Sulfated castor oil

Sulfated castor oil (CAS 8002-33-3), also known as Turkey-red oil and commercially as SCO, is produced by treating castor oil with sulfuric acid to yield a self-emulsifying anionic surfactant.

Where is Sulfated castor oil used?

• Textile processing: uniform dye penetration and fiber lubrication during dyeing and finishing, particularly for cotton and wool
• Leather: fat-liquoring and softening agent for hide flexibility and surface uniformity
• Personal care: emulsifier and humectant in bath oils, hair preparations and skin creams requiring oil-in-water dispersion
• Agricultural formulations: wetting and spreading agent in pesticide concentrates
• It was among the first synthetic-process surfactants used in industry and remains a benchmark emulsifier and wetting agent.

Good to know: Buyers should confirm sulfation degree and active content against application requirements, as these parameters affect emulsification performance and final product stability.

Commercial specifications

• Typically 75% active matter content, though concentrations vary by supplier specification
• Technical and industrial quality grades
• Textile and leather grades are the most commonly traded forms