MES, short for Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate, is a promising anionic surfactant. Its CAS No. is 93348 - 22 - 2 (for the typical sodium - based form). Derived from renewable natural resources like palm oil, it stands out as an eco - friendly and sustainable ingredient for detergents.
Product Basics
Full Name: Sodium Fatty Acid Methyl Ester Sulfonate (MES)
CAS NO: 4062 - 78 - 6 / 4016 - 24 - 4
Source: Derived from renewable palm oil, MES is a sustainable choice for detergent manufacturers, embodying the concept of green chemistry.
Physical Appearance
MES - 86 (Pure Powder): Presents as a white or light yellow powder at 25°C, with a fine texture that ensures easy dispersion in detergent formulations.
MES - 86 (Flake): Appears as a light yellow flake, offering convenience in handling and storage, and also facilitating uniform mixing during production.
MES - 86 Powder (15% Zeolite): Exhibits a white or light yellow powder form, integrating the properties of MES with the advantages of zeolite, which is beneficial for certain detergent applications.
2. Key Properties
Biodegradability: Fully biodegradable, aligning with green chemistry principles and reducing environmental impact after use.
Detergency: Exhibits strong cleaning power even at low concentrations. In hard water conditions, its detergency outperforms many traditional surfactants (e.g., linear alkylbenzene sulfonate - LAS). Tests show MES - formulated detergents can achieve comparable or better stain removal with less surfactant dosage.
Hard Water Tolerance: Superior ability to work in hard water. It resists forming insoluble complexes with calcium/magnesium ions, maintaining effective cleaning without excessive limescale residues.
Mildness: Low irritation to skin and fabrics. Gentler than alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, suitable for formulating personal care detergents (shampoos, body washes) and household cleaners.
Compatibility: Works well with other surfactants (e.g., LAS, AES, AOS) and enzymes. Enhances formulation stability and synergistically boosts overall cleaning performance.
3. Applications in Detergents
Laundry Detergents:
Powder Detergents: Improves anti - hard - water performance, reduces the need for softening agents (e.g., zeolites), and minimizes inorganic salt deposits on clothes. Enables softer, less graying fabric after washing. Ideal for concentrated powder formulas, solving drying/forming challenges of traditional concentrates.
Liquid Detergents: When compounded with polyols, oleic acid, etc., it solves low - temperature stability issues. Suitable for concentrated liquid detergents, delivering efficient cleaning in various water qualities.
Personal Care Cleansers: Used in shampoos, body washes, hand soaps. Its mildness and foaming properties (moderate, easy - to - rinse bubbles) provide a comfortable user experience.
Industrial & Specialty Cleaners: Applied in leather degreasing, wool washing, ore flotation auxiliaries, etc., leveraging its emulsifying, dispersing, and cleaning capabilities.
4. Sustainability & Cost - Effectiveness
As a renewable - based surfactant, MES supports carbon - neutral goals. Its high detergency at low doses cuts surfactant usage and wastewater pollution, lowering production costs while meeting eco - standards.
In summary, MES is a versatile, green, and high - performance surfactant. It meets the demand for effective, sustainable detergents, catering to both household and industrial cleaning markets.
