Solving Fabric Care Formulation Challenges & Talking Trends with CP Kelco’s Alessandro Izzo, Manager, Sales Technical Service
Alessandro Izzo
Manager, Sales Technical Service, CP Kelco
What are some of the new ideas you see in fabric care?
There has been a growing emphasis on sustainability at every stage, from using biodegradable and plant-sourced ingredients to innovating with more compact formats to reducing water and energy consumption both in the manufacturing process and in the home with colder wash cycles. In addition, we see two big consumer trends that really lean into the “care” part of fabric care. One is the consumer preference for quick, 15- or 30-minute washes in cold water. Often viewed as a timesaver in busy households, it can also be gentler on clothes, helping them hold their color and shape. The second big trend is about elevating the chore of doing laundry into a luxurious, sensorial experience. From high-end designers to e-commerce startups and supermarket brands, fragrance is disrupting the category and has become a big purchase driver. One brand we know is offering 50 different, customizable scent options.
What are some of the challenges you are hearing from manufacturers?
Fabric care manufacturers today know the importance of choosing ingredients that do not compromise the environment or the consumer experience. As a result, the top challenges we see relate to reformulating to meet sustainability goals, especially regarding stabilization with new types of opacifiers and formats.
You mentioned new opacifiers, which have changed due to Commission Regulation (EU) 2023/2055 (“the microplastics restriction”). How has the product’s evolution affected formulation?
Opacifiers and encapsulated fragrance beads are a good visual tool that delivers on the sensorial experience for consumers in liquid laundry detergent. Luckily, innovators in our industry have mostly been one step ahead of the regulation, working on more environmentally friendly, microplastic alternatives to the synthetics and acrylates. However, due to their new biodegradable chemistry, it can be difficult to keep the opacifiers stable. Having a well-homogenized liquid laundry product is key to distributing the right amount of fragrance and active ingredients for a consistent sensorial experience every time.
Is there a solution for suspending new, microplastic-free opacifiers in liquid laundry detergent?
Yes, CP Kelco has developed a solution that allows for even distribution of opacifiers and consistent fragrance performance. CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid is a readily biodegradable (OECD 301B) suspension agent and stabilizer. Made by microbial fermentation, it forms a microscopic 3D net of cellulose fibers to suspend opacifiers and fragrance encaps in the presence of high concentrations of surfactants and polymers. Effective in both high and low water formulations, it provides stability with no or limited impact on product viscosity. CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid comes fully activated and ready to use with no pH adjustment, pre-mixing or special equipment required.
Would this solution also work with opacifiers in rinse-off personal care products?
Yes, we offer a similar grade called ARBALON® Cellulose Liquid to enable the suspension and stabilization of scrubbing beads, botanicals and opacifiers in personal care. This pre-mixed, fermentation-derived cellulose liquid is especially formulated for shower gels, hand soaps, body washes and shampoo.
Circling back to trends, does the consumer preference of shorter wash cycles affect traditional detergent formulations?
It can. With only 15 or 30 minutes to do its job, laundry detergent ingredients must be able to activate immediately in a low-water environment that is typically between 20 and 30 degrees Celsius. Surfactant chemistry tends to be less effective in cold water, so manufacturers are relying more on enzymes to help lift dirt and dissolve without the extra rinse cycle so as not to leave a residue on fabric. Bio-based CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid is compatible with enzymes, including lipase and cellulase.
The switch to ultra-concentrated formulas and more compact packaging can have an impact on sustainability by lowering emissions and plastic usage. Can it also present formulation challenges?
One concept that supports consumer demand for sustainability as well as value is dilute-at-home, concentrated laundry detergent. Often sold in smaller containers or pouches, this format enables e-commerce sales, can be more affordable for consumers, and uses significantly less plastic. Formulated to be stable on their own, these concentrated liquids might be sensitive to differing degrees of water hardness, failing when diluted with tap water at home. CELLULON® Cellulose Liquid adds structure so these concentrated liquids can accommodate high crystalline phases and chelators, assuring dilution stability and consistent performance, wash after wash.