Many alternatives to OPEs used as surfactants are reported for most uses. Ethoxylated fatty alcohols seem to be the most common solution but there are other alternatives : Ethylene Oxide / Propylene Oxide (EO/PO) copolymers, sugar-based surfactants (alkylpolyglucoside) and some fatty acid (for instance 12-hydroxystearic acid for some foaming applications). Some specific information is proposed for the tanneries and textiles, detergents and phytosanitary sectors:
• Tannery and textiles
There are several options for the replacement of OPEs for uses in textiles and tanneries. Typical substitutes are ethoxylated fatty alcohols or other alcohols such as Guerbet alcohol. Solutions based on EO/PO copolymers are also available.
• Detergents
The ethoxylated alkylphenols have been replaced in domestic detergents for several years by linear or branched alkyl ethoxylated fatty alcohols. This substitution continues in industrial applications, with the use of the same ethoxylated fatty alcohols or selective mixtures of base alcohols and ethoxylated alcohols. In addition to the alcohol ethoxylates alternatives, ranges of EO/PO copolymers and alkylpolyglucosides are developed and marketed.
• Paintings
Alternative surfactants based on EO / PO copolymers are available.
• Phytosanitary
Substitutes to OPE used as coformulant of phytosanitary products can be found in ethoxylates of castor oil, in EO / PO and alkylpolyglucosides.
For more details, refer to the document : Technical and economic data on chemical substances in France: octylphenols and ethoxylates (in French).