What is G-25 Glycereth-25? What are its main uses?

G-25 Glycereth-25 (INCI name: Glycereth-25) is a high-performance nonionic surfactant produced by Hai'an Guoli Chemical Co., Ltd., with CAS number 31694-55-0. It combines excellent emulsification, solubilization, moisturizing, lubrication, and dispersion functions, and is widely used in personal care products, textiles, metal processing, industrial cleaning, and many other fields.

Product Overview

G-25 Glycereth-25, chemically known as polyoxyethylene (25) glyceryl ether, is produced by a precisely controlled polymerization reaction of natural glycerol with ethylene oxide. Its molecular structure (C₃H₅O(CH₂CH₂O)_nH, n≈25, molecular weight about 1200) contains both polyhydroxy hydrophilic groups and polyoxyethylene chains. It appears as a colorless to slightly yellow transparent liquid, easily soluble in water, and is a nonionic surfactant with an HLB value of about 13.5, a cloud point exceeding 100°C (1% aqueous solution), and excellent chemical stability and hard water resistance.

As a "practically non-toxic" green surfactant, G-25 has a primary skin irritation index of 0 (non-irritating), mild eye irritation that is reversible within 48 hours, a negative Ames test (no genotoxicity), a 28-day biodegradation rate greater than 60% tested according to OECD 301F, and no bioaccumulation. It is widely used in "mild formulations" and sustainable products.

Main Uses

1. Cosmetics and Personal Care Products: In creams, lotions, cleansing oils (water-based), facial gels, and serums, G-25 serves as an effective solubilizer and O\/W emulsifier, effectively solubilizing fragrances, essential oils, and poorly soluble active ingredients to form a stable and fine dispersion. It is also used as a moisturizing additive in rinse-off products such as shampoos and body washes, significantly enhancing the after-wash moisturizing feel, providing a smooth, non-greasy skin experience.

2. Textile Industry: As a key component of spinning oils for synthetic fibers (e.g., polyester, nylon, acrylic), it provides excellent antistatic properties and cohesion. In fabric finishing processes, it is used as a softener, imparting a fluffy and smooth hand feel while reducing static friction between fibers, improving the smoothness of subsequent processing.

3. Metalworking Fluids: Widely used in water-based metal cutting fluids, grinding fluids, and hydraulic fluids, it offers both emulsifying and lubricating functions, forming stable working emulsions that effectively disperse cutting heat, reduce friction and wear, and protect tools and workpiece surfaces. Its excellent hard water resistance ensures long-term stable use under harsh water quality conditions.

4. Industrial and Household Cleaning: As a low-foaming nonionic surfactant, it provides excellent wetting, penetration, and solubilization capabilities, suitable for high-pressure spraying or immersion cleaning of hard surfaces such as metal parts, glass, and plastics. It effectively removes grease and dirt, is easy to rinse, and leaves no residue.

5. Emulsion Polymerization: Used as an emulsifier and stabilizer in the emulsion polymerization of synthetic resins, coatings, and adhesives, it helps uniformly disperse monomers and control latex particle size, improving the storage stability and film-forming properties of the final product.

6. Pesticide Formulations: Used as an emulsifier and spreader in water-based pesticides (e.g., emulsifiable concentrates, oil-in-water emulsions), it helps dissolve poorly soluble active ingredients and form stable emulsions, while enhancing the wetting and spreading ability of the spray liquid on plant leaves, improving control efficacy.

Technical Parameters