PLURAFAC LF 1300

CAS Number: 68002-96-0 (CAS number associated with this commercial grade in the manufacturer's product register)
EC / List Number: 614-209-5 (registry identifier for alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated propoxylated; not a separate product certification)
Molecular Formula: Variable; mixture/distribution of fatty alcohol alkoxylates
Molecular Weight: Variable; no single molecular weight applies to the commercial grade
Boiling Point: Not reliably established for the exact commercial grade
Melting Point: Not applicable as a single pure-substance melting point; representative setting point approximately -5 °C (DIN 51583)
Viscosity: Approximately 130 mPa·s at 23 °C; dynamic viscosity, EN 12092/Brookfield LVT, representative manufacturer value
Density: Approximately 0.97 g/cm3 at 23 °C; DIN 51757, representative manufacturer value

COMMON PRODUCT AND CHEMICAL NAMES

Plurafac LF 1300
Plurafac® LF 1300
Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated propoxylated (associated CAS substance description)
C16-C18 alcohol ethoxylate propoxylate (generic substance description)
Fatty alcohol alkoxylate (chemical class)
Low-foaming nonionic alcohol alkoxylate (functional description)

The generic chemical descriptions above identify the registered substance family or functional chemistry; they are not promises that another supplier's material has the same distribution of chain lengths, alkoxylation, purity, performance or commercial specification as Plurafac LF 1300.

WHAT IS PLURAFAC LF 1300?

Plurafac LF 1300 is an industrial-grade surfactant designed around the behavior of alkoxylated fatty alcohols. The manufacturer categorizes the grade as a liquid, low-foaming nonionic surfactant and describes its chemistry as a fatty alcohol alkoxylate. In an aqueous cleaning formulation, the surfactant may assist the interaction among oily soil, an aqueous cleaning liquor and solid surfaces, while its selection is strongly influenced by the desired foam profile.

Plurafac LF 1300 is not a conventional soap or sodium sulfonate. It has no permanently charged sulfate, sulfonate or quaternary ammonium head group responsible for its basic surfactant character. Instead, polar ether oxygen atoms in an alkoxylated chain supply much of its affinity for polar media. This distinction matters when formulating with acids, salts, builders or mixtures of anionic and amphoteric ingredients.

A commercial alcohol alkoxylate represents a distribution of molecules because fatty alcohol feedstocks and alkoxylation reactions normally provide multiple chain lengths and degrees of alkoxylation. For this reason, the correct raw-material description uses a grade name, an appropriate registry identity and supplier specifications, rather than asserting a unique molecular formula. Average performance data describe the product family but should not be mistaken for mandatory limits on every production lot.

The manufacturer's applications for Plurafac LF 1300 emphasize food service and kitchen hygiene, commercial laundry, institutional cleaning and sanitation-related cleaning, and general industrial cleaning. These are industrial-formulation categories; they do not establish that the neat ingredient is a disinfectant, that it may be used directly on food, or that it meets any particular certification without separate documentary evidence.

CAS NUMBER, EC NUMBER AND CHEMICAL IDENTIFICATION

The manufacturer's product register associates Plurafac LF 1300, product number 30044040, with CAS 68002-96-0. The corresponding substance description recorded by the European chemicals database is "Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated propoxylated," with EC/List number 614-209-5. These identifiers help connect procurement paperwork and chemical inventories, but they do not completely describe the detailed molecular distribution within a particular commercial grade.

CAS numbers for complex reaction products and alkoxylate distributions do not operate like the identifiers for single, fully defined compounds. A chemical description can cover multiple molecular components differing in fatty chain length and in the number or arrangement of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide units. Exact chain distribution, number-average molecular mass and detailed oligomer profile are not supplied in the public grade information reviewed for this profile.

The registry identity should also be separated from the finished product classification. For compliance, a purchaser must match the product label and current supplier safety data sheet (SDS) against the intended country, legal entity, packaging and delivery specification. Even products falling under one broad registry entry can carry different quality attributes, impurities or regulatory declarations.

The commercial number 30044040 is a useful supplementary identifier when ordering technical documentation. It is not the chemical's CAS number, a shipping UN number, an INCI designation or a guarantee of equivalent composition between unrelated vendors. A purchase specification should include the full grade name and the actual technical specification supplied with the order.

CHEMICAL STRUCTURE AND MOLECULAR CHARACTERISTICS

A useful conceptual representation for an alcohol ethoxylate-propoxylate is R-O-(alkylene oxide)n-H, with R representing a fatty-chain segment and the polyether portion containing ethylene oxide and propylene oxide-derived units. This represents a chemical family, not the exact verified repeat-unit sequence, chain length or average number of units in Plurafac LF 1300. Consequently it should not be used as a definitive structural formula for a regulatory dossier.

The fatty-chain segment tends to associate with hydrophobic media such as oils and greasy residues. Ether-containing alkoxylate regions can interact with water and with other polar components, creating an amphiphilic molecule that concentrates at interfaces. The ability to reduce interfacial energy is the essential reason alcohol alkoxylates can work as wetting agents, detergency aids and emulsification components.

Ethylene oxide-rich segments generally increase hydration and water affinity, while incorporation of more hydrophobic alkylene oxide segments changes the balance of hydration and interfacial behavior. The specific ratio, sequence and distribution are commercially important but have not been established here for this grade. It is therefore more accurate to describe the verified low-foam behavior than to claim a particular block structure or fixed EO/PO ratio.

A nonionic surfactant does not rely on a permanent ionic charge for its fundamental surface activity. Nevertheless, its performance can still change significantly with electrolytes, water hardness, pH, temperature, co-surfactants and hydrotropes. Nonionic does not mean universally compatible or completely insensitive to formulation conditions.

PHYSICAL AND CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

The figures below are representative grade values published in the November 2023 manufacturer technical information for the relevant surfactant family. They are not batch-specific certificate-of-analysis limits and should not automatically be treated as contractual specifications for material supplied through any distributor.

Chemical Nature: Fatty alcohol alkoxylate; low-foaming nonionic surfactant
Appearance: Clear or slightly cloudy, colorless-to-yellow liquid (family description, 23 °C)
Physical Form: Liquid at 23 °C
Approximate Concentration: 100% (technical grade family data; not an independent purity assay)
CAS-Associated Substance: Alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated propoxylated
Manufacturer Product Reference: 30044040
Dynamic Viscosity at 23 °C: Approximately 130 mPa·s (EN 12092; Brookfield LVT)
Dynamic Viscosity at 10 °C: Approximately 280 mPa·s (EN 12092; Brookfield LVT)
Dynamic Viscosity at 0 °C: Approximately 500 mPa·s (EN 12092; Brookfield LVT)
Density at 23 °C: Approximately 0.97 g/cm3 (DIN 51757)
Setting Point: Approximately -5 °C (DIN 51583)
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method D: Approximately 26 °C
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method E: Approximately 21 °C
Cloud Point, EN 1890 Method A: Not reported for this grade in the cited manufacturer table
Foam Formation: 0 mL (EN 12728; representative comparative test result)
pH Value: Approximately 7 (EN 1262, solution B; method-dependent test value)
Surface Tension: Approximately 32 mN/m (EN 14370, 1 g/L in distilled water at 23 °C, Harkins-Jordan correction)
Wetting Time at 23 °C, 0.5 g/L: More than 300 s (EN 1772, test liquor containing 2 g/L soda ash)
Wetting Time at 23 °C, 1.0 g/L: More than 300 s (EN 1772, same method)
Wetting Time at 23 °C, 2.0 g/L: Approximately 190 s (EN 1772, same method)
Solubility in Distilled Water: Insoluble in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screen
Solubility in Potable Water: Insoluble in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screen
Solubility in 5% Caustic Soda: Insoluble in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screen
Solubility in 5% Hydrochloric Acid: Insoluble in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screen
Solubility in 5% Salt Solution: Insoluble in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screen
Solubility in Mineral Spirit: Clear-soluble under the stated comparative screen
Solubility in Spindle Oil: Clear-soluble under the stated comparative screen
Solubility in Ethanol: Clear-soluble under the stated comparative screen
Solubility in Isopropanol: Clear-soluble under the stated comparative screen
Boiling Point: Not reliably established for the exact commercial grade
Flash Point: Approximately 230 °C in a published manufacturer agrochemical-additives overview; confirm current grade and test method before using for classification
Vapor Pressure: Exact grade-specific value not reliably established from the reviewed public documents
Water Content: No standalone numeric maximum confirmed in the public family table
Hydroxyl Value: Not reliably established for the exact grade
Average Molar Mass: No definitive grade-specific value published in the reviewed technical table
Shelf Life: Manufacturer family guidance reports at least two years in properly stored, tightly sealed original packaging; verify current supplier conditions and lot dating

Cloud-point methods must never be interchanged without their media. Under EN 1890, Method D uses 5 g surfactant plus 45 g of a specified butyldiglycol solution, while Method E uses 5 g surfactant plus 25 g of that solution. The two reported values do not mean that the material has a 21 °C cloud point in pure water; the pure-water Method A value is not given for LF 1300.

