composition

Abstract

A composition is disclosed comprising an anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether represented by the formula (I), wherein R1 is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 11 to 21 carbon atoms; each R2 is an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; m is an integer from 1 to 50; E is a group comprising one or more of sulfate, phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfoacetate, sarcosinate and phosphonate; M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof, and alkyl ether sulfate, wherein the weight ratio of the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether to alkyl ether sulfate is from 1:10 to 10:1.

Description

[0001] COMPOSITION

[0002] Technical Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to a composition, particularly a detergent composition comprising an anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether and an anionic surfactant.

[0004] Background of the Invention

[0005] There are several instances of day-to-day activities like e.g. washing, including laundry, dishwashing and household cleaning, which require cleaning compositions. Surfactants are commonly used in cleaning compositions as detergents and wetting agents to reduce surface tension and help remove oil and greasy substances.

[0006] Alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is one of the main varieties of polyoxyalkylene non-ionic surfactants with outstanding advantages such as strong permeability, high detergency, good compatibility and rapid dissolution. However, it has strong degreasing power to skin and hair, and is highly irritating to the skin, which limits its application as an active ingredient for daily cleaning products. Anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether has been developed, which not only maintains the superior properties of alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether, but also significantly improves its solubilization ability to inorganic salts and weakens its irritation to human skin.

[0007] One of the problems associated with a liquid composition comprising anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is that it does not provide satisfactory foaming performance. Foam is an important attribute for many consumers who use cleaning products, as it can indicate the cleansing ability and efficiency of the product. Moreover, foam can enhance the sensory experience and enjoyment of using the product.

[0008] Viscosity can also be very important for liquid compositions as it can affect their flow behavior, dispensing performance, stability, and appearance. However, a liquid composition comprising anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether may not provide satisfactory viscosity. It is therefore desirable to improve the viscosity of such liquid compositions. Nowadays, bio-based compounds have gained significant interest due to an increasing demand of sustainable alternatives to petroleum based raw materials. Some consumers prefer compounds with a good environmental profile. For the purposes of environmental sustainability, greener choices of surfactants may be used, especially those derived from raw materials with plant origin.

[0009] The present invention has been devised in the light of the above considerations.

[0010] Summary of the Invention

[0011] In a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a composition comprising:

[0012] (a) an anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether represented by the formula (I)

[0013] Wherein Ri is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 11 to 21 carbon atoms; each R2is an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; m is an integer from 1 to 50; E is a group comprising one or more of sulfate, phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfoacetate, sarcosinate and phosphonate; M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof; and

[0014] (b) alkyl ether sulfate; and wherein the weight ratio of the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether to alkyl ether sulfate is from 1 :10 to 10:1.

[0015] In a second aspect, the present invention is directed to a method for forming a liquid detergent composition or a wash liquor by dispersing a dose of the composition according to any embodiment of the first aspect.

[0016] All other aspects of the present invention will more readily become apparent upon considering the detailed description and examples which follow. Detailed Description

[0017] Except in the examples, or where otherwise explicitly indicated, all numbers in this description indicating amounts of material or conditions of reaction, physical properties of materials and / or use may optionally be understood as modified by the word “about”.

[0018] All amounts are by weight of the final composition, unless otherwise specified. It should be noted that in specifying any ranges of values, any particular upper value can be associated with any particular lower value.

[0019] For the avoidance of doubt, the word “comprising” is intended to mean “including” but not necessarily “consisting of’ or “composed of”. In other words, the listed steps or options need not be exhaustive.

[0020] The disclosure of the invention as found herein is to be considered to cover all embodiments as found in the claims as being multiply dependent upon each other irrespective of the fact that claims may be found without multiple dependency or redundancy.

[0021] Where a feature is disclosed with respect to a particular aspect of the invention (for example a composition of the invention), such disclosure is also to be considered to apply to any other aspect of the invention (for example a method of the invention) mutatis mutandis.

[0022] Unless specified otherwise, amounts as used herein are expressed in percentage by weight based on the total weight of the composition and is abbreviated as “wt%” or “weight %”.

[0023] The composition may find use in a variety of cleaning applications. Preferably the composition is a detergent composition. The composition of the present invention may be in any suitable form, for example, a solid such as a powder, a granulated particle and a shaped solid or a liquid. Preferably the composition is a liquid detergent composition. The term “liquid” in the context of this invention denotes that a continuous phase or predominant part of the composition is liquid and that the composition is flowable at 15°C and above. Accordingly, the term “liquid” may encompass emulsions, suspensions, and compositions having flowable yet stiffer consistency, known as gels or pastes. The viscosity of the composition may suitably range from about 200 to about 10,000 mPa s at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 sec1. This shear rate is the shear rate that is usually exerted on the liquid when poured from a bottle. Pourable liquid detergent compositions generally have a viscosity of from 200 to 1,500 mPa s, measured at 25°C at a shear rate of 21 s-1by a HAAKE Viscometer. In some embodiments the composition is a laundry detergent composition. The term “laundry detergent” in the context of this invention denotes formulated compositions intended for and capable of wetting and cleaning domestic laundry such as clothing, linens and other household textiles. Examples of liquid laundry detergents include heavy-duty liquid laundry detergents for use in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines, as well as liquid fine wash and liquid colour care detergents such as those suitable for washing delicate garments (e.g. those made of silk or wool) either by hand or in the wash cycle of automatic washing machines. In some embodiments the composition is handwash detergents which involve the consumer using their hands to wash substrates. Fields of use principally involve laundry use (i.e. the hand washing of clothes) and hand dishwash (i.e. the hand washing of dishes and the like). Handwash detergents involve intimate contact of the detergent liquor with the hands during the washing process, whether in laundry or hand dishwash. Laundry detergent composition is particularly preferred.

[0024] The composition may be concentrated or dilute. A “concentrated” composition refers to a composition comprising up to 50% by weight of water, for example up to 40%, up to 30% or up to 20%, based on total weight of the composition. Preferably the composition of the present invention is a “dilute” composition. A “dilute” composition refers to a composition comprising greater than 50% by weight of water, for example greater than 60%, greater than 70% or greater than 80%.

[0025] Anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether

[0026] The anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is represented by the formula (I): wherein Ri is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 11 to 21 carbon atoms; each R2 is an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; m is an integer from 1 to 50; E is a group comprising one or more of sulfate, phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfoacetate, sarcosinate and phosphonate; M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof. Preferably Ri is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 13 to 17 carbon atoms, more preferably Ri is a linear alkyl or alkenyl group having 13 to 17 carbon atoms. It is particularly preferred that Ri is a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group, more preferably a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 0 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds.

[0027] Preferably, each R2is an ethylene oxide group or a propylene oxide group. More preferably, each R2is an ethylene oxide group.

[0028] Preferably, m is an integer from 1 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 15, and most preferably from 3 to 10.

[0029] E is a terminal group comprising one or more of sulfate, phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfoacetate, sarcosinate and phosphonate, preferably E comprises sulfate, phosphate or mixtures thereof, more preferably E comprises or is sulfate. M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof, preferably M is sodium, potassium or ammonium, more preferably M is sodium or ammonium.

[0030] It will be understood that E is a terminal group carrying an anionic charge, covalently bound to the group R2. M is one or more cationic moieties forming an ionic bond with E to provide charge balance.

[0031] Preferably the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether, more preferably is anionically modified cardanol polyoxyethylene ether.

[0032] Preferably the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether sulfate, or alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether phosphate, more preferably, the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, or alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyethylene ether phosphate.

[0033] It is particularly preferred that the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is cardanol polyoxyalkylene ether sulfate or cardanol polyoxyalkylene ether phosphate, preferably cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate or cardanol polyoxyethylene ether phosphate. Cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate is most preferred. Cardanol is a product obtained by treating cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL). CNSL is a well- known non-edible natural oil obtained as a by-product of the Anacardium occidentale nut. CNSL is one of the most widely used bio-based resource to provide useful chemicals for various applications. Cardanol is an important chemical derived by decarboxylation of anacardic acid, which is the primary component of CNSL. Cardanol is a natural biomass phenol with a C15 side chain (R) in the meta-position of the aromatic ring, which is represented by formula (II). The side chain R is a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 0 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds. Therefore, cardanol has four components, and each component has saturated, monoene, diene, and triene structures respectively. The positions of double bonds are located at positions 8, 11 and 14 of the side chain R respectively. The four components in cardanol are about 5-8% saturated component, about 48-49% component with one double bond, about 16- 17% component with two double bonds and about 29-30% component with three double bonds.

[0034] Cardanol polyoxyethylene ether, which is represented by formula (III), may be formed via a polymerization type reaction by reacting cardanol and ethylene oxide in the presence of a catalyst.

[0035] Wherein R is a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 0 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds as defined above in formula (II). n is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 15, and most preferably from 3 to 10.

