Air Products and Chemicals Inc launches new multifunctional surfactants based on Gemini technology

F O C U S New developments Wrinkle reduction evades detergent researchers Companies have still not managed to come up with an ingredient that allows consumers to reduce or eliminate the need to iron clothes. Nor, according to some, is such a product likely to be discovered soon. Consumers want to avoid ironing completely, so that halfway answers to reduce wrinkles or make ironing easier have tended to fail. Matters are different in the W Europe, where ironing and line drying are more common and detergent wash concentrations are significantly higher. Degussa’s Goldschmidt unit has launched a series of silicone quarternaries for fabric softeners, called Varisoft SQ. The new products can make ironing easier and reduce wrinkles. Meanwhile, Alco Chemical has made inroads with its Alcoguard 1000 series of speciality polymers. But the search for the Holy Grail continues. Henkel has been looking for an effective wrinkle-reduction system for 10 years without success. The company is careful about promising things it cannot deliver. Chemical and Engineering News, 20 Jan 2003, 81 (3), 18

Air Products and Chemicals Inc launches new multifunctional surfactants based on Gemini technology Air Products and Chemicals Inc has added new products to its EnviroGem surfactant line. The new multifunctional products, which are based on Gemini technology, include EnviroGem AD01 surfactant, a defoaming wetting agent. This 100%active wetting agent exhibits superior micro-foam reduction and control and is recommended for decreasing dynamic surface tension. The EnviroGem AE line includes low-foam wetting agents that are 100% active, biodegradable and have low viscosity. Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI), Jan 2003, 2003 (1), 102

Air Products’ newest surfactants This item describes the properties of 4

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the readily biodegradable surfactants from Air Products and Chemicals Inc for coatings and inks. The EnviroGem AD01 surfactant has been launched in N America and is now being registered for sale worldwide. Uses include automotive coatings, industrial maintenance products, printing ink, and coatings for wood, metal and paper. The EnviroGem AE range of products have been launched in Europe and are now to be offered for sale worldwide. The item includes key facts and figures for Air Products. Double Liaison, 31 Dec 2002, 6 (530), 68

Water wonder: a new jojoba derivative from Desert Whale Jojoba Desert Whale Jojoba Co Inc of the USA has formulated a water-soluble jojoba derivative called Jojoba Aqua Sol-120. The new product is a polyethylene glycol derivative that contains a secondary emulsifying agent and a mild non-ionic surfactant. The emollient is suitable for use with a complete line of pH and salt concentrations. It is also offered in an anhydrous flaked form or predispersed aqueous form. The new product is also recommended for use in making hair and skin care products. SPC, Soap Perfumery and Cosmetics, Jan 2003, 76 (1), 35

New literature from Alco Chemical lists polymer functions for detergents Polymers can improve detergents. This eight-page brochure covers laundry, dishwashing, home care, and industrial and institutional applications. For each of these, 12 to 19 polymer functions are listed. A few of the functions include antiredeposition, soil suspension/dispersion, wrinkle reduction, colour protection and enhanced softness for laundry. Antispotting and anti-filming, as well as water hardness control, are on the function list for dishwashing detergents. For the fabric and hard surface home care applications, the functions list includes antistatic agent, gloss improvement and soil suspension. The page on industrial and institutional applications lists aluminium corrosion reduction, phosphate scale control, filming

control, chlorine stability and dispersiveness. Alco Chemical offers global support. Alco Chemical is part of National Starch and Chemical Co, one of the world’s largest speciality chemical companies. Alco Chemical Polymers for Detergents, Nov 2002, 18 (Alco Chemical, 909 Mueller Drive, Chattanooga, NT 37406, USA. Fax: 1 423 698 8723. E-mail: [email protected]. Website: http://www.alcochemical.com)

Whirlpool chooses Santoprene TPV for next generation dishwashers Whirlpool has selected Santoprene TPV for its new dishwasher pump connectors due to its superior sealing at increased temperatures, recyclability and resistance to dishwasher detergents. Modern Plastics International, Jan 2003, 33 (1), 21

New Rin Supreme launched in Andhra Pradesh Hindustan Lever Ltd (HLL) has launched a new detergent bar, Rin Supreme in Andhra Pradesh, developed using the so-called pure and clean technology with no mined ingredients like clay and calcite. The company said that the traditional detergent bars contain 40% of these mined ingredients to provide the required structure. However, HLL also said that it would continue to market the traditional detergent bars. HLL new Rin Supreme would be marketed all over India shortly. Business Line, 4 Feb 2003, 10 (34), 6

Dry cleaning Linde and Uniqema tackle a wrinkle in dry cleaning chemistry The use of perchloroethylene (perc) as a dry-cleaning solvent is to be banned in California, US from 2020. Linde Gas in partnership with Uniqema is to commercialize a carbon dioxide-detergent system aimed at replacing perc. Between 1990 and 2000 the US dry cleaning market for perc has fallen from 227 M lbs/y to 59 M lbs/y as dry cleaning efficiency has improved. Chemical Week, 29 Jan 2003, 165 (4), 18

MARCH 2003