Recently, Shandong Zhongjin Chemical Co., LTD announced a major breakthrough in sodium lauryl ether sulfate (SLES) production. Its jointly developed "Micro-interface Enhanced Catalysis + Continuous Synthesis" technology (with Shandong University's School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering) has completed pilot testing, significantly improving product purity and production efficiency while cutting energy consumption and pollutant emissions—offering a new green solution for the detergent raw material industry.
As a core anionic surfactant, SLES is widely used in laundry detergents, shampoos and body washes, accounting for 32% of China's anionic surfactant market. However, traditional production has long faced issues like imprecise ethylene oxide (EO) adduction control, high by-products and energy use—failing to meet strict environmental regulations.
The new technology achieves three key breakthroughs: 1) A composite catalyst raises SLES purity to over 99.5% (vs. industry average 98%) and cuts by-products by 40%; 2) Micro-interface reaction + continuous production shortens reaction time from 8 to 3 hours (167% efficiency gain) and reduces unit energy consumption by 22%; 3) In-situ wastewater treatment slashes waste acid discharge by 65% (7-day biodegradation cycle), meeting China's detergent industry 98% biodegradability requirement.
The company's R&D director added the technology solves SLES-betaine compatibility issues. Controlling EO adduction at 2-3, its compound with cocamidopropyl betaine (CAPB) lowers critical micelle concentration (CMC) by 25% (to 0.38 mmol/L), enabling 15% less detergent active ingredients while maintaining detergency. It meets EU REACH standards, excelling in baby care and high-end personal care.
The technology has 5 national invention patent applications (1 authorized: "High-purity SLES Continuous Production Device"). A 300 million yuan, 50,000-ton/year production line is planned for end-2025 commissioning. It is expected to drive annual sales over 800 million yuan, lift domestic high-end SLES market share to over 20%, and expand to Southeast Asia and the Middle East with 18% lower costs than traditional processes.
Shandong Zhongjin's chairman said: "This breakthrough embodies our 'technology-driven, green development' philosophy. We will allocate 5% of annual revenue to green surfactant R&D and promote enzymatic catalysis in compound systems, advancing the detergent industry's 'high efficiency, low carbon, safety' goals."
China Washing Products Industry Association experts noted the technology leads domestically in catalytic efficiency and energy control. Its industrialization will phase out outdated capacity, accelerate green surfactant substitution, and boost China's detergent raw material global competitiveness.
