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C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates, LAURETH-4 supplier, nonionic surfactant, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylated surfactant, Tree Chem
C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates, LAURETH-4 supplier, nonionic surfactant, fatty alcohol ethoxylate, alcohol ethoxylated surfactant, Tree Chem

C12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates LAURETH-4 AEO CAS 68439-50-9

C12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates (LAURETH-4) is a nonionic surfactant derived from natural C12–C14 fatty alcohols through controlled ethoxylation. It is widely used in detergents, personal care formulations, and industrial cleaning systems due to its balanced hydrophilic–lipophilic properties, good solubility, and formulation flexibility. Tree Chem supplies C12-14 alcohol ethoxylates with stable quality and multiple EO grades to meet different formulation requirements. For inquiries, please contact info@cntreechem.com.
CAS: 68439-50-9
Synonyms: Alcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated; Fatty alcohol (C12–C14) poly(ethylene glycol) ether; Polyalkoxylated aliphatic alcohol
EINECS No.: 500-213-3
Molecular Formula: Variable (mixture)
Grade: AEO₁ / AEO₂ / AEO₃ / AEO₄ / AEO₅ / AEO₇ / AEO₉
Packaging: Arranged according to customer requirements

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Tree Chem supplies C12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates LAURETH-4 (CAS 68439-50-9) for customers looking to purchase nonionic surfactants suitable for detergent, cosmetic, and industrial applications. This product is manufactured from natural fatty alcohol feedstocks and controlled ethoxylation technology, ensuring consistent performance across batches.

C12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates exhibit excellent emulsifying, wetting, and detergency properties. Different ethoxylation degrees are available, allowing formulators to adjust solubility, foaming behavior, and compatibility with other surfactants. For technical support or specification confirmation, please contact info@cntreechem.com.

Specification

Basic Information

ItemDescription
Product NameC12-14 Alcohol Ethoxylates (LAURETH-4)
INCI NameAlcohol (C12-14) Ethoxylated
CAS No.68439-50-9
SynonymsAlcohols, C12-14, ethoxylated; Fatty alcohol (C12-C14) poly(ethylene glycol) ether; Polyalkoxylated aliphatic alcohol
EINECS No.500-213-3
Molecular FormulaVariable (mixture)
AppearanceColorless to white liquid or semi-solid (depending on EO degree)

Technical Specification

GradeAppearance (25 °C)Color (Pt-Co)OH Value (mg KOH/g)Water (%)pH (1% aq., 25 °C)
AEO₁Colorless liquid≤20233–239≤0.16.0–7.0
AEO₂Colorless liquid≤20191–210≤0.16.0–7.0
AEO₃Colorless liquid≤20166–180≤0.16.0–7.0
AEO₄Colorless or white liquid≤20149–159≤0.56.0–7.0
AEO₅Colorless or white liquid≤20129–144≤0.56.0–7.0
AEO₇Colorless or white liquid≤20108–116≤0.56.0–7.0
AEO₉White liquid or paste≤2092–99≤0.56.0–7.0

Applications

Personal Care and Cosmetics

  • AEO (Natural C12–14 Fatty Alcohol Polyoxyethylene Ether) is used in personal care as a nonionic surfactant and emulsifier, with AEO-7 and AEO-9 commonly selected for mild cleansing systems where stable foam, good skin feel, and broad compatibility with other surfactants are needed. In shampoo systems, AEO-9 often acts as a secondary surfactant that supports foam stability and helps solubilize oil-soluble ingredients, which improves overall cleansing performance while keeping the formula comfortable on hair and scalp.
  • In body wash and shower gel, AEO-9 is frequently positioned as a partial replacement for harsher sulfate surfactants, providing improved mildness while maintaining strong detergency on daily soils. This approach is especially useful in balanced surfactant blends where the product must deliver good foam quality, stable viscosity, and consistent rinse feel without sacrificing cleaning power.
  • In skincare emulsions such as creams and lotions, AEO-9 is valued for building stable oil-in-water systems and supporting a smooth, spreadable texture. When used as an emulsifier in lotion-type formulas, AEO-9 helps bind the oil phase into fine droplets that resist separation and remain stable during storage, while also contributing to a refined sensory profile.
  • In hand care, AEO-9 can be used at higher active levels to build effective liquid hand wash products that deliver cleansing with a milder profile and good foaming. These formulations often combine AEO with amphoteric surfactants and humectants to maintain moisture feel, while the nonionic structure improves compatibility across a wide pH window used by many rinse-off products.

