Diethanolamine

Diethanolamine (CAS 111-42-2), commonly abbreviated as DEA, is a bifunctional amino alcohol used across industrial and personal care manufacturing. It functions primarily as a pH buffer, surfactant intermediate, and emulsifying agent in formulated products. In personal care and cosmetics, DEA reacts with fatty acids to produce diethanolamide surfactants used in shampoos, liquid soaps, and foam-boosting cleansers. Textile and leather processors use it as a softening and wetting agent.

These applications improve dye uptake and fiber handling during finishing operations. In pharmaceutical manufacturing, it serves as an alkalizing agent to adjust the pH of topical creams, ointments, and liquid formulations. Paper manufacturers apply it as a process chemical to control pH during pulp treatment and coating formulations. Diethanolamine is supplied as a clear to slightly yellow viscous liquid, typically at 85% and 99% purity grades.

Technical grade is standard for industrial applications in textiles, paper, and chemical synthesis. Pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications generally require higher-purity material meeting USP or BP specifications. Buyers should confirm grade suitability against their regulatory requirements before sourcing. This versatile chemical remains a staple in the production of agricultural chemicals, metalworking fluids, and gas treatment processes.