Exactly your chemistry.

Functional Chemicals Division

Get your foam

under control

Low foaming surfactants

Low foaming surfactants

The history of low foaming nonionic surfactants began with the discovery that surface active substances can be
obtained by addition of ethylene oxide (EO) to polymers of propylene oxide (PO). These block polymers based on
propylene glycols were supplemented by ethylene diamine based EO/PO adducts. We extended our product range
with alcohol ethoxylates modified by adding a well-defined amount of PO or endcapping by a short alkyl chain.
These low foaming nonionics have excellent surface activity and most of them are ultimately biodegradable and
not dangerous to the environment.
Biodegradation of selected alkyl alkoxylates
according to OECD 301 B (modified Sturm test)

100

control

EP 0244

EP 2564

EP 2552

EP 2464

BE 2810

EP 2584

EP 2424

EP 2544

Biodegradation [%]

75
60
50
All Genapol EP and
Genapol BE types
manufactured in Europe
have an ultimate biodegradability of over 60%
within 28 days.

25
10
0
0

10

15
Time [d]

20

25

28

30

The fields of application vary according to the cloud points of the products. In many technical cleaning processes
and in some special household applications, like rinse aids in machine dishwashing, foaming has to be suppressed.
Foaming and wetting are temperature dependent processes. To combine good wetting with low foaming, we propose to select surfactants or combinations of them with cloud points near to the expected operating temperatures.
Foam behavior of selected alkyl alkoxylates
Dynamic foam method (high pressure), 2 g/L in tap water

350
300

Foam volume [ml]

250
200
150

EP 2552

EP 2424

EP 2445

EP 2544

EP 2454

BE 2410

EP 0244

EP 2564

EP 2464

BE 2810

EP 2584

100

Low foaming surfactants

show significant defoaming characteristics
if used above their cloud
points.

50
0
30

40

50
Temperature [C]

60

70

Clariant manufactures a wide range of low foaming surfactants designed to provide the appropriate functionality
for all of our customers application needs. We help you to get your foam under control.

Product Range
Alcohol EO/PO adducts

Trade name

Chemical name

Cloud point
BDG [C] *

Cloud point
H20 [C] **

Genapol EP 6068
Genapol EP 8077
Genapol EP 1022
Genapol EP 1024
Genapol EP 0244
Genapol EP 2424
Genapol EP 2445
Genapol EP 2454
Genapol EP 2464
Genapol EP 2544
Genapol EP 2564
Genapol EP 2584
Genapol EP 2552

C6/C10 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct

C8/C10 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
Iso-C10 alcohol PO-EO adduct
Iso-C10 alcohol PO-EO adducts
C10/C12 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C14 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C14 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C14 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C14 fatty alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C15 oxo alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C15 oxo alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C15 oxo alcohol EO-PO adduct
C12/C15 oxo alcohol PO-EO adduct

31,0 - 33,0
24,5 - 26,5
not applicable
57,0 - 58,0
35,0 - 38,0
24,5 - 27,5
32,0 - 34,0
40,0 - 42,0
43,0 - 45,0
31,0 - 33,0
43,0 - 45,0
47,0 - 49,0
39,0 - 41,0

12,0 -15,0
9,0 - 11,0
87,0 - 91,0
20,0 - 24,0
22,0 - 25,0
not applicable
19,0 - 21,0
28,0 - 30,0
29,0 - 31,0
16,0 - 19,0
27,0 - 31,0
39,0 - 42,0
not applicable

Alcohol EO adducts - butyl endcapped

Trade name

Chemical name

Cloud point
BDG [C] *

Cloud point
H20 [C] **

Genapol BE 2410
Genapol BE 2805
Genapol BE 2810

C12/C14 fatty alcohol ethoxylate butyl ether with 10 EO

C12/C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylate butyl ether with 5 EO
C12/C18 fatty alcohol ethoxylate butyl ether with 10 EO

36,0 - 39,0
19,0 - 21,0
39,0 - 42,0

26,0 - 28,0
not applicable
28,0 - 30,0

Ethylene diamine EO/PO adducts

Trade name

Chemical name

Cloud point
BDG [C] *

Cloud point
H20 [C] **

Genapol ED 3030
Genapol ED 3060

Ethylene diamine EO-PO block polymer

Ethylene diamine EO-PO block polymer

52,0 - 55,0
27,0 - 30,0

62,0 - 64,0
30,0 - 32,0

EO/PO block polymers

Trade name

Chemical name

Cloud point
BDG [C]

Cloud point
H20 [C]

Genapol PF 10
Genapol PF 20
Genapol PF 40
Genapol PF 80 powder

EO-PO-EO block polymer (10 % EO)

EO-PO-EO block polymer (20 % EO)
EO-PO-EO block polymer (40 % EO)
EO-PO-EO block polymer (80 % EO)

33,0 - 37,0
55,0 - 58,0
66,0 - 70,0
not applicable

23,0 - 27,0 **
34,0 - 36,0 **
58,0 - 62,0 **
69,0 - 72,0 ***

Cloud point according to EN 1890

* 5g in 25g 25% BDG solution ** 1% a.m. in demineralised water *** 1% a.m. in 10% aqueous NaCl solution

With competent contact partners and a wide range of products, we offer optimal
solutions for all kind of regional needs for example, different degrees of water
hardnesss and different washing temperatures. For laundry, dishwashing and
household cleaning, as well as industrial and institutional cleaning, we produce
a number of surfactants and special additives that are highly efficient,
environmentally friendly and cost-effective.
We take care of your requirements.

Exactly your chemistry.

Clariant GmbH, Functional Chemicals Division , BU Detergents
D-65840 Sulzbach/Ts., Germany, Internet: http://detergents.clariant.com, E-mail: detergents@clariant.com
Marketing, Phone + 49 61 96 757 78 24, Fax + 49 61 96 757 89 70
Research & Development, Phone + 49 69 305 22 98, Fax +49 69 31 84 35

STAR|UNIT, Frankfurt am Main

This information is based on our present state of knowledge and is intended to

provide general notes on our products and their uses. It should not therefore
be construed as guaranteeing specific properties of the products described or
their suitability for a particular application. Any existing industrial property rights
must be observed. The quality of our products is guaranteed under our General
Conditions of Sale.

EBR 5233 E 12/2003

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