Detergents and Household Cleaning

  • AEO-7 and AEO-9 are widely applied in modern liquid laundry detergents because their nonionic character provides strong oily soil removal and good performance across a wide range of water conditions. Their low-foaming nature is particularly advantageous for high-efficiency washing machines, where excessive foam can reduce mechanical action and cause operational issues, and AEO-9 is commonly used as a secondary surfactant to boost grease cutting while keeping foam under control.
  • In standard liquid laundry detergents, AEO-9 is typically used at moderate dosage to improve removal of sebum-type soils and reduce redeposition risk when paired with chelators and supporting surfactants. In ultra-concentrated systems, AEO-9 functions as part of a tightly balanced surfactant package that delivers high cleaning strength at lower water content, while still maintaining stability and workable viscosity after salt adjustment.
  • For dishwashing liquids, AEO-7 and AEO-9 are used to improve grease removal while maintaining reasonable mildness to hands. The combination of two AEO grades is often chosen to balance wetting, emulsification, and detergency so the product performs well on mixed food soils without requiring overly aggressive surfactant loading.
  • In all-purpose and hard-surface cleaners, AEO-9 serves as a primary surfactant due to its strong wetting and emulsifying ability on typical household and light industrial soils. Its versatility enables simplified formulas that combine AEO with solvents and acid/chelation systems to remove greasy residues and particulate soils from multi-surface substrates.
  • In powder detergents, AEO-9 is used to enhance cleaning performance and dissolution behavior, supporting low-foaming machine-wash powders designed for modern washers. In builder-heavy systems, AEO-9 helps maintain detergency on oily soils and supports balanced cleaning across temperature ranges commonly used by consumers and institutional laundries.

Agriculture and Agrochemical Formulation

  • AEO-9 is used as a key emulsifier in pesticide formulations, especially when the active ingredient has limited water solubility and must be delivered as a stable emulsion concentrate. In these systems, AEO-9 stabilizes oil-in-water emulsions so the concentrate can be diluted into spray tanks without phase separation, improving uniformity of application and helping keep dose delivery consistent in the field.
  • AEO-based systems also function as wetting and spreading agents in herbicide and fungicide spray programs, where improved leaf coverage is critical for performance. By reducing surface tension, AEO helps spray droplets spread more evenly over waxy plant surfaces, increasing contact area and supporting better penetration and uptake of the active ingredient.
  • In agricultural spray adjuvants, AEO-9 is used at low final-spray concentrations to enhance spreading and wetting without excessive foaming or instability. These adjuvants are often designed for flexible tank-mix compatibility, and the AEO grade selection allows the formulator to tune balance between wetting strength and emulsion stability across diverse actives and water qualities.
  • AEO-9 is also used as an emulsifier/dispersant in seed treatment systems where uniform coating of the seed surface is important. In these applications, AEO supports even distribution of the active ingredient and assists the formation of a consistent film layer when used with film-formers, helping improve handling and application consistency.

Textile Processing and Auxiliaries

  • In textile scouring and pretreatment, AEO-7 and AEO-9 act as wetting agents and emulsifiers that help remove waxes, oils, and processing soils from fibers and fabrics. Their performance supports improved wettability and cleaner fabric surfaces, which directly benefits subsequent dyeing and finishing steps by enabling more uniform chemical penetration.
  • During dyeing and printing, AEO-9 can function as a leveling agent and process auxiliary that helps regulate dye migration and improve shade uniformity. This role is particularly useful in processes where controlled wetting and managed interaction between dye, fiber, and bath chemistry are necessary to reduce unevenness and processing variability.
  • In textile finishing, AEO grades are used as emulsifiers for silicone softeners and related finishing agents, forming stable emulsions that deliver consistent hand feel and softness. The emulsification role is critical in achieving stable particle distribution and reliable fabric finishing performance during padding and exhaustion processes.
  • AEO series products also appear in multi-purpose textile auxiliary packages that combine wetting, emulsifying, and dispersing functions. These systems are designed to support multiple processing stages such as desizing, scouring, and general cleaning, improving operational efficiency and overall fabric quality.

Industrial and Institutional Cleaning, Metal Processing

  • AEO surfactants are commonly used in industrial degreasers and alkaline cleaning systems where strong emulsification of oils and greases is required. AEO-7 and AEO-9 contribute to rapid wetting and soil lift, enabling effective removal of machining oils and heavy soils from metal surfaces in both immersion and spray-cleaning operations.
  • In metal processing, AEO-based blends are formulated with builders and chelators to provide robust degreasing while maintaining stability in high-alkalinity environments. Their nonionic structure supports good compatibility and helps reduce sensitivity to water hardness, which is important in industrial cleaning where water quality varies.
  • AEO products are also used in institutional cleaners for hard surfaces where the formula must cut mixed soils while remaining easy to rinse. Their low-foam profile is useful in floor cleaning and automated equipment cleaning, where foam control supports faster operation and fewer rinse cycles.