The low foam result is likewise tied to a defined test. A reported 0 mL in the published EN 12728 comparison is useful evidence of low-foam behavior, but it does not mean that every complex detergent mixture will remain entirely foam-free in every appliance or process. Proteinaceous soils, anionic surfactants, temperature, circulation and dosage can all alter the observed foam profile.

The comparative wetting values highlight a formulation nuance. LF 1300 is not shown to be the fastest wetting member of its range in a standard distilled-water test; in fact, its relatively long wetting times contrast with its ability to lower surface tension. A user should evaluate soil removal and wetting performance in the actual cleaning formulation instead of equating all surfactant functions.

HOW DOES PLURAFAC LF 1300 WORK AT THE MOLECULAR LEVEL?

Surfactant molecules concentrate at boundaries between water, oil, air and solid substrates, thereby altering the balance of interfacial forces. For greasy soil, the hydrophobic portion can associate with oily contamination, while polar alkoxylate segments interact with the surrounding liquid or co-formulated solvents. Mechanical action can then help detach, disperse and transport soil away from the cleaned surface.

The process does not require an irreversible chemical reaction with dirt. Cleaning commonly involves a combination of interfacial adsorption, wetting, solubilization or emulsification, soil dislodgement, dispersal and rinse-out. The contribution of LF 1300 to any one step depends on other surfactants, builders, temperature, alkalinity, solvents and the nature of the contamination.

Foam is generated when gas bubbles become stabilized by surfactant films. Low-foaming surfactants are selected to give the desired interfacial activity with comparatively reduced bubble stabilization under relevant test conditions. This behavior can be useful in high-shear circulation because unnecessary foam may occupy vessel volume, interfere with pumps or sensors and impair spray contact.

Temperature influences hydration of nonionic polyether chains and can alter solubility and dispersion. The temperature at which clouding is observed depends on the test medium and cannot be read as a universal service-temperature ceiling. In a mixed cleaning liquor, dissolved salts and solvents can substantially change the observed transition relative to a laboratory cloud-point standard.

Even though the raw ingredient is nonionic, the liquid formulation around it can have a defined pH, substantial ionic strength and complex solvent behavior. Strong acids or alkaline builders may alter the overall medium, while hydrotropes and co-surfactants may stabilize dispersions that the neat surfactant cannot form in water alone. Screening a finished formulation over its full concentration and temperature range is therefore essential.

WHY LOW FOAM MATTERS IN INDUSTRIAL CLEANING

High foam is not inherently better cleaning. In many automatic or recirculating processes, the required outcome is effective contact between the cleaning liquid and the soil, followed by separation of that liquid without excessive entrained air. Foam can make these steps difficult when it disrupts pump operation, liquid-level control, spray pattern or drainage.

Low-foam nonionic technology is especially useful when machinery continually circulates, injects or sprays liquid. It may help preserve useful hydraulic contact by reducing the tendency of a detergent liquor to generate persistent bubbles. The actual efficiency gain, however, must be verified with the equipment and contamination encountered at the site.

A single surfactant's foam value cannot predict every finished product. Mixing even a low-foam surfactant with higher-foaming anionics may give a different foam response, while oils, protein and soil loads can either increase or suppress observed foam. Water hardness, temperature, concentration, air introduction and rinse stages add further variability.

A formulation project should therefore define the target foam profile at application temperature, at intended working dilution and at realistic soil loads. These measurements should be combined with cleaning, residue and compatibility tests; a foam-only optimization may sacrifice useful cleaning or leave unwanted films.

WATER SOLUBILITY, CLOUD POINT AND HYDROTROPE SELECTION

One of the most important grade-specific facts is that Plurafac LF 1300 is reported insoluble in distilled and potable water in a qualitative 10% test at 23 °C. This does not mean the grade is useless in water-based detergents. It means that the formulator must distinguish a clear molecular solution from an emulsion, dispersion or solubilized formulation produced by other ingredients.

The same technical document describes clear solubility in ethanol, isopropanol, mineral spirits and spindle oil under the comparative test conditions. This property is consistent with a relatively hydrophobic component whose use may require formulation aids when the desired finished product is aqueous and transparent. It does not provide permission to select flammable solvent systems without evaluating their own hazards.

Hydrotropes, selected solvents and suitable co-surfactants can sometimes increase the apparent compatibility of a hydrophobic nonionic surfactant with water. Appropriate choices must be screened for haze, phase separation, foam, detergent effectiveness, corrosion, environmental profile and labeling. No single hydrotrope or solvent concentration has been validated here for every LF 1300 formulation.

A cloud point must be identified with the method and liquid medium, not quoted as a generic number. The representative EN 1890 values of approximately 21 °C (Method E) and 26 °C (Method D) were measured in specified butyldiglycol-containing test media. They cannot establish the behavior of a dilute, salt-containing wash liquor, and they should not be confused with setting point or storage freezing behavior.

For product development, a simple stability program can compare transparent appearance, turbidity, sediment, phase separation and viscosity at the expected supply, storage and use temperatures. Repeating these measurements after temperature cycling and after dilution into local process water is more informative than relying on the raw-material cloud point alone.

VISCOSITY, TEMPERATURE AND DILUTION BEHAVIOR

The manufacturer reports a pronounced rise in viscosity as the neat product becomes colder: about 130 mPa·s at 23 °C, 280 mPa·s at 10 °C and 500 mPa·s at 0 °C under the stated Brookfield method. These numbers help with preliminary assessment of pumping, filling and transfer, but they do not describe the viscosity of every finished cleaning formulation.

Viscosity can change nonlinearly when a surfactant is mixed with water. The manufacturer's 2023 comparative table records approximately 130 mPa·s for the neat grade, about 180 mPa·s with 10% added water, 210 mPa·s with 20%, 260 mPa·s with 30% and 300 mPa·s with 40% added water, measured at 23 °C under its defined method. At 50% added water the table reports less than 20 mPa·s, illustrating that composition changes do not produce a simple straight-line dilution curve.

These figures concern laboratory surfactant-water mixtures, not a recommended production recipe or a guarantee of homogeneous long-term storage. When preparing compatible aqueous formulations, the manufacturer advises adding the surfactant to water under stirring rather than reversing the addition order, because viscosity may become undesirably high at intermediate compositions. Practical mixing equipment must still be selected with attention to phase behavior and workplace safety.

A formulation that looks fluid at one temperature may become difficult to pump or dose after cold storage. Conversely, gentle controlled warming may restore mobility to a cold, cloudy liquid. Storage and transfer procedures must comply with the current grade-specific SDS and the manufacturer's instructions; industrial heating equipment must not be improvised around hazardous or contaminated material.

WHICH INDUSTRIES USE PLURAFAC LF 1300?

The manufacturer's principal market categories are food-service and kitchen hygiene, commercial laundry, institutional cleaning and sanitation-related cleaning, and industrial cleaning. In these contexts the central formulation objectives generally include removal of oily contamination, control of mechanical foam and predictable performance under process conditions. The stated categories do not imply approval for direct food use or antimicrobial action.

Industrial cleaning operations may include equipment washing, parts cleaning, floors and hard-surface systems, and cleaning liquids that circulate through pumps and nozzles. The role of the raw material in each process must be confirmed by performance trials and chemical compatibility checks. It is a potential formulation component, not a universal cleaning agent that is applied neat to every surface.

Kitchen-hygiene and machine-washing environments place particular importance on rinse behavior and foam management. A low-foam surfactant may contribute to detergency in a compatible formulated product or be evaluated for use in a controlled wash or rinse system. The finished formula must be qualified for its actual machine, food-contact surface, detergent category and local legal requirements.

