Product Fact Sheet

GLUCOTAIN® FLEX

Mild, nonionic surfactant for the cosmetic industry

Composition N-C12/18-acyl-N-methyl-glucamin CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD

INCI Name (proposed): Lauroyl/Myristoyl Methyl Glucamide Rothausstrasse 61

4132 Muttenz
Switzerland

BUSINESS UNIT INDUSTRIAL &

Product properties 1 CONSUMER SPECIALTIES

www.ics.clariant.com
www.clariant.com
Appearance (20°C) Yellowish paste
Appearance (50°C) Clear liquid
Melting point approx. 32-34°C
Gardner colour max. 5
Active substance Approx. 35 %
Viscosity at 40°C approx. 200 mPa*s
Density at 25°C 1.026 g/cm3
pH (10 % t. q. aqueous 4.8 – 6.8
solution)
Propylene Glycol Approx. 4 %
Krafft Point* Approx. 30°C
HLB (Griffin) 11.5

Manufacture
Reaction of N-Methyl Glucamine with C12-18 Fatty Acid Methylester

Profile
GlucoTain® Flex is a mild surfactant with good cleansing ability for hair and
skin care. It shows great flexibilty which allows formualtions ranging from
showers & baths, liquid handsoaps to facial cleansers as well as shaving
applications, soaps and syndets. It is especically suitable for normal skin.

Mildness
GlucoTain® surfactants are amongst the mildest surfactants in the market. They
are extremely mild to both skin proteins and skin lipids and are therefore very
useful for formulations with mildness claims and for sensitive skin and hair.

1 These characteristics are for guidance only and not to be taken as product specifications. The
tolerances are given in the product specification sheet. For further product properties, specifications,
safety and ecological data, please refer to the MSDS.

Page 1 of 3 GLUCOTAIN® FLEX November 2015

Compatibility
GlucoTain® Flex is miscible with all types of surfactants (anionic, non-ionic,
cationic and amphoteric).
Shampoos, shower gels and liquid soaps with very good skin tolerability can be
produced by combining GlucoTain® Flex with primary foamers like Sodium
Laureth Sulfate, Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate or Sodium Cocoyl Methyl Taurate.
Formulations with GlucoTain® Flex can be thickened with all types of natural
CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD
and synthetic polymers.
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz
Foaming power Switzerland
GlucoTain® Flex shows creamy and stable foam in formulations if used as a co-
BUSINESS UNIT INDUSTRIAL &
surfactant. CONSUMER SPECIALTIES

www.ics.clariant.com
Thickening effects www.clariant.com
GlucoTain® Flex shows improved thickening in combination with anionic
surfactants and salt compared to other non-ionic co-surfactants comparable to
typical amphoterics. GlucoTain® Flex is salt-free and therefore gives higher
flexibility in cases where several co-surfactants carry a salt load themselves.

Sensory effects
GlucoTain® Flex shows a distinct conditioning effect in the dry state and can
thus eliminate or reduce the necessity for cationic polymers or other refatting
agents in rinse-off formulation.
In shampoos, it reduces combing force in wet and dry state. Furthermore, it
generates soft and conditioned hair and can help to reduce or eliminate
conditioner polymers and silicones.

Use Level
A use level of 1 % to 20 % (0.35 to 7 % active) is recommended.
At 2 % active level (5 .7 % GlucoTain® Flex) a distinct sensory effect on skin is
observed.

Formulation advice
GlucoTain® Flex is liquid above 32-34°C.
GlucoTain® Flex should preferably be added in molten form to solutions of other
surfactants (e.g. Sodium Laureth Sulfate, other co-surfactants) at any step of the
manufacturing process in order to avoid gelling. Clear surfactant solution can be
obtained at any pH between 3.5 and 10.
If GlucoTain® Flex is dissolved at temperatures below the Krafft point of 30°C in
pure water, viscous, metastable solutions are formed. Those solutions are clear
at pH = 7 and slightly turbid at pH = 5. On standing they form precipitates,
which can be re-dissolved by heating to above 30-40°C.

Page 2 of 3 GLUCOTAIN® FLEX November 2015

Storage and Shelf Life
GlucoTain® Flex can either be stored below its melting point, where it will
solidify slowly or can be stored in temperature controlled containers at a
recommended temperature of 38-42°C.
In case GlucoTain® Flex has solidified, the product should be molten under
homogenisation in a heat chamber with a maximum outer temperature of 80°C
until the inner temperature of the drum or IBC has reached 38-42 °C.
The shelf life is at least two years when stored in tightly closed containers at CLARIANT INTERNATIONAL LTD
room temperature in a clean and aerated place. After this period the product Rothausstrasse 61
should be analysed for extension of the shelf life. 4132 Muttenz
On warm storage at 38-42°C the shelf life is at least 3 months. After this period Switzerland

the product should be analysed for extension of the shelf life. BUSINESS UNIT INDUSTRIAL &
CONSUMER SPECIALTIES

Preservation www.ics.clariant.com
www.clariant.com
GlucoTain® Flex is preserved with 0.75 to 1.0 % of Sorbic acid.

Safety
Please see Material Safety Data Sheet before handling the material.

Packaging
Roadtanker, 1000 L IBC, 200 L polyethylene drums

This information corresponds to the present state of our knowledge For sales to customers located within the United States and Canada
and is intended as a general description of our products and their the following applies in addition:
possible applications. Clariant makes no warranties, express or NO EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTY IS MADE OF THE
implied, as to the information’s accuracy, adequacy, sufficiency or MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR
freedom from defect and assumes no liability in connection with any PURPOSE OR OTHERWISE OF ANY PRODUCT OR SERVICE.
use of this information. Any user of this product is responsible for
determining the suitability of Clariant’s products for its particula
application. * Nothing included in this information waives any of ® Trademark of Clariant registered in many countries
Clariant’s General Terms and Conditions of Sale, which control © 2012 Clariant International Ltd
unless it agrees otherwise in writing. Any existing
intellectual/industrial property rights must be observed. Due to
possible changes in our products and applicable national and
international regulations and laws, the status of our products could
change. Material Safety Data Sheets providing safety precautions,
that should be observed when handling or storing Clariant products,
are available upon request and are provided in compliance with
applicable law. You should obtain and review the applicable Material
Safety Data Sheet information before handling any of these products.
For additional information, please contact Clariant.

Page 3 of 3 GLUCOTAIN® FLEX November 2015