labsa 96

labsa 96

Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA) is prepared commercially by sulfonating linear alkylbenzene (LAB). Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the world’s largest-volume synthetic surfactant, which includes the various salts of sulfonated alkylbenzenes, is widely used in household detergents as well as in numerous industrial applications. The LABSA market is driven by the markets for LAS, primarily household detergents. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate was developed as a biodegradable replacement for nonlinear (branched) alkylbenzene sulfonate (BAS) and has largely replaced BAS in household detergents throughout the world.

The pattern of LAS consumption demonstrates the overwhelming preference by consumers for liquid laundry detergents in North America, whereas powders continue to be the dominant products in Western Europe, mainland China, and Northeast Asia (Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Comparable and reliable data in other world regions are generally unavailable, but in these less-developed world areas, LAS is essentially used only in laundry powders (particularly in India and Indonesia) and hand dishwashing liquids. The latter are often used as general-purpose cleaners.

The chemical and physical properties of LABSA differ based on the length of the alkyl chain.This results in avariety of formulations, adequate for many applications. The resulting surfactants are often used in thechemical industry to improve contact between water and minerals.The majority of other applications are featured in industrial, institutional, and commercial cleaners.LABSA isalso used as an emulsifier and as a wetting agent.