Brij

The Brij series of versatile non-ionic surfactants are derived by ethoxylating naturally sourced primary fatty alcohols. Croda has the flexibility to produce Brij surfactants with a variety of chain lengths for both the hydrophobic and hydrophilic components, in six state of the art manufacturing facilities globally.

Brij ethoxylated natural alcohols, supported by Croda’s global technical expertise, have become trusted tools for formulators, including in:

Silicone emulsions
Wax emulsions
Functional and graphical printing inks
Pigmented coatings
Pressure sensitive adhesives

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Sustainable 100% bio-based surfactants

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Adhesives & sealants product guide

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Coatings product guide

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Emulsification

Alcohol ethoxylates are well suited to align efficiently at liquid interfaces, to support stabilization of dispersed phases in a low viscosity formulation, commonly oil in water. Brij surfactants are a safe and sustainable alternative to alkylphenol ethoxylates (also known as APEOs or NPEs).

All Brij surfactants are:

Stable over a wide pH range
Electrolyte tolerant
Hydrolytically stable

It is commonly recommended to use a pair of Brij of surfactants – one with a high hydrophilic/lipophilic balance (HLB), and one with a low HLB - in combination, for optimal efficiency and stability.

Wetting

Brij natural fatty alcohol ethoxylates may also be used to lower the surface tension of water and other solvents to improve wetting of particles and substrates. Hydrophilic adsorption to particle surfaces can also enhance dispersion stability. These effects are often associated with a reduction in energy required in stabilising dispersions such pigment concentrates. Brij surfactants though can also improve the sustainability profile of formulated systems in use, such as in photovoltaic (PV) pastes, where the inclusion of a Brij surfactant can improve rheology control for cleaner, more uniform lines, ultimately allowing solar energy to captured more efficiently.

A Croda educational webinar

An insight to HLB systems and polymeric surfactants

Creating new formulations to meet challenges, requires careful selection of surfactant ingredients. Given the breadth of surfactants available today, formulators need efficient tools to narrow down their choices. Surfactant molecules have both hydrophilic (water loving) and lipophilic (oil loving) groups. The HLB system, which stands for “Hydrophilic Lipophilic Balance”, indicates how the proportion of those groups will affect surfactant behaviour in emulsions. The insights will be useful for determining how to chose surfactant with right HLB for your desired application. Polymeric dispersants enable formulators to develop higher-quality pigmented systems and pigment concentrates.

Watch our educational webinar

Part of Croda’s commitment to sustainability

In line with these commitments, Croda offers many of the Brij surfactants in a certified 100% bio-based format, indicated with the ECO designation. These are chemically identical natural fatty alcohol ethoxylates, produced with renewable energy and bio-based ethylene oxide, for a reduction in carbon footprint and shift away from reliance on petrochemicals. Partially bio-based versions may be available as well.

Discover our ECO surfactants

Products

ECO Brij™ C10

A 100% bio-based POE-(10)-cetyl alcohol, 12.9 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emulsifer and as a wetting agent.

ECO Brij™ C2

A 100% bio-based POE-(2)-cetyl alcohol, 5.3 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifer, solubiliser, and wetting agent in systems where a low HLB is required.

ECO Brij™ C20

A 100% bio-based POE-(20)-cetyl alcohol, 15.7 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emulsifier for O/W emulsions and as an aqueous wetting agent.

ECO Brij™ CS20

A 100% bio-based POE-(20)-cetyostearyl alcohol, 15.7 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emulsifier for O/W emulsions and as an aqueous wetting agent.

ECO Brij™ L23-69

A 100% bio-based POE-(23)-lauryl alcohol liquid, 16.9 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emulsifier for O/W emulsions and as an aqueous wetting agent.

ECO Brij™ L4

A 100% bio-based POE-(4)-lauryl alcohol, 9.7 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifer, solubiliser, and wetting agent in systems where a low HLB is required.

ECO Brij™ O10

A 100% bio-based POE-(10)-oleyl alcohol, 12.4 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifier for o/w emulsion, wetting agent, aqueous dispersing agent and solubiliser.

ECO Brij™ O20

A 100% bio-based POE-(20)-oleyl alcohol, 15.5 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifier for o/w emulsion, wetting agent, aqueous dispersing agent and solubiliser.

ECO Brij™ O5

A 100% bio-based POE-(5)-lauryl alcohol, 9.0 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifier, solubiliser, and wetting agent in systems where a low HLB is required.

ECO Brij™ S10

A 100% bio-based POE-(10)-stearyl alcohol, 12.4 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifier for emulsions, wetting and dispersing agent, and solubiliser.

ECO Brij™ S100

A 100% bio-based POE-(100)-oleyl alcohol, 18.8 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emuslifer and wetting and dispersing agent.

ECO Brij™ S2

A 100% bio-based POE-(2)-lauryl alcohol, 4.9 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile co-emulsifer, solubiliser, and wetting agent in systems where a low HLB is required.

ECO Brij™ S20

A 100% bio-based POE-(20)-oleyl alcohol, 15.3 HLB non-ionic surfactant for use as a versatile emuslifer and aqueous wetting and dispersing agent

Wetting agents

Wetting agents for waterborne coatings, adhesives & inks

Our wetting agents help solve challenges when formulating waterborne adhesives, coatings, and graphical and functional inks.

ECO surfactants

The Croda ECO range is the widest portfolio of truly sustainable 100% bio-based nonionic surfactants on the market

Would you like to further discuss our Brij range?

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