ALKYLPOLYGLUCOSIDES - TECHNOLOGY AND PROP ERTIES

Carbohydrate derivatives with surfactant properties are known for a lo ng time. Nevertheless, their large scale commercial production has not been realized in the past, especially due to the lack of suitable eco nomical manufacturing procedures. Among the well-known carbohydrate su rfactant structures, the long chain alkyl polyglucosides are expected to succeed within the group of large scale leading surfactants. The de velopment of the chemistry of carbohydrate surfactants is reviewed, pa rticulary describing manfacturing process options for alkyl polyglucos ides. Present large scale glucoside surfactant manufacture is based on a number of decisive product and process improvements, leading to pro ducts which meet the demands of the surfactant market regarding perfor mance, quality and price. Alkyl polyglucosides are a new category of m ild, moderately foaming, highly soluble nonionic surfactants suitable for many applications and industries. Their unique performance and for mulating properties are summarized.