Low-Sulfate Wash Composition With Reduced Palm Kernel Reliance
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wash compositions that are low or free of sulfates and reduce palm kernel oil-derived surfactants struggle to deliver consumer-desirable characteristics such as lather and mildness while maintaining environmental sustainability.
Innovation Solution
A wash composition comprising anionic dicarboxylates like glutamate and aspartate, optionally with isethionates, taurates, and zwitterionic surfactants, formulated to be isotropic or lamellar, with reduced palm kernel oil-derived surfactants, achieving a mild, stable, and soft lather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If wash compositions are formulated to be low or free of sulfates and reduce palm kernel oil-derived surfactants, then environmental sustainability and mildness are improved, but lather quality and consumer-desirable characteristics deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters by substituting sulfate-based surfactants with glutamate and aspartate-based surfactants, and adjusting the ratio of palm kernel oil-derived surfactants to other surfactant sources. This parameter change maintains environmental sustainability while achieving acceptable lather quality through optimized surfactant composition rather than relying on traditional sulfate formulations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a composite surfactant system combining multiple types of surfactants: glutamate-based surfactants, aspartate-based surfactants, palm kernel oil-derived surfactants, and other sustainable surfactant sources. This composite approach allows the formulation to achieve both environmental sustainability and consumer-desirable lather characteristics by leveraging the complementary properties of different surfactant classes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If total surfactant levels are reduced in wash compositions, then environmental sustainability is improved, but lather stability and consumer-desirable characteristics worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the concentration parameters of individual surfactant components within the total reduced surfactant range. By adjusting the specific ratios of glutamate surfactants, aspartate surfactants, and palm kernel oil-derived surfactants, the formulation achieves stable lather performance despite the overall reduction in total surfactant content, thereby maintaining environmental sustainability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite surfactant system where multiple surfactant types work synergistically to maintain lather stability at reduced total surfactant levels. The combination of glutamate-based, aspartate-based, and palm kernel oil-derived surfactants creates a balanced formulation that achieves both environmental goals and performance requirements.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If palm kernel oil-derived surfactants are reduced, then environmental sustainability is improved, but lather characteristics and consumer-desirable properties worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts the composition parameters by reducing the proportion of palm kernel oil-derived surfactants while increasing the proportions of glutamate-based and aspartate-based surfactants. This parameter change maintains environmental sustainability by reducing reliance on palm kernel oil, while the optimized blend of alternative surfactants preserves acceptable lather characteristics.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces glutamate-based and aspartate-based surfactants as intermediary substances to replace the lather-producing function of palm kernel oil-derived surfactants. These intermediary surfactants bridge the gap between environmental sustainability goals and consumer-desirable lather characteristics, allowing the formulation to achieve both objectives.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is directed to a wash composition substantially free of sulfates and that comprises glutamate, aspartate or both, and optionally additional anionic surfactant selected from isethionates, taurates and/or glycinates. Total surfactant used in the wash composition is 9% and the by weight the wash composition is mild but surprisingly with displays good lather characteristics while being formulated with reduced palm kernel oil derived surfactants.