Ashland Announces SurfaThix N Polymer, The All-In-One Solution For Body And Facial Rinse-Off Formulations

Ashland recently announced the commercial launch of SurfaThix N polymer, a surfactant-functional technology that performs as an all-in-one solution for consumer cleansing products. An acrylate-based technology with unique hydrophobic properties, SurfaThix N polymer brings clarity, thickening and suspension performance of particles and beads to products such as body and hand washes and facial cleansers. The highly functional polymer ingredient reduces the need for multiple rheology modifiers in high salt-containing and high surfactant-containing systems.

“Exceptional clarity, efficient thickening and stable suspension of particles and beads are essential requirements in rinse-off systems,” said Sarah Thiewes, global new products leader, consumer specialties, Ashland. “In high-surfactant and salt-containing systems or systems containing cationic ingredients, formulators often made concessions on efficiency to obtain aesthetically appealing personal care products. Now with one ingredient, SurfaThix N polymer, it’s possible to maintain clarity and viscosity while maximizing manufacturing efficiencies through continuous processing.”

Side-by-side comparisons of SurfaThix N polymer repeatedly showed an improvement in viscosity and clarity over benchmarked technology, while demonstrating formulation stabilization to enable continuous processing. In prototype formulations containing beads, SurfaThix N polymer provides suspension performance similar to the conventional benchmark.

In addition to improvements in formulation efficiency, a single-step neutralization process for neutral pH formulations helps to minimize batch processing time and affords its use in continuous manufacturing processes.

“The combination of manufacturing efficiencies with the versatility to formulate across the entire range of skin cleansing products, makes it easy to quantify the extra value delivered by SurfaThix N polymer,” said Thiewes.

For more information, visit ashland.com/surfathix.