Surfactantsor surface active agents are organic compounds that lower surface tensionbetween two liquids or between a liquid and a solid. Functionally, they areused to improve cleaning efficiency, emulsifying, wetting or dispersingactions, solvency, foaming/de-foaming and lubricity of cleaning agents andother products.
Classification of Surfactants
- Anionic Surfactants
- Nonionic Surfactants
- Cationic Surfactants
Surfactantsare one of many different compounds that make up a detergent. They are added to remove dirt from skin,clothes and household articles particularly in kitchens and bathrooms. They are also used extensively in industry. The term surfactant comes from the wordssurface active agent.
Floorcleaning market is the second largest product category of the toiletries andhousehold cleansing market of India. The floor cleaning market has been furthersegmented into dish wash bars, liquid and powder in which dish wash barscommanded a predominant share. Growing awareness, easier access to range ofproducts through organized retail formats and changing lifestyles have been thekey growth drivers for the sector with even rural households starting todisplay preference for toilet cleaner products instead of phenyl and acidswhich facilitated the further expansion of the industry in India.
Thesurfactants market is segmented on the basis of substrate into synthetic andbio-based surfactants. Synthetic surfactants account for a major share of thesurfactants market as it is extensively used in various industrial andcommercial products such as cleaners, detergents, soaps, shampoos, and others.However, the demand for bio-based surfactants is growing owing to the increasedinclination of consumers towards products made from natural feedstock.