Fabric care, esterquats

While esterquats in principle can fulfill the same functions as alkylquats, today they are commercially applied in a limited number of applications. The production volume of esterquats worldwide is between 150,000 and 200,000 tons. More than 95% of this material is used in fabric care. 

Alkanolamine-based esterquats compose by far the largest group in fabric care applications. Three different types are used commercially, each in significant quantities (Fig. 14). 

FIG. 14 Alkanolamine-based esterquats applied in fabric care. R is Cie and Ci8, saturated or unsaturated. 

The single largest market for quaternary ammonium compounds is as fabric softeners. In 1993 this market accounted for over 50,000 metric tons of quaternaries in the United States (235). Consumption of these products is increasing at an annual rate of about 2—3%. The hair care market consumed over 9000 metric tons of quaternary ammonium compounds in 1992 (236). The annual consumption for organoclays is estimated at 12,700 metric tons (237). Esterquats have begun to gain market share in Western Europe and growth is expected to continue. 

Esterquats cause fewer problems for formulating ultras and concentrates [7], Carefully selecting structural details of the active such as the mono-, di-, and triester ratio, the presence of unsaturation on the alkyl groups and their cis-trans configuration, the pH value, and the particle size of the dispersion enables one to get stable, low-viscosity softeners containing 20 to 25% active [6], Another advantage of esterquats is that they do not stain fabrics [7],... 

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See also in sourсe #XX -- [ , , ]

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