Coceth

Coceth (CAS 61791-13-7), commercially known as ethoxylated coco alcohol, is a nonionic surfactant derived from coconut oil fatty alcohols reacted with ethylene oxide.

Where is Coceth used?

• Personal care: emulsifier and solubilizer in creams, lotions and cleansing products, stabilizing oil-in-water systems
• Household and industrial cleaning: degreasing and soil-lifting in hard surface cleaners, degreasers and laundry formulations
• Textile processing: scouring and wetting agent before dyeing or finishing
• Paper and leather processing: supports uniform penetration
• It reduces surface tension at the substrate interface.

Good to know: Grades are differentiated by ethylene oxide chain length, commonly designated Coceth-3, Coceth-7, Coceth-10 and higher, each targeting specific HLB requirements. The degree of ethoxylation varies across grades, determining performance in emulsification and detergency.

Commercial specifications

• Technical and cosmetic grades; cosmetic grades conform to relevant purity standards