[0036] The reaction is commonly referred to as ethoxylation. The mechanism of reaction is: cardanol generates oxygen negative ions under alkaline conditions and the cardanol polyoxyethylene ether is obtained by ethoxylation reaction with ethylene oxide. Preferably, the molar ratio of cardanol and ethylene oxide is from 1:100 to 20:1, more preferably from 1:50 to 10:1 and even more preferably from 1 :30 to 1 : 1. Preferred catalysts for this reaction include, for example, potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide, barium hydroxide octahydrate, sodium bicarbonate or mixtures thereof. The amount of the catalyst is typically 0.01 to 5% by weight of cardanol, more preferably from 0.1 to 3%, even more preferably from 0.2 to 1% and most preferably from 0.4 to 0.6%. The reaction temperature is preferably from 120 to 180°C and the polymerization reaction time is typically 0.5 to 2 hours. By the end of polymerization reaction, the reaction product is typically neutralized with acetic acid to obtain cardanol polyoxyethylene ether. Other alkylene oxide such as propylene oxide may also react with cardanol through polymerization reaction to produce various cardanol polyoxyalkylene ether. Further examples of manufacturing processes suitable to generate the cardanol polyoxyethylene ether described herein are disclosed in CN102432440A, CN102391080A, CN102351664A and CN101941894A.

[0037] The cardanol polyoxyethylene ether may be further functionalized with an anionic group to form anionically modified cardanol polyoxyethylene ether. Preferably the anionic group is sulfate or phosphate, more preferably sulfate.

[0038] Cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, which is represented by formula (IV), may be formed by sulfonating the cardanol polyoxyethylene ether in the presence of a catalyst.

[0039] Wherein R is a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 0 to 3 carbon-carbon double bonds as defined above in formula (II). n is an integer from 1 to 50, preferably from 1 to 30, more preferably from 2 to 15, and most preferably from 3 to 10. M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof, preferably M is sodium, potassium or ammonium, more preferably M is sodium or ammonium. Preferred sulfonating agent is sulfamic acid or sodium sulfonate, more preferably sulfamic acid. The molar ratio of cardanol polyoxyethylene ether and sulfonating agent is preferably from 1 :10 to 10:1 , more preferably from 1 :5 to 5:1, even more preferably from 1 :3 to 3:1 and most preferably from 1 : 1.2 to 1 : 1. Preferred catalysts for this reaction include, for example, carbonamide, dicyandiamide, urea, p-toluenesulfonic acid, dimethylformamide, N-methylpyrrolidone, hypophosphite or mixtures thereof, more preferably carbonamide, dicyandiamide, urea or mixtures thereof. The molar ratio of cardanol polyoxyethylene ether and the catalyst is preferably from 1:10 to 30:1, more preferably from 1 :5 to 20:1, even more preferably from 1:1 to 10:1 and most preferably from 1.5:1 to 5:1. It is preferred that a reducing agent is included in the reaction mixture as a color stabilizer to obtain a light-colored cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate. Preferably, the reducing agent comprises hypophosphorous acid, hypophosphite or mixtures thereof.

[0040] The reaction temperature is preferably from 100 to 125°C and the reaction time is typically 3 to 6 hours. By the end of reaction, an alcohol may be added to the reaction mixture to reduce viscosity in order to obtain cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate. The alcohol is preferably a C1-C4 monohydric alcohol comprising methanol, ethanol, isobutanol or mixtures thereof. Alternatively, the reaction mixture may be neutralized with sodium hydroxide to obtain cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate. Further examples of manufacturing processes suitable to generate the cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate described herein are disclosed in CN 114276281 A and CN101941926A.

[0041] When sulfamic acid is used as the sulfonating agent, the counterion M for the obtained cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate is ammonium. An example is commercially available under the trade name NSN3003 from Nasurfar Biomaterial Technology Co. Ltd. The ammonium counterion may be replaced with sodium or potassium ions via ion exchange according to standard processes to produce sodium cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate or potassium cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate. Cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate with a sodium or a potassium counterion is preferred since it may be more stable compared to a corresponding ammonium salt when formulated into a composition of the present invention.

[0042] The composition of the present invention preferably comprises the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether in an amount of from 0.1 to 30%, more preferably from 0.5 to 20%, even more preferably from 1 to 15% and most preferably from 2 to 10%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0043] Anionic surfactant

[0044] The composition of the present invention can comprise an anionic surfactant selected from alkyl sulfate, alkyl ether sulfate, soap, alkyl sulfonate, alkaryl sulfonate, alpha-olefin sulfonate, alkyl isethionate, alkyl succinate, alkyl sulphosuccinate, alkyl ether sulphosuccinate, N-alkyl sarcosinate, alkyl phosphate, alkyl ether phosphate, alkyl ether carboxylic acid or mixtures thereof. Suitable anionic surfactants also include their corresponding salts, especially their sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium and mono-, di-, and triethanolamine salts. The alkyl radicals generally contain from 8 to 18, preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms and may be unsaturated. The alkyl ether sulfates, alkyl ether sulphosuccinates, alkyl ether phosphates and alkyl ether carboxylic acids and salts thereof may contain from 1 to 20 ethylene oxide or propylene oxide units per molecule.

[0045] The anionic surfactant comprises or is alkyl ether sulfate.

[0046] Alkyl ether sulfate is an anionic surfactant having a formula RO(CH2CH2O)nSO3M, wherein R is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms; M is a positively charged ion comprising sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine or mixtures thereof, preferably sodium, potassium or mixtures thereof; n is the degree of ethoxylation of from 0.5 to 3, preferably from 1 to 3. A preferred example is sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) in which the predominantly C12 lauryl alkyl group has been ethoxylated with an average of 2EO units per molecule.

[0047] Alkyl sulfates are anionic surfactants which are water soluble salts containing a hydrocarbon hydrophobic group and a hydrophilic sulfate group. Preferably, the alkyl sulfate has an alkyl group having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms, even more preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. It will be appreciated that both branched and linear alkyl groups are encompassed. The alkyl group is preferably linear, i.e. normal alkyl, however, branched chain alkyl sulfates can be employed, although they are less preferred from a biodegradability perspective.

[0048] Preferably, the alkyl sulfate comprises a salt of an alkyl sulfate. In this way, the alkyl sulfate comprises a positively charged ion and a negatively alkyl sulfate moiety. The positively charged ion may be a metal ion such as sodium, potassium or magnesium; or an ammoniacal ion such as ammonium, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine or triethanolamine. Mixtures of such ions may also be employed. Sodium and potassium are preferred.

[0049] It is preferred that the alkyl sulfate comprises sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium or ethanolamine salts of alkyl sulfate having 8 to 18 carbon atoms, more preferably 10 to 18 carbon atoms, even more preferably from 10 to 16 carbon atoms. Illustrative yet non- limiting examples of alkyl sulfates include sodium lauryl sulfate (also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate), ammonium lauryl sulfate, diethanolamine (DEA) lauryl sulfate. Suitable examples also include alkyl sulfates commercially available from natural source with trade names Galaxy 689, Galaxy 780, Galaxy 789, Galaxy 799 SP, and llfarol TCL 92N and from synthetic origin with trade names Safol 23, Dobanol 23A or 23S, Lial 123 S, Alfol 1412S, Empicol LC3, Empicol 075SR.

[0050] Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS), also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate, is particularly preferred as the alkyl sulfate.

[0051] The term “soap” as used herein, means the alkali metal or alkanol ammonium salts of aliphatic, alkanes, or alkene monocarboxylic acids. Preferred monocarboxylic acids are fatty acids with 6 to 22 carbon atoms, more preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms. Examples of suitable soap include, but not limited to, sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, ammonium, monoethanolamine, diethanolamine, triethanolamine salts of lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, (hydrogenated) erucic acid, behenic acid, coconut oil fatty acid, palm oil fatty acid, palm kernel oil fatty acid, olive oil fatty acid, tallow fatty acid or mixtures thereof. The fatty acids may be saturated or unsaturated, linear or branched. It is particularly preferred that the soap comprises sodium or potassium salts of coconut fatty acid, palm kernel oil fatty acid or mixtures thereof.

[0052] The composition of the present invention preferably comprises from 0.1 to 30% by weight of the anionic surfactant, more preferably from 0.5 to 20%, even more preferably from 1 to 15% and most preferably from 2 to 10%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein. Preferably the composition of the present invention comprises from 0.1 to 30% by weight of alkyl ether sulfate, more preferably from 0.5 to 20%, even more preferably from 1 to 15% and most preferably from 2 to 10%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0053] The composition of the present invention can comprise the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether and the anionic surfactant at a weight ratio from 1 : 10 to 10:1 , preferably from 1 :5 to 5:1, more preferably from 1 :3 to 3:1 and most preferably from 1 :2 to 2:1, including all ratios subsumed therein. The composition of the present inventio comprises the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether and alkyl ether sulfate at a weight ratio of from 1:10 to 10:1 , preferably from 1:5 to 5:1 , more preferably from 1:3 to 3:1 and most preferably from 1:2 to 2:1 , including all ratios subsumed therein. Surfactant

[0054] The composition may comprise other surfactants in addition to the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether and the anionic surfactant described above. Suitable surfactants comprise anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactant or mixtures thereof, preferably the surfactants comprise anionic surfactants, non-ionic surfactants or mixtures thereof.

