Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated

Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated (CAS 68131-39-5), also sold under the INCI designation C12-15 Pareth-12, is a nonionic surfactant produced by ethoxylating mid-chain fatty alcohols.

Where is Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated used?

• Personal care: emulsifier, detergent and dispersant in rinse-off products such as shampoos and body washes, providing low-irritation cleansing and stable emulsification of oils and conditioning agents
• Household and industrial cleaning: degreasing performance in hard-surface cleaners, degreasers and laundry detergents
• Textile processing: scouring and wetting agent for even penetration of dye baths and finishing treatments
• Paper and leather processing: dispersion of treatment chemicals and improved surface uniformity during coating and softening stages
• It remains effective across a range of pH levels and temperatures.
• C12-15 PARETH-2 has synergistic effects when used in combination with anionic, cationic, or nonionic surfactants.
• It increases the viscosity of formulations containing anionic surfactants, acting as a rheology modifier.
• It is used in plant protection products, i.e. liquid herbicides such as EC, EW and SE.
• It can be used as a substrate for the synthesis of alkyl ether sulfates.

Formulation notes

• It is stable at acidic pH but degrades by hydrolysis in solutions with high (alkaline) pH.

Typical specification

• Its hydrophilic-lipophilic balance (HLB) is 7.8.
• Its hydroxyl value is between 164 and 172 mg KOH/g.
• C12-15 PARETH-2 is available with a minimum purity of 95%.
• Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated is available in a form with 3 moles of ethylene oxide.
• Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated is available as a 100% active matter grade.

Regulatory status

• It is a registered substance under the EU REACH regulation according to the ECHA chemicals database.
• It has no classification as a hazardous substance, is safe for use in cosmetics and has no restrictions for use in such formulations.
• According to Regulation (EC) No 648/2004 on detergents, it meets the criteria for substances classified as fully biodegradable.
• Under the German UBA Rigoletto substance database, Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated is indexed with CAS 68131-39-5 and EC (list) number 500-195-7.

Frequently asked questions about Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated

Does water hardness affect the performance of Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated?

Water hardness has no effect on its activity or stability.

Can Alcohols, C12-15, ethoxylated be used in metal degreasers?

Its emulsifying properties allow its use in all types of degreasers for metal surfaces.

Technical content is compiled and updated by the SoleChem product team from public technical sources; the certificate of analysis (COA) governs product-specific specifications.