ECO Detergents and Greener Surfactants
Figure 1.Visualizing biodegradable surfactant and detergent formulations for biological and biochemical applications.
Surfactants play a vital role in many chemical applications, serving as detergents, wetting agents, emulsifiers, foaming agents, dispersants, and more. However, their widespread use also leads to significant environmental release. That’s why we’re expanding our portfolio of renewable surfactants and greener lab detergents, formulations that readily degrade into harmless byproducts, delivering reliable performance without lasting environmental impact.
These surfactants are part of our broader range of sustainable products designed to help reduce the ecological footprint of your research. Aligned with the 12 Principles of Green Chemistry, our greener alternatives maintain the same high standards of quality and effectiveness demanded in research and production. Discover how we can support your work - sustainably.
ECO Tween® and ECO Brij® Renewable Surfactant Series
ECO detergents offer the same high performance as traditional petroleum-based products without the environmental drawbacks. Made from 100% bio-based ethylene oxide derived from biomass ethanol.
Key Benefits
- 100% renewable and bio-based
- Non-APEO
- Matches petrochemical performance
- Outperforms other bio-based nonionics
- Lower carbon footprint
- USDA BioPreferred® certified
- Gentle enough for skin contact applications
| Regular Detergents | Greener Alternative Detergents | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Product No. | Product Name | Product No. |
| Tween® 20 | P1379 | ECO Tween® 20 | STS0200 |
| P7949 | |||
| P9416 | |||
| P2287 | |||
| 93773 | |||
| Tween® 40 | P1504 | ECO Tween® 40 | STS0201 |
| Tween® 60 | P1629 | ECO Tween® 60 | STS0202 |
| ECO Tween® 65 | STS0203 | ||
| Tween® 80 | P1754 | ECO Tween® 80 | STS0204 |
| P4780 | |||
| P8074 | ECO Tween® 85 | STS0205 | |
| P5188 | |||
| Brij® C10 | 388858 | ECO Brij® C10 | STS0210 |
| Brij® L23 | P1254 | ECO Brij® L23 | STS0211 |
| 16005 | |||
| B4184 | |||
| Brij® L4 | 235989 | ECO Brij® L4 | |
| Brij® O10 | P6136 | ECO Brij® O10 | STS0213 |
| Brij® O20 | 436240 | ECO Brij® O20 | STS0214 |
| Brij® S10 | 388890 | ECO Brij® S10 | STS0215 |
| Brij® S 100 | 466387 | ECO Brij® S 100 | STS0216 |
| Brij® S20 | P4019 | ECO Brij® S20 | STS0218 |
TERGITOL™ 15-S and ECOSURF™ Biodegradable Surfactant Series
TERGITOL™ and ECOSURF™ detergents offer high performance with strong sustainability credentials. These bio-based nonionic surfactants are designed to significantly reduce environmental impact across a wide range of formulations.
TERGITOL™ 15-S Series
Versatile secondary alcohol ethoxylates (SAEs) that can replace primary alcohol ethoxylates (PAEs), nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEs), octylphenol ethoxylates (OPEs), and other general-purpose surfactants.
ECOSURF™ SA Series
Seed-oil-based, low-toxicity surfactants with excellent biodegradability, detergency, wetting, and handling properties.
ECOSURF™ EH Series
Low aquatic toxicity, high formulation flexibility, and compliance with strict environmental guidelines.
ECOSURF™ EH Specialty Grades
Approved inert ingredients per 40 CFR 180.910, .930, .940, and .960; meet the EPA’s Design for the Environment standards and are listed as safer ingredients by CleanGredients®.
| Regular Detergents | Greener Alternative Detergents | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Product Name | Product No. | Product Name | Product No. |
| Triton™ X-100 | X100 | Triton™ CG-110 | STS0005 |
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 | STS0006 | ||
| ECOSURF™ SA-9 | STS0007 | ||
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 Solution | STS0012 | ||
| Tergitol™ 15-S-9 | 15S9 | ||
| Triton™ X-102 | X102 | ECOSURF™ EH-9 | STS0006 |
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 Solution | STS0012 | ||
| Triton™ X-114 | X114 | Triton™ CG-110 | STS0005 |
| Tergitol™ 15-S-7 | 15S7 | ||
| Triton™ X-165 (70%) | X165 | Tergitol™ 15-S-15 | STS0014 |
| Triton™ X-305 (70%) | X305 | Tergitol™ 15-S-30 | STS0001 |
| Tergitol™ 15-S-40 | STS0002 | ||
| Tergitol™ 15-S-40 Solution | STS0003 | ||
| Triton™ X-405 (70%) | X405 | Tergitol™ 15-S-30 | STS0001 |
| Tergitol™ 15-S-40 | STS0002 | ||
| Tergitol™ 15-S-40 Solution | STS0003 | ||
| Triton™ X-705 (70%) | Not available | Tergitol™ 15-S-40 | STS0002 |
| Tergitol™ 15-S-40 Solution | STS0003 | ||
| Tergitol™ NP-9 | NP9 | Triton™ CG-110 | STS0005 |
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 | STS0006 | ||
| ECOSURF™ SA-9 | STS0007 | ||
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 Solution | STS0012 | ||
| Tergitol™ 15-S-9 | 15S9 | ||
| Tergitol™ NP-10 | NP10 | Triton™ CG-110 | STS0005 |
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 | STS0006 | ||
| ECOSURF™ SA-9 | STS0007 | ||
| ECOSURF™ EH-9 Solution | STS0012 | ||
| Tergitol™ 15-S-9 | 15S9 | ||
| Tergitol™ NP-40 | NP40S | Tergitol™ 15-S-40 Solution | STS0003 |
Molecular Biology Tested Greener Alternative Surfactants
We rigorously tested five top surfactants across critical molecular biology workflows to assess their performance, purity, and compatibility with sensitive downstream applications. Using these results, we developed molecular biology-grade detergents that deliver high purity, low nuclease and protease activity, and reliable performance in demanding environments.
Why it Matters
- Prevent PCR/qPCR inhibition from reagent contaminants
- Ensure consistency in diagnostic and research-grade sample prep
- Transition confidently to a verified, trusted surfactant
Tested Detergents | Product Name | Volume | Tested for | Product No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Tergitol™ 15-S-7 | 500 ML | Dnase, Rnase, Nickase, Protease | ||
Tergitol™ 15-S-9 | 500 ML, 1 L | Dnase, Rnase, Nickase, Protease | ||
TERGITOL™ 15-S-40 | 500 ML | Dnase, Rnase, Nickase, Protease | ||
ECOSURF™ SA-9 (90%) | 500 ML | Dnase, Rnase, Nickase, Protease | ||
ECOSURF™ EH-9 (90%) | 500 ML | Dnase, Rnase, Nickase, Protease |
*TERGITOL™, ECOSURF™, and Triton™ are trademarks of The Dow Chemical Company (“Dow”) or an affiliated company of Dow. Tween® and Brij® are registered trademarks of Croda International PLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Detailed information on trademarks is available via publicly accessible resources.
Discover more about our Greener Products & Solutions.
Related Resources
- Application Note: Comparison of Greener Detergents in Mammalian Cell Lysis & Downstream Applications
In this application note, the capabilities of alternative detergents for effective mammalian cell lysis and downstream applications were assessed and compared to detergents commonly used: IGEPAL® CA-630, Triton™ X-100 and Triton™ X-114.
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