Fatty alcohol ethoxylates
Detergency, wetting, EC emulsification
FAE guide
At a glance
Alkoxylates
Wetting, detergency, emulsification
- Ionic type
- Nonionic
- Typical HLB
- 2–18 (by EO/PO moles)
- Foam
- Low to moderate
- Key industries
- Home care, Agro, Textile, Paint
Biodegradability: Linear alcohol ethoxylates are typically readily biodegradable; branching and APEO grades need a separate story.
Chemistries
Alkoxylates
Alkoxylates are those chemicals that are produced by addition of ethylene oxide CAS 75-21-8, Propylene Oxide CAS 75-56-9 and butylene oxide to fatty hydrophobes via alkoxylation process. We manufacture various types of fatty alcohol alkoxylates, fatty acid alkoxylates and fatty amine alkoxylates which are used as wetting agents, cleaning agents, emulsifying agents, detergents, and stabilizers etc. These surface-active compounds and alkoxylated surfactants are biodegradable and therefore environment-friendly in nature. Our ethoxylation and propoxylation processes produce EO/PO block copolymers and specialty alkoxylated products.
Alkoxylates find extensive applications across multiple industries. In personal care, they serve as emulsifiers and conditioners. In home care, they are essential for laundry and cleaning surfactants. Textile applications utilize alkoxylates as dyeing auxiliaries and finishing agents. Paper manufacturing relies on alkoxylates for defoamers and dispersing agents. Paint & coating industries use them for emulsion polymerization. Agriculture applications include neem oil emulsifiers. We also offer specialty alkoxylates including narrow range ethoxylates and methyl ester ethoxylates.
We also manufacture various alkoxylates products according to our customer's requirements or specifications on cloud point, hydroxyl value, sap value, pH, HLB (hydrophilic lipophilic balance) etc. Explore our custom synthesis services for tailored alkoxylate solutions.
Product range
Alkoxylate families we manufacture
Also explore
Related chemistry families
Related CAS Numbers
EO CAS 75-21-8
Propoxylation CAS 75-56-9
Polyethylene Glycol CAS 25322-68-3
Fatty Alcohol Ethoxylates CAS
Nonylphenol Ethoxylates CAS 9016-45-9
Polysorbate 20 CAS 9005-64-5
Polysorbate 80 CAS 9005-65-6
CAS 9005-67-8
CAS 9004-99-3
CAS 106-88-7
EO/PO Block Copolymers CAS 9003-11-6
CAS 67784-80-9
Selection guide
Alkoxylate family selection (typical starting grades)
Fatty amine ethoxylates
Corrosion, agro, oilfield
Amine EO guideCastor / natural oil ethoxylates
Solubilizers, textile, agro EC
Castor EOEO/PO copolymers
Low foam, metal, oilfield
EO/PO guideNarrow-range ethoxylates
Low 1,4-dioxane narratives
NRE products
Learn the chemistry
Technical guides for this product family
Primers matched to this chemistry family. Start here, then open a TDS.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions - Alkoxylates
Find answers to common questions about alkoxylates
Alkoxylates are a class of specialty chemicals produced through alkoxylation processes, including ethoxylation (addition of ethylene oxide) and propoxylation (addition of propylene oxide). They are the foundation of many nonionic surfactants and are used across multiple industries.
We manufacture a wide range of alkoxylates including fatty alcohol ethoxylates, fatty acid ethoxylates, fatty amine ethoxylates, natural oil ethoxylates, EO-PO copolymers, and narrow range ethoxylates.
Ethoxylation involves adding ethylene oxide (EO) units to create water-soluble, hydrophilic products. Propoxylation involves adding propylene oxide (PO) units to create more hydrophobic products. EO-PO copolymers combine both for balanced properties. The ratio and sequence determine the final product characteristics.
Alkoxylates are used in home care, personal care, textile, agriculture, oil & gas, and paint & coating industries. They serve as emulsifiers, wetting agents, detergents, and dispersants.
Lower EO (2–3) stays oil-soluble and acts as a co-emulsifier; mid EO (5–9) is the detergency/wetting workhorse; higher EO (12–20+) raises HLB for solubilizing. Match the required HLB of the oil and confirm cloud point in your electrolyte. See the fatty alcohol ethoxylates guide.
Yes. We routinely make-to-spec on cloud point, hydroxyl value, sap value, pH and HLB via custom synthesis and tolling. Share the target hydrophobe, EO/PO moles, and COA limits with our technical team.
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Next step
Need a sample or formulation support?
Talk to Esteem Industries formulators about grade selection, HLB matching, custom ethoxylation, and application trials. Request a sample or technical discussion for your next project.