Seeking Sustainable Abrasive Micro-Particles for Detergent

A SpecialChem Client is seeking sustainable alternatives of abrasive particles for cleaning application of hard surfaces within an acidic liquid detergent.

The SpecialChem Client - a multi-billion dollars brand owner - is working on formulating products containing micro solid particles as abrasives to provide mechanical soil removal.

The potential for an efficient alternative abrasive technology is around 100 tons/200,000 lbs per year.

A leading fast moving consumer goods organization wants to acquire or co-develop a sustainable material, technology to be used as abrasive micro-particles in an acidic viscous cleaning product.

• The desired solution must:
  • Have angular shape
  • Present hardness between 2 and 4 Mhos Scale
  • Be compliant with SpecialChem Client policies:
    • "Safe ingredient for formulators using industry standard exposure controls"
    • "Safe in products for end users, consumers, and the environment"
  • Remove soil on the surface through mechanical action
  • Not damaging/scratching the surface
  • Being between 50-450µm (ideally 250-450µm)
  • Be stable in acidic environment (product pH = 2.0 – 4.0)
  • Be compatible in an environment such as:
    • Less than 10% of surfactants
    • pH between 2 and 5 instead
  • Cost no more than 3 Euro/kilo (2 USD/Lb)
  • Be from sustainably managed sources


• Nice to have:
  • Uncolored technology or
  • Technology presenting special effects (ie cue Shine, brightness)

The SpecialChem Client thinks biodegradable beads, materials from natural sources or advanced polishing materials could be of interest. He is also willing to co-develop a technology if needed.

Also consider: material that are by-products/waste from other industries that meet the solution requirements

The SpecialChem Client is not interested in the following solutions:

• Material with spherical shape
• Technologies that are not from sustainably managed sources (e.g. materials sourced directly from protected species or fragile ecosystems)
• Crop sciences technologies
• Solutions competing with food
• Technologies releasing color into acid liquid based home care formula
• Degradable / biodegradable plastic beads

Ideally, target commercialization of end-products containing the sustainable abrasive micro-particles could start in 2013.

The SpecialChem Client is open to any kind of relationship. Even though a ready-to-use technology is preferred, he would investigate further promising solutions needed to be co-developed.