An additional manufacturer technical overview of agrochemical additives identifies LF 1300 as an alkoxylated-alcohol adjuvant option associated with foliar uptake enhancement, particularly in selected fungicide formulations. This is a separate, regulated application requiring evaluation of pesticide-label permissions and the exact formulation type; it is not evidence that general cleaning-grade material can be used in any crop-protection product without approval.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN INDUSTRIAL AND INSTITUTIONAL CLEANING

Manufacturers of industrial and institutional detergents often seek a balance among grease removal, foaming, hardness tolerance, rinse performance, substrate safety and cost. Plurafac LF 1300 is one candidate for the low-foam part of that balance. It can be assessed alongside other nonionics, hydrotropes, builders and solvents, provided the complete liquid remains acceptably stable at expected temperatures.

In recirculation and spray systems, persistent foam can be particularly troublesome because the liquid repeatedly contacts air. Foam may reduce useful tank volume and complicate pressure control. Selecting an appropriately low-foaming surfactant can reduce one source of this operational difficulty without removing the need for good spray design, drainage or soil control.

The product's comparative water-insolubility means that clear aqueous concentrates require careful design. A blend may appear clear immediately after mixing but develop haze during transport or when exposed to a different water hardness. Checking clarity at different surfactant concentrations and under dilution is an essential part of development.

Cleaning performance should be measured against representative oils, particulates and aged soils on the actual substrate. A successful test compares soil removal, foaming, rinse residue and re-soiling, not simply surface tension in distilled water. Where the product is used on sensitive materials, confirm the effect of the entire formulation on coatings, seals, plastics and metals.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY

The manufacturer's use categories expressly include commercial laundry, where automated equipment combines circulation, agitation and controlled chemical dosing. Low foam can be attractive because excessive suds may interfere with washing mechanics, draining or rinse management. Actual benefits depend on the machine design, wash program and total surfactant system.

Textile soil can contain triglycerides, body oils, cosmetic residues, particulate contamination and other materials with different adhesion mechanisms. A fatty alcohol alkoxylate may contribute to the oily-soil-removal element of a laundry system, while builders, enzymes and other ingredients target different problems. No claim is made here that LF 1300 is a stand-alone enzyme substitute or fabric-care additive.

Wash temperature can affect both the soil itself and the hydration of the nonionic surfactant. A program that performs well in warm water may require re-optimization in cooler conditions, especially when the selected surfactant has limited independent solubility. Co-formulants and wash-bath dilution must be considered as part of the system.

Commercial laundry testing should assess cleaning efficacy, redeposition, whiteness or color retention, foaming, rinse quality and fabric effects. Tests may also need to include water hardness, incoming textile contamination and repeated laundering. No fixed percentage of LF 1300 in a laundry detergent can be recommended without a validated formula and use-case specification.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN FOOD-SERVICE AND KITCHEN HYGIENE

Commercial kitchens and food-service facilities use liquid cleaners under a range of temperatures, spray pressures and soil burdens. Fats, proteins and starch residues differ in both their cleaning behavior and their tendency to change foam. In compatible formulations, LF 1300 may contribute low-foam surfactant behavior while other ingredients provide alkaline cleaning, water softening or deposit management.

Low-foam performance is often useful for automatic washing or recirculating equipment, but the correct surfactant selection depends on whether the process is a main wash, a rinse, a soak or a manual-cleaning step. Water-solubility limits must also be considered if the product is to be placed in a highly aqueous concentrate. A cleaner intended to rinse clean must be tested with the water actually available to the facility.

"Food-service" is an application market, not a food additive designation. Direct contact with edible products, incidental residue on food-contact equipment and the use of a chemical in a commercial kitchen are legally distinct situations. Any formulation used on a food-contact surface needs compliance review, defined use directions and appropriate rinsing or no-rinse authorization where applicable.

Sanitation-related marketing should not be confused with disinfection. Plurafac LF 1300 is identified as a surfactant, not a registered antimicrobial active in the documents reviewed. If a finished cleaning product is to carry germ-kill or disinfectant claims, those claims must be supported by the relevant active ingredients, efficacy tests and applicable regulatory authorization.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN AUTOMATIC AND RECIRCULATING WASH SYSTEMS

Automatic systems present a different technical problem from hand dishwashing because spray patterns, pump flow and mechanical motion can be impaired by excess foam. A grade with a low foam-forming tendency is therefore worth investigating where hydraulic efficiency matters. The manufacturer's published foam comparison and machine-hygiene application positioning support investigating LF 1300 for such systems.

The choice of an automatic-wash surfactant also depends on deposits, alkalinity, corrosion inhibitors, water hardness and the expected temperature program. A surfactant selected solely for its foam score may not provide sufficient grease removal, may leave films or may be difficult to stabilize in a liquid concentrate. The whole formulation needs simultaneous evaluation.

Qualifying a recirculating formula can involve measuring the foam level under realistic pump shear, solution temperature and soil load. It can also involve pump flow observations, nozzle coverage, residue analysis and assessment of the washed article's surface. This is a process-development approach, not a guaranteed specification for LF 1300 itself.

The same considerations apply to equipment-cleaning operations that use spray balls or circulating flow. Cleaning effectiveness must be validated separately from foam suppression, and compatibility with elastomers or corrosion-sensitive surfaces should not be inferred solely from the surfactant's chemical class.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN DEGREASING AND HARD-SURFACE FORMULATIONS

Degreasing performance is often controlled by the interaction between an oily deposit and a cleaner that contains both surfactants and other functional agents. An alcohol alkoxylate can help modify interfaces and soil detachment, but the capacity to handle a particular grease also depends on co-solvents, alkalinity, hydrotropes and temperature. Low foaming is useful where the cleaner is sprayed, recirculated or recovered.

The product's documented compatibility with several organic solvents is relevant to solvent-containing cleaning technologies. Nevertheless, a result in a simple 10% solubility screen should not be interpreted as compatibility with every commercial solvent blend. Flammability, worker exposure, seal compatibility and environmental limits must be evaluated for the entire solvent system.

Hard-surface cleaning applications can involve stainless steel, glass, plastics, painted components, ceramics and other substrates. Their chemical tolerances differ greatly; concentrated alkaline builders or solvents may cause damage independently of LF 1300. For a sensitive surface, tests should include appearance, gloss, staining, stress cracking and residue after multiple cleaning cycles.

The performance target may be the removal of a heavy soil layer or the prevention of visible streaks after a final rinse. These are distinct tasks and may call for different surfactant packages. LF 1300 should be considered through comparative performance testing rather than assuming that one nonionic grade is optimal across both tasks.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 IN AGRICULTURAL ADJUVANT TECHNOLOGY

A manufacturer-published agrochemical additives guide identifies LF 1300 among alkoxylated-alcohol products used as formulation adjuvants. It associates the grade with uptake enhancement, particularly in certain fungicide-related applications, and with concentrate formulation classes such as suspension concentrates and emulsified systems. These statements describe a technical possibility, not universal agricultural registration.

An adjuvant can affect droplet spreading, retention and contact with plant cuticles, while its performance is strongly dependent on the active ingredient, spray carrier, plant species, leaf morphology and environmental conditions. The same surface-active behavior that is useful for cleaning does not automatically guarantee beneficial agricultural uptake or crop safety. Crop injury, spray drift and regulatory restrictions must be evaluated separately.

The reviewed guide reports an approximate 100% active content, 130 mPa·s viscosity at 25 °C, 0.97 kg/L density at 25 °C, surface tension of approximately 32 mN/m at 1 g/L and a flash point of roughly 230 °C for the grade. These are application-guide figures and must be checked against the current specification and SDS. They should not replace a validated crop-protection formulation data package.

Any proposed pesticide use requires confirmation of the current permitted co-formulant status in the relevant country and formulation class. Compatibility with fungicides, crop safety, residue limits and final product authorization are separate questions. The detergent-market identity of the product is not a license to apply it directly to edible crops.

WHAT PROBLEMS CAN PLURAFAC LF 1300 HELP ADDRESS?

The most direct performance problem addressed by the product is excessive foam in surfactant-containing industrial systems. A low-foaming nonionic can provide an option when manufacturers want interfacial functionality but cannot tolerate the foam profile of a different detergent package. This may be relevant in automatic processing where bubbles interfere with circulation, spraying or liquid-level measurement.

A second challenge is incorporating oil-affine surfactant character into a detergent or cleaning system. The fatty-chain portion can participate in soil interaction, but it should not be assumed that the raw material will dissolve into an aqueous concentrate without assistance. Instead, formulators must choose a compatible blend and confirm stability.

A third challenge concerns maintaining desired behavior over changing temperatures. Published viscosity data and cloud-point information help engineers anticipate handling and formulation issues, but actual performance must be tested across the intended temperature range. The grade's low-foam classification does not remove the possibility of cold-induced viscosity changes or clouding.

