BIOSAN

Biosan Description — 96% Linear Alkylbenzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA), High-Performance Anionic Surfactant

At Quimiconsult we offer Biosan, linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA) with a minimum activity of 96%, a high-performance anionic surfactant that is the base raw material for liquid and powder detergents, industrial, institutional and household cleaners, and personal care formulations. Its linear alkyl chain makes it readily biodegradable, which makes it an excellent sustainable alternative to branched dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA).

Biosan can be neutralized with a range of inorganic bases —such as sodium, potassium or ammonium hydroxide— and organic amines —such as triethanolamine or monoethanolamine— to obtain the tailor-made sulfonate each formulation needs. Its low sulfuric acid content means little salt is formed on neutralization, giving a light-coloured, low-odour sulfonate and leaving the formulator ample room to adjust the viscosity, foam and appearance of the finished product.

For anyone looking for linear sulfonic acid, LABSA 96%, linear dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, a detergent raw material or a biodegradable anionic surfactant, Biosan is the technical answer in the Quimiconsult catalogue, available from Monterrey, Nuevo León, with shipping throughout Mexico in 20, 50, 200 and 1,000 kg packs.

Biosan technical characteristics

Biosan is a reddish viscous liquid with a minimum active content of 96% (linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid), a density of 1.00 to 1.10 g/ml at 25 °C, a viscosity of 960 cps at 25 °C and a pH below 1. Its freezing point is −18 °C and its Klett colour (5% active) is 50 maximum.

As a sulfonic acid, Biosan is not used as such in the finished product: the formulator neutralizes it in their own process to obtain the salt (sulfonate) that acts as the surfactant. Biosan's high activity and low free sulfuric acid content translate into a sulfonate with less residual salt, better colour and lower odour, the properties that determine the final quality of a detergent.

Biosan technical specifications

Description:
Anionic surfactant — linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid

Molecule:
Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA)

Active ingredient:
Minimum 96%

Appearance:
Reddish viscous liquid

pH:
<1

Density at 25 °C:
1.00 – 1.10 g/ml

Viscosity at 25 °C:
960 cps

Freezing point:
−18 °C

Klett colour (5% active):
50 maximum

Pack sizes:
20 kg, 50 kg, 200 kg and 1,000 kg

Quimiconsult SKU:
INMPQ013

Biosan comes with its Technical Data Sheet (TDS), available for download on this page, and any additional documentation your audit and supplier-approval processes require.

How does Biosan work? From sulfonic acid to sulfonate

Biosan's performance in a formulation comes down to three steps:

Neutralization. Biosan reacts with a base —sodium, potassium or ammonium hydroxide— or an organic amine —triethanolamine, monoethanolamine— to form the corresponding salt, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS). The choice of base sets the solubility, viscosity and cold behaviour of the resulting sulfonate.

Wetting. The sulfonate is an amphiphilic molecule: its linear alkyl chain is attracted to grease and its sulfonate group to water. It lines up at the water–soil interface, lowers surface tension and lets the solution wet and penetrate surfaces and fabrics.

Detergency. The sulfonate lifts grease and soil off the surface, emulsifies them and holds them in suspension inside micelles, so the rinse carries them away without redeposition. This combination of wetting and detergency is what makes LAS the most widely used anionic surfactant in the cleaning industry.

Why a linear sulfonic acid rather than a branched one?

Branched dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid (DDBSA) has a branched alkyl chain that microorganisms struggle to break down, so it persists in wastewater and causes foaming in rivers and treatment plants. In linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, such as Biosan, the chain is straight and bacteria break it down easily: it is readily biodegradable.

This lets formulators make detergents with the same cleaning power and a lower environmental impact, meeting customers' and retailers' demand for more sustainable cleaning products.

Biosan applications

Biosan is the base anionic raw material for a wide range of cleaning and personal care formulations. The use level and the neutralizing base depend on the product being formulated; the Quimiconsult technical team can support your development.

Liquid laundry and dishwashing detergents

Neutralized Biosan is the main surfactant in liquid laundry detergents and dishwashing liquids, where it provides detergency, wetting and foam. Its light colour and low odour after neutralization make it easy to obtain good-looking products.

All-purpose cleaners, degreasers and floor cleaners

In household and institutional all-purpose cleaners, degreasers and floor cleaners, Biosan's sulfonate wets the surface, lifts grease and keeps soil in suspension.

Industrial and institutional cleaning

As the anionic base of concentrated detergents for cleaning plants, workshops, fleets, industrial kitchens and institutions, combined with alkalis, sequestrants and other surfactants.

Personal care

In personal care formulations such as liquid hand soaps, Biosan's sulfonate provides wetting and foam, usually combined with milder surfactants such as sodium laureth sulfate or alkyl polyglucosides.

Tailor-made sulfonates

For manufacturers that make their own sodium, potassium, ammonium or triethanolamine sulfonate as an intermediate raw material for other formulations.

Biosan directions for use and neutralization

Neutralization: add Biosan slowly to the base solution with constant stirring to keep the exothermic reaction under control.

Temperature: do not exceed 50 °C during neutralization, to keep the product from darkening.

Final pH: do not go below pH 6.5, to keep the sulfonate from darkening and stainless steel equipment from corroding.

Good practice: adjust the amount of base to the lot's acid value; check the final pH before adding the other ingredients; and validate the formulation with stability tests. The Quimiconsult technical team supports development and scale-up.

