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Detergents shift to greener builders
F O C US compatibility problems in some concrete plasticizer formulations and is labelled as environmentally hazardous. With its unique formulation, TEGO Antifoam 2-57 is an ideal alternative to TBP and has gained considerable popularity in the construction chemicals market. The cost efficiency, coupled with excellent compatibility and beneficial environmental profile, has resulted in TEGO Antifoam 2-57 emerging as a better and more-effective green solution for the construction industry. One application for TEGO Antifoam 2-57 is in concrete water pipes or reservoirs. The product has been widely accepted in concrete applications in Europe, where regulatory threats and other occupational hazards arising from the use of TBP have been key to escalating its acceptance level. The product has also gained wide acceptance in Asian and American markets. Press release from: Frost & Sullivan. Website: http://www.frost.com (29 Dec 2008)
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Detergents shift to greener builders Citric acid and other greener builders used in detergent production are becoming the alternative to sodium tripolyphosphates (STTPs). Phosphates offer a high level of performance in detergents, binding hard-water ions, but have come under fire from environmental groups and politicians as they have been linked to the eutrophication of water. Laundry detergent manufacturers in North America and Europe cited contrasting reasons for eschewing STPPs. In the USA, the need for STTPs has declined due to the popularity of liquid detergents and the nominal hardness of water supplies. Despite a high level of water hardness, individual European countries have acted to limit or prohibit the use of phosphates to avoid eutrophication. The only members of the European Union that have not yet taken firm 4
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action against STTPs are the UK, Spain and some countries in Eastern Europe. The ban against phosphates in consumer detergents is expected to benefit established greener alternatives such as zeolites, sodium carbonate and citric acid, along with cobuilders such as polycarboxylates and polyphosphonates. Simultaneously, prospects are becoming bright for novel, greener materials such as the new aminocarboxylates methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and glutaminic acid diacetic acid due to ecological issues over the combination of the well-established builders. Meanwhile, STTPs continue to dominate in the automatic dishwashing (ADW) and I&I segments, owing to reduced usage and the absence of adequate alternatives. However, dishwashing detergent makers in the USA are trying to eliminate phosphates from their process, and are turning to citric acid as an alternative. ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
2009. Despite the global financial crisis, demand has remained constant and manufacturing facilities are operating at almost full capacity. The detergent sector uses about 10% of soda ash in Europe. There is no sign that this figure will go down in the near future, and is likely to increase during 2009. Soda ash appears to be a practical, environment-friendly alternative to caustic soda in detergent manufacturing, given the present increasing emphasis on ecofriendly products. Caustic soda can cause injuries and blindness when used inappropriately, whereas soda ash is biodegradable and far less corrosive. Despite soda ash being a viable replacement for caustic soda, plants using the latter would need to undergo expensive structural modification in order to switch from one material to the other. ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Fragrance in household products
Soda ash looks promising for 2009
Major marketers agree that fragrance is what attracts customers to purchase household cleaning products such as laundry detergents. According to figures by market research company Information Resources Inc, household cleaners posted sales of just more than $1.5 bn for the 52 weeks ended 30 Nov 2008. When sales of detergents are added to those of household cleaners, sales will surge by $5.1 bn. One of the current trends in fragrances is tropical fruit variations. Recently, P&G unveiled Gain Apple Mango Tango and Mandarin Lime Fusion under its Joyful Expressions range of laundry detergents. US firm Seventh Generation also launched eight new scent blends that can be used in combination with other scents. It claims that citrus is currently the leading scent for hard surface cleaners and dish products. Natural and clean scents also became major driving factors in 2008. P&G launched fresh and natural scent combinations to its Tide Pure Essentials as well as Gain Fresh and Clean Collection product lines.