Finally, the ingredient may help broaden options for a low-foam surfactant package without adding a permanent ionic charge from the ingredient itself. Whether this is beneficial depends on other formulation requirements, including electrolyte content, cost, surfactant blend balance and the target soil. Product selection should be driven by measured outcomes rather than a generic claim that nonionic surfactants are superior.

IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS WHEN USING PLURAFAC LF 1300

Water-insolubility at the manufacturer's screening concentration must be taken seriously. It raises practical questions about making clear concentrates, maintaining stable emulsions, avoiding sediment and dosing consistently. Homogeneity should be assessed after storage, pumping and dilution, not merely at the moment of initial blending.

Foam behavior must be assessed as a property of the total system, particularly if higher-foaming surfactants are also present. An ingredient that is low-foaming on its own may still be part of a mixture that produces substantial foam under vigorous aeration. Measurements should use realistic soil loads and equipment, where possible.

Temperature and concentration affect viscosity and phase behavior. The published dilution table shows that intermediate water additions can raise viscosity before the mixture becomes markedly thinner at higher water content. Processors should understand the mixing equipment's capabilities and follow documented addition procedures rather than improvising a bulk blend.

Use in high or low pH environments requires more than an assumption based on nonionic chemistry. The manufacturer's qualitative solubility screen reports lack of clear solubility in specified 5% acidic and alkaline media at the tested conditions. Compatibility with the actual cleaning concentrate must be established by appropriate stability and performance studies.

The grade's representative pH of approximately 7 is a defined test result, not the pH of every finished formulation. A strong alkaline cleaner can have a much higher pH because of builders, while an acidic cleaner can have a much lower pH. The final product's corrosivity and occupational precautions depend on the complete formula and its current SDS.

STARTING FORMULATION AND EVALUATION APPROACH

A sensible starting point for industrial R&D is to establish the intended duty: low-foam cleaning of grease, machine rinsing, circulation cleaning, laundry soil removal or another clearly defined task. Formulators should then identify permitted ingredient classes, the desired concentrate appearance, working dilution, use temperature and acceptable foam level. These variables determine how LF 1300 should be screened alongside other ingredients.

For water-rich formulations, the first technical question is whether LF 1300 can be made compatible with the carrier using an appropriate co-surfactant, hydrotrope or solvent. The answer must be established experimentally, because the ingredient is not clear-soluble in the manufacturer's simple 10% water test. Evaluate compatibility after normal mixing, dilution, overnight storage and temperature changes.

The manufacturer advises stirring surfactant into water when preparing its aqueous systems, with attention to non-linear viscosity. This is a general formulation-handling caution, not an instruction to use a specific percentage or a guarantee that pure-water solutions of LF 1300 will be clear. More extensive formulation trials should document actual compositions, process conditions and measured outcomes in the laboratory.

A controlled evaluation can track appearance, phase stability, viscosity, clouding, foam, contact angle or wetting, detergent performance, rinse behavior and material compatibility. Methods and criteria should reflect the final application's standards. Avoid treating a single surface-tension value or one foam test as a complete performance qualification.

No fixed starting dosage, blending temperature or commercial formula has been established in the reviewed public grade documents. Consequently, this profile does not invent a universal recipe. Technical personnel should obtain the current TDS and SDS and conduct a validated formulation program appropriate to the process and its hazards.

SIMILAR PRODUCTS AND ALTERNATIVES

Alternatives include other low-foaming fatty alcohol alkoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates, differently alkoxylated fatty alcohols and selected nonionic surfactant blends. Their relative suitability depends on water solubility, foam behavior, cleaning action, cloud point, viscosity, substrate compatibility, environmental declarations and procurement availability. No unrelated grade should be assumed to be a drop-in replacement.

A more water-soluble nonionic may simplify transparent aqueous formulation, especially if the finished product does not tolerate hydrotropes or solvents. In exchange, it may produce a different foam profile, temperature response or cleaning performance. A relatively hydrophobic low-foamer such as LF 1300 can therefore be advantageous in some systems while being harder to formulate into others.

A conventional anionic surfactant can provide effective detergency in many applications, but may create more persistent foam or respond differently to hard water and electrolyte conditions. Amphoteric surfactants can modify mildness or foam behavior in selected cleaners, yet their performance and economics must also be assessed in the full blend. The correct comparison uses tests performed under identical working conditions.

Silicone-based defoamers and mineral-oil antifoams represent a different technology: they are commonly used to disrupt already formed foam, rather than to function as the principal detergent surfactant. LF 1300 is a low-foaming surfactant, not automatically an equivalent replacement for a dedicated defoamer. Combining technologies may be possible but requires compatibility and separation-risk testing.

Alternative grades within the same commercial surfactant family also differ in cloud-point method values, viscosity, surface-tension behavior and solubility. Substitution should therefore be justified using the actual grade specification and performance data, not a similar number in the product name. Procurement changes may require reformulation, new stability tests and revised regulatory documents.

INITIAL FORMULATION APPROACHES FOR PLURAFAC LF 1300

The following examples illustrate how PLURAFAC LF 1300 can be investigated during formulation and process development. PLURAFAC LF 1300 is a liquid, very-low-foaming, nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate. Manufacturer information identifies PLURAFAC LF 1300 as a potential defoaming ingredient, including in construction-related formulations. Unlike surfactants selected primarily for rapid wetting or high detergency, PLURAFAC LF 1300 can be screened as a foam-control component in systems where excessive entrained air or persistent foam impairs performance.

These examples are laboratory starting approaches, not validated commercial recipes, production instructions, finished product specifications or regulatory approvals. Unless otherwise indicated, liquid formulation percentages are by weight (% w/w). The actual performance of PLURAFAC LF 1300 depends on the supplied grade, the accompanying surfactants, water hardness, electrolyte content, processing energy, temperature and the source of foam. Consult the current technical data sheet and safety data sheet before experimentation.

Low-foaming behavior does not guarantee defoaming in every mixture. Because PLURAFAC LF 1300 may show limited compatibility or dispersion in some aqueous systems, assess visual homogeneity, phase separation, storage stability and possible deposition. In each screening series, keep all other factors constant while varying the PLURAFAC LF 1300 level; include a formulation without PLURAFAC LF 1300 as a reference where practical.

EXAMPLE 1: PLURAFAC LF 1300 DOSAGE SCREENING IN A RECIRCULATING INDUSTRIAL CLEANER

Objective: Determine whether PLURAFAC LF 1300 reduces circulation-induced foam without sacrificing oil removal, bath stability or rinsability in a mildly alkaline industrial cleaner containing an alkyl polyglucoside (APG) surfactant.

Initial screening composition (laboratory working solution, % w/w):

PLURAFAC LF 1300: approximately 0.05%, 0.15% and 0.30% in separate trials.

Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) aqueous solution: approximately 1.20% as supplied, held constant.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 0.70%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 0.40%, held constant.

Dipropylene glycol methyl ether (DPM): approximately 1.50%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or an appropriate hydrotrope: approximately 1.00% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Circulation rate, working temperature, test duration, soil loading and rinsing conditions: held constant.

The selected percentages are only a preliminary range. PLURAFAC LF 1300 may require attention to hydrotrope choice and order of addition; no automatic reduction in foam or improvement in cleaning performance should be assumed.

Application approach:

1. Charge a clean laboratory vessel with most of the demineralized water and begin controlled stirring.

2. Dissolve sodium citrate and sodium carbonate, then incorporate the solvent and selected hydrotrope.

3. Add the APG solution slowly to minimize unnecessary foam and mix until uniform.

4. Introduce the premeasured PLURAFAC LF 1300 carefully; add the remaining water to reach 100%.

5. Record pH, visual appearance, phase stability, viscosity and the initial foam profile.

6. Circulate each test bath at an identical flow rate through a laboratory loop containing standardized oil-contaminated coupons.

7. Measure foam height, foam decay after circulation stops, pump performance, oil removal, rinsing and any visible residue.

8. Compare the PLURAFAC LF 1300 screening levels against a no-additive control, then repeat the most promising concentration after increasing the soil load.

Alkaline cleaners and solvent-containing baths require adequate ventilation and chemical-resistant eye and hand protection. Evaluate the compatibility of metals, seals and wastewater treatment procedures before applying PLURAFAC LF 1300 in production equipment.