[0055] Another class of anionic surfactant may be used in the invention includes alkylbenzene sulfonates, particularly linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS) with an alkyl chain length of from 10 to 18 carbon atoms. Commercial LAS is a mixture of closely related isomers and homologues alkyl chain homologues, each containing an aromatic ring sulfonated at the “para" position and attached to a linear alkyl chain at any position except the terminal carbons. The linear alkyl chain typically has a chain length of from 11 to 15 carbon atoms, with the predominant materials having a chain length of about C12. Each alkyl chain homologue consists of a mixture of all the possible sulfophenyl isomers except for the 1 -phenyl isomer. LAS is normally formulated into compositions in acid (i.e. HLAS) form and then at least partially neutralized in-situ. Examples of alkylbenzene sulfonates include sodium salt of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate, alkyl toluene sulphonate, alkyl xylene sulphonate, alkyl phenol sulphonate, alkyl naphthalene-sulphonate, ammonium diamylnaphthalene-sulphonate and sodium dinonylnaphthalene-sulphonate and mixtures with olefin sulphonates.

[0056] The composition may also comprise non-ionic surfactants. A preferred class of non-ionic surfactant for use in the present invention includes Cs to Cis alkyl alcohol ethoxylates, more preferably C12 to C15 primary linear alcohol ethoxylates with an average of from 3 to 20, more preferably from 3 to 10 moles of ethylene oxide per mole of alcohol. Particularly preferred are lauryl alcohol condensed with 3, 5, 7 and 9 moles of EO (AEO-3, AEO-5, AEO-7 and AEO-9). A further preferred non-ionic surfactant are the C16 / 18 Alcohol ethoxylates.

[0057] Another preferred class of non-ionic surfactant is alkoxylated glycerol esters. The alkoxylated glycerol ester is represented by the following formula:

[0058] Wherein each of Ri to Re is independently a hydrogen or a methyl group; each of R? to Rg is independently a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 5 to 30 carbon atoms, preferably from 8 to 22 carbon atoms7more preferably from 10 to 18 carbon atoms; m, n, p, x, y, or z is independently a number of from 1 to 30, preferably from 5 to 25 and more preferably from 12 to 21. The sum of m, n, p, x, y, z being in the range of 3 to 90.

[0059] Preferably, the alkoxylated glycerol ester comprises coconut fatty acid esters, palm oil fatty acid esters or mixtures thereof. The most preferred alkoxylated glycerol ester is palm kernel oil ethoxylates. An example is commercially available under the trade name SOE-N-60 from Sinolight Surfactant Technology Co., Ltd. Other suitable alkoxylated glyceryl esters are commercially available from Kao under the Levenol brand name. Variants such as Levenol F-200 which has an average EO of 6 and a molar ratio between glycerol and coco fatty acid of 0.55, Levenol V501 / 2 which has an average EO of 17 and a molar ratio between glycerol and coco fatty acid of 1.5 and Levenol C201 which is also known as glycereth-17 cocoate.

[0060] Another preferred class of non-ionic surfactant is methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE). Methyl ester ethoxylate surfactant is of the form:

[0061] R3(-C=O)-O-(CH2CH2-O)n-CH3

[0062] Where R3COO is a fatty acid moiety, such as oleic, stearic, palmitic. Fatty acid nomenclature is to describe the fatty acid by 2 numbers A:B where A is the number of carbons in the fatty acid and B is the number of double bonds it contains. For example oleic is 18:1 , stearic is 18:0 and palmitic 16:0. The position of the double bond on the chain may be given in brackets, 18:1(9) for oleic, 18:2 (9,12) for linoleic where 9 if the number of carbons from the COOH end.

[0063] The integer n is the mole average number of ethoxylates. Methyl ester ethoxylates (MEE) are described in chapter 8 of Biobased Surfactants (Second Edition) Synthesis, Properties, and Applications Pages 287-301 (AOCS press 2019) by G.A. Smith; J. Am. Oil. Chem.Soc. vol 74 (1997) page 847-859 by Cox M.E. and Weerasooriva II; Tenside Surf.Det. vol 28 (2001) page by 72-80 by Hreczuch et al; by C. Kolano. Household and Personal Care Today (2012) page 52-55; J.Am.Oil. Chem.Soc. vol 72 (1995) page 781-784 by A. Hama et al. MEE may be produced the reaction of methyl ester with ethylene oxide, using catalysts based on calcium or magnesium. The catalyst may be removed or left in the MEE.

[0064] The methyl ester ethoxylate preferably has a mole average of from 8 to 13 ethoxylate groups (EO). The most preferred ethoxylate has a mol average of from 9 to 11EO, even more preferably 10EO. When the MEE has a mole average of 10EO then at least 10 wt.% of the MEE should consist of ethoxylate with 9, 10 and 11 ethoxylate groups.

[0065] In the context of the wider MEE contribution, it is preferred that at least 40 wt.% of the total MEE in the composition is C18:1.

[0066] In addition, it is preferred that the MEE component also comprises some C16 MEE.

[0067] Accordingly, it is preferred that the total MEE component comprises from 5 to 50wt.% total MEE, C16 MEE. Preferably the C16 MEE is greater than 90wt.%, more preferably greater than 95wt.% 016:0.

[0068] Further, it is preferred that the total MEE component comprises less than 15 wt.%, more preferably less than 10 wt.%, most preferably less than 5 wt.% total MEE of polyunsaturated C18, i.e. C18:2 and C18:3. Preferably C18:3 is present at less than 1 wt.%, more preferably less than 0.5 wt.%, most preferably essentially absent. The levels of polyunsaturation may be controlled by distillation, fractionation or partial hydrogenation of the raw materials (triglyceride or methyl ester) or of the MEE.

[0069] Further, it is preferred that the C18:0 component is less than 10wt.% by weight of the total MEE present.

[0070] Further, it is preferred that the components with carbon chains of 15 or shorter comprise less than 4wt% by weight of the total MEE present.

[0071] A particularly preferred MEE has 2 to 26 wt.% of the MEE C16:0 chains, 1 to 10 wt.% C18:0 chains, 50 to 85 wt.% 018:1 chains and 1 to 12 wt.% 018:2 chains. Preferred sources for the alkyl groups for the MEE include methyl ester derived from distilled palm oil and distilled high oleic methyl ester derived from palm kernel oil, partially hydrogenated methyl ester of low euric rapeseed oil, methyl ester of high oleic sunflower oil, methyl ester of high oleic safflower oil and methyl ester of high oleic soybean oil.

[0072] High Oleic oils are available from DuPont (Plenish high oleice soybean oil), Monsanto (Visitive Gold Soybean oil), Dow (Omega-9 Canola oil, Omega-9 sunflower oil), the National Sunflower Association and Oilseeds International.

[0073] Preferably the double bonds in the MEE are greater than 80 wt.% in the cis configuration.

[0074] Preferably the 18:1 component is oleic. Preferably the 18:2 component is linoleic.

[0075] The methyl group of the methyl ester may be replaced by an ethyl or propyl group. Methyl is most preferred.

[0076] A further class of non-ionic surfactants include fatty acid amides, alky poly glycosides, and rhamnolipids.

[0077] Mixtures of two or more of the non-ionic surfactants can be used. When the composition comprises non-ionic surfactants, the non-ionic surfactant is typically present at a level from 0.01 to 30%, more preferably from 0.1 to 20% and most preferably from 1 to 10%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0078] The composition may also comprise one or more types of cationic surfactant. Many cationic surfactants are known in the art, and almost any cationic surfactant having at least one long chain alkyl group of about 10 to 24 carbon atoms may be present as an auxiliary component of the surfactant system. Such compounds are described in "Cationic Surfactants", Jungermann, 1970, incorporated by reference.

[0079] Specific cationic surfactants include C8 to C18 alkyl dimethyl ammonium halides and derivatives thereof in which one or two hydroxyethyl groups replace one or two of the methyl groups, and mixtures thereof. More cationic surfactants which can be used as surfactants are described in detail in U.S. Patent No. 4,497,718, hereby incorporated by reference. As with the non-ionic and anionic surfactants, the compositions of the invention may use cationic surfactants alone or in combination with any of the other surfactants known in the art. Cationic surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 5% based on total weight of the composition. It is preferred that the composition does not comprise any cationic surfactants.

