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At a glance

Methyl ester ethoxylate

Low-foam detergency, hard-water cleaning

Ionic type
Nonionic
Typical HLB
Approx. 12–15
Foam
Low
Key industries
Home care, I&I, Agro

Biodegradability: FAME-based ethoxylates are positioned for renewable carbon and ready biodegradability versus fatty alcohol ethoxylates.

Chemistries

Methyl ester ethoxylates

FAME (Fatty acid methyl esters) such as Coconut methyl ester or Soya methyl ester etc. can be ethoxylated directly using our patented catalyst system to give methyl ester ethoxylates. methyl ester ethoxylates are low foaming, non-ionic surfactants (nonionic surface-active agents) compared to fatty alcohol ethoxylates. These specialty surfactants and low foaming tensides offer excellent performance in various applications.

Their wetting strength is comparable to fatty alcohol ethoxylates of equivalent alkyl chain. They do not form gels as fatty alcohol ethoxylates. CMC and cloud point can be adjusted based on alkyl chain length or degree of ethoxylation. methyl ester ethoxylates also show a narrow homologue distribution. methyl ester ethoxylates show high biodegradability and have a more favourable ecotoxicity profile as compared to fatty alcohols.

Methyl ester ethoxylates can work as excellent emulsifier and detergent. They also help in building viscosity in low active formulations. methyl ester ethoxylates have application in detergents, personal care cleaning agents, hard surface cleaners, emulsifiers, laundry pre-spotters etc.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions - Methyl Ester Ethoxylates

Find answers to common questions about methyl ester ethoxylates

Methyl ester ethoxylates are nonionic surfactants produced by ethoxylating methyl esters of fatty acids. They offer excellent cleaning properties, good biodegradability, and are derived from renewable sources, making them environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional surfactants.
Methyl ester ethoxylates offer excellent cleaning power, good biodegradability, renewable source materials, cost-effectiveness, and versatility across multiple applications. They provide effective performance while maintaining environmental compatibility.
Methyl ester ethoxylates are used in home care (detergents, cleaners), personal care (shampoos, body washes), agriculture (pesticide formulations), and industrial cleaning applications.
Methyl ester ethoxylates offer similar or superior cleaning performance compared to traditional surfactants, with the added benefits of renewable sourcing and good biodegradability. They are particularly effective in hard water conditions and provide excellent grease removal.
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.