Shell Chemicals’ Building Blocks, Your Foundation

Interview with Dr. Franklin Caputo,
Lead Scientist, Surfactant Applications, Shell Chemicals

What is unique to Shell Chemicals’ proprietary hydroformylation technology?

Shell's hydroformylation technology utilizes a proprietary catalyst and different reaction conditions relative to other hydroformylation technologies. This leads to primary alcohols with a relatively high degree of linearity, typically approximately 80% linear and 20% branched alcohols. The branching is primarily 2-alkyl branching, with the 2-methyl as the highest concentration of branched molecules.


Why is light branching key to formulating for performance?

Shell NEODOL® alcohols with approximately 20% branching have some advantages during formulating over linear oleo and Ziegler alcohols. The high linearity allows Shell NEODOL ethoxylates and ethoxysulfates to be excellent replacements for their oleo and Ziegler counterparts, but the small amount of branching presents advantages in the realms of viscosity and reduction of gel phases relative to the purely linear molecules.


Formulators value ingredients that provide versatility; what qualities should they look for?  

Alcohol sulfates and ethoxysulfates are the backbone of the personal cleansing industry. Shell NEODOL provides a reliable source of pure components with excellent quality control on the production process. The reliability of supply and quality is essential to the smooth and continued operation of your business.  


Customers’ expectations for safe yet increasingly sustainable ingredients are in demand. How can manufacturers/Shell Chemicals address this?

Shell Chemicals has registered many Shell NEODOL materials as EPA Safer Choice as part of our commitment to reduce pollution and increase the safety of ingredients. EPA Safer Choice has stringent requirements for human health and environmental safety, and we meet these performance standards.

 
The European Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) is set to go into effect later this year. How can Shell Chemicals help manufacturers meet their deadline? 

Shell NEODOL alcohols are the perfect solution to the problem of replacing problematic oleochemicals in line with the EUDR requirements. Shell NEODOL alcohols can be substituted in many of the derivatives you currently utilize, and Shell NEODOL ethoxylates and ethoxysulfates are fully synthetic molecules that have been long-established alternatives to oleo-based materials.


Where do I get more information about Shell NEODOL®? 

There are a variety of resources on our website www.shell.com/personalcare, but we encourage you to connect with our team to discuss your needs in more detail.


shell.com/personalcare

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