Seeking valid alternatives to linear alkyl benzene sulfonate (LAS) surfactant in detergent formulations

LAS is among the most versatile surfactants for use in detergent formulations. It is available from several suppliers, is relatively cheap, is easy to incorporate in formulations, has a favourable biodegradability profile and last but not least performs strongly as far as cleaning is concerned. Based on ingredient list of major detergents in EU – available as liquid and soluble unit doses - LAS is actually present in most of the products.

LAS is currently manufactured from non-renewable oil-derived sources.

We would like to accomplish one of the two points below:

1. Source a LAS version which is derived from renewable resources and is not oil-derived.
2. Identify an alternative material to LAS which has a similar performance, cost and environmental profile and can work as a substitute in a laundry formulation.

We will judge solutions based on:

• Industrial availability or potential scaleability
• Cost and volumes availability
• Performance in cleaning

We will require the solver to provide indications of cost assumptions and to share performance data with a relevant detergency test

Discarted solutions

• Replacement of LAS with currently available vegetal-derived surfactants is not deemed interesting, e.g. direct replacement with alkyl sulfates and alkyl-ethoxy sulfates or similar approaches such as alkyl glucosides.

Possible solution areas

• We would accept solutions that address the synthesis from renewable sources for only the alkyl or aryl moiety of LAS