EXAMPLE 2: PLURAFAC LF 1300 FOAM-CONTROL EVALUATION IN A COMMERCIAL LAUNDRY DETERGENT

Objective: Assess how PLURAFAC LF 1300 influences wash foam, rinse foam, soil removal and formulation stability in an alkaline liquid detergent containing a fixed blend of anionic and nonionic surfactants.

Initial screening composition (finished laboratory detergent, % w/w):

PLURAFAC LF 1300: approximately 0.10%, 0.25% and 0.50% in separate trials.

Sodium laureth sulfate (SLES) aqueous solution, approximately 70% active: approximately 1.00% as supplied, held constant.

Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) aqueous surfactant solution: approximately 0.75% as supplied, held constant.

Compatible nonionic alcohol ethoxylate: approximately 1.00% as supplied, held constant.

Sodium carbonate: approximately 2.00%, held constant.

Trisodium citrate dihydrate: approximately 2.00%, held constant.

Sodium xylene sulfonate solution or another suitable hydrotrope: approximately 1.50% as supplied, held constant.

Demineralized water: quantity sufficient to 100%.

Laundry load, water hardness, wash temperature, detergent dosage, agitation and cycle time: held constant.

This composition is a controlled screening concept, not a finished high-performance detergent formula. PLURAFAC LF 1300 should be judged by foam and wash measurements together; excessive foam suppression, poor dispersion or surfactant separation may compromise the overall result.

Application approach:

1. Add most of the demineralized water to a clean mixing vessel and start moderate agitation.

2. Dissolve sodium citrate and sodium carbonate, then blend in the selected hydrotrope.

3. Incorporate the SLES solution, APG solution and nonionic alcohol ethoxylate one at a time while limiting air entrainment.

4. Add PLURAFAC LF 1300 at the specified screening level and complete the mixture with water to 100%.

5. Measure pH, viscosity, clarity, low-temperature stability and foam generation under standardized mechanical agitation.

6. Wash identically soiled fabric swatches at a fixed dose, temperature, load and cycle setting using each PLURAFAC LF 1300 formulation.

7. Record foam height and persistence during washing, foam remaining during rinsing, stain removal, fabric residue and any visible changes in color or handle.

8. Select the PLURAFAC LF 1300 concentration that controls excess foam without unacceptable loss of washing performance, then conduct repeated-cycle and storage tests.

Laundry detergent ingredients can irritate eyes and skin. Use appropriate protective equipment, avoid inhalation of spray or mist, and review textile compatibility, ingredient labeling, environmental discharge requirements and the applicable detergent regulations.

EXAMPLE 3: PLURAFAC LF 1300 AIR-ENTRAINMENT SCREENING IN A CEMENTITIOUS MORTAR

Objective: Investigate whether PLURAFAC LF 1300 reduces unwanted entrained air and surface bubbles in a laboratory cementitious mortar while maintaining flow, workable time and the required hardened properties.

Initial dry-mix reference composition (parts by weight of dry material):

Portland cement: approximately 25.0 parts.

Graded quartz sand: approximately 72.0 parts.

Redispersible polymer powder: approximately 2.0 parts.

Cellulose ether: approximately 0.2 parts.

Calcium carbonate filler: approximately 0.8 parts.

Total dry reference mix: 100.0 parts.

PLURAFAC LF 1300: approximately 0.02%, 0.05% and 0.10% relative to the dry-mix mass in separate trials; not included in the 100-part dry reference mix.

Mixing water: initially approximately 20 parts per 100 parts of dry mix, held constant for the first comparison.

Mixer geometry, mixing speed, mixing duration, rest time, specimen dimensions and curing conditions: held constant.

PLURAFAC LF 1300 is a liquid additive in this example. Its percentage is calculated against the weight of the dry mortar, not against the finished wet mix. The composition is an illustrative test system rather than a specification for tile adhesive, screed or structural concrete. Assess the dispersion of PLURAFAC LF 1300 in mixing water before use, and do not assume it is fully water-soluble.

Application approach:

1. Weigh the Portland cement, graded sand, redispersible polymer powder, cellulose ether and filler using the same dry-mix composition for each trial.

2. Premix the dry ingredients until a consistent blend is obtained.

3. Measure the selected PLURAFAC LF 1300 dose relative to dry-mix mass and examine its dispersion in a small portion of the mixing water.

4. Add the remaining measured water to the mixer and incorporate the dry blend under a fixed mixing schedule.

5. Complete mixing with the PLURAFAC LF 1300 dispersion and apply the same final mixing and resting sequence to every sample.

6. Measure wet mortar density, estimated air content, visible surface bubbles, flow or spread and early stability.

7. Cast identical specimens and examine setting behavior, cured appearance and relevant mechanical or adhesion properties after standardized curing.

8. Compare results with a control containing no PLURAFAC LF 1300 and select a level that reduces detrimental air entrainment without impairing the mortar's required properties.

Cementitious powders can generate respirable dust, and wet cement is strongly alkaline. Use suitable dust control, respiratory protection where required, eye protection and gloves. PLURAFAC LF 1300 must be evaluated for admixture compatibility, strength development, air-content limits and construction-product standards before practical use.

QUALITY CONTROL AND PURCHASING CRITERIA

The most useful purchasing identity is the exact trade designation Plurafac LF 1300 plus the corresponding commercial reference 30044040, where applicable, and the supplier's current batch identification. Request a current grade specification and the region-appropriate SDS before defining contractual requirements. The public technical information describes typical properties rather than a universal certificate of analysis.

Important incoming checks can include appearance, clarity or haze at a defined temperature, density, dynamic viscosity, pH by the specified method and relevant color or odor characteristics. Test methods and acceptable ranges should be chosen from the actual purchased specification. A laboratory cannot compare measurements meaningfully if temperatures and methods differ from the reference.

For applications sensitive to water compatibility, a reproducible solubility or clouding screen with the actual hydrotrope package may be valuable. An incoming batch with acceptable viscosity may still require testing in a specific detergent concentrate. Do not impose a fabricated numeric water-content or impurity limit unless it is supported by a contractual specification and fit-for-purpose method.

A technical data sheet (TDS) describes typical properties and applications; an SDS documents hazard and handling information for the applicable product and jurisdiction; and a batch certificate of analysis (COA) reports tests or declarations linked to a specified production lot. These documents answer different questions and should be requested for their distinct purposes.

Packaging selection depends on shipment size, compatibility, temperature control and the customer's handling system. The manufacturer names AISI 316 and AISI 321 stainless steels as suitable material options for certain tanks or drums in its general handling guidance. This does not establish compatibility with every gasket, seal, valve or lining; those components require their own assessment.

Environmental, renewable-carbon or certification statements should be tied to product-specific documentation. Although the grade appears in marketing categories for bio-based surfactants, that does not establish an exact renewable-carbon percentage or an automatic certification for every consignment. Claims such as RSPO-certified content, biodegradability status and regulatory approvals must be documented with the specific grade and supply chain.

REGULATORY AND APPLICATION-SPECIFIC CONSIDERATIONS

Plurafac LF 1300 is marketed as a surfactant ingredient for industrial formulation, including food-service and institutional cleaning. This does not by itself grant food-additive status, cosmetic approval, a biocidal authorization or permission to leave residues on food-contact articles. The intended finished product and geographic market determine additional legal requirements.

The CAS-associated substance appears in European chemical-information resources, but the presence of an EC/List number is not evidence that every supply chain has completed the same registration duties. Importers and formulators should verify obligations with their supplier or regulatory specialist. Country-specific inventory status, classification and occupational requirements are separate considerations.

For detergent and professional-cleaning products, ingredient disclosure, classification and specific environmental rules may apply depending on the market. In some settings, surfactant biodegradability documentation may be important; a marketing icon or a generalized statement about fatty alcohol alkoxylates is not equivalent to a report for the precise material and applicable test. Supporting test data should be requested where needed.

For agricultural adjuvant applications, the permitted uses depend on local pesticide rules, active-ingredient formulation registrations and label claims. Technical mention in an additives guide does not establish a blanket regulatory approval. A cleaning-product formulation and a pesticide formulation may involve entirely different registration and residue obligations.

The final mixture's hazards can also differ markedly from those of the surfactant itself. For example, strongly alkaline cleaning concentrates may carry corrosive hazards from builders regardless of the properties of the individual nonionic raw material. Product labeling must reflect the complete formula and applicable jurisdiction.

FIRST AID

Inhalation
If aerosols or mist containing Plurafac LF 1300 are inhaled and discomfort develops, stop the exposure and move the affected person to fresh air. Keep the individual comfortable, seek medical advice for persistent coughing, breathing difficulties or other symptoms, and follow the current grade-specific SDS for further directions. Avoid unnecessary aerosol generation during normal transfer and mixing operations.