[0080] The composition may also comprise one or more types of amphoteric surfactant. Specific amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactants include alkyl amine oxides, alkyl betaines, alkyl amidopropyl betaines, alkyl sulfobetaines (sultaines), alkyl glycinates, alkyl carboxyglycinates, alkyl amphoacetates, alkyl amphopropionates, alkylamphoglycinates, alkyl amidopropyl hydroxysultaines, acyl taurates and acyl glutamates, having alkyl radicals containing from about 8 to about 22 carbon atoms, the term “alkyl” being used to include the alkyl portion of higher acyl radicals. Amphoteric (zwitterionic) surfactant, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0 to 5% based on total weight of the composition. It is preferred that the composition does not comprise any amphoteric surfactants.

[0081] Source of alkyl chains

[0082] The alkyl chains of the surfactant are preferably obtained from a renewable source, preferably from a triglyceride. A renewable source is one where the material is produced by natural ecological cycle of a living species, preferably by a plant, algae, fungi, yeast or bacteria, more preferably plants, algae or yeasts.

[0083] Preferred plant sources of oils are rapeseed, sunflower, maze, soy, cottonseed, olive oil and trees. The oil from trees is called tall oil. Most preferably Palm Kernel and Coconut oils are the source. The required ratio of C12:C14 may be obtained by fractionation / distillation and mixing of components.

[0084] Algal oils are discussed in Energies 2019, 12, 1920 Algal Biofuels: Current Status and Key Challenges by Saad M.G. et al. A process for the production of triglycerides from biomass using yeasts is described in Energy Environ. Sci., 2019,12, 2717 A sustainable, high-performance process for the economic production of waste-free microbial oils that can replace plant-based equivalents by Masri M.A. et al.

[0085] Non edible plant oils may be used and are preferably selected from the fruit and seeds of Jatropha curcas, Calophyllum inophyllum, Sterculia feotida, Madhuca indica (mahua), Pongamia glabra (koroch seed), Linseed, Pongamia pinnata (karanja), Hevea brasiliensis (Rubber seed), Azadirachta indica (neem), Camelina sativa, Lesquerella fendleri, Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco), Deccan hemp, Ricinus communis L. (castor), Simmondsia chinensis (Jojoba), Eruca sativa. L., Cerbera odollam (Sea mango), Coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.), Croton megalocarpus, Pilu, Crambe, syringa, Scheleichera triguga (kusum), Stillingia, Shorea robusta (sal), Terminalia belerica roxb, Cuphea, Camellia, Champaca, Simarouba glauca, Garcinia indica, Rice bran, Hingan (balanites), Desert date, Cardoon, Asclepias syriaca (Milkweed), Guizotia abyssinica, Radish Ethiopian mustard, Syagrus, Tung, Idesia polycarpa var. vestita, Alagae, Argemone mexicana L. (Mexican prickly poppy, Putranjiva roxburghii (Lucky bean tree), Sapindus mukorossi (Soapnut), M. azedarach (syringe), Thevettia peruviana (yellow oleander), Copaiba, Milk bush, Laurel, Cumaru, Andiroba, Piqui, B. napus, Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

[0086] The C12 C14 linear alcohols which are suitable as an intermediate step in the manufacture of C12 C14 ether sulphate ca be obtained from many different sustainable sources. These include:

[0087] Primary sugars

[0088] Primary sugars are obtained from cane sugar or sugar beet, etc., and may be fermented to form bioethanol. The bioethanol is then dehydrated to form bio-ethylene which then undergoes olefin methathesis to form alkenes. These alkenes are then processed into linear alcohols either by hydroformylation or oxidation.

[0089] An alternative process also using primary sugars to form linear alcohols can be used and where the primary sugar undergoes microbial conversion by algae to form triglycerides. These triglycerides are then hydrolysed to linear fatty acids and which are then reduced to form the linear alcohols.

[0090] Biomass

[0091] Biomass, for example forestry products, rice husks and straw to name a few may be processed into syngas by gasification. Through a Fischer Tropsch reaction these are processed into alkanes, which in turn are dehydrogenated to form olefins. These olefins may be processed in the same manner as the alkenes described above [primary sugars].

[0092] An alternative process turns the same biomass into polysaccharides by steam explosion which may be enzymatically degraded into secondary sugars. These secondary sugars are then fermented to form bioethanol which in turn is dehydrated to form bio-ethylene. This bio-ethylene is then processed into linear alcohols as described above [primary sugars]. Waste Plastics

[0093] Waste plastic is pyrolyzed to form pyrolysed oils. This is then fractioned to form linear alkanes which are dehydrogenated to form alkenes. These alkenes are processed as described above [primary sugars].

[0094] Alternatively, the pyrolyzed oils are cracked to form ethylene which is then processed to form the required alkenes by olefin metathesis. These are then processed into linear alcohols as described above [primary sugars].

[0095] Municipal Solid Waste

[0096] MSW is turned into syngas by gasification. From syngas it may be processed as described above [primary sugars] or it may be turned into ethanol by enzymatic processes before being dehydrogenated into ethylene. The ethylene may then be turned into linear alcohols by the Ziegler Process.

[0097] The MSW may also be turned into pyrolysis oil by gasification and then fractioned to form alkanes. These alkanes are then dehydrogenated to form olefins and then linear alcohols.

[0098] Marine Carbon

[0099] There are various carbon sources from marine flora such as seaweed and kelp. From such marine flora the triglycerides can be separated from the source and which is then hydrolysed to form the fatty acids which are reduced to linear alcohols in the usual manner.

[0100] Alternatively, the raw material can be separated into polysaccharides which are enzymatically degraded to form secondary sugars. These may be fermented to form bio-ethanol and then processed as described above [Primary Sugars],

[0101] Waste Oils

[0102] Waste oils such as used cooking oil can be physically separated into the triglycerides which are split to form linear fatty acids and then linear alcohols as described above.

[0103] Alternatively, the used cooking oil may be subjected to the Neste Process whereby the oil is catalytically cracked to form bio-ethylene. This is then processed as described above. Methane Capture

[0104] Methane capture methods capture methane from landfill sites or from fossil fuel production. The methane may be formed into syngas by gasification. The syngas may be processed as described above whereby the syngas is turned into methanol (Fischer Tropsch reaction) and then olefins before being turned into linear alcohols by hydroformylation oxidation.

[0105] Alternatively, the syngas may be turned into alkanes and then olefins by Fischer Tropsch and then dehydrogenation.

[0106] Carbon Capture

[0107] Carbon dioxide may be captured by any of a variety of processes which are all well known. The carbon dioxide may be turned into carbon monoxide by a reverse water gas shift reaction and which in turn may be turned into syngas using hydrogen gas in an electrolytic reaction. The syngas is then processed as described above and is either turned into methanol and / or alkanes before being reacted to form olefins.

[0108] Alternatively, the captured carbon dioxide is mixed with hydrogen gas before being enzymatically processed to form ethanol. This is a process which has been developed by Lanzatech. From here the ethanol is turned into ethylene and then processed into olefins and then linear alcohols as described above.

[0109] The above processes may also be used to obtain the C12 / 14 chains of the C12 / 14 ether sulfates.

[0110] Builders

[0111] Builders enhance or maintain the cleaning efficiency of the surfactant, primarily by reducing water hardness. This is done either by sequestration or chelation (holding hardness minerals in solution), by precipitation (forming an insoluble substance), or by ion exchange (trading electrically charged particles). Suitable builders can be of the organic or inorganic type, or a mixture thereof.

[0112] Builders for use in the invention can be of the organic or inorganic type, or a mixture thereof.

[0113] Suitable inorganic builders include chlorides, hydroxides, carbonates, sesquicarbonates, bicarbonates, silicates, zeolites, and mixtures thereof. Specific examples of such materials include sodium and potassium chloride, sodium and potassium hydroxide, sodium and potassium carbonate, sodium and potassium bicarbonate, sodium sesquicarbonate, sodium silicate and mixtures thereof.

[0114] Suitable organic builders include the alkali metal (e.g. sodium and potassium) citrates, succinates, malonates, carboxymethyl succinates, carboxylates, polycarboxylates and polyacetyl carboxylates. Specific examples include sodium, potassium and lithium salts of oxydisuccinic acid, mellitic acid, benzene polycarboxylic acids, and citric acid. Aminopolycarboxylates are preferred. Suitable examples of aminopolycarboxylates include, but not limited to, glutamic acid N,N-diacetic acid (GLDA), methylglycinediacetic acid (MGDA), ethylenediaminedisuccinic acid (EDDS), iminodisuccinic acid (IDS), iminodimalic acid (IDM), nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA), diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA), hydroxyethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (HEDTA), iminodiacetic acid (IDA), hydroxyethyliminodiacetic acid (HEIDA), aspartic acid diethoxysuccinic acid (AES), aspartic acid-N,N-diacetic acid (ASDA), hydroxyethylethylene-diaminetriacetic acid (HEEDTA), iminodifumaric (IDF), iminoditartaric acid (IDT), iminodimaleic acid (IDMAL), ethylenediaminedifumaric acid (EDDF), ethylenediaminedimalic acid (EDDM), ethylenediamineditartaric acid (EDDT), ethylenediaminedimaleic acid (EDDMAL) or mixtures thereof.

