Alkyl polyglucoside (APG) surfactants are green, plant-derived cleaners known for their excellent biodegradability (>98% per OECD 301) and mildness, making them ideal for shampoos and household detergents. With carbon chain variants like C8-10 for high foam and C12-14 for heavy-duty cleaning, they effectively remove up to 80% of lead in soil remediation and work reliably in high-temperature industrial settings, offering a safe alternative to traditional petroleum-based surfactants.

APG Overview and Characteristics

APG (Alkyl Polyglycoside) is a non-ionic surfactant derived from natural renewable resources. With its green, mild, and high-efficiency properties, it has become an ideal alternative to traditional petroleum-based surfactants.

Its molecular structure consists of a hydrophilic glycoside group (derived from glucose) and a hydrophobic alkyl chain (derived from plant fatty alcohols). This structure allows it to quickly adsorb oil stains during cleaning, disperse and strip dirt through emulsification, while preventing re-deposition on the surface of objects.

From raw materials to production, APG embodies environmental protection concepts throughout: fatty alcohols are derived from coconut oil or palm oil, and glucose comes from crops such as corn and potatoes. The production process does not require harmful reagents like ethylene oxide, reducing environmental burden from the source.

APG exhibits high biodegradability (approximately 70% degradation rate in 28 days under OECD 301 standard), with degradation products being harmless carbon dioxide and water. It is almost non-toxic to aquatic organisms, far superior to traditional surfactants (such as SLS or PEG-based), which may leave persistent pollutants like 1,4-dioxane.

Core characteristics:

• Mild and      low-irritation:      Skin irritation tests (OECD 404) show that APG does not damage the skin      barrier, while SLS/SLES significantly increases skin water loss.

• Alkali and      salt resistance:      In high-temperature and high-salt environments, APG's emulsifying      performance improves rather than decreases, making it suitable for      industrial cleaner formulations.

• Synergistic      effect:      When compounded with anionic (such as LAS) and amphoteric (such as      betaine) surfactants, it can reduce formulation irritation and enhance      detergency.

Differences between APG and traditional surfactants:

APG's diverse types (such as Decyl Glucoside, Coco-Glucoside) adapt to different needs by adjusting carbon chain length (C8-C14): short chains (C8-10) focus on foaming and wetting, while long chains (C12-14) enhance detergency.

Types and Specifications

Product Classification

Carbon chain length directly determines its performance orientation: short-chain (C8-C10) products emphasize foaming and wetting capabilities, while long-chain (C12-C14) products enhance detergency and emulsification stability.

For example, Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside (C8-10) is often used as a base material for transparent formulations due to its low viscosity and high compatibility;

Lauryl Glucoside (C12-14) has become the preferred choice for shampoos and heavy-duty cleaners due to its excellent oil-removing ability.

Key specifications of ANECO's main APG products:

Functional Differences

• Short-chain      APG (C8-C10)      (e.g., AC8170N):

These products are easily soluble in water at room temperature, with fast foaming speed and fine foam, suitable for occasions requiring rapid foaming such as facial cleansers and body washes. Experimental data shows that APG with C8-10 chain length only takes short time  to reach 50% liquid drainage at 25℃, far superior to long-chain products.

• Long-chain      APG (C12-C14)      (e.g., AC1200):

Its hydrophobicity is enhanced, enabling more effective decomposition of oil and stubborn stains. In laundry detergents or kitchen cleaners, adding 5% Lauryl Glucoside can significantly increase detergency  (compared to single anionic surfactants).

• Mixed APG (e.g.,      AC-PO65):

By compounding ingredients such as glyceryl oleate, it enhances the emulsification stability of the formulation, especially suitable for cosmetics that require long-term storage such as sunscreens or serums.

Customization and Compliance Support

APG's natural origin index (mostly 1) is an intuitive reflection of its environmental advantages. However, some mixed products have an index of 0.65, which should be selected according to specific formulation requirements.

Manufacturers also offer customization services, such as adjusting pH value, active ingredient content (50%-70%), or carbon chain distribution, to comply with different demands.

In addition, all APG products are accompanied by complete compliance documents, including:

• Technical      Documents:      TDS (Technical Data Sheet), MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet), COA      (Certificate of Analysis);

• Declaration      Documents:      Cruelty-free declaration, Halal certification, SVHC (Substance of Very      High Concern) compliance declaration, etc.

Industrial Applications

Industrial Cleaning and Hard Surface Treatment

AC215 (Caprylyl/Capryl Glucoside, C8-10 carbon chain) is commonly used in automotive parts cleaning agents because it can maintain emulsification stability in high-temperature and high-hardness water quality.

Studies have shown that in solutions with a salt content of 10%, APG's emulsification volume retention rate is higher than that of ordinary surfactants, which is crucial for ship cleaning or oilfield equipment maintenance.

For hard surface cleaning (such as floors and metal equipment), long-chain APG like AC600 (Lauryl Glucoside) is preferred.

Its advantages include:

• Low residue: No      chemical film residue after rinsing, reducing equipment corrosion risk;

• Strong      compatibility:      Can be compounded with anionic additives (such as sodium citrate) to      improve cleaning efficiency.

The following comparison table shows APG's adaptability in different industrial scenarios:

Textile and Carpet Care

Adding 3%-5% AC650 during cotton fabric dyeing can reduce dye dosage  while improving color fastness.

For carpet cleaning, APG's microemulsification properties can penetrate into fiber interiors to strip dirt, and there is no sticky feeling after drying, which is highly favored in the hotel industry and automotive interior cleaning.

Environmental Remediation

Studies have shown that APG's complexation capacity for heavy metals (such as lead and cadmium) is far superior to traditional surfactants.

Injecting 6% APG solution into contaminated soil can achieve a lead removal rate of 80%, while AES (Alcohol Ether Sulfate) can only remove lower under the same conditions.

Automotive Care and I&I Cleaning

In automotive cleaning agents, APG's low-temperature activity (able to foam even below 5℃) solves the problem of winter cleaning.

In addition, its biodegradability reduces pollution of soil or water bodies by car washing wastewater, complying with the environmental requirements of the EU Detergent Regulation.

For Industrial and Institutional (I&I) scenarios, such as hospitals or food processing plants, APG's broad compatibility allows it to be compounded with disinfectants (such as quaternary ammonium salts) to achieve one-step cleaning and disinfection.