Clariant launches dual-purpose soil release polymer for liquid laundry detergents

26 Oct 2023 --- Clariant has unveiled its latest innovation for hard-to-thicken laundry detergent formulations, TexCare Gemini SG Terra. The solution offers formulators a “one product, double function” soil release polymer that keeps the rheology of the detergent under control.

Like other TexCare grades, the new solution adheres to sustainability standards. Originally introduced as part of Clariant’s Terra range, it boasts a Renewable Carbon Index of 80%.

In addition to its rheology control technology and easy use, the new polymer is designed to perform well when washing polyester-containing fabrics. 

Furthermore, like all TexCare grades, it allows for colder and shorter wash cycles, providing increased convenience, reduced water usage and lower energy consumption for consumers, which also helps make clothes last longer.

Making thickening agents “obsolete”
Thickening agents are widely used in liquid laundry detergents to adjust the rheology and characteristics of the detergent, to provide consumers with convenient and easy-to-use products. 

TexCare Gemini SG Terra boasts a renewable carbon index of 80%.In formulations with challenging viscosity profiles, polymers are often used as thickening agents, which provide no other functions but add cost and complexity to formulations and are typically not biodegradable and harmful to aquatic life.

Clariant developed TexCare Gemini SG Terra with the aim of “making supplementary thickeners obsolete.”

“Clariant’s TexCare range is a long-established technology helping laundry brands to launch detergents that provide consumers with top results in stain removal, prolong the life of clothing and wash at reduced temperatures without performance compromises,” says Mike Haspel, Head of Personal & Home Care at Clariant.

“With TexCare Gemini SG Terra, customers have a choice of soil release polymers to meet specific formulation needs when rheology control is a challenge. In addition, as part of Clariant’s sustainability transformation, this multifunctional polymer category is now offered with a high renewable carbon content.”

Greener wash cycles
The clean and green reformulation movement in home care has been seeing advancements this year, driven by innovation in the field and research supporting the myriad economic and environmental benefits of sustainable household cleaning agents. 

Unilever recently allied with the University of Oxford to investigate laundry and home care products’ carbon emissions. Their report suggests that switching to renewable sources for the ingredients used in detergents for clothes and dishwasher use could eliminate these emissions while maintaining the same performance for consumers.

Earlier this month, LanzaTech Global  collaborated with Dow to introduce a new biodegradable surfactant to the home care market made from upcycled carbon emissions. 

In other developments narrowing focus on cleaning up the sector, activists are now flagging a controversial bill introduced in US Congress on behalf of leading household cleaning product manufacturers. The “DARK Act” has raised concerns that it may deny US citizens the right to know about toxic chemicals in their cleaning products.

Edited by Benjamin Ferrer