[0115] Other examples are DEQUEST™, organic phosphonate type sequestering agents sold by Monsanto and alkanehydroxy phosphonates. Examples of phosphate sequestrants include, but not limited to, 1-hydroxyethylidene-1,1-diphosphnic acid (HEDP), diethylenetriaminepenta(methylenephosphonic acid) (DTPMP), hexamethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (HDTMP), aminotris(methylenephosphonic acid) (ATMP), ethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (EDTMP), tetramethylenediaminetetra(methylenephosphonic acid) (TDTMP), phosphonobutanetricarboxylic acid (PBTC) or mixtures thereof.

[0116] Other suitable organic builders include the higher molecular weight polymers and copolymers known to have builder properties. For example, such materials include appropriate polyacrylic acid, polymaleic acid, and polyacrylic / polymaleic acid copolymers and their salts, for example those sold by BASF under the name SOKALAN™. If utilized, the organic builder materials may comprise from about 0.5 to 20 wt.%, preferably from 1 to 10 wt.% of the composition. The preferred builder level is less than 10 wt.% and preferably less than 5 wt.% of the composition. The sequestrant can be in the form of an acid or a corresponding salt. Preferably the sequestrant is in the form of a corresponding salt, more preferably an alkali metal salt and even more preferably a sodium salt.

[0117] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0118] The composition of the present invention preferably comprises the builders in an amount of from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5%, even more preferably from 0.25 to 4% and most preferably from 0.5 to 2.5%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0119] A composition of the invention preferably comprises non-aqueous carriers such as hydrotropes, co-solvents and phase stabilizers. Such materials are typically low molecular weight, water- soluble or water-miscible organic liquids such as C1 to C5 monohydric alcohols (such as ethanol and n- or i-propanol); C2 to C6 diols (such as monopropylene glycol and dipropylene glycol); C3 to C9 triols (such as glycerol); polyethylene glycols having a weight average molecular weight (Mw) ranging from about 200 to 600; C1 to C3 alkanolamines such as mono-, di- and triethanolamines; and alkyl aryl sulfonates having up to 3 carbon atoms in the lower alkyl group (such as the sodium and potassium xylene, toluene, ethylbenzene and isopropyl benzene (cumene) sulfonates).

[0120] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0121] Non-aqueous carriers, when included, may be present in an amount ranging from 0.01 to 50% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.05 to 30%, more preferably from 0.1 to 15% and even more preferably from 0.2 to 5%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein. The level of hydrotrope used is linked to the level of surfactant and it is desirable to use hydrotrope level to manage the viscosity in such compositions. The preferred hydrotrope are monopropylene glycol, glycerol, triethanolamines or mixtures thereof.

[0122] Soil Release

[0123] Soil release polymers (SRP) help to improve the detachment of soils from fabric by modifying the fabric surface during washing. The adsorption of a SRP over the fabric surface is promoted by an affinity between the chemical structure of the SRP and the target fibre. The composition of the invention preferably comprises SRPs. SRPs for use in the invention may include a variety of charged (e.g. anionic) as well as non-charged monomer units and structures may be linear, branched or star-shaped. The SRP structure may also include capping groups to control molecular weight or to alter polymer properties such as surface activity. The weight average molecular weight (Mw) of the SRP may suitably range from about 1000 to about 20,000 and preferably ranges from about 1500 to about 10,000.

[0124] SRPs for use in the invention may suitably be selected from copolyesters of dicarboxylic acids (for example adipic acid, phthalic acid or terephthalic acid), diols (for example ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) and polydiols (for example polyethylene glycol or polypropylene glycol). The copolyester may also include monomeric units substituted with anionic groups, such as for example sulfonated isophthaloyl units. Examples of such materials include oligomeric esters produced by transesterification / oligomerization of poly(ethyleneglycol) methyl ether, dimethyl terephthalate (“DMT”), propylene glycol (“PG”) and poly(ethyleneglycol) (“PEG”); partly- and fully-anionic-end-capped oligomeric esters such as oligomers from ethylene glycol (“EG”), PG, DMT and Na-3,6-dioxa-8-hydroxyoctanesulfonate; nonionic-capped block polyester oligomeric compounds such as those produced from DMT, Me-capped PEG and EG and / or PG, or a combination of DMT, EG and / or PG, Me-capped PEG and Na-dimethyl-5-sulfoisophthalate, and copolymeric blocks of ethylene terephthalate or propylene terephthalate with polyethylene oxide or polypropylene oxide terephthalate.

[0125] Other types of SRP for use in the invention include cellulosic derivatives such as hydroxyether cellulosic polymers, C1-C4 alkylcelluloses and C4 hydroxyalkyl celluloses; polymers with poly(vinyl ester) hydrophobic segments such as graft copolymers of poly(vinyl ester), for example Ci-Ce vinyl esters (such as poly(vinyl acetate)) grafted onto polyalkylene oxide backbones; poly(vinyl caprolactam) and related co-polymers with monomers such as vinyl pyrrolidone and / or dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate; and polyester-polyamide polymers prepared by condensing adipic acid, caprolactam, and polyethylene glycol.

[0126] Preferred SRPs for use in the invention include copolyesters formed by condensation of terephthalic acid ester and diol, preferably 1 ,2 propanediol, and further comprising an end cap formed from repeat units of alkylene oxide capped with an alkyl group. Examples of such materials have a structure corresponding to general formula (VI): in which R14 and R15 independently of one another are X-(OC2H4)q-(OC3He)s;in which X is C1-4 alkyl and preferably methyl; q is a number from 12 to 120, preferably from 40 to 50; s is a number from 1 to 10, preferably from 1 to 7; and i is a number from 4 to 9.

[0127] Because they are averages, q, s and i are not necessarily whole numbers for the polymer in bulk.

[0128] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0129] The overall level of SRP, when included, may range from 0.1 to 10% by weight of the composition, depending on the level of polymer intended for use in the final composition and which is desirably from 0.3 to 7%, more preferably from 0.5 to 5%, based on total weight of the composition and including all ranges subsumed therein.

[0130] Suitable SRPs are described in greater detail in II. S. Patent Nos. 5,574,179; 4,956,447; 4,861,512; 4,702,857, WO 2007 / 079850 and WO2016 / 005271. If employed, SRPs will typically be incorporated into the composition herein in concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 10%, more preferably from 0.1 to 5% by weight of the composition.

[0131] Polymeric Cleaning Boosters

[0132] To further improve the environmental profile of the composition, it may be preferred in some cases to reduce the volume of composition dosed per wash-load and to add various highly weight efficient ingredients to the composition to boost cleaning performance. In addition to the soil release polymers of the invention described above, a composition of the invention will preferably contain one or more additional polymeric cleaning boosters such as anti-redeposition polymers.

[0133] Anti-redeposition polymers stabilise the soil in the wash solution thus preventing redeposition of the soil. Suitable anti-redeposition polymers for use in the invention include alkoxylated polyethyleneimines. Polyethyleneimines are materials composed of ethylene imine units - CH2CH2NH- and, where branched, the hydrogen on the nitrogen is replaced by another chain of ethylene imine units. Preferred alkoxylated polyethyleneimines for use in the invention have a polyethyleneimine backbone of about 300 to about 10000 weight average molecular weight (Mw). The polyethyleneimine backbone may be linear or branched. It may be branched to the extent that it is a dendrimer. The alkoxylation may typically be ethoxylation or propoxylation, or a mixture of both. Where a nitrogen atom is alkoxylated, a preferred average degree of alkoxylation is from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 alkoxy groups per modification. A preferred material is ethoxylated polyethyleneimine, with an average degree of ethoxylation being from 10 to 30, preferably from 15 to 25 ethoxy groups per ethoxylated nitrogen atom in the polyethyleneimine backbone.

[0134] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0135] More preferably, the polyamine is an alkoxylated cationic or zwitterionic polyamine polymer, wherein the positive charge is provided by quaternisation of the nitrogen atoms of the amines, and the anionic groups (where present) by sulphation or sulphonation of the alkoxylated group.

[0136] Preferably the alkoxylate is selected from propoxy and ethoxy, most preferably ethoxy.

[0137] Preferably greater than or equal to 50 mol% of nitrogen amines are quaternised, preferably with a methyl group. Preferably the polymer contains 2 to 10, more preferably 2 to 6, most preferably 3 to 5 quanternised nitrogen amines. Preferably the alkoxylate groups are selected from ethoxy and propoxy groups, most preferably ethoxy.

