SEPAWA® CONGRESS 2022 

Speaker: PhD Bernat Pi

Company: Kao Chemicals Europe

Title: New Water-soluble Esterquat, a Fabric Care Enhancer

Abstract: Liquid Fabric Softeners are formulated using well-known surfactants called esterquats. Esterquats are double-tailed cationic surfactants, which form insoluble big aggregates in water generating opaque dispersions. These aggregates have fabric-affinity and when adsorbed onto it, high softening effect is conferred. Additionally, these aggregates are suitable to be used as carriers to deposit high number of fragrances onto fabric. However, due to the hydrophobization of the surface, they reduce the breathability and the water adsorption of fabrics, reducing also the comfort sensation.   TETRANYL L15-85E is a new water-soluble esterquat, that forms clear solutions without the addition of other ingredients or special solvents. It has been designed to provide a balance within hydrophobic and hydrophilic properties. This new active adsorbs on fabrics providing softness, while keeping the hydrophilic properties of cotton, providing comfort sensation. In addition, TETRANYL L15-85E is also suitable for synthetic clothes, especially sport clothes, overcoming the common drawbacks associated to the use of softeners with sportwear. Thus, by using fabric softeners based in TETRANYL L15-85E there is no need to separate clothes in the washing machine, they all can be wash together. This new esterquat not only provides fabric caring but also enhances convenience of washing all clothes together.