Identity
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) / Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate (SDS)
CAS: 151-21-3
Product Specialty Additives
Anionic Surfactant (SLS Powder)
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) powder is a high-foaming anionic surfactant used to deliver strong detergency, rapid wetting, and emulsification in detergents and industrial cleaning formulations. Offered in multiple grades and particle forms to match your manufacturing process, quality targets, and finished-product performance requirements.
Supply form: powder / needles (grade dependent)
Documentation: SDS / COA / TDS on request
Packaging: bags / drums / big-bags (as applicable)
Why SLS is frequently selected
SLS offers strong cleaning power and a high-foam profile at economical treat rates. It is widely used in powder detergents, institutional products, and industrial blends where fast wetting and soil removal are required.
- High foam, fast wetting, strong detergency
- Works as a primary surfactant or as a performance booster in blends
- Grade options to match QC limits, handling, and end-use needs
Commercial outcomes it supports
Procurement and formulation choices impact cost-in-use, production stability, and customer experience. We align supply and specifications to reduce rework, minimize variability, and support repeat purchasing.
- Consistent raw material = consistent batch performance
- Defined documentation set to speed up qualification
- Packaging and logistics that fit plant realities
Quick technical snapshot
A practical, procurement-friendly view of what typically matters in real manufacturing and cleaning performance. Final values depend on grade and the controlling specification on quotation/COA.
Typical appearance
White to off-white powder or needles (grade dependent)
Solubility
Water soluble; solution clarity can vary with grade, temperature, and impurities
Performance levers
Foam profile, wetting speed, salts/moisture, and particle handling characteristics
Typical QC items
Active matter, moisture, inorganic salts, pH (solution), appearance/odor (as specified)
Documentation set
SDS / COA standard; TDS and extended QC parameters on request
Commercial overview
Atlas Global Trading Co. supports SLS powder procurement as a repeatable raw-material lane for detergent and industrial cleaning manufacturers. We align grade, packaging, and documentation to support consistent production outcomes, quality approvals, and reliable repeat ordering.
Procurement-ready supply
Defined specification options and documentation to reduce qualification time and support repeat orders.
Packaging alignment
Bag, drum, and big-bag options (as applicable) to fit your dosing, storage, and housekeeping needs.
Grade selection
Powder/needle forms and quality targets aligned to your process and end-use requirements.
How we quote (so it’s usable)
We quote against the exact variables that affect landed cost and manufacturing fit—grade, packaging, destination lane, and documentation. This avoids “headline pricing” that breaks at QA, shipping, or plant handling.
- Clear product identity + grade notes (powder/needles)
- Packaging and palletization (as applicable)
- Documentation set and QC parameters
- Logistics lane and destination assumptions
Typical buying scenarios
SLS powder is commonly purchased for powder detergent lines, industrial cleaners, and institutional products where foam and wetting are central. Share your production target and application so we can align the best grade and logistics lane.
- Powder detergent manufacturing and blending plants
- Institutional and industrial cleaning product production
- Contract manufacturing with defined documentation requirements
Availability and lead time depend on grade, packaging, and destination lane. We quote against your exact requirements.
Applications
SLS is widely used as a primary anionic surfactant or as a booster for foam and detergency. It supports wetting of surfaces, dispersion of soils, and emulsification of oils in water-based cleaning systems.
- Powder detergents and cleaning powders (laundry & institutional)
- Industrial and maintenance cleaners (surface and equipment cleaning blends)
- Wetting and detergency in alkaline/neutral cleaning systems (formulation dependent)
- Foam boosting in surfactant blends (with nonionics/amphoterics where compatible)
- General-purpose cleaning where high foam and fast wetting are desired
Formulation fit: what changes performance
Finished performance depends on water hardness, builders/sequestrants, alkalinity, solvents, and co-surfactants. Grade choice also impacts handling (dusting/flow), dissolution speed, and impurity tolerance in sensitive formulas.
- Foam profile (height, stability) and rinse behavior
- Wetting speed and soil dispersion requirements
- Water hardness environment and builder system
- Powder flow/dust control needs in your plant
SLS vs. SLES (practical buyer guidance)
SLS and SLES are both anionic surfactants but are not interchangeable without trials. SLES (ethoxylated) is often selected for a different mildness/solubility profile, while SLS is often chosen for strong foam and detergency. If you’re unsure, tell us your end-use and constraints and we’ll help align options.
Technical overview
SLS (also known as Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate, SDS) is an anionic surfactant that reduces surface tension, improves wetting, and helps emulsify oils and suspend particulate soils. Grade selection can affect solubility behavior, dusting/flow, and impurity tolerance in sensitive formulations.
Core functions
Detergency, wetting, emulsification, and foam generation for water-based cleaning systems.