[0138] Preferably the polymer contains ester (COO) or acid amide (CONH) groups within the structure, preferably these groups are placed, so that when all the ester or acid amide groups are hydrolysed, at least one, preferably all of the hydrolysed fragments has a molecular weight of less than 4000, preferably less than 2000, most preferably less than 1000. Preferably the polymer is of the form:

[0139] Where Ri is a C3 to C8 alkyl group, X is an a (C2H4O)nY group where n is from 15 to 30, where m is from 2 to 10, preferably 2, 3, 4 or 5 and where Y is selected from OH and SO3_and preferably the number of SOs" groups is greater than the number of OH groups. Preferably there are from 0, 1 or 2 OH groups. X and Ri may contain ester groups within them. X may contain a carbonyl group, preferably an ester group. There is preferably 1 C2H4O unit separating the ester group from the N, such that the structural unit N- C2H4O-ester- (C2H4O)n-iY is preferred.

[0140] Such polymers are described in WO2021239547 (Unilever), An example polymer is sulphated ethoxylated hexamethylene diamine and examples P1 , P2, P3, P4, P5 and P6 of WO2021239547. Acid amide and ester groups may be included using lactones or sodium chloroacetate respectively (Modified Williamson synthesis), addition to an OH or NH group, then subsequent ethoxylation.

[0141] An example reaction scheme for inclusion of an ester group is

[0142] Addition of lactones is discussed in WO2021 / 165468.

[0143] A composition of the invention will preferably comprise from 0.025 to 8 wt.% of one or more anti-redeposition polymers such as, for example, the alkoxylated polyethyleneimines or zwitterionic polyamines which are described above.

[0144] Preservative

[0145] The composition preferably comprises a preservative or a mixture of preservatives. Preferably the preservative is selected from benzoic acid and salts thereof, alkylesters of p-hydroxybenzoic acid and salts thereof, sorbic acid, diethyl pyrocarbonate, dimethyl pyrocarbonate, preferably benzoic acid and salts thereof, most preferably sodium benzoate.

[0146] An alternatively preferred preservative is selected from sodium benzoate, phenoxyethanol, dehydroacetaic acid and mixtures thereof.

[0147] The preservative is present in the composition at 0.1 to 3 wt.%, preferably 0.3 to 1.5 wt.%. Weights are calculated for the protonated form where appropriate.

[0148] Preferably, the composition comprises sodium benzoate at from 0.1 to 3 wt.%, preferably 0.3 to 1.5 wt.% of the composition.

[0149] Preferably, the composition comprises phenoxyethanol at from 0.1 to 3 wt.%, preferably 0.3 to 1.5 wt.% of the composition.

[0150] Preferably, the composition comprises dehydroacetic acid at from 0.1 to 3 wt.%, preferably 0.3 to 1.5 wt.% of the composition.

[0151] Preferably, the composition comprises less than 0.1 wt.% isothiazolinone-based preservative, more preferably less than 0.05 wt.%.

[0152] Fluorescent Agent

[0153] It may be advantageous to include fluorescent agents (optical brightener) in the compositions. Usually, these fluorescent agents are supplied and used in the form of their alkali metal salts, for example, the sodium salts. The total amount of the fluorescent agent or agents used in the composition is generally from 0.005 to 2%, more preferably 0.01 to 0.5% by weight of the composition.

[0154] Preferred classes of fluorescent agents are: Di-styryl biphenyl compounds, e.g. Tinopal (Trade Mark) CBS-X, Di-amine stilbene di-sulphonic acid compounds, e.g. Tinopal DMS pure Xtra, Tinopal 5BMGX, and Blankophor (Trade Mark) HRH, and Pyrazoline compounds, e.g. Blankophor SN.

[0155] Preferred fluorescent agents are: sodium 2 (4-styryl-3-sulfophenyl)-2H-napthol[1 ,2-d]triazole, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-(N methyl-N-2 hydroxyethyl) amino 1 ,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino}stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, disodium 4,4'-bis{[(4-anilino-6-morpholino-1 ,3,5-triazin-2- yl)]amino} stilbene-2-2' disulfonate, and disodium 4,4'-bis(2-sulfoslyryl)biphenyl. Most preferably the fluoescer is a di-styryl biphenyl compound, preferably sodium 2,2'-([1 ,1'- biphenyl]-4,4'-diylbis(ethene-2,1-diyl))dibenzenesulfonate (CAS-No 27344-41-8).

[0156] Anti-foam

[0157] The composition may also comprise an anti-foam. Anti-foam materials are well known in the art and include silicones, fatty acids, fatty alcohols and EO-PO block copolymers.

[0158] Preferably, where present, the fatty acid anti-foam is present at from 1.3 to 3.0% by weight of the composition, more preferably from 1.4 to 2.0% and most preferably from 1.6 to 1.65%.

[0159] Suitable fatty acids in the context of this invention include aliphatic carboxylic acids of formula R12COOH, where R12is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing from 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms and 0 or 1 double bond.

[0160] Preferred examples of such materials include saturated C12-18 fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid or stearic acid; and fatty acid mixtures in which 50 to 100% (by weight based on the total weight of the mixture) consists of saturated C12-18 fatty acids. Such mixtures may typically be derived from natural fats and / or optionally hydrogenated natural oils (such as coconut oil, palm kernel oil or tallow).

[0161] The fatty acids may be present in the form of their sodium, potassium or ammonium salts and / or in the form of soluble salts of organic bases, such as mono-, di- or triethanolamine. Suitable fatty alcohols in the context of this invention include aliphatic alcohol of formula R13OH, where R13is a linear or branched alkyl or alkenyl chain containing from 6 to 24, more preferably 10 to 22, most preferably from 12 to 18 carbon atoms.

[0162] Suitable EO-PO block copolymers in the context of this invention include a polymer with repeating units of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide and with hydrophile lipophile balance (HLB) value equal or smaller than 4.

[0163] Mixtures of any of the above described materials may also be used.

[0164] For formula accounting purposes, in the formulation, fatty acids and / or their salts (as defined above) are not included in the level of surfactant or in the level of builder.

[0165] Shading dye may be used to improve the performance of the compositions. Preferred dyes are violet or blue. It is believed that the deposition on fabrics of a low level of a dye of these shades, masks yellowing of fabrics. A further advantage of shading dyes is that they can be used to mask any yellow tint in the composition itself.

[0166] Shading dyes are well known in the art of laundry liquid formulation.

[0167] Suitable and preferred classes of dyes include direct dyes, acid dyes, hydrophobic dyes, basic dyes, reactive dyes and dye conjugates. Preferred examples are Disperse Violet 28, Acid Violet 50, anthraquinone dyes covalently bound to ethoxylate or propoxylated polyethylene imine as described in WO2011 / 047987 and WO 2012 / 119859 alkoxylated mono-azo thiophenes, dye with CAS-No 72749-80-5, acid blue 59, and the phenazine dye selected from: wherein:

[0168] X3 is selected from: -H; -F; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and, -OC2H5;

[0169] X4 is selected from: -H; -CH3; -C2H5; -OCH3; and, -OC2H5;

[0170] Y2is selected from: -OH; -OCH2CH2OH; -CH(OH)CH2OH; -OC(O)CH3; and, C(O)OCH3. Alkoxylated thiophene dyes are discussed in WO2013 / 142495 and W02008 / 087497.

[0171] Shading dye can be used in the absence of fluorescent agents, but it is especially preferred to use a shading dye in combination with a fluorescent agent, for example in order to reduce yellowing due to chemical changes in adsorbed fluorescent agents.

[0172] The shading dye is preferably present is present in the composition in range from 0.0001 to 0.1 wt.%. Depending upon the nature of the shading dye there are preferred ranges depending upon the efficacy of the shading dye which is dependent on class and particular efficacy within any particular class. External Structurants

[0173] Compositions of the invention may have their rheology further modified by use of one or more external structurants which form a structuring network within the composition. Examples of such materials include crystallizable glycerides such as hydrogenated castor oil; microfibrous cellulose, citrus pulp fibre, bacterial cellulose, copolymer of (meth)acrylic acid and C1-C2 alkyl (meth) acrylate. The presence of an external structurant may provide shear thinning rheology and may also enable materials such as encapsulates and visual cues to be suspended stably in the liquid.

[0174] The composition preferably comprises a crystallizable glyceride.

[0175] The crystallizable glyceride is useful in forming an external structuring system as described in WO2011 / 031940, the contents of which, in particular as regards manufacture of the ESS are incorporated by reference. Where an ESS is present it is preferred that the ESS of the present invention preferably comprises: (a) crystallizable glyceride(s); (b) alkanolamine; (c) anionic surfactant; (d) additional components; and (e) optional components. Each of these components is discussed in detail below.

