Oleth-3 carboxylic acid

Oleth-3 carboxylic acid (CAS 57635-48-0), also marketed as PEG-3 oleyl ether carboxylic acid, is an ether carboxylate surfactant derived from oleyl alcohol and ethylene oxide. It combines anionic and nonionic character to deliver effective emulsification and wetting.

This versatile chemical provides mild cleansing across a range of formulation systems. In personal care, it functions as a primary or co-surfactant in shampoos, facial cleansers, and conditioning formulations where skin compatibility is a priority.

Home care and industrial cleaning formulators use it to boost wetting and soil removal in hard surface cleaners and degreasers. It is particularly effective in alkaline systems where ether carboxylates outperform conventional anionics.

Textile processors incorporate it as a wetting and scouring agent during fiber preparation and dyeing. Consistent surface penetration directly affects process yield and the overall quality of the finished textile products.

In leather processing, it supports fat-liquoring and finishing steps by stabilizing emulsions under varying pH conditions. This stability ensures uniform application and performance during the intensive manufacturing stages of leather goods.

Oleth-3 carboxylic acid is supplied as a liquid or low-viscosity paste, depending on the specific grade and concentration required. It is available in cosmetic-grade specifications meeting standard industry requirements for personal care.

Technical-grade material is also offered for industrial cleaning and textile end uses. These grades ensure that formulators have the appropriate chemical profile for diverse industrial applications and large-scale manufacturing processes.