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PQ
Corporation is the world’s largest manufacturer of soluble silicates and
detergent zeolite. For more than 150 years, PQ has developed technical expertise
in the manufacture and application of sodium and potassium silicates and of
sodium metasilicate for the soap and detergent industry.
During the last
15 years especially, PQ has expanded its silicate expertise to the manufacture
of detergent zeolite.
PQ does more than supply a full line of products
for the soap and detergent industry, from manufacturing facilities located
throughout the United States and Canada. PQ also provides strong technical
service.
Among the services we provide our customers are:
Product literature, including the PQ Detergent
Formulary,
Detergency education programs,
Individual assistance with formulating needs and
problems, and
Guidance in product selection for specific
applications.
Household Cleaners, Industrial and Institutional Cleaners
Household Cleaning Products
Laundry detergents
Dishwasher detergents
Hard surface cleaners
Functions
In household cleaning products, soluble silicates act as a
cleaning aid, a corrosion inhibitor, and a processing aid.
As a
cleaning aid, soluble silicates are a source of buffered alkalinity and
they provide soil suspension. The buffered alkali aids in cleaning by
neutralizing or emulsifying soils while it also maintains a moderate pH by
neutralizing acidic soils.
The METSO® line of sodium metasilicates are a source of strong alkalinity for the higher
alkaline I&I products. The soluble silicates keep particulate soil suspended
in the washing medium by modifying the electrical charge on the surface of soil
particles. This action helps prevent redeposition of soil on fabrics and other
surfaces.
BRITESIL hydrous silicates are a source of
moderate alkalinity for powdered detergents. The soluble silicates keep
particulate soil suspended in the wash water by modifying the electrical charge
on the surface of soil particles. This action helps prevent redeposition of soil
on fabrics in the washing machine and on dishes in the dishwasher.
VALFOR® 100 detergent zeolite softens water by ion exchange. The process
allows the surfactant to work more efficiently.
As a corrosion
inhibitor, silicates help protect metals in the washing machine and the
dishwasher from alkaline attack. In the home dishwasher, soluble silicates also
protect the overglaze on china from alkaline attack.
As a
processing aid, in spray drying and in agglomeration processes, liquid
silicates provide binding properties and bead strength.
BRITESIL® hydrous silicates provide a concentrated source of soluble silicate for denser, more
concentrated powders. Both BRITESIL and the detergent zeolite VALFOR 100 are
highly absorbent. That property enables formulators to develop free flowing
powders using liquid surfactants and fragrances.
KASIL Potassium
Silicates can be used to make clear liquid detergent solutions or laundry
breaks. Because potassium salts are more soluble than sodium salts, it is
possible to make a stable product that contains higher solids.
Industrial
& Institutional Cleaning Products
- Laundry Detergents
- Machine Dishwashing and Warewashing Detergents
- Hard surface cleaners (equipment, floor, walls and
working surfaces)
Functions
In I&I products,
soluble silicates act as a cleaning aid, a corrosion inhibitor, and a processing
aid.
Balancing a detergent formulation can be a
complex operation. PQ’s Technical Service Group supports this effort by offering
guidance in product selection and formulation. Guidance is supplied through
Product Literature and the PQ® Detergent Formulary and through consulting by our
Technical Service Representatives.
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