LABSA

LABSA (linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid, CAS 27176-87-0) is the raw material behind most liquid detergents. Global Chemicals LLC supplies the 96% grade from stock in Muscat in 200 kg HDPE drums and 1,000 kg IBCs to detergent manufacturers, cleaning-product formulators and industrial blenders across Oman and the GCC: a dark brown, viscous liquid with 96% minimum active matter, 0.5–2.0% free sulphuric acid, 2.0–4.0% unsulphonated material, Klett colour 40–60, specific gravity 1.05–1.06 and a flash point above 100 °C.

How it is used. LABSA is an acid and is never used as such in a product; it is neutralised to sodium linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (SLAS or LAS), the anionic surfactant that does the cleaning and foaming. Neutralising 1 kg of LABSA takes about 125 g of sodium hydroxide, which is roughly 250 g of 50% caustic solution, to reach pH 7–8; add the acid slowly to the water and caustic with good stirring, because the reaction gives off heat, and finish the pH with a little acid or caustic. The resulting paste or solution is then built into the product: dish-wash liquids at 10–20% LAS with SLES and a foam booster, liquid laundry detergents, all-purpose and floor cleaners, car shampoos, toilet-bowl cleaners and industrial degreasers. Soda ash or triethanolamine can replace caustic where the formulation calls for them. Outside cleaning, LAS is an emulsifier in agrochemical formulations and a wetting agent in textile and leather processing.

Why LABSA: it is the lowest-cost surfactant per unit of cleaning, it is readily biodegradable in its linear form, it tolerates hard water when built with a chelant, and it blends with every common co-surfactant. The FAQs on this page give the standard ratios.

Handling: LABSA is a strong acid that burns skin and eyes and attacks mild steel; store it in HDPE, stainless or lined tanks, keep drums closed and out of the sun to limit colour darkening, and wear gloves, goggles and a face shield. It is not flammable. Every delivery carries a certificate of analysis giving active matter, free acid, unsulphonated matter and colour, a technical data sheet, formulation guidance and a GHS safety data sheet.

Delivery is same day within Muscat, next day to Sohar, Salalah and Duqm, and by road to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain with a certificate of origin. Request a quote with the number of drums or IBCs and monthly volume.