Paper, Leather, and Other Process Industries

  • In paper recycling and deinking, AEO-9 is used as a wetting and emulsifying agent that helps detach inks from fibers and keep ink particles dispersed for removal. This improves the efficiency of deinking operations and supports cleaner pulp streams for downstream paper production.
  • In leather processing, AEO-7 and AEO-9 function as degreasing agents and emulsifiers that help remove natural fats and oils from hides. Their emulsification behavior supports stable carry-away of unwanted lipids while helping maintain processing control and consistency.
  • Beyond direct processing roles, AEO products are used as general dispersants and wetting agents in various industrial steps where stable aqueous processing is required. This broad utility is driven by adjustable HLB across grades, allowing formulators to match AEO selection to oil-in-water emulsification needs or stronger wetting requirements.

Surfactant Intermediates and Downstream Synthesis

  • AEO-3 is used as a key intermediate feedstock for producing Alcohol Ether Sulfate (AES), where it serves as the ethoxylated alcohol backbone that is subsequently sulfated and neutralized. This makes AEO-3 important not only as a finished nonionic surfactant, but also as a building block for anionic surfactants used in detergents and personal care.
  • In broader surfactant manufacturing, AEO grades can be positioned as starting materials for amphoteric surfactants and specialized emulsifiers, depending on downstream chemistry requirements. This intermediary value supports integrated product portfolios where multiple surfactant families are derived from controlled ethoxylation grades.

    Storage & Handling

    • Store in tightly sealed containers in a cool, dry, and well-ventilated area
    • Protect from direct sunlight and excessive heat
    • Avoid contact with strong oxidizing agents
    • Keep containers clean and dry to prevent contamination
    • Use appropriate grounding during transfer to prevent static buildup

