Glucopon 50 G APG, surfactant for cleaning products, 1 kg

Glucopon 50 G supplies a sugar surfactant in powder form to laundry powders, tablets and cleaning blocks. The alkyl polyglucoside with a C12–C14 chain is applied to an inorganic and organic carrier and spray-dried into granules, so it blends with other powder components without handling a liquid concentrate. In a formulation it acts as a wetting agent and cleaning surfactant and tolerates the strongly alkaline environment typical of powder detergents.

The active substance accounts for approximately 50 % of the granule weight. The remainder consists of the carrier including sodium silicate, the anionic surfactant Sodium Coco-Sulfate and water. Both the alkyl chain and the sugar part of the molecule are derived from plant raw materials.

Key properties

• Powder form with low dust generation – granules produced in a fluid bed flow freely and generate little dust when blending powders. Handling of the viscous liquid alkyl polyglucoside is eliminated.
• Compatibility with all surfactant types – can be combined with anionic, non-ionic, amphoteric and cationic surfactants. In a formulation it complements the primary anionic surfactant and improves wetting.
• Stability in alkaline environments – tolerates a formulation pH in the range 4 – 12, including formulations containing soda ash and silicates.
• Wetting and cleaning performance – a solution at washing concentration significantly reduces the surface tension of water, according to manufacturer data to approximately 27 mN/m at 1 g/l. The wash solution thus penetrates fabric and beneath soil more quickly.
• Environmental profile – readily biodegradable according to OECD 301. The manufacturer lists it as suitable for formulations certified under EU Ecolabel, Blue Angel and Ecocert.

Use in formulation

The granulate is added to the dry blend together with the other powder components; the recommended dosage is 2 – 30 %. The lower end of the range corresponds to the role of a supplementary wetting agent alongside the primary anionic surfactant; the upper end to formulations in which the alkyl polyglucoside is to carry most of the cleaning performance.

At washing and cleaning concentrations, i.e. in the order of grams per litre, the surfactant is active in water: the manufacturer measures surface tension, wetting and foam volume at these concentrations. A concentrated stock solution cannot be prepared from the granulate. At 10 % concentration at room temperature a non-homogeneous mixture with a separated phase forms; the same behaviour is observed in ethanol, isopropanol and in oils. The raw material is therefore intended for solid products, not liquid preparations.

The manufacturer also lists it for tablets and powders for automatic dishwashers. The granulate foams in water, so test the foaming behaviour of the finished formulation in a dishwasher.

Suitable for products such as

• Laundry powders and laundry tablets – improves fabric wetting and complements the cleaning performance of anionic surfactants.
• Dishwasher tablets and powders – an alkali-stable surfactant that tolerates the environment of silicates and carbonates.
• Cleaning blocks – solid cleaners where a powder form of surfactant is required.
• Powder surface cleaners – degreasing and cleaning powders for household and professional cleaning use.

Good to know

Supplied in technical grade for laundry and cleaning products. Compared to liquid alkyl polyglucosides such as Coco-Glucoside or Lauryl Glucoside, it contains the same active substance but is used differently. Liquid types belong in gels, liquid cleaners and shampoos; the granulate in powders and tablets. Direct substitution is not possible because the granulate contains a carrier and does not behave in water like a clear concentrate.

Contains no fragrance allergens, ingredients of animal origin, GMOs or microplastics. The product is not classified as CMR and is registered under REACH.

Frequently asked questions