[0176] Crystallizable glyceride(s) of use herein preferably include "Hydrogenated castor oil" or "HCO". HCO as used herein most generally can be any hydrogenated castor oil, provided that it is capable of crystallizing in the ESS premix. Castor oils may include glycerides, especially triglycerides, comprising C10 to C22 alkyl or alkenyl moieties which incorporate a hydroxyl group. Hydrogenation of castor oil to make HCO converts double bonds, which may be present in the starting oil as ricinoleyl moieties, to convert ricinoleyl moieties to saturated hydroxyalkyl moieties, e.g., hydroxystearyl. The HCO herein may, in some embodiments, be selected from: trihydroxystearin; dihydroxystearin; and mixtures thereof. The HCO may be processed in any suitable starting form, including, but not limited those selected from solid, molten and mixtures thereof. HCO is typically present in the ESS of the present invention at a level of from about 2 percent to about 10 percent, from about 3 percent to about 8 percent, or from about 4 percent to about 6 percent by weight of the structuring system. In some embodiments, the corresponding percentage of hydrogenated castor oil delivered into a finished laundry detergent product is below about 1.0 percent, typically from 0.1 percent to 0.8 percent.

[0177] Useful HCO may have the following characteristics: a melting point of from about 40 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade, or from about 65 degrees centigrade to about 95 degrees C; and / or Iodine value ranges of from 0 to about 5, from 0 to about 4, or from 0 to about 2.6. The melting point of HCO can be measured using either ASTM D3418 or ISO 11357; both tests utilize DSC: Differential Scanning Calorimetry. HCO of use in the present invention includes those that are commercially available. Non-limiting examples of commercially available HCO of use in the present invention include: THIXCIN(R) from Rheox, Inc. Further examples of useful HCO may be found in U.S. Patent 5,340,390. The source of the castor oil for hydrogenation to form HCO can be of any suitable origin, such as from Brazil or India. In one suitable embodiment, castor oil is hydrogenated using a precious metal, e.g., palladium catalyst, and the hydrogenation temperature and pressure are controlled to optimize hydrogenation of the double bonds of the native castor oil while avoiding unacceptable levels of dehydroxylation.

[0178] The invention is not intended to be directed only to the use of hydrogenated castor oil. Any other suitable crystallizable glyceride(s) may be used. In one example, the structurant is substantially pure triglyceride of 12-hydroxystearic acid. This molecule represents the pure form of a fully hydrogenated triglyceride of 12-hydrox-9-cis-octadecenoic acid. In nature, the composition of castor oil is rather constant, but may vary somewhat. Likewise hydrogenation procedures may vary. Any other suitable equivalent materials, such as mixtures of triglycerides wherein at least 80 percent wt. is from castor oil, may be used. Exemplary equivalent materials comprise primarily, or consist essentially of, triglycerides; or comprise primarily, or consist essentially of, mixtures of diglycerides and triglycerides; or comprise primarily, or consist essentially of, mixtures of triglyerides with diglycerides and limited amounts, e.g., less than about 20 percent wt. of the glyceride mixtures, of monoglyerides; or comprise primarily, or consist essentially of, any of the foregoing glycerides with limited amounts, e.g., less than about 20 percent wt., of the corresponding acid hydrolysis product of any of said glycerides. A proviso in the above is that the major proportion, typically at least 80 percent wt, of any of said glycerides is chemically identical to glyceride of fully hydrogenated ricinoleic acid, i.e., glyceride of 12- hydroxy stearic acid. It is for example well known in the art to modify hydrogenated castor oil such that in a given triglyceride, there will be two 12-hydroxystearic- moieties and one stearic moiety. Likewise it is envisioned that the hydrogenated castor oil may not be fully hydrogenated. In contrast, the invention excludes poly(oxyalkylated) castor oils when these fail the melting criteria.

[0179] Crystallizable glyceride(s) of use in the present invention may have a melting point of from about 40 degrees centigrade to about 100 degrees centigrade. Perfume

[0180] Preferably, the compositon of the present invention comprises perfume materials. The terms “perfume” and “fragrance” as used herein are used interchangeable to refer to the same material.

[0181] Preferably the perfume materials are present at a level from 0.01 to 5%, more preferably from 0.05 to 3%, even more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight of the composition. The composition may comprise a combination of both free perfume and perfume microcapsules.

[0182] Free perfume

[0183] The composition of the present invention preferably comprises from 0.01 to 5%, more preferably from 0.05 to 3%, even more preferably 0.1 to 1% by weight of free perfume. Useful perfume components may include materials of both natural and synthetic origin. They include single compounds and mixtures. Specific examples of such components may be found in the current literature, e.g., in Fenaroli's Handbook of Flavor Ingredients, 1975, CRC Press; Synthetic Food Adjuncts, 1947 by M. B. Jacobs, edited by Van Nostrand; or Perfume and Flavor Chemicals by S. Arctander 1969, Montclair, N.J. (USA). These substances are well known to the person skilled in the art of perfuming, flavouring, and / or aromatizing consumer products.

[0184] Particularly preferred perfume components are blooming perfume components and substantive perfume components. Blooming perfume components are defined by a boiling point less than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Substantive perfume components are defined by a boiling point greater than 250°C and a LogP greater than 2.5. Preferably a perfume composition will comprise a mixture of blooming and substantive perfume components. The perfume composition may comprise other perfume components.

[0185] It is commonplace for a plurality of perfume components to be present in a perfume composition. In the compositions for use in the present invention it is envisaged that there will be three or more, preferably four or more, more preferably five or more, most preferably six or more different perfume components. An upper limit of 300 perfume ingredients may be applied. Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the group consisting of ethyl-2- methyl valerate (manzanate), limonene, (4Z)-cyclopentadec-4-en-1-one, dihyro myrcenol, dimethyl benzyl carbonate acetate, benzyl acetate, spiro[1,3-dioxolane-2,5'-(4',4',8',8'- tetramethyl-hexahydro-3',9'-methanonaphthalene)], benzyl acetate, Rose Oxide, geraniol, methyl nonyl acetaldehyde, decanal, octanal, undecanal, verdyl acetate, tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate, cyclamal, beta ionone, hexyl salicylate, tonalid, phenafleur, octahydrotetramethyl acetophenone (OTNE), the benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) feedstock class such as 2-phenyl ethanol, phenoxanol and mixtures thereof, the cyclododecanone feedstock class, such as habolonolide, the phenolics feedstock class such as hexyl salicylate, the C5 blocks or oxygen containing heterocycle moiety feedstock class such as gamma decalactone, methyl dihydrojasmonate and mixtures thereof, the terpenes feedstock class such as dihydromycernol, linalool, terpinolene, camphor, citronellol and mixtures thereof, the alkyl alcohols feedstock class such as ethyl-2-methylbutyrate, the diacids feedstock class such as ethylene brassylate, and mixtures of these components.

[0186] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component ethyl-2-methyl valerate (manzanate).

[0187] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component limonene.

[0188] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component (4Z)-cyclopentadec-4-en-1- one.

[0189] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component dimethyl benzyl carbonate acetate.

[0190] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component dihyromyrcenol.

[0191] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component rose oxide.

[0192] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15% and especially preferably from 6 to 10wt.% of the perfume component tert-butylcyclohexyl acetate.

[0193] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component verdyl acetate. Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component benzyl acetate.

[0194] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component spiro[1 ,3-dioxolane-2,5'- (4',4',8',8'-tetramethyl-hexahydro-3',9'-methanonaphthalene)].

[0195] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component geraniol.

[0196] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component methyl nonyl acetaldehyde.

[0197] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component cyclamal.

[0198] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component beta ionone.

[0199] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component hexyl salicylate.

[0200] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component tonalid.

[0201] Preferably, the perfume comprises from 0.5 to 30 wt.%, more preferably from 2 to 15 wt.% and especially preferably from 6 to 10 wt.% of the perfume component phenafleur.

[0202] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the benzene, toluene, xylene (BTX) feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is selected from 2-phenyl ethanol, phenoxanol and mixtures thereof.

[0203] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the cyclododecanone feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is habolonolide.

[0204] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the phenolics feedstock class.

[0205] More preferably, the perfume component is hexyl salicylate. Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the C5 blocks or oxygen containing heterocycle moiety feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is selected from gamma decalactone, methyl dihydrojasmonate and mixtures thereof.

[0206] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the terpenes feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is selected from, linalool, terpinolene, camphor, citronellol and mixtures thereof.

[0207] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the alkyl alcohols feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is ethyl-2-methylbutyrate.

[0208] Preferably, the perfume comprises a component selected from the diacids feedstock class. More preferably, the perfume component is ethylene brassylate.

[0209] Preferably, the perfume component listed above is present in the final composition at from 0.0001 to 1% by weight of the composition.

[0210] The composition of the present invention may comprise microcapsules. The microcapsules may be provided simply as microcapsules but preferably are provided in a microcapsule composition. By microcapsule composition it is herein understood to mean the composition comprising microcapsules which is added to a liquid composition. The microcapsule composition may comprise only microcapsules or may be in the form of a slurry comprising microcapsules. By microcapsule it is herein understood to mean the microcapsule (shell and core) i.e. , without a solvent or slurry.

[0211] The composition of the present invention preferably comprises 0.01 to 5%, more preferably from 0.05 to 3%, even more preferably from 0.1 to 1% by weight of microcapsules. The weight of the microcapsules is of the material as supplied, which may be in the form of a slurry comprising microcapsules.