Skin Contact
Remove clothing contaminated with Plurafac LF 1300 and wash affected skin thoroughly with water. Do not use solvents to remove the surfactant from the skin. Seek medical attention if irritation, redness or other symptoms persist, and launder contaminated work clothing before reuse according to workplace procedures.

Eye Contact
If Plurafac LF 1300 enters the eyes, begin prompt, continuous rinsing with clean water while holding eyelids open and removing contact lenses if this is easy to do. Continue rinsing according to the current SDS and obtain urgent medical assessment when pain, redness, visual disturbance or persistent irritation occurs. Because concentrated surfactants can produce substantial eye injury, do not delay flushing while trying to determine the exact hazard category.

Ingestion
If Plurafac LF 1300 is swallowed, rinse the mouth and obtain medical advice or contact a poison information center using the current SDS. Do not induce vomiting unless directed by qualified medical personnel. Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person, and ensure that responders understand that a concentrated industrial surfactant has been involved.

Note to Physicians
Management of exposure to Plurafac LF 1300 should be guided by symptoms, the amount and route of exposure, and the current product-specific safety information. This document does not establish a specific antidote or exposure threshold. Provide healthcare personnel with the product label and supplier SDS whenever possible.

HANDLING AND STORAGE

Handling
Handle Plurafac LF 1300 as a concentrated liquid industrial chemical with suitable splash precautions and procedures for controlling spills. Avoid unnecessary skin and eye contact, mist generation and contact with food or drink. Operations should be carried out by trained personnel familiar with the actual grade-specific SDS and the intended detergent-formulation process.

Engineering Controls
Transfer and mixing of Plurafac LF 1300 should be arranged to minimize splashing and uncontrolled liquid release. Use appropriate local ventilation if aerosols or vapors from an accompanying solvent package could be generated. Provide readily accessible washing facilities and suitable containment for chemical-handling areas.

Personal Protection
Chemical-resistant gloves, closed work clothing and protective eye equipment should be selected for the actual handling conditions involving Plurafac LF 1300. A face shield may be appropriate during high-splash operations; exact glove material and breakthrough time should be taken from the current SDS, glove supplier and workplace assessment. A raw-material data sheet is not a substitute for a task-based personal protective equipment evaluation.

Respiratory Protection
Routine closed transfer of Plurafac LF 1300 may have different respiratory exposure potential from spraying or aerosol-producing cleaning operations. Apply the local occupational risk assessment and current SDS to decide whether respiratory protection is required. Do not select a respirator solely because the product is described as a liquid nonionic surfactant.

Storage
Store Plurafac LF 1300 indoors in original, tightly sealed, correctly labeled containers, away from contamination and uncontrolled temperature extremes. The manufacturer's family guidance advises avoiding temperatures substantially below 20 °C during storage and preventing overheating. Keep containers properly closed after sampling to limit unwanted moisture uptake and other contamination.

Cold-Temperature Changes
Plurafac LF 1300 may become more viscous or cloudy in cold conditions; such changes should be distinguished from permanent decomposition. The manufacturer's general surfactant-family guidance discusses controlled warming around 40–50 °C where cold-induced clouding or settling has occurred and cautions against uncontrolled overheating. Only approved equipment and product-specific procedures should be used, with the actual container and SDS limitations observed.

Heating and Temperature Control
Where Plurafac LF 1300 is stored in heated equipment, use appropriate industrial controls against overheating and local hot spots. Manufacturer guidance for the product family discusses careful temperature management and nitrogen blanketing for heated storage tanks near 50 °C. This is specialized engineering guidance, not a suggestion to heat ordinary containers without a documented site procedure.

Material Compatibility
The manufacturer's technical information lists AISI 316 and AISI 321 stainless steels as materials that may be used for tanks and drums for its surfactant family. Confirm compatibility of Plurafac LF 1300 with the entire handling system, including elastomers, hoses, seals, coatings and temperature range. Similar-looking plastics or gaskets cannot be presumed compatible without testing or supplier confirmation.

Spill Procedures
For a Plurafac LF 1300 spill, prevent people from entering the affected area without suitable protection, avoid slippery surfaces and stop further release where safe. Contain the liquid, use absorbent material or a compatible recovery system, and handle collected material according to the current SDS and local requirements. Avoid washing a large uncontrolled quantity directly into drains.

Environmental Precautions
Prevent uncontrolled discharge of Plurafac LF 1300 to soil, surface water, stormwater or sewer systems. Environmental fate, aquatic hazard classification and wastewater acceptance depend on the exact grade documentation and the receiving treatment process. Do not assume that a surfactant is environmentally harmless merely because it is based partly on fatty alcohol feedstocks.

Fire Response
Use an extinguishing medium suited to the surrounding fire, the actual product's SDS and any co-stored solvents. Heating or burning of Plurafac LF 1300 may create hazardous combustion or decomposition products, so firefighters require appropriate protective equipment. A reported elevated flash point must not be interpreted as evidence that a heated bulk tank or fire-exposed container presents no risk.

Waste Disposal
Dispose of unused Plurafac LF 1300, spent absorbent, contaminated packaging and formulated waste through approved channels in accordance with applicable rules. Waste classification must consider contaminating soils, co-solvents, alkaline builders and other chemicals, not just the original surfactant. Do not reuse chemical containers for food or drinking water.

SAFETY AND TRANSPORT INFORMATION

Plurafac LF 1300 is a liquid nonionic surfactant used as an industrial formulation ingredient, and concentrated surfactants must be handled to prevent eye and skin exposure. The precise applicable hazard categories, pictograms and hazard statements for the present commercial grade must be taken from a current manufacturer-issued SDS for the relevant jurisdiction. Classification data for a related Plurafac grade or for the broad CAS substance must not be copied mechanically onto this product.

The reviewed public technical data substantiate representative physical behavior, not the complete regulatory classification of a shipped lot. A manufacturer agrochemical-additives guide has reported a flash point of roughly 230 °C for LF 1300, but the current SDS and test method should govern any fire or transport classification decision. Do not designate this material as a flammable liquid merely because it is an organic surfactant, and do not declare it nonhazardous on the basis of an older handbook value alone.

Transport Classification: Exact grade- and jurisdiction-specific determination requires current supplier SDS, Section 14.
UN Number: Not reliably confirmed from a current product-specific SDS in the material reviewed.
Proper Shipping Name: Not reliably confirmed from a current product-specific SDS in the material reviewed.
Transport Hazard Class: Not reliably confirmed from a current product-specific SDS in the material reviewed.
Packing Group: Not reliably confirmed from a current product-specific SDS in the material reviewed.
GHS / CLP Hazard Statements: Must be verified on the current regional supplier SDS; no grade-specific list is asserted here.
Occupational Exposure Limits: No product-specific binding limit confirmed in the reviewed technical material; apply workplace assessment and current regulatory requirements.
Environmental Hazard Classification: Verify current SDS rather than extrapolating from a broad CAS record.

For international shipment, transport operators should request the latest correct-language SDS and check classification under the applicable road, sea and air rules. A missing UN number in a technical profile is not evidence that the material is automatically unrestricted. Packaging, labeling, emergency response documentation and local import requirements should be verified by the responsible professionals.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT PLURAFAC LF 1300

What is Plurafac LF 1300?
Plurafac LF 1300 is a low-foaming nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate liquid used in industrial and institutional formulations, especially where interfacial performance must be balanced with foam control.

What is the main chemical class of Plurafac LF 1300?
Plurafac LF 1300 belongs to the fatty alcohol alkoxylate family, associated with ethoxylated and propoxylated fatty alcohol chemistry.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 a pure chemical compound?
No. Plurafac LF 1300 is a commercial distribution of alcohol alkoxylates, so a single exact molecular formula and molecular weight are not appropriate.

What CAS number is associated with Plurafac LF 1300?
The manufacturer's product register associates the grade with CAS 68002-96-0.

What does CAS 68002-96-0 describe?
The substance is described in European chemical records as alcohols, C16-18, ethoxylated propoxylated; that description does not independently specify every commercial-grade quality attribute.

What is the EC/List number for the associated substance?
The corresponding EC/List number is 614-209-5; it is a substance identifier rather than a product approval or certification.

What is the manufacturer's product reference for Plurafac LF 1300?
The published product reference is 30044040, which can help identify the correct commercial grade when requesting documentation.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 anionic or cationic?
Neither. Plurafac LF 1300 is a nonionic surfactant and does not depend on a permanently charged anionic or cationic head group for its principal interfacial action.

