Etocas and Croduret

Castor oil derivatives

Etocas and Croduret are vegetable-derived nonionic surfactants which find widespread use as emulsifiers,
emollients, solubilisers and lubricants in a variety of personal care applications.

Etocas and Croduret are ethoxylated castor oil and ethoxylated hydrogenated castor oil respectively. Members
within each range have different degrees of ethoxylation (moles)/PEG units as indicated by their numerical
suffix (n). Members with levels of ethoxylation differing from the standard range may be made available on
request, subject to minimum batch quantities.

Product name INCI name

Etocas PEG-(n) Castor Oil
Croduret * PEG-(n) Hydrogenated Castor Oil
*[For labelling purposes the INCI name assigned to Croduret 50 is PEG-
50 Hydrogenated Castor Oil]

The chemical structure of the Crodurets is analogous to that of Etocas with the exception that the double bond
in the fatty chain has been saturated by hydrogenation. This results in greater oxidative stability with superior
colour and odour.

Applications
 oil-in-water emulsions
 water-in-oil emulsions
 general skin care systems
 sunscreens
 shampoos
 shower gels
 foam baths

Etocas and Croduret may be employed as either the primary or secondary emulsifier in both oil-in-water and
water-in-oil cosmetic emulsions. Croduret 7 is particularly recommended as a primary emulsifier in water-in-oil
systems where it produces glossy lotions and soft creams. It may be used as the sole emulsifier or combined
with other co-emulsifiers such as Super Hartolan (Lanolin Alcohol) or sorbitan and glyceryl esters, to create
emulsions with varying rheological characteristics.

Etocas and Croduret surfactants are excellent emollients for use in general skin care systems. In detergent
and cleansing preparations they may be employed as superfatting agents to offset the harsh degreasing effect
of primary anionic surfactants.

The higher ethoxylates are effective solubilisers for perfumes, essential oils and vitamins A and D. Croduret 50
is particularly recommended for this purpose. Crodurets with a shorter ethylene oxide chain are suitable for
vitamin A palmitate solubilisation.

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Emulsification
Etocas and Croduret are effective emulsifiers for oils, solvents and waxes. The less ethoxylated members of
the ranges (5-30 moles) have HLB values below 12. Above this level of ethoxylation the products exhibit HLB
values ranging from 12-15. When selecting an Etocas or Croduret surfactant using the HLB system, it is
necessary to consider the range of materials to be emulsified. In some applications, particularly in more
sophisticated systems, a blend of surfactants rather than a single surfactant may be more effective.

Product HLB Product HLB

Etocas 15 3.8 Croduret 7 4.9
Etocas 29 11.7 Croduret 40 13.0
Etocas 35 12.7 Croduret 50 14.1
Etocas 40 13.0 Croduret 60 14.7

Figure : 1 HLB values

Solubility
The following tables provide data on the solubility/miscibility of the Etocas/Croduret series at 10% w/w in range
of common solvents and oils at 25ºC.

Etocas 5 29 35 40
Solvent
Water I S S S
Acetone S S S S
Ethanol S S S S
Ethanol/Water (50:50) I S S S
Oleyl Alcohol S S S PS
Propylene Glycol I D D D
Glycerin D I I I
Isopropyl Myristate D I I I
Cetearyl Octanoate D I I I
Castor Oil S S S S
Mineral Oil 25cS at 25ºC I I I I
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride PS D D I

Key: S - Soluble PS - Partially soluble I - Insoluble D - Dispersible

Figure: 2 Solubility characteristics of the Etocas range

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Croduret 7 40 50 60
Solvent
Water I S S S
Acetone S S S S
Ethanol PS S S S
Ethanol/Water (50:50) I S PS S
Oleyl Alcohol S D I D
Propylene Glycol I S PS PS
Glycerin I D I I
Isopropyl Myristate D I I I
Cetearyl Octanoate I I I I
Castor Oil S D D D
Mineral Oil 25cS at 25ºC I I I I
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride PS D D I

Key: S - Soluble PS - Partially soluble I - Insoluble D – Dispersible

Figure: 3 Solubility characteristics of the Croduret range

In common with other nonionic surfactants, Etocas and Croduret exhibit inverse solubility characteristics with
increase in temperature. They can be salted out of solution by high concentrations of certain electrolytes.

Health and safety

Etocas and Croduret are well-established cosmetic and pharmaceutical raw materials and are generally
considered to present no specials hazards.

Non-warranty
The information in this publication is believed to be accurate and is given in good faith, but no representation or warranty as to its completeness or accuracy is
made. Suggestions for uses or applications are only opinions. Users are responsible for determining the suitability of these products for their own particular
purpose. No representation or warranty, expressed or implied, is made with respect to information or products including, without limitation, warranties of
merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, non-infringement of any third party patent or other intellectual property rights including, without limit, copyright,
trademark and designs. Any trademarks identified herein are trademarks of the Croda group of companies.
©2009 Croda Europe Ltd

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