Alkyl ether citrates are novel anionic surfactants produced by AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry. As illustrated below, these products are a mixture of mono- and di-esters of citric acid.

In general, alkyl ether citrates are prepared from the esterification of citric acid with alkoxylated hydroxyl compounds, especially with ethoxylated fatty alcohols. As compared with other anionic surfactants, they are much milder and more biodegradable, and possess lower aquatic toxicity. Their low eye and skin irritation make them ideal surfactants for cleaning and care applications, where they may find use in oil in water emulsions, hair care formulations, and as emulsifiers for oily soils. In addition, alkyl ether citrates have been used for skin protection, in pharmaceutical preparations, and as fragrance compatibilizers.

AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry is a world leader in alkoxylation and esterification technologies. Alkyl ether citrates with varied hydrophobe, degree of alkoxylation, alkoxylation distribution, and monoester/diester ratio can be designed and practically produced to satisfy our customers’ specific needs. Let us provide you the technical support to explore the many possibilities. Please contact your local AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry account manager, or visit us at the locations listed in this electronic publication.

Bruce has been the face of AkzoNobel in various incarnations since 1988. In order to encourage industry colleagues to seek out Bruce, team members wore and gave out “Get to know Bruce” t-shirts. They also hid AkzoNobel ‘fun facts’ on cards throughout the show, which included trivia about the personal care industry and about Holland, where AkzoNobel is based. Participants who managed to collect all ten fun facts were eligible to win an iPod.

Those who did come to get to know Bruce also got to learn about the exciting new products that AkzoNobel has to offer. Combining the polymer technology of National Starch with the surfactant technology of AkzoNobel has resulted in a variety of improved offerings. For example, using Elfacos® T212 liquid polymer with mild anionic, amphoteric, cationic, and sugar-based surfactants in hair conditioning and cleansing formulations achieves performance superior to leading commercial formulations.

Thanks to the expanded portfolio of hair care and styling ingredients and technologies. “AMPHOMER®, AMAZE™ and RESYN® styling polymers; Armocare® and CELQUAT® conditioners; and Ampholak® surfactants are now all available under one umbrella and supported by world-class formulation expertise and technical service.

The AkzoNobel Personal Care Group would like to thank everyone who stopped by this year to get to know Bruce and to see the innovative solutions AkzoNobel has to offer the personal care industry.

Papers being presented at AOCS include the introduction of a new Hybrid Polymer scale control technology, representing the first cost effective, biodegradable polysaccharide-based polymer based on natural and synthetic monomers. The technology promises to deliver more sustainable polymers at competitive cost in use. What’s more, it enables companies to realize increased diversification of supply base, reduced carbon footprint and a reduction of less biodegradable polymers in the environment at competitive costs.

Other papers include: coverage of surfactant technologies, a history of cationic surfactant technologies, impact of regulations on the cosmetic industry, and the use of Lifecycle Analysis in evaluating improved sustainability of materials and in decision making support tools in AkzoNobel.

Other important, new AkzoNobel technologies include the new, biodegradable GLDA chelate technology from Functional Chemicals and a new stabilized peroxygen product from Eka with upgraded oxidizing and cleaning power. Said John Cate, Global Business Director of AkzoNobel Fabric and Cleaning Applications, “we are working across our businesses to bring the industry the best new technologies we can, demonstrating that innovation is at the core of what we do.”

AOCS is an international organization consisting of over 4,000 members throughout 90 countries. It is a professional scientific society for individuals and corporations with interest in the fats, oils, surfactants, detergents and related minerals fields. AkzoNobel is a regular supporter, with many members within the organization

If you have questions about any of the above please contact your AkzoNobel sales representative.

Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry has developed Agrilan™ 752, a new polymeric stabilizer for aqueous suspensions in agro applications.

Complex aqueous dispersions, which contain either multiple active ingredients or built-in oils and non-ionic adjuvants, can now easily be formulated with the help of Agrilan™ 752. This water-soluble polymer ester has a unique double comb structure and acts as a steric dispersant, emulsifier and stabilizer.

