Les agro-tensioactifs

Abstract

Thanks to their hydrophilic head and hydrophobic tail, surfactant molecules offers wetting, solubilizing, detergency and emulsifying properties, interposing themselves between water and water-insoluble substances. Main surfactant applications are washing/cleaning, and cosmetics; these sectors use more than 50% of the total amount of surfactants produced. In recent years a continuous trend towards surfactants based on renewable ressources, the agro-based surfactants, has become apparent. Here is an overview of the market, the regulation, the major renewable raw materials used and the agro-based surfactants developped by oleochemistry. It shows that the use of vegetable fats and oils allows the development of competitive, powerful products, which are both consumer-friendly and environment-friendly.