Disodium hydroxyethyliminodiacetate

Disodium hydroxyethyliminodiacetate (CAS 135-37-5) is a biodegradable aminopolycarboxylate chelating agent used to sequester calcium, magnesium, and heavy metal ions in aqueous systems. It offers formulators an environmentally acceptable alternative to EDTA salts in applications where biodegradability is a sourcing or regulatory requirement for modern chemical manufacturing.

In personal care formulations such as shampoos, liquid soaps, and skin cleansers, it prevents metal ion interference that degrades fragrance stability and reduces preservative efficacy during storage. Water treatment operations use it to control scale formation and metal deposition in cooling towers and process water circuits. It is highly effective at maintaining system efficiency over time.

In industrial and institutional cleaning concentrates, it boosts surfactant performance by softening hard water and keeping soils suspended in the wash liquor for more effective cleaning results. Formulators developing phosphate-free or EDTA-free cleaning products use it to meet green chemistry specifications without sacrificing chelation performance or product stability in various environments.

The product is supplied as an aqueous solution, typically at concentrations around 30–40% active content. Packaging ranges from drums to IBC totes for bulk procurement and logistics. Technical grade is the standard commercial form for industrial applications; personal care grade material is available for cosmetic formulations requiring lower impurity profiles.