Agrilan™ 752 features :

• Handling: low viscosity and easy to dilute.
• Strong adsorption to solid and liquid interfaces
• Tolerant towards salts and electrolytes
• High molecular weight
• Weakly anionic
• 70 % active in a high flash solvent

In water based suspension concentrates, Morwet D-425 (alkylnaphthalene sulfonate condensate) is commonly used as the wetting, dispersing and milling aid in the premix. However, in specific circumstances the strength of adsorption to particle surfaces can be insufficient to provide long-term stability for complex formulations, e.g.:
- when non-ionic adjuvants or oils are added to the SC
- when formulating high density actives
- in high-loading SCs.

In these cases, Agrilan™ 752 will provide the required stability to the formulation. Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry advises the use of Agrilan 752 with Morwet D-425 as a unique stabilization system for aqueous dispersions in general.

Morwet D-425 is a ‘mobile’ surfactant and will act as an excellent wetting and dispersing agent in the SC premix. It will also assist in a better milling behaviour of the formulation. After the SC has been milled to the required particle size, Agrilan™ 752 is added and, in a short time, Morwet D-425 will partly be replaced by this polymeric stabiliser.

Agrilan™ 752 is a bulky molecule and as such it will take 24 hours or more until the migration process is complete. Therefore, it is recommended not to evaluate the physical properties of the SC (viscosity, particle size, etc) until 24 hours after its preparation.

As a general rule Akzo Nobel Surface Chemistry recommends the following surfactant concentrations in SC applications:
Morwet D-425 at 2.5 % w/w and Agrilan™ 752 at 1.0 % w/w.

Also, suspoemulsions will benefit from the use of combinations of Morwet D-425 with Agrilan™ 752.

A comparison between three different stabilsers in a typical SC formulation, containing 10 % of a built-in adjuvant:

Flutriafol 250 g/l Suspension Concentrate

Flutriafol 25.0 %
Morwet D-425 2.5 %
Berol 175 10 .0 %
Stabiliser: 1.0 %
- Agrilan™ 752
- Block copolymer (BC)
- Lignosulphonate (LS)

+ MPG, thickener, biocide and water as required

The presence of 10% of a built-in adjuvant, such as an ethoxylated alcohol (Berol 175), in this flutriafol SC leads to separation and viscosity increase. While surfactants like a block copolymer or a lignosulfonate increased the instability of the formulation further, adding Agrilan™ 752 at 1 % resulted in a low viscosity and stable suspension.

Starch is a natural polymer of α-D-glucose that is commercially extracted on a large scale from grains, roots and tubers. Conventional hybrid breeding offers additional functional starches with one plant source. For example, waxy maize produces 100% amylopectin, a highly branched, high molecular weight starch polymer that has good stability when solubilized in water.

Altering the molecular weight and reacting a small amount of hydrophobic substituent groups onto the starch conveys surface activity. The resulting modified starches can stabilize oil-in-water emulsions. The hydrophobic groups anchor the starch to the oil/water interface. The starch polymer forms a thick, steric, protecting layer around the oil droplets that works to prevent phase separation.

When the starch is tuned to particular oily actives, long-term emulsion stability is possible. The emulsion can be applied by spraying or coating and the film-forming and adhesive properties of the starch polymer will attach the active to a substrate after drying. The starch formulation can be adjusted to form a glassy matrix that encapsulates an oily active upon spray drying. The powder typically has a high (at least 50%) loading of oil. Starch encapsulation of fragrance provides retention during processing and storage stability in formulations. ALCOCAP® 300 is a particularly effective starch for efficiently encapsulating fragrance. Difficult to handle, viscous, oily, or wax-like materials (for example, emollients) can be converted to free flowing powders for easier use / formulation. Release from the starch matrix is achieved by re-wetting, friction and, sometimes heat.

AkzoNobel’s BU Research group of the Surface Chemistry Business Unit can match the right starch to an active and, when necessary, modify the starch for optimum performance. There is good experience developing final formulated emulsions or encapsulated powders for customers.

A Year of Testing
Sundaram Logaraj, market development manager “We planned for 2008 as a year of validation. We wanted to see how the Rediset WMX products perform in a variety of asphalt mixes, and to understand better the production, storage handling and dosage of the products. We could not have wished for a more successful year in terms of the product performance. The trials have demonstrated some of the key advantages of our products over the several other warm mix technologies currently on offer and also allowed us to improve our manufacturing and product support functions. Now we are in full scale production and I expect 2009 will see significant interest from the market.”