What does low-foaming mean?
It means the surfactant is designed or selected for comparatively limited foam production under relevant conditions. It does not mean every finished detergent will generate zero foam.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 a defoamer?
Plurafac LF 1300 is classified primarily as a low-foaming nonionic surfactant. That is not identical to a dedicated silicone or oil-based defoamer used to destroy existing foam.

What are the principal intended applications?
The manufacturer identifies food-service and kitchen hygiene, commercial laundry, institutional cleaning and sanitation-related cleaning, and industrial cleaning as principal application categories.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be used in automatic washing equipment?
Plurafac LF 1300 may be evaluated in properly formulated automatic or recirculating cleaning systems, particularly where limited foam is advantageous. Equipment-specific cleaning and foam tests are still necessary.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 have a verified disinfectant effect?
No disinfectant efficacy is established by the reviewed product documents. A finished product must meet separate biocidal performance and authorization requirements before making antimicrobial claims.

What is the physical form of Plurafac LF 1300?
Plurafac LF 1300 is supplied as a liquid and described within the product family as clear or slightly cloudy, colorless to yellow at approximately 23 °C.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's representative active concentration?
The November 2023 technical table lists approximately 100% concentration for the grade. This is not a batch-specific purity or water-content guarantee.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's density at 23 °C?
The representative manufacturer value is approximately 0.97 g/cm3, measured using DIN 51757.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's dynamic viscosity at 23 °C?
Approximately 130 mPa·s under the stated EN 12092/Brookfield LVT method, as a representative technical value.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's viscosity at 10 °C?
The published representative dynamic viscosity is approximately 280 mPa·s by the manufacturer method.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's viscosity at 0 °C?
The published representative dynamic viscosity is approximately 500 mPa·s by the manufacturer method.

Is the grade much thicker in cold conditions?
Yes. The published measurements show a substantial viscosity increase when temperature falls from 23 °C to 0 °C, which can influence pumping and filling.

What is Plurafac LF 1300's setting point?
The published representative setting point is approximately -5 °C under DIN 51583; it is not a precise melting point for a single pure substance.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 have one definite melting point?
No reliable single pure-substance melting point can be assigned to this alkoxylate distribution. Use the grade-specific setting-point information for handling assessment.

What is the boiling point of Plurafac LF 1300?
An exact grade-specific boiling point was not reliably established from the reviewed public technical documents and should not be inferred from unrelated alcohols or solvents.

What is the cloud point of Plurafac LF 1300?
The manufacturer lists approximately 21 °C by EN 1890 Method E and approximately 26 °C by Method D. The specified butyldiglycol-containing media are essential to interpreting those values.

Is the cloud point in pure water 21 °C?
No. The 21 °C value refers to EN 1890 Method E, not to the pure-water Method A test; Method A is not reported for this grade in the cited table.

Why is the cloud-point test method important?
Different media change polyether hydration and phase behavior. A cloud point in a defined glycol-containing test cannot automatically predict turbidity in an industrial wash liquor.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 soluble in water?
The manufacturer describes it as insoluble in a qualitative 10% distilled- or potable-water screen at 23 °C. A co-formulated product may nevertheless form a dispersion or use hydrotropes to achieve the desired appearance.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be used in water-based cleaners despite that result?
Potentially yes, if a compatible formulation can be developed and validated. Water-insolubility of the neat ingredient at a specified screening concentration does not preclude every aqueous cleaning application.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 soluble in ethanol?
The manufacturer reports clear solubility in ethanol at the conditions of its qualitative 10% test at 23 °C.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 soluble in isopropanol?
Yes, clear solubility is reported in the manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C comparison.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 dissolve in mineral spirits?
The manufacturer reports a clear solution in mineral spirits under the stated comparative conditions. Whole-formulation compatibility and solvent safety require separate verification.

How does Plurafac LF 1300 behave in 5% caustic soda?
The manufacturer's qualitative 10% at 23 °C screening table reports insolubility; this is not the same as chemical decomposition or a finding that no formulated alkaline cleaner can ever use it.

How does Plurafac LF 1300 behave in 5% hydrochloric acid?
The same manufacturer screen reports insolubility at the tested concentration and temperature. Stability, corrosion and efficacy must be evaluated in the actual acid-cleaner formulation.

What surface tension is reported for Plurafac LF 1300?
Approximately 32 mN/m in the EN 14370 test at 1 g/L in distilled water and 23 °C, using the stated correction; this does not describe every real formulation.

Does the low surface tension of Plurafac LF 1300 prove that it wets surfaces rapidly?
No. Surface tension and dynamic wetting tests measure different behavior, and the manufacturer's reference wetting times for LF 1300 are comparatively long under its standard conditions.

What is the published wetting time at 1 g/L and 23 °C?
More than 300 seconds by EN 1772 in distilled water containing 2 g/L soda ash, according to the comparative manufacturer table.

What is the published wetting time at 2 g/L and 23 °C?
Approximately 190 seconds by EN 1772 in the manufacturer's stated soda-ash-containing test liquor.

What does the reported foam formation value mean?
The manufacturer reports 0 mL in a defined EN 12728 comparative test. The figure describes the test conditions, not a guarantee of no bubbles in any complete cleaning mixture.

Can adding water to Plurafac LF 1300 increase viscosity rather than decrease it?
Yes. The 2023 product-family data show intermediate water additions can raise viscosity before higher water additions produce much thinner mixtures.

What is the reported viscosity at 40% added water?
Approximately 300 mPa·s at 23 °C under the manufacturer's Brookfield LVT comparison, compared with approximately 130 mPa·s for the neat liquid.

What is the reported viscosity at 50% added water?
Less than 20 mPa·s at 23 °C in the published comparative mixture table. That observation is not a recommended commercial formulation or stability specification.

How should water-based prototype mixing be approached?
The manufacturer generally advises stirring surfactant into water to manage viscosity, but the finished formulation still requires a compatible hydrotrope or other design where needed and controlled laboratory trials.

Does pH 7 mean Plurafac LF 1300 works only in neutral cleaners?
No. Approximately pH 7 is a method-specific value measured for the raw surfactant in EN 1262 solution B; the pH and performance of a finished cleaner depend on its whole formula.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be combined with anionic surfactants?
Mixed surfactant systems may be feasible, but solubility, foam, cleaning and storage stability must be demonstrated in the selected formulation. There is no universal compatibility guarantee.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 replace an anionic surfactant without reformulation?
Usually not safely assumed. Changing the surfactant class can alter foam, soil removal, electrolyte response and concentrate stability, so side-by-side formulation trials are needed.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 replace a more water-soluble nonionic surfactant?
Only after validation. LF 1300's low-foam behavior may be attractive, but its direct water-solubility profile can create a different formulation challenge.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 useful in commercial laundry?
The manufacturer includes commercial laundry among its use sectors, where limited foam and effective soil removal can be important. Finished detergent performance must be measured on real textiles and washing equipment.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 remove oil and grease by itself?
Its surfactant character can contribute to oily-soil removal, but cleaning usually depends on a complete system including appropriate water chemistry, agitation and often other ingredients.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be used in industrial spray cleaning?
It may be assessed in spray and recirculating systems where reduced foam is valued, subject to equipment, substrate, soil-removal and formulation compatibility testing.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be used for cleaning stainless steel equipment?
It may be considered in a suitable formulated cleaner, but stainless-steel grade, other ingredients, temperature and rinsing determine practical compatibility. No universal corrosion guarantee is established.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 prevent mineral scale?
No standalone chelating or scale-inhibition claim is established. If mineral control is needed, appropriate builders, sequestrants and water chemistry must be designed into the formulation.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 a preservative?
No preservative or antimicrobial activity has been verified from the reviewed product literature. Preservation of an aqueous detergent requires its own microbiological risk assessment.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 qualify as a food additive?
The food-service application category does not establish food-additive authorization. Direct food use and food-contact cleaner applications involve separate legal requirements.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 automatically suitable for no-rinse food-contact surfaces?
No. No-rinse use requires the relevant regulatory permissions, finished-formula evaluation and residue limits, which are not established by the product's general marketing description.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be used as a pesticide adjuvant?
A manufacturer agrochemical-additives overview identifies possible adjuvant functions, but each proposed use requires country-specific permission, formulated-product compatibility and crop-safety validation.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 suitable with every fungicide?
No. Any adjuvant effect and compatibility are active-ingredient and formulation specific, and technical references do not establish approval or performance with every fungicide.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 suitable for cosmetics?
The product's main publicly described uses are industrial and institutional applications. Cosmetic suitability and ingredient-label naming would require specific grade and regulatory documentation.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 have an INCI name?
No product-specific INCI designation was verified in the reviewed sources. A generic chemical family name should not be presented as a confirmed finished-label INCI entry.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 have an E number?
No E number was verified for the supplied industrial surfactant grade, and the product should not be described as a food additive on this basis.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 biodegradable?
Biodegradability claims should be supported by product-specific test results and the regulatory criteria of the relevant market. Do not infer a universal outcome from a chemical-family label or marketing symbol.

