In the production of personal care products, manufacturers differ in their approach to adding cellulose ether—some prefer to add it at the beginning, while others add it at the end. Both methods are viable and yield similar thickening results, but specific operational details must be noted.
Method 1: Adding Cellulose Ether First
Under the same formula
Sulfonic acid
AES
Caustic soda (sodium hydroxide)
Cellulose ether
300g water
Procedure
First, dissolve caustic soda in water: mix 20–30g water with 0.65g caustic soda and stir.
Slowly add 1g cellulose ether to the water. Caution: Add gradually to avoid clumping.
Add the prepared caustic soda solution.
Incorporate 5g sulfonic acid.
Add 10g AES.
Add 5g salt (sodium chloride) or a prepared saline solution to accelerate the reaction.
Method 2: Adding Cellulose Ether Last
Preparation: Mix 2g salt with 1g cellulose ether in a 2:1 ratio (scale up using a large plastic basin in actual production).
Procedure
Add 0.65g caustic soda.
Add 5g sulfonic acid.
Add 10g AES.
Slowly incorporate the pre-mixed salt-cellulose ether blend.
Add the remaining 3g salt.
Note: Both methods require careful attention to mixing speed and order to ensure optimal dissolution and thickening efficiency.
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