The Rediset Concept
There are maybe 15-20 competing warm mix systems in the market, ranging from simple water injection, to complicated systems involving expensive changes to the mix plant. Rediset falls in the group of so-called “chemical” asphalt modifiers which do not involve the addition of water to the system. The product is simply blended into the asphalt before mixing and can even be added just as the asphalt enters the mixer. The treated asphalt can be stored before use. No changes in the mixer itself are required.

The convenient pastillated form of the product means it may be stored without the need for new tankage or heating. The big advantage of the Rediset which sets it apart from other “dry” chemical modifiers, is that it provides excellent adhesion promoting properties – eliminating the need for separate additions of antistrips or lime. In a side-by-side comparison in Lufkin Texas in April 2008, Rediset WMX treated binder was compared to other warm mix systems. Only Rediset WMX treated asphalt reached compacted densities comparable to the untreated control at normal temperatures.

PG grading
Another important advantage of Rediset WMX treatment is that, unlike many of the competing warm mix systems, the modified warm mix binder – exactly as used in the mixture – can be sampled and PG graded, and retained for Quality Assurance purposes. In particular, the bottom PG grade is unaffected or affected in a positive way, even when the binder is tested by the standard protocol.

Cold weather paving
In February 2008 a trial by APAC, Texas showed the benefits of the product in cold weather paving. Working with a dense mix using a polymer modified PG 76-22 binder, APAC would normally expect paving to stop when the air temperature fell below 60°F, (15°C) but on a decidedly chilly 50°F (10°C) February day in Dallas, the mixes (regular and one containing RAP) were successfully paved when Rediset WMX 7002 was used in the asphalt. And all at a 30°F lower mixing and paving temperature than normally used. Even handwork was possible, and the densities achieved were as good if not better than usual. The ability to extend the paving season gives a significant advantage to the contractor and the end user alike.

Like the idea of paving in cooler weather? How about an October night in Norway with the temperatures close to freezing. Contractor Kolo Viedekke was pleased to discover that Rediset WMX 8017 additive enabled them to complete a dense mix overlay in these less than perfect conditions.

Improved worker safety, effective asphalt compaction with increased resistance to moisture damage, lower energy and operational costs combine with the ability to extend the paving season for our customers. For more information, please contact Sundaram Logaraj.

To this end, Dr. Dale Steichen, Vice President of Research and Technology for AkzoNobel’s Surface Chemistry Business is focused on improving innovation across the business. The question he is asking is: What must Surface Chemistry do differently in innovation to make our customers more successful in the years ahead? The answer to this question will build an understanding of how Surface Chemistry can best provide leading edge technology to where it matters most…our customers.

Surface Chemistry has put dedicated Innovation Managers (a new position) in each business area reporting to the Business Directors and asked them to develop the processes, resources, competencies and culture of Surface Chemistry required to drive innovation. In a recent discussion, Dr. Steichen explained; “Shaping our innovation processes and organization to sharpen our focus is vital. Particularly in a period of belt tightening, resources must be carefully directed to the needs of our customers and their important geographies and markets. Surface Chemistry and our customers cannot work on a diluted set of priorities but need to focus on the best opportunities that this challenging economic environment provides.”

In following a more rigorous set of innovation objectives with a well defined path to implementation, Surface Chemistry will remain well positioned to deliver on the promise of new technology for customers where needed. We believe that real progress belongs to those who not only think with courage, but also have the resolve to deliver Tomorrow’s Answers Today®.

For more information on how we can make you more successful, please click “Contact Us” below.

Sulfosuccinate anionic surfactants are offered commercially by AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry. Sulfosuccinates are an important class of anionic surfactants and are widely recognized for their low eye and skin irritation properties. These surfactants are of great interest because of their excellent foaming, strong wetting, emulsifying and solubilizing properties, effectiveness in reducing surface tension and biodegradability.

Sulfosuccinates are the sodium salts of alkyl esters of sulfosuccinic acid (see Figure).
The alkyl esters are of two types – monoalkylesters (II) and dialkylesters (III). The monoesters, in turn can be sub-divided into types – amido alcohol and alcohol (including ethoxylated alcohol). In sulfosuccinate esters, the sulfosuccinic ester group acts as the hydrophile. The hydrophobe (alkyl chain) can be derived from an alcohol, an ethoxylated alcohol or an alkanolamide. Due to the ester moiety, all sulfosuccinates are sensitive to strong acids and alkalis, which can lead to hydrolysis of the product.

