Description

LABSA Supplier — Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid for Detergent, Cleaning & Formulation Applications

Linear Alkyl Benzene Sulfonic Acid (LABSA, CAS 27176-87-0) is the world’s most widely used anionic surfactant active matter and the foundational raw material for the global synthetic detergent industry. This dark brown, viscous organic sulfonic acid is produced by sulfonating linear alkylbenzene (LAB) with sulfur trioxide (SO3) or concentrated sulfuric acid, yielding a product with 90-97% active acid content that serves as the primary detergency agent in laundry powders, laundry bars, dishwashing liquids, and a wide range of industrial and institutional cleaning formulations. LABSA’s dominance in the detergent ingredient supply chain stems from its excellent foaming profile, strong oil and grease removal capability, cost-effectiveness at industrial scale, and reliable supply availability from major petrochemical producers.

In downstream processing, LABSA is neutralized with sodium hydroxide to produce sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), the water-soluble surfactant that provides the actual cleaning performance in finished detergent products. India’s detergent market, valued at over USD 10 billion and growing at 7-9% annually, consumes approximately 400,000-500,000 tonnes of LABSA per year — making reliable supply a strategic priority for detergent manufacturers across the country. Davar ChemTech supplies high-purity LABSA from its Vadodara distribution hub with full analytical documentation, consistent batch-to-batch quality, and flexible packaging options for both small-scale formulators and large detergent manufacturers.

Key Technical Features

• LABSA with 96-97% active acid content and ≤ 1.5% free oil for premium detergent formulations
• Standard grade with 90-92% active acid content available for cost-sensitive bulk detergent production
• Low free sulfuric acid content (≤ 1.5%) minimizing corrosion during neutralization and processing
• Consistent colour (Klett colour ≤ 50) ensuring no impact on finished detergent powder whiteness
• Available in 200L HDPE drums, 1000L IBC totes, and bulk ISO tankers for every scale of operation
• Full COA with active acid, free oil, free sulfuric acid, colour, and density parameters per consignment

Industrial Applications

In laundry detergent powder manufacturing, LABSA undergoes neutralization with sodium hydroxide in a continuous or batch reactor to produce sodium linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS) solution, which is then spray-dried along with other detergent components (soda ash, STPP, sodium sulfate, enzymes, optical brighteners) to form the final detergent powder. The quality of LABSA directly impacts multiple finished product attributes — active acid content determines the surfactant loading and cleaning performance, free oil content affects powder density and flowability, free sulfuric acid influences the amount of neutralizing agent required and can cause corrosion in processing equipment if not properly controlled, and colour (Klett value) impacts the visual whiteness of the finished detergent powder, which is a critical quality parameter for consumer acceptance.

The shift toward concentrated and compact detergent powders (2x, 3x, 4x concentrated) has increased the demand for high-active LABSA (96-97%) because these formulations require maximum surfactant concentration per kilogram of finished product. In the liquid detergent segment, LABSA is either pre-neutralized to LAS solution before blending or added directly to the formulation with in-situ neutralization. Direct LABSA addition is preferred by large-scale manufacturers because it eliminates an intermediate processing step, but it requires careful control of neutralization pH and temperature to ensure complete reaction and stable product viscosity. India’s unorganised detergent sector — which still accounts for over 30% of total market volume — relies heavily on LABSA as the sole or primary surfactant due to its low cost and wide availability, while organised players such as HUL, Nirma, and Ghari use LABSA as the base surfactant supplemented with secondary surfactants (SLES, CAPB, AEO) to achieve premium performance profiles.

Technical Specifications

Storage, Handling & Safety

LABSA is a corrosive organic acid classified under GHS as Skin Corrosion/Irritation Category 2 and Serious Eye Damage Category 1. Direct contact with undiluted LABSA can cause severe skin burns and eye damage. The dark brown colour of LABSA can make it difficult to see skin contamination — always assume contact has occurred if splashing is possible and wash immediately. Wear chemical-resistant gloves (nitrile or neoprene), chemical splash goggles, face shield, and protective clothing when handling concentrated LABSA.

During neutralization with NaOH, the reaction is exothermic — add LABSA slowly to the NaOH solution with continuous agitation and temperature monitoring to prevent localized overheating and violent boiling. LABSA is not flammable but will burn if involved in a fire, producing sulfur oxides (SOx) — a toxic, irritating gas. Store in HDPE or PP containers at ambient temperature. Do not store in mild steel, aluminium, or zinc containers as the free sulfuric acid content will cause rapid corrosion. SS304/316 is acceptable for short-term contact with proper passivation and monitoring. In case of skin contact, remove contaminated clothing immediately and wash with plenty of soap and water. For eye contact, flush with water for at least 15 minutes and seek medical attention. Spills should be contained with inert absorbent material (sand, vermiculite) and neutralized with lime or soda ash before disposal. Do not allow LABSA to enter drains or waterways.

Supply Capability & Distribution Strength

Davar ChemTech supplies LABSA across India from our Vadodara, Gujarat distribution center — strategically located in India’s largest detergent manufacturing region. Our supply network covers organised detergent manufacturers in Gujarat (Nirma, Fena), Maharashtra (HUL, Godrej Consumer Products), and Tamil Nadu (Henkel, ROGI); unorganised sector powder and bar manufacturers across Gujarat, Rajasthan, MP, and Uttar Pradesh; liquid detergent and cleaning product formulators across all major industrial zones; and textile auxiliary chemical compounders in Gujarat, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu. We maintain warehoused stock of both 96-97% premium grade and 90-92% standard grade LABSA for immediate dispatch in 200L HDPE drums and 1000L IBC totes. Bulk ISO tanker deliveries (20-25 MT) are available on 3-5 day lead times for high-volume consumers through our chemical tanker logistics partners. Full Certificate of Analysis, Safety Data Sheet (SDS), and batch traceability documentation provided with every consignment.

Get in Touch

LABSA is the backbone of detergent manufacturing — consistent active acid content, low free oil, and reliable supply directly impact your finished product quality and production efficiency. Davar ChemTech delivers premium and standard grade LABSA with guaranteed specifications, flexible packaging, and pan-India distribution. Contact us for COAs, bulk pricing, or technical advisory on LABSA neutralization and formulation — we respond to all enquiries within 24 hours.