Question

Does Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 meet environmental requirements? Can a test report be provided?

Answer
2026-06-06 官方文档 蓖麻油聚氧乙烯醚EL-10

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 is made from natural castor oil, is low-toxicity, non-hazardous, and has good basic environmental characteristics. However, specific test reports need to be obtained through a special application to Guoli Chemical.

Detailed Description

Castor Oil Polyoxyethylene Ether EL-10 (CAS: 61791-12-6) is a nonionic surfactant produced by the addition polymerization of ethylene oxide with natural castor oil as the starting material. From the perspective of raw material source, castor oil is a renewable natural plant oil. Compared with petroleum-based surfactants (such as alkylphenol ethoxylates APEO products), its bio-based origin gives the product better environmental affinity. In terms of toxicity data, the product database clearly marks it as a low-toxicity substance, with low inhalation or ingestion toxicity. It does not fall under the acute toxicity category of hazardous chemical classification, and its flash point is >150°C, making it a non-flammable liquid with low fire risk during storage, transportation, and use.

In terms of environmental fate, as a polyoxyethylene-type nonionic surfactant, the molecular structure of PEG-10 castor oil contains ester bonds and ether bonds, theoretically giving it a certain potential for biodegradation. However, it should be noted that the actual degradation rate is influenced by factors such as the number of ethylene oxide adducts (10 EO for this product) and environmental conditions (temperature, microbial community). It needs to be quantitatively assessed through standard biodegradability tests (such as the OECD 301 series). Additionally, this product is a low-foaming surfactant, which can reduce the impact of foam discharge on water bodies in applications such as industrial cleaning.

Currently, the product database does not include specific environmental certification information for this product (such as REACH compliance statements, RoHS tests, biodegradability test reports, etc.), nor are there direct records matching "EL-10 environmental test report". Therefore, regarding compliance with specific national or industry environmental regulations, it is recommended to directly contact the technical support department of Guoli Chemical for confirmation based on your specific application scenario and compliance requirements.

Technical Parameters (Summary of Environmentally Relevant Indicators)

Parameter Item Value/Description Environmental Relevance Explanation
Hazard Classification Non-hazardous, non-flammable liquid Not within the scope of hazardous chemical control, low threshold for transportation and storage
Toxicity Grade Low toxicity Low acute toxicity risk, minimal potential harm to operators and aquatic organisms
Flash Point >150°C High flash point, non-flammable, reduces VOC and fire environmental risks
Heavy Metal Content ≤10 ppm Meets general industrial product heavy metal limit requirements
Arsenic Content ≤2 ppm Very low arsenic residue, meets strict standards for cosmetics and other industries
pH Value (1% Aqueous Solution) 5.0—7.0 Nearly neutral, minimal impact on water and soil pH
Foaming Characteristics Low foam Reduces foam load in wastewater treatment, lowers the need for defoamers
Raw Material Source Natural castor oil Renewable resource, reduces reliance on petroleum-based raw materials
Biodegradability/REACH Reports, etc. Not available for this parameter Need to separately request specialized test reports from the supplier

Application Recommendations

This product has been widely used in cosmetics, pesticide formulations, textile auxiliaries, and other fields, indirectly indicating that its safety for humans and the environment under normal use conditions has been recognized by the industry. If you plan to use it for export to the EU market or for end products with strict environmental audit requirements (such as ECO-labelled cleaners, organic cosmetics, etc.), it is recommended to contact Guoli Chemical regarding the following dimensions:

  • Biodegradability Report: Request biodegradability data tested according to OECD 301B (CO₂ evolution method) or OECD 301F (manometric respirometry method).
  • REACH Compliance Statement: Confirm that the product has been (pre-)registered under the EU REACH regulation and that SVHC (Substances of Very High Concern) testing has been conducted.
  • Residual Monomer Testing: Request a test report for ethylene oxide (EO) and 1,4-dioxane residues to ensure compliance with cosmetic or pharmacopoeial limits.
  • RoHS/APEO Declaration: Confirm that the product does not contain alkylphenol ethoxylates (APEO) or other restricted substances.

Notes

  • Test Reports Not Provided by Default: Conventional industrial products generally do not come with detailed environmental type test reports; these need to be negotiated as special requirements with the sales department of Guoli Chemical before placing an order.
  • Wastewater Discharge Management: Although the product has low toxicity, high concentrations of surfactants in industrial wastewater can still cause oxygen consumption load to water bodies. It is recommended to treat production wastewater before discharge according to standards.
  • Emergency Leak Handling: In case of a spill, prevent it from entering sewers, surface water, or soil. Collect using inert absorbent materials and dispose of according to local environmental regulations.
  • Information Updates: The environmental compliance status of the product may change with regulatory updates. It is recommended to regularly obtain the latest compliance materials from the supplier.