Detergent Raw Materials: LAB, LABSA & SLES

Three raw materials make most of the detergent on a supermarket shelf, and each is its own trade. Linear alkylbenzene (HS 3817.00) is the C10-C13 alkylate that sulphonation plants turn into acid; it is bought on molecular weight, bromine index and 2-phenyl content, which is about 15-18% from HF plants and above 25% from Detal plants, and it moves in chemical-tanker parcels and ISO tanks. UN Comtrade 2024 export declarations under 3817.00 total USD 2.18 billion, led by Saudi Arabia at USD 595 million, the USA, Canada, China, South Korea and Egypt. LABSA 96% (HS 3402.31 since HS 2022) is the sulphonic acid that detergent plants neutralise into powder and liquid; it is bought on active matter, free oil and free sulphuric acid, is UN 2586 class 8 corrosive, packing group III, with UN 2584 applying above 5% free sulphuric acid, and moves in HDPE drums, IBCs and ISO tanks, never in flexitanks. Exports under 3402.31 total USD 979 million, led by India at USD 149 million and South Korea at USD 133 million. SLES 70% (HS 3402.39) is the foaming paste in shampoo, shower gel and dishwash, sold in 2EO and 3EO grades from natural or synthetic alcohols, bought on active matter and 1,4-dioxane, and generally not dangerous goods for sea transport; the 3402.39 basket totals USD 3.08 billion, led by China at USD 646 million.

The buyers are laundry-powder and liquid-detergent makers, dishwash and cleaner formulators, and shampoo and personal-care plants. CBIL is a commodity brokerage company and brokers the three products against the producer's certificate of analysis per lot, safety data sheet, dangerous goods declaration for LABSA, certificate of origin, halal certificate where held, and REACH registration held by the importer or only representative for EU imports, on FOB, CFR and CIF terms, with freight on LAB parcels quoted through the chartering desk. Prices are per MT on grade and pack; minimum orders are confirmed per product and pack. Send the product, grade limits, packing, tonnage and discharge port, and the enquiry is screened and worked against it.