Soaps and Detergents: A Basketful of High-Tech Products

The soap and detergent industry is in the midst of its greatest change since synthetic surface-active agents began to replace soap after World War II. Recently, high-technology developments have caused powdered detergents to give way to new liquid products. New surfactants and oxygen-type bleaches a...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Chemical week 1987-01, Vol.140 (2), p.22-22
Main Authors: Cannon, Donald R, Watzman, Anne, Lazorko, Lisa, Bishop, Jim, Shafers, Theodore, Kemezis, Paul, Slakter, Ann, Savage, Peter, Winton, John M
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Detergent industry
Fluids
Manycompanies
Market shares
Markets
Natural gas prices
Sales
Soap
Statistical data
Surfactants
Trends
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:The soap and detergent industry is in the midst of its greatest change since synthetic surface-active agents began to replace soap after World War II. Recently, high-technology developments have caused powdered detergents to give way to new liquid products. New surfactants and oxygen-type bleaches are growing in popularity. Multifunctionality -- the combination of detergent, bleach, fabric softener, and enzymes in a single product -- is another important trend. Bath soaps are taking on a ''high-technology'' look, and institutional and industrial cleaners are undergoing the same sort of changes. A review of the industry affirms that several factors are at work. Low oil and natural gas prices have made the use of higher concentrations of surfactants more feasible, and sociological developments make convenience an imperative selling point in laundry products. Soap producers are responding to new challenges by seeking new markets to conquer. Fore example, in toilet soap, translucent soap bars are becoming the rage, and synthetic detergent bars may be ready for a growth spurt.
ISSN:0009-272X
2163-3126