About Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates

Lauryl alcohol ethoxylates are a family of non-ionic surfactants with the general formula RO(CH₂CH₂O)ₙH. They are produced by reacting lauryl alcohol with ethylene oxide in the presence of an alkaline catalyst. The degree of ethoxylation controls how the product behaves: low EO grades (2 to 4 moles) are clear, oil soluble liquids, mid range grades (7 to 9 moles) are water soluble liquids or soft pastes, and high EO grades such as the 23 mole version are waxy solids.

Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates Uses

Household and Industrial Cleaning

Mid range grades, particularly 7 to 9 EO, are core surfactants in laundry liquids, dishwashing liquids, hard surface cleaners and degreasers. They remove oily and greasy soils well at low temperatures, tolerate hard water, and combine readily with anionic surfactants to balance cleaning power and foam.

Surfactant Manufacturing

Low EO grades, typically 2 to 3 moles, are the feedstock for sodium lauryl ether sulphate (SLES). Sulphating and neutralising the ethoxylate produces the anionic surfactant that forms the base of most shampoos, body washes and dishwashing liquids.

Personal Care and Cosmetics

In creams, lotions and hair care, lauryl alcohol ethoxylates act as emulsifiers, solubilisers and wetting agents, listed on ingredient labels as laureth-4, laureth-23 and similar names. Higher EO grades solubilise fragrance oils into clear water based products, while lower EO grades help build stable emulsions.

Textile and Leather Processing

Textile mills use these ethoxylates as wetting, scouring and levelling agents, removing natural oils and processing aids from fibre and helping dyes take up evenly. Tanneries use them for degreasing and wetting back hides during leather processing.

Agrochemicals, Coatings and Industrial Fluids

Selected grades serve as emulsifiers in agrochemical concentrates, as stabilisers in emulsion polymerisation for paints and adhesives, and as wetting agents in inks and coatings. They are also used in metalworking fluids and lubricants, where they emulsify oils into water and aid cleaning of machined parts.

Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates Supplier Australia, USA & More!

Redox are trusted, authorised suppliers of Lauryl Alcohol Ethoxylates. With distribution centres worldwide, we can supply to Australia, USA, UK, NZ, Europe, Asia and more. Get in touch with our expert team, who can help you order the right product, form and amount for your needs.