    Usage Notice

    • Product performance depends on ethoxylation degree and formulation system
    • Compatibility testing is recommended before large-scale application
    • Avoid prolonged exposure to moisture during storage
    • Follow local regulations and safety data sheet guidance during handling
    • A shampoo can be formulated with SLES 70% at 15.0%, sodium methyl cocoyl taurate at 6.0%, APG 0814 (50%) at 2.0%, AEO-9 at 4.0%, polyquaternium-10 at 0.4%, guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride at 0.3%, citric acid to pH 5.5–6.5, and water to 100% to use AEO-9 as a secondary surfactant/emulsifier that boosts foam stability and solubilizes oily ingredients.
    • A mild body wash can be formulated with SLES 70% at 10.0%, AEO-9 at 5.0%, cocamidopropyl betaine (35%) at 8.0%, glycerin at 3.0%, citric acid at 0.5%, and water to 100% to use AEO-9 to partially replace harsher surfactants and improve mildness while maintaining cleansing and foam quality.
    • A moisturizing lotion can be formulated with mineral oil at 8.0%, cetyl alcohol at 2.0%, stearyl alcohol at 3.0%, glyceryl stearate at 2.5%, dimethicone at 1.5%, deionized water at 75.0%, AEO-9 at 4.0%, glycerin at 3.0%, propylene glycol at 1.5%, sodium carbomer at 0.2%, triethanolamine at 0.3%, preservatives at 0.5%, and fragrance at 0.5% to use AEO-9 as the primary emulsifier that stabilizes an oil-in-water emulsion with good spreadability.
    • A hand wash can be formulated with AEO-9 at 12.0%, cocamidopropyl betaine at 8.0%, glycerin at 4.0%, citric acid at 0.5%, EDTA-2Na at 0.1%, preservatives and fragrance as needed, and water to 100% to use AEO-9 as a main cleansing surfactant while supporting foaming and skin comfort.
    • An ultra-concentrated liquid laundry detergent can be formulated with caustic soda (10% solution) at 1.5%, LABSA 96% at 3.0%, SLES 70% at 14.0%, CAB 35% at 10.0%, OP-10 at 4.0%, AEO-9 at 4.0%, EDTA-2Na at 0.3%, additives as needed, water to 100%, and salt as required for viscosity to use AEO-9 as a low-foaming secondary surfactant that improves oily soil removal in HE washing.
    • A standard liquid laundry detergent can be formulated with caustic soda (10% solution) at 1.2%, LABSA 96% at 2.5%, SLES 70% at 12.0%, cocamide DEA (85%) at 3.0%, AEO-9 at 3.0%, EDTA-2Na at 0.2%, additives as needed, water to 100%, and salt as needed to use AEO-9 to enhance detergency on greasy stains while maintaining formulation compatibility.
    • A hand dishwashing liquid can be formulated with AEO-7 at 8.0%, AEO-9 at 4.0%, cocamidopropyl betaine at 6.0%, citric acid at 0.5%, glycerin at 3.0%, EDTA-2Na at 0.1%, additives as needed, and water to 100% to use the AEO-7/AEO-9 blend as the main grease-cutting surfactant system with improved mildness.
    • A multi-surface cleaner can be formulated with AEO-9 at 10.0%, ethanol at 5.0%, citric acid at 1.0%, water at 80.0%, and additives as needed to use AEO-9 as a primary wetting/emulsifying surfactant for hard-surface soil removal.
    • A low-foaming machine-wash powder detergent can be formulated with caustic soda at 1.0%, LABSA 96% at 2.0%, AEO-9 at 5.0%, soda ash light at 16.0%, sodium silicate (34%) at 29.5%, CMC at 1.5%, 4A zeolite at 10.0%, CBS-X at 0.02%, fragrance at 0.2%, colorful speckles at 1.5%, coated sodium percarbonate at 3.0%, enzymes at 0.5%, and sodium sulfate to 100% to use AEO-9 as the key low-foam surfactant for front-loading washer performance.
    • A pesticide emulsion concentrate can be formulated with active ingredient at 20.0%, AEO-9 at 15.0%, AEO-7 at 5.0%, and xylene at 60.0% to use AEO-9 as the primary emulsifier and AEO-7 as co-emulsifier for stable dilution and field application.
    • A herbicide spray adjuvant can be formulated with AEO-9 at 2.0%, AEO-7 at 1.0%, isopropyl alcohol at 5.0%, and water at 92.0% to use AEO surfactants as wetting/spreading and penetration enhancers that improve leaf coverage when added into spray tanks.
    • An agricultural spray use guide can set AEO-9 at 0.1–0.5% in the final spray solution with AEO-7 at 0.05–0.2% and the active ingredient as required to use AEO to reduce surface tension and improve spreading and uptake on crop surfaces.
    • A seed treatment can be formulated with AEO-9 at 3.0%, fungicide active ingredient at 2.0%, polyvinyl alcohol at 1.0%, and water at 94.0% to use AEO-9 as an emulsifier/dispersant that ensures a uniform coating and stable delivery of the active.
    • A textile scouring bath can be formulated with AEO-9 at 2.0–5.0%, sodium hydroxide at 1.0–2.0%, sodium carbonate at 2.0–3.0%, and water at 90.0–95.0% to use AEO-9 as the main wetting/emulsifying scouring agent for wax and oil removal before dyeing.
    • A silicone softener emulsion can be formulated with polysiloxane at 24.0%, AEO-6 (or equivalent grade) at 6.0%, acetic acid at 0.3%, water at 69.7%, and preservative as needed to use AEO as the emulsifier that stabilizes silicone in water for consistent textile finishing.
    • A multi-purpose textile auxiliary can be formulated with AEO-9 at 15.0%, AEO-7 at 5.0%, sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate at 10.0%, sodium carbonate at 8.0%, EDTA-2Na at 1.0%, and water at 61.0% to use the AEO blend as the primary surfactant system for desizing/scouring/general cleaning functions.
    • A metal degreaser can be formulated with AEO-9 at 8.0%, AEO-7 at 4.0%, sodium metasilicate at 15.0%, sodium tripolyphosphate at 10.0%, and water at 63.0% to use AEO surfactants to emulsify oils and improve alkaline degreasing efficiency.
    • A paper deinking system can be formulated with AEO-9 at 3.0%, sodium hydroxide at 2.0%, sodium silicate at 5.0%, hydrogen peroxide at 1.5%, and water at 88.5% to use AEO-9 as the primary wetting/emulsifying agent that assists ink detachment and dispersion.
    • A leather degreasing bath can be formulated with AEO-9 at 5.0%, AEO-7 at 3.0%, sodium carbonate at 2.0%, and water at 90.0% to use AEO surfactants to emulsify fats and oils for effective removal while maintaining process control.
    • AEO-3 can be used as an AES intermediate by applying sulfation to AEO-3 followed by neutralization with sodium hydroxide to convert the nonionic ethoxylate into an anionic alcohol ether sulfate for detergents and personal care surfactant systems.

    Packaging

    • Packaging and transportation options can be arranged according to customer requirements
    • Common industrial packaging options are available upon request