Sulfosuccinate monoesters are excellent foamers with outstanding skin and eye compatibilities making them ideal additives for ultra-mild skin care, shampoo and related personal care products. Sulfosuccinate diesters are weak foaming surfactants with good wetting power. The diesters are also dispersants, emulsifiers and penetrating agents for numerous industrial applications such as textiles, polymers, paints and coatings, printing and agriculture.

AkzoNobel has both the alkoxylation and sulfonation technologies to produce specific sulfosuccinates to meet customer needs. We can offer a spectrum of product variations to suit your preferences: fatty chain length, degree of saturation, degree of ethoxylation, distribution of homologs, novel narrow range alcohol ethoxylates, type of alkanolamine and mole ratio of the acid to alcohol.

With ISO certified research laboratories and manufacturing sites strategically located throughout the world, AkzoNobel stands ready to provide innovative assistance in product development. Please contact your local AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry account manager, or visit us at the locations listed in this electronic publication.

AkzoNobel has both the alkoxylation and sulfation technologies to customize alkyl ether sulfates to meet specific requirements, such as ether sulfates with narrow distribution range and greatly reduced alkyl sulfate content (see below Figure), ether sulfates with customized low/high foam character, or ether sulfates as oil-soluble emulsifier.

Let us provide you the technical support to explore the many possibilities. Please contact your local AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry account manager, or visit us at the locations listed in this electronic publication.

By Giao Nguyen
Senior Scientist
Process and Product Research
Surface Chemistry Americas

When chemical service companies work on petroleum projects in environmentally-sensitive areas – such as the North Sea, or the coastal waters of Africa, Indonesia and Australia – they have access to new hybrid polymer technologies designed to minimize the impact of scale inhibition.

This is a great opportunity for AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry, which now offers a first-of-its-kind polymer made from a combination of synthetic and natural materials that is composed of up to 65 percent renewable raw material, yet performs virtually on a par with fully synthetic counterparts.

As part of the Alcoflow™ product range, the hybrids meet the specifications of the North Sea legislation, which mandate that all chemicals must be inherently biodegradable at >20 percent in 28 days.

According to Stuart Holt, Petroleum Innovation Manager, the new hybrids combine existing synthetic polymers with a polysaccharide that serve to boost the biodegradability of products.

“Our intention from the beginning was to develop a hybrid that would allow us to utilize our existing synthetic polymers and modify them in such a way that the technique could add biodegradability across the product range” he said. “Accordingly, we applied for a very broad patent which covers the hybridization of our synthetic materials using polysaccharide end groups. This patent strategy gives us a broad area from which to develop new products exclusively at AkzoNobel Surface Chemistry.”

One of the primary advantages of this new technology is that while 65 percent of the synthetic raw material is replaced with non-functionalized polysaccharides, only limited impairment is seen with respect to the performance of the end product. Moreover, some unexpected improvement was seen in the area of brine stability.

Using polysaccharides in hybrid polymers also achieves part of the AkzoNobel directive geared towards the sustainability of existing and future product lines, and at the same time, partially shelters the company from raw material pricing related to the volatility of crude oil-based feedstocks.

According to Mats Wessberg, Business Director, Petroleum & Water Treatment Europe, when it comes to the oilfield industry, customers now look to novel technologies as a way of improving their chances of gaining access to petroleum production in sensitive areas.

“In the past year, we have seen some of the world’s largest oilfield companies push ahead in an effort to be recognized as leaders when it comes to responsible petroleum production,” he explained.

Most recently, the surfactant team worked with a major customer to optimize the performance of a green demulsifier technology. Analysis and application experts at Stenungsund in Sweden found a viable AkzoNobel technology already in the toolbox – one which is currently utilized outside of oilfield applications. Today, that technology is deployed in a field trial. With a few adjustments, the technology may be commercially available in oilfield applications within a year.

The oilfield chemical market is estimated to be worth €10 billion per year. A total of six SBUs within AkzoNobel supply products to the oilfield industry, and because they serve as one face to the customer, new and better solutions can be expected in the years ahead.