Moving to more sustainable ingredients for cleaning products it is vital to measure the impact on product performance. When Nouryon (former AkzoNobel Specialty Chemicals) launched a new biodegradable sulfate-free anionic surfactant with a good dermatological profile, they wanted to prove superior performance, both vs an old type sulfated surfactant and vs competitive benchmarks. The problem was, however, that the current test methods were not sensitive enough. To get around this obstacle, they turned to an analysis using QSense® cleaning profile.
Using QSense technology and cleaning profile analysis, Nouryon performed a detailed characterization of the cleaning efficiency on the removal of greasy soil, which is used as a mimic of oil found on the skin. Three key performance parameters, soil removal rate, wetting time and total soil removal, were assessed for four surfactants: the new surfactant, two benchmarks and a competitor product.
Fig. 1 shows the cleaning rate results for the four evaluated surfactants. The Nouryon surfactant performed with no statistical difference compared to benchmark 1 but faster than both benchmark 2 and the competitor product, Sodium Laureth Sulfate.
Figure 1. Cleaning rate results for the four surfactants analyzed with QSense cleaning profile, the Nouryon surfactant, Elfan AT 84 G, two benchmarks and a competitor product, Sodium Laureth Sulfate (1)
Based on the overall results from the cleaning profile analysis, Nouryon concluded that their surfactant showed a significantly better cleaning rate compared to the benchmark 2 product and that the performance was equal or better compared to the sulfated and competitor surfactants (benchmark 1).
Watch the webinar to hear Fredrik Andersson, Ph. D, scientist at Nouryon, present the results and how they used QSense cleaning profile to prove superior performance of their surfactant.
Eva Ekerot is the Marketing and Communications Director for QSense. She has a background managing numerous product portfolios within the medical technology and analytical instrument industries. She is devoted to user-driven development of high-tech products. More user-friendly technology is accessible to more people!