Does Plurafac LF 1300 contain bio-based carbon?
The grade appears in a producer product-range context that notes a bio-based component, but a precise percentage and batch-specific claim require supporting supplier documentation.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 automatically RSPO certified?
No. Optional certification or sustainability positioning does not mean every grade, shipment or supply chain carries an active certificate.

What is a suitable product quality control check?
A defined-temperature viscosity measurement, appearance assessment and density test are useful examples, provided the methods and acceptance ranges match the purchased specification.

Why is a COA important?
A certificate of analysis connects tested or declared characteristics to a particular delivery lot. It should be evaluated alongside, not confused with, a technical data sheet or a safety data sheet.

What is the difference between TDS and SDS?
The TDS focuses on technical characteristics and potential applications, while the SDS focuses on hazards, protective measures, response and transport for the applicable product and jurisdiction.

What information should a purchaser request?
The exact product grade, current specification, region-appropriate SDS, batch traceability, packaging details and relevant application or sustainability documentation should be confirmed.

Does the CAS number prove that two suppliers' products are equivalent?
No. A CAS number for a broad alkoxylate distribution does not establish identical chain distribution, impurity profile, viscosity, foam behavior or end-use qualification.

Can Plurafac LF 1300 be stored below 0 °C?
The representative setting point is about -5 °C, but the manufacturer recommends avoiding storage substantially below 20 °C. Cold storage can increase viscosity or cause cloudiness, so follow current handling instructions.

What happens if Plurafac LF 1300 becomes cloudy in storage?
The manufacturer notes that low-temperature cloudiness in its surfactant family can sometimes be reversed through controlled warming. Inspect for contamination or abnormal separation and follow the specified recovery procedure before use.

Can barrels be heated with ordinary electrical elements?
Uncontrolled local heating is inappropriate. Manufacturer guidance emphasizes gentle, controlled industrial warming and precautions against hot spots, subject to the actual product SDS and site procedures.

What materials are suggested for storage tanks?
The manufacturer's general guidance identifies AISI 316 and AISI 321 stainless steel as suitable options for tanks or drums, while seals and ancillary equipment still need compatibility assessment.

What is the stated shelf life?
The manufacturer reports at least two years for properly stored material in tightly sealed original packaging across the product family. Confirm the current supplier's conditions, batch dating and contractual specification.

How should opened containers be handled?
Reseal them promptly, keep them clean and protect the liquid from moisture and contamination. Use labeled containers and established sampling or transfer procedures.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 flammable?
A published technical overview gives an elevated approximate flash point, but formal classification must follow the current product-specific SDS. Do not infer an automatic flammable-liquid classification or guarantee of nonflammability from one value.

What flash point has been published for the grade?
An agrochemical-additives guide reports approximately 230 °C without establishing a currently controlling method in this profile. Verify the latest grade-specific SDS before regulatory or engineering use.

What protective equipment is appropriate?
Select splash-protective eyewear, chemical-resistant gloves and work clothing using the current SDS and a task-specific exposure assessment; mixing or spraying can create different risks from closed transfer.

What should be done after eye exposure?
Begin rinsing immediately with water and obtain medical assessment as warranted, following the current SDS. Eye contact with concentrated surfactant should not be dismissed as harmless.

What should be done after skin contact?
Remove contaminated clothing, wash the area thoroughly with water and seek medical advice if symptoms persist. Do not clean the skin with industrial solvents.

Should vomiting be induced if the product is swallowed?
No, not unless instructed by qualified medical personnel. Rinse the mouth and seek prompt medical or poison-center advice using the current product documentation.

How should a spill be managed?
Prevent access, avoid slipping hazards, contain the liquid and recover or absorb it with suitable materials while following the current SDS and local waste-handling rules.

Can unused Plurafac LF 1300 be poured into a drain?
Uncontrolled discharge should be avoided. Wastewater acceptance depends on concentration, local treatment capacity and the applicable discharge requirements.

Is Plurafac LF 1300 classified as dangerous goods for transport?
The exact grade- and region-specific classification was not confirmed from a current supplier SDS in the reviewed public sources. Refer to SDS Section 14 before preparing a shipment.

What is the UN number of Plurafac LF 1300?
A current product-specific UN number was not reliably established; it must not be guessed or imported from a different surfactant grade.

Does low foam guarantee good rinsing?
No. Rinse residue depends on adsorption, concentration, water chemistry, co-surfactants and machine conditions, so low foam and easy rinse-off should be tested separately.

Does low foam guarantee high cleaning power?
No. Foam behavior is one performance dimension, while cleaning depends on interfacial activity, soil chemistry, temperature, mechanical action and the entire formulation.

Why do representative technical values differ from COA specifications?
Published family values are typical measurements, often averages of representative batches. Contractual specifications and lot-specific COA results are separate documents.

How can two products with the same surface tension clean differently?
Surface tension alone does not capture adsorption kinetics, wetting, emulsification, soil compatibility, micellar behavior or residue. Comparative cleaning tests are therefore necessary.

Should laboratory comparisons use the same concentration and temperature?
Yes. The test medium, active concentration, temperature, soil loading and method must be controlled for meaningful grade comparisons.

What is the key formulation limitation of Plurafac LF 1300?
Its limited direct solubility in water at the published screening conditions is a central consideration when developing water-rich concentrates, even though the grade has useful low-foaming surfactant properties.

What is the key operational advantage to investigate?
Its manufacturer-documented low foam performance is particularly worth evaluating in automated systems where excessive suds disrupt circulation, spraying, drainage or sensing.

Can its performance be guaranteed without plant trials?
No. Equipment, soils, other ingredients, water quality, temperature and working dilution determine the finished result, so plant or suitably representative pilot trials remain important.

What should a customer discuss with Ataman Kimya?
Customers can discuss the intended cleaning or industrial application, documentation needs, target specification, packaging and requested quantities, and ask whether a suitable grade and quotation are currently available.

TECHNICAL SUMMARY

Plurafac LF 1300 is a low-foaming nonionic fatty alcohol alkoxylate liquid associated with CAS 68002-96-0 and used principally in industrial and institutional cleaning formulations. The published manufacturer data provide a practical physical reference: approximately 100% concentration, density 0.97 g/cm3 at 23 °C, dynamic viscosity 130 mPa·s at 23 °C, setting point -5 °C and 0 mL foam formation under the stated standardized test. These are representative technical figures, not universal batch guarantees.

Two performance nuances deserve particular attention. First, the grade is reported insoluble in a qualitative 10% water screen at 23 °C, so water-rich concentrate design may require suitable co-formulants and measured stability. Second, EN 1890 cloud-point figures of about 21 °C and 26 °C refer to two specified butyldiglycol-containing media rather than a pure-water cloud point. The relatively long standard wetting times also show why low foam and surface-tension reduction should not be confused with universal rapid wetting.

Useful industrial applications include kitchen-hygiene and commercial laundry formulations, recirculating cleaning processes and selected industrial detergent systems. Other proposed uses, such as agricultural adjuvancy, need the appropriate regulatory assessment and application-specific evaluation. Obtain the correct TDS, current regional SDS and any required batch COA, and determine procurement specifications from the actual grade and production requirements.

CONTACT ATAMAN KIMYA

For industrial cleaning, commercial laundry, machine-washing or other intended applications involving Plurafac LF 1300, customers may contact Ataman Kimya to discuss formulation requirements and technical suitability. Ataman Kimya can be contacted to request applicable technical documentation, available packaging options, current availability and a quotation, subject to confirmation of the relevant product grade and commercial conditions.

Where a customer needs a specific certificate, regulatory declaration or minimum specification, these requirements should be communicated before an order is placed. Supply, certification and end-use suitability should not be presumed until the supporting documentation and proposed terms have been checked.

Ataman Chemicals
Phone: +90 216 577 10 10
Email: info@atamankimya.com