Blend strategy
Often blended with nonionics and builders to optimize cleaning, rinsing, and stability.
Handling considerations
Powder surfactants can generate dust; packaging and handling should reflect plant safety and housekeeping requirements.
Typical use levels (starting points)
Actual treat rates depend on your formula and performance target. The ranges below are indicative only and should be confirmed by your formulation team.
| Application | Typical role | Typical range* | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powder detergents | Primary/secondary surfactant | ~1–15% (w/w) | Adjusted by builders, foam targets, and cost |
| Industrial cleaners | Wetting/foaming booster | ~0.5–10% (w/w) | Often combined with alkalinity/solvents where suitable |
| Processing aids | Wetting/emulsification | ~0.1–2% (w/w) | Confirm compatibility with downstream processes |
*Illustrative starting ranges only. Final use levels should be set by formulation, trials, and local regulatory/label requirements.
Compatibility & formulation notes (summary)
SLS is typically compatible with many water-based systems. Performance can change with high electrolyte loads, hard water, very high/low pH, and certain solvents. If your system is sensitive, request a grade with tighter QC parameters.
- Hard water: builder/sequestrant strategy matters
- High salts: may impact foam and solution behavior
- Powder handling: dust control and caking prevention are key
Typical specifications & formats
Values depend on grade and customer requirements. Confirm details on quotation and COA. Use this section to align QC expectations before ordering.
Type
Anionic surfactant (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)
Physical form
Powder or needles (grade dependent)
Active matter
Grade dependent; confirmed on COA
Moisture
Grade dependent; confirmed on COA
Inorganic salts
Grade dependent; QC limits available on request
Documentation
SDS / COA standard; TDS and extended QC parameters on request
QC parameters we can align (examples)
If your production or customers require tighter control, ask us to quote against your QC table. Common parameters include:
Core QC
Active matter, moisture, appearance, odor
Process-relevant
Particle form/handling notes, caking tendency (as discussed), dissolution behavior
System-sensitive
Inorganic salts, pH (solution), insolubles (as specified)
Final QC values are defined in the quotation/specification and confirmed on the COA for the shipment.
Storage & handling (summary)
Keep dry and sealed to prevent caking and moisture pickup. Use dust control practices during transfer and mixing. Follow SDS guidance for PPE and safe handling.
- Store in a cool, dry area and keep containers sealed
- Use local exhaust ventilation and dust control where needed
- Avoid contamination and keep away from incompatible materials per SDS
Specifications may vary depending on batch, origin, and packaging selection. The offer and COA are the controlling documents.
Logistics & supply planning
For industrial procurement, total cost and reliability depend on the lane: packaging, palletization, lead time, and destination requirements. Share your destination and preferred incoterm so we can quote landed cost assumptions correctly.
Packaging options
Bags, drums, and big-bags (as applicable). Packaging choice impacts handling, storage, and freight efficiency.
Documentation
SDS/COA standard. Add TDS, QC tables, and origin documentation if required by your internal process.
Lane alignment
Lead time depends on grade + volume + destination lane. We quote against your schedule and constraints.
What speeds up delivery
The fastest lane is usually the one with clear specifications, packaging agreement, and destination details.
- Confirm grade + form (powder/needles) + QC parameters
- Confirm packaging and labeling needs
- Provide destination/port and incoterm
FAQ
Practical answers to common procurement and technical questions.
SLS vs. SLES — what’s the difference?
SLS is typically selected for strong foam and detergency. SLES is ethoxylated and may be chosen for a different mildness/solubility profile. Many manufacturers run trials to confirm performance and stability in the final system.
Powder vs. needles?
Physical form affects handling, dusting, and dissolution behavior. Share plant constraints (feeding method, dust control, pre-dissolution step) to align the best grade.
Can you provide SDS/COA/TDS?
Yes—SDS and COA are available on request and can be provided per shipment/grade. TDS and additional QC parameters can be requested.
What affects performance in hard water?
Water hardness and builder/sequestrant strategy influence detergency and foam. Many formulas add builders and blend surfactants to optimize performance.
How do I estimate monthly usage?
Share batch size, finished-product SLS %, and monthly production volume. We can help convert this into an estimated procurement requirement.
Any storage concerns?
Keep dry and sealed to prevent moisture pickup and caking. Use appropriate housekeeping and dust control procedures during handling.
What QC parameters are most critical?
For many industrial formulations: active matter and moisture. For sensitive systems: salts/insolubles and consistent solution behavior can matter.
Can you match a competitor grade?
Often yes—share the competitor’s COA targets and your performance needs (foam, dissolution, handling). We can align an equivalent specification for quotation.
Do you support repeat purchasing?
Yes. We structure supply as a repeat procurement lane with agreed specs, packaging, and documentation to reduce friction on reorders.