European demand for soda ash appears to be poised for growth in
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jan 2009, 46 (1), 69-70,72,74
Synthetic zeolites in Japan The ratio of Japanese use of liquid detergents compared with powder detergents rose from 12.3% (91,846 tonnes compared with 655,616 tonnes) in 2003 to 25.7% (197,480 tonnes compared with 571,579 tonnes) and demand for liquid detergents is continuing to grow. Because of this, production of zeolites used as detergent builders in powder detergents has ceased in Japan and all demand is supplied through imports from China and South Korea. However, there is still considerable potential for growth in demand for synthetic zeolites from other sectors, ranging from household goods to industrial products. In Japan, the main producers are Tosoh Corp, Union Showa KK, Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals, Nippon Chemical Industrial and JGC Catalysts and Chemicals. Japan Chemical Week, 1 Jan 2009, 50 (2496), 6-7
Other
MARCH 2009
ASSOCIATED PRODUCTS Builders Detergents shift to greener builders Citric acid and other greener builders used in detergent production are becoming the alternative to sodium tripolyphosphates (STTPs). Phosphates offer a high level of performance in detergents, binding hard-water ions, but have come under fire from environmental groups and politicians as they have been linked to the eutrophication of water. Laundry detergent manufacturers in North America and Europe cited contrasting reasons for eschewing STPPs. In the USA, the need for STTPs has declined due to the popularity of liquid detergents and the nominal hardness of water supplies. Despite a high level of water hardness, individual European countries have acted to limit or prohibit the use of phosphates to avoid eutrophication. The only members of the European Union that have not yet taken firm 4
O N
S U R FAC TA N T S
action against STTPs are the UK, Spain and some countries in Eastern Europe. The ban against phosphates in consumer detergents is expected to benefit established greener alternatives such as zeolites, sodium carbonate and citric acid, along with cobuilders such as polycarboxylates and polyphosphonates. Simultaneously, prospects are becoming bright for novel, greener materials such as the new aminocarboxylates methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA) and glutaminic acid diacetic acid due to ecological issues over the combination of the well-established builders. Meanwhile, STTPs continue to dominate in the automatic dishwashing (ADW) and I&I segments, owing to reduced usage and the absence of adequate alternatives. However, dishwashing detergent makers in the USA are trying to eliminate phosphates from their process, and are turning to citric acid as an alternative. ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
2009. Despite the global financial crisis, demand has remained constant and manufacturing facilities are operating at almost full capacity. The detergent sector uses about 10% of soda ash in Europe. There is no sign that this figure will go down in the near future, and is likely to increase during 2009. Soda ash appears to be a practical, environment-friendly alternative to caustic soda in detergent manufacturing, given the present increasing emphasis on ecofriendly products. Caustic soda can cause injuries and blindness when used inappropriately, whereas soda ash is biodegradable and far less corrosive. Despite soda ash being a viable replacement for caustic soda, plants using the latter would need to undergo expensive structural modification in order to switch from one material to the other. ICIS Chemical Business, 12 Jan 2009, (Website: http://icischemicalbusiness.com)
Fragrance in household products
Soda ash looks promising for 2009
Major marketers agree that fragrance is what attracts customers to purchase household cleaning products such as laundry detergents. According to figures by market research company Information Resources Inc, household cleaners posted sales of just more than $1.5 bn for the 52 weeks ended 30 Nov 2008. When sales of detergents are added to those of household cleaners, sales will surge by $5.1 bn. One of the current trends in fragrances is tropical fruit variations. Recently, P&G unveiled Gain Apple Mango Tango and Mandarin Lime Fusion under its Joyful Expressions range of laundry detergents. US firm Seventh Generation also launched eight new scent blends that can be used in combination with other scents. It claims that citrus is currently the leading scent for hard surface cleaners and dish products. Natural and clean scents also became major driving factors in 2008. P&G launched fresh and natural scent combinations to its Tide Pure Essentials as well as Gain Fresh and Clean Collection product lines.
European demand for soda ash appears to be poised for growth in
HAPPI, Household & Personal Products Industry, Jan 2009, 46 (1), 69-70,72,74
Synthetic zeolites in Japan The ratio of Japanese use of liquid detergents compared with powder detergents rose from 12.3% (91,846 tonnes compared with 655,616 tonnes) in 2003 to 25.7% (197,480 tonnes compared with 571,579 tonnes) and demand for liquid detergents is continuing to grow. Because of this, production of zeolites used as detergent builders in powder detergents has ceased in Japan and all demand is supplied through imports from China and South Korea. However, there is still considerable potential for growth in demand for synthetic zeolites from other sectors, ranging from household goods to industrial products. In Japan, the main producers are Tosoh Corp, Union Showa KK, Mizusawa Industrial Chemicals, Nippon Chemical Industrial and JGC Catalysts and Chemicals. Japan Chemical Week, 1 Jan 2009, 50 (2496), 6-7
Other
MARCH 2009