while improving the efficacy of goods like detergents, which can extend the life of end products. It also helps maintain the performance of surfactants such as anionic compounds found in laundry detergent formulas.
Daniel Marr, Group Head of Marketing at Airedale Chemical, said: “Phosphates are a really versatile range of chemicals which can quickly and easily enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of detergents; so, there is little surprise that they are becoming a popular option for manufacturers looking to increase product performance and profit margins.”
The issue of metals in the cleaning and detergency process is a problematic one. For example, calcium
38 | Tomorrow’s Cleaning June 2016
has the effect of deactivating anionic surfactants commonly found in detergent and cosmetic products. The advantage of using phosphates in this process is that they encourage binding of metal ions and by removing or neutralising the metals contained within the process and products, you can extend the life of a finished product, prevent metals leaching into water systems, and maintain the efficacy of surfactants in a formula.
Daniel added: “Of our ‘Airophos’ range, our ‘K18’ formulation has proven to be most popular due to its breadth of applications. This particular product is primarily used as a builder and buffering agent of liquid detergents including hard surface cleaners, carpet shampoos, machine dishwashing and car cleaning products. It is also used in bottle washing, window cleaning, paint manufacture, cement production, fertiliser, bleaching, scouring and dyeing in synthetic wool textiles.”
Due to its potassium polyphosphate makeup Airophos K18 lends itself perfectly to applications that require dispersion of particles, sequestration and solutions that can maintain their pH value, even when diluted or mixed with small amounts of acid.
It can be used alone but also works equally well with other products to create new formulations. It is also fully miscible with water.
Its solubility as a potassium based chemical makes it preferable where other components are needed to formulate detergents. Its initial milky appearance becomes more transparent within dilution or when heated.
“Phosphates are a really
versatile range of chemicals which can quickly and
easily enhance the efficiency and cost effectiveness of detergents.”
Other phosphate products which lend themselves to cleaning product manufacture include Airophos 4kp, a colourless crystalline compound which is popular in machine dish- washing products as the solubility of potassium pyrophosphate makes the formulation particularly effective. It is also excellent for removing grease and oils from metal surfaces which is also demonstrated by its use in household detergents to remove fatty deposits on clothing.
Airophos 20na is mainly used as a water softener and is designed to prevent soil redisposition in detergents, ensuring that dirt and grime do not re-settle onto garments during washing.
Daniel continued: “In order to produce effective detergents for domestic appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers, a number of
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