Biosan safety, handling and storage

Biosan is a strong acid (pH <1), corrosive to skin and eyes, and must be handled with great care and according to the recommendations in its current Safety Data Sheet (SDS). Wear personal protective equipment: chemical-resistant gloves, goggles and respiratory protection; avoid all contact with skin and eyes, and wash thoroughly after handling.

Storage: keep Biosan in closed containers in a cool, dry place between 27 and 38 °C (80 – 100 °F), preferably in 316 stainless steel or fibreglass containers with an anti-corrosion lining. Keep it away from bases and incompatible materials. Dispose of leftover product and empty containers in accordance with current environmental regulations.

Biosan compared with other surfactants

Biosan (linear LABSA) vs. branched DDBSA: both are neutralized to obtain a detergent sulfonate, but Biosan's linear chain is readily biodegradable, while DDBSA's branched chain persists in the environment. Biosan delivers the same cleaning power with a lower environmental impact.

Biosan vs. sodium laureth sulfate (SLES): SLES is a milder, high-foaming anionic surfactant preferred in shampoos and hand soaps. Biosan delivers stronger detergency and degreasing at a lower cost; many formulas use both to balance cleaning, foam and mildness.

Biosan vs. alkyl polyglucoside (APG): APG is a very mild, plant-derived, biodegradable nonionic surfactant that complements Biosan's sulfonate in eco-friendly cleaning and personal care formulations.

Biosan frequently asked questions

What is Biosan?

Biosan is linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (LABSA) with a minimum activity of 96%, a high-performance anionic surfactant that is neutralized to formulate detergents, cleaners and personal care products.

What is linear sulfonic acid used for?

Once neutralized, linear sulfonic acid becomes linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the surfactant that gives laundry and dishwashing detergents, all-purpose cleaners, degreasers and soaps their wetting, detergency and foam.

What is Biosan neutralized with?

With inorganic bases such as sodium, potassium or ammonium hydroxide, or organic amines such as triethanolamine or monoethanolamine. The base is chosen for the solubility and viscosity the formulation needs.

What is the difference between Biosan and DDBSA?

Biosan has a linear alkyl chain and is readily biodegradable; DDBSA has a branched chain that breaks down with difficulty. Biosan is the sustainable alternative to branched DDBSA.

Is Biosan biodegradable?

Yes. Thanks to its linear structure, Biosan is readily biodegradable.

What precautions should I take when neutralizing it?

Keep the temperature below 50 °C and the pH no lower than 6.5, to prevent the product from darkening and stainless steel equipment from corroding. Add the acid slowly, with stirring.

Is Biosan hazardous to handle?

Biosan is a strong acid, corrosive to skin and eyes. Handle it with gloves, goggles and respiratory protection, following the recommendations in its SDS.

How should it be stored?

In closed containers in a cool, dry place between 27 and 38 °C, preferably in 316 stainless steel or fibreglass with an anti-corrosion lining.

Where can I buy Biosan in Mexico?

From Quimiconsult, available from Monterrey, Nuevo León, with shipping throughout Mexico, in 20, 50, 200 and 1,000 kg packs. Call us on +52 (81) 8105 0063 for advice on your formulation and a quote.

Other names and terms related to Biosan

In purchase requests, specification sheets and online searches, Biosan is referred to by its chemical name and functional descriptions:

Biosan, LABSA, LABSA 96%, LAS acid, sulfonic acid, linear sulfonic acid, sulfonic acid 96, linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, alkylbenzene sulfonic acid, linear dodecylbenzene sulfonic acid, dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, linear DDBSA, DDBSA alternative, anionic surfactant, biodegradable surfactant, detergent raw material, liquid soap raw material, dishwashing liquid base, liquid detergent base, sodium sulfonate, triethanolamine sulfonate, Biosan price, Biosan Quimiconsult, sulfonic acid Mexico, sulfonic acid Monterrey.

Why buy Biosan from Quimiconsult?

Quimiconsult is a Mexican company with more than 30 years of experience in specialty chemicals and raw materials for the cleaning and personal care industries. When you buy Biosan from Quimiconsult you get:

• High-activity linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid (minimum 96%) with a low sulfuric acid content.
• 20, 50, 200 and 1,000 kg packs, from development volumes to full production.
• Technical support with neutralization and the development of your formulation.
• The other raw materials in your formula —surfactants, sequestrants, preservatives and thickeners— from a single Mexican supplier.
• Availability from Monterrey, Nuevo León, with shipping throughout Mexico and technical documentation (TDS).

Do you formulate detergents, cleaners or soaps and need a reliable linear sulfonic acid? Call us on +52 (81) 8105 0063: we will review your formulation and propose raw materials from our catalogue.

Related products

Biosan is part of Quimiconsult's portfolio of raw materials for cleaning and personal care. Products that complement it in a formulation:

• Sodium laureth sulfate 70% / 28% — mild, high-foaming anionic surfactant to combine with Biosan's sulfonate.
• Alkyl polyglucoside 70% — plant-derived, biodegradable nonionic surfactant.
• Nonylphenol 10 moles — nonionic surfactant for industrial degreasers and cleaners.
• EDTA / Sodium gluconate — sequestrants that boost detergency in hard water.
• Bronopol — antimicrobial preservative for water-based formulations.

Related categories: Surfactants for institutional and household cleaning · Detergents for institutional and household cleaning · Industrial cleaning detergents · Wetting agents for personal care

Developing a new detergent or cleaner formula? Contact us and we will review the options in our catalogue for your application.