[0212] The microcapsule shell materials, preferably comprise, but are not limited to; aminoplasts, proteins, polyurethanes, polyacrylates, polymethacrylates, polysaccharides, polyamides, polyolefins, gums, silicones, lipids, modified cellulose, polyphosphate, polystyrene, polyesters or combinations thereof. More preferably the shell materials comprise aminoplast, such as melamine formaldehyde or urea formaldehyde microcapsules, proteins and / or polysaccharides. The microcapsule core comprises active material and optionally further comprises solvents, crosslinking agents as described above or combinations thereof. The core is preferably nonaqueous. Preferably the active material comprises perfume. It is particularly preferred that the perfume comprises perfume components as described above.

[0213] Preferably the encapsulated active material (e.g. perfume) is present at a level from 5 to 99 %, preferably 10 to 99%, more preferably 15 to 95%, and most preferably 20 to 93% by weight of the microcapsule.

[0214] One example of a preferred microcapsule suitable for use in the present invention is a microcapsule with an aminoplast shell formed from the polycondensation product of melamine or urea with formaldehyde and a core comprising perfume.

[0215] Another example of a preferred microcapsule suitable for use in the present invention is a microcapsule with a shell formed from protein and / or polysaccharide and a core comprising perfume.

[0216] The microcapsules of the present invention preferably have a D50 particle size from 0.1 to 1000 microns, more preferably 0.5 to 500 microns, even more preferably from 1 to 200 microns, and most preferably from 1 to 100 microns. The particle size can be determined by dynamic light scattering using a Malvern Mastersizer, for example, Mastersizer 3000.

[0217] The microcapsules may be prepared by any suitable process such as coacervation, interfacial polymerization, polycondensation and 3D printing.

[0218] Other ingredients

[0219] The composition may contain further optional ingredients to enhance performance and / or consumer acceptability. Examples of such ingredients include foam boosting agents, polyelectrolytes, anti-shrinking agents, anti-wrinkle agents, anti-oxidants, sunscreens, anticorrosion agents, drape imparting agents, anti-static agents, ironing aids, colorants, pearlisers and / or opacifiers. Each of these ingredients will be present in an amount effective to accomplish its purpose. Generally, these optional ingredients are included individually at an amount of up to 5% based on total weight of the composition.

[0220] Many of the ingredients used in embodiments of the invention may be obtained from so called black carbon sources or a more sustainable green source. The following provides a list of alternative sources for several of these ingredients and how they can be made into raw materials described herein.

[0221] The composition may be formulated into any suitable physical form, including powders, granulates, tablets, liquids, etc. Preferably, the composition is provided in a liquid form. More preferably the composition is a liquid detergent composition such as a liquid laundry composition or a liquid dishwash composition, even more preferably the composition is a liquid laundry composition.

[0222] The composition of the invention may be supplied in multidose plastics packs with a top or bottom closure. A dosing measure may be supplied with the pack either as a part of the cap or as an integrated system.

[0223] Preferably, the composition is stored in a moulded article. Preferably, such moulded article comprises post-consumer recycled material (PCR). The moulded article according to the invention is preferably a container, e.g. for a bottle; in particular the article according to the invention is a non-food grade container.

[0224] Alternatively, the composition of the invention may be packaged as unit doses in polymeric film soluble in the wash water. The unit dose composition of the invention is contained within a pouch formed by a water dissoluble film. Preferably, the pouch has from one to four compartments. More preferably, the pouch has three compartments. It is preferred that the pouch is a unit dose of product and may be from 5 to 50 g in weight to represent a unit dose.

[0225] The present invention relates to a method for forming a liquid detergent composition or a wash liquor by dispersing a dose of the composition of the present invention.

[0226] The present invention additionally relates to a method of laundering fabrics comprising the step of adding the composition of the present invention during the washing stage of a laundry process. Washing may be hand washing or using a washing machine, preferably washing is performed using a washing machine. Following the wash, the fabric may be rinsed. In the rinse, a fabric conditioner may be used. The fabric may then be dried; either air dried or dried using a tumble drier. Once dried the fabric may be stored before use or may be used straight away. Once the fabric has been used, it will then be washed again. Preferably in the next wash the fabric is once again treated with a composition of the present invention as described herein. The following examples are provided to facilitate an understanding of the invention. The examples are not intended to limit the scope of the claims.

[0227] Examples

[0228] Example 1

[0229] Compositions were prepared as shown in table 1 . All ingredients are expressed by weight percent of the total composition, and as level of active ingredients.

[0230] Table 1

[0231] Method

[0232] The hard water was prepared using MgC , CaCh, and deionized water, with Ca2+and Mg2+ion concentrations of 250 mg / kg, and a Ca2+to Mg2+ratio of 6:4.

[0233] Foaming Test

[0234] 20 mL of each sample was transferred into a 100 mL stoppered graduated cylinder. The cylinder was then shaken by inverting it up and down 10 times at a rate of one cycle every 2 seconds (one cycle = one complete up-and-down inversion), with an inversion height of 50 cm. After shaking, the cylinder was allowed to stand still, and the foam height was recorded.

[0235] Foam height (Hpoam) was calculated as:

[0236] Hpoam—HTOPH Bottom where HTOPis the height at the top of the foam and HBottom is the height at the bottom of the foam layer.

[0237] The results are reported in table 2. A higher foam height indicates better foaming. Table 2

[0238] Example 2

[0239] Compositions were prepared as shown in table 3. All ingredients are expressed by weight percent of the total composition, and as level of active ingredients.

[0240] Table 3

[0241] Method

[0242] The hard water was prepared using MgCh, CaCh, and deionized water, with Ca2+and Mg2+ion concentrations of 250 mg / kg, and a Ca2+to Mg2+ratio of 6:4.

[0243] Defoaming rate

[0244] A pipette was used to transfer 100 pL of each sample into 50 mL of hard water, resulting in a 0.1% test solution. 50 mL of the test solution was added to a 100 mL stoppered graduated cylinder. The cylinder was then shaken by inverting it up and down 10 times at a rate of one cycle every 2 seconds (one cycle = one complete up-and-down inversion), with an inversion height of 50 cm. After shaking, the cylinder was allowed to stand still, and the foam height was observed at two time points: Initial foam height (Hpoam, 0 min); Foam height after 10 minutes (Hpoam, 10 min).

[0245] Foam height (Hpoam) was calculated as: where HTOPis the height at the top of the foam and Hsottom is the height at the bottom of the foam layer.

[0246] Defoaming rate was calculated as: (HFoam, 0 min- HFoam, 10 min) / HFoam, 0 min

[0247] The results are reported in table 4. An excessively rapid defoaming rate may lead users to perceive insufficient cleaning efficacy, whereas overly slow defoaming can result in poor rinsability. An acceptable defoaming rate is defined within the range of 40% to 70%. Table 4

Claims

CLAIMS1. A composition comprising: a) an anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether represented by the formula (I)wherein Ri is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 11 to 21 carbon atoms; each R2 is an oxyalkylene group having 2 to 4 carbon atoms; m is an integer from 1 to 50; E is a group comprising one or more of sulfate, phosphate, carboxylate, sulfonate, sulfosuccinate, sulfoacetate, sarcosinate and phosphonate; M is a solubilizing cation selected from sodium, potassium, ammonium, mono-, di-, tri-alkanolamine and mixtures thereof; and b) alkyl ether sulfate; and wherein the weight ratio of the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether to alkyl ether sulfate is from 1:10 to 10:1.

2. The composition according to claim 1, wherein Ri is a linear or branched, alkyl or alkenyl group having 13 to 17 carbon atoms, preferably a linear alkyl or alkenyl group having 13 to 17 carbon atoms.

3. The composition according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein Ri is a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group, preferably a linear C15 alkyl or alkenyl group comprising 0 to 3 carboncarbon double bonds.

4. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein each R2 is an ethylene oxide group.

5. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein m is an integer from 1 to 30, preferably from 2 to 15, more preferably from 3 to 10.

6. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is anionically modified cardanol polyoxyethylene ether.

7. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether is cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate, cardanol polyoxyethylene ether phosphate or mixtures thereof, preferably cardanol polyoxyethylene ether sulfate.

8. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition comprises the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether in an amount from 0.1% to 30% by weight of the composition, preferably from 0.5% to 20%.

9. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the weight ratio of the anionically modified alkyl and / or alkenyl phenol polyoxyalkylene ether to alkyl ether sulfate is from 1 :5 to 5: 1 , preferably from 1 :3 to 3: 1.

10. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is a detergent composition, preferably a liquid detergent composition, more preferably a liquid laundry detergent composition.

11. The composition according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the composition is in a unit dose format.

12. A method for forming a liquid detergent composition or a wash liquor by dispersing a dose of the composition according to any of the preceding claims in water.

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