The evolving role of surfactants in household cleaning processes is presented with a special focus on three product areas-hand dishwashing, hard-surface cleaners, and laundry detergents, which represent the major portion of the cleaning tasks where surfactnats play a dominant role in determining consumer satisfaction with the process itself and the end result of cleaning. They are also representative of the breadth of the technical challenges and opportunities for surfactants. The discussion will draw on an ever-increasing and evolving knowledge base of consumer needs which is developed on a global basis by Procter & Gamble (P&G) researchers and is widely disseminated to product an technology design groups throughout the company. However, instead of just listing the needs for simple reflection, an attempt will be made to translate them into physico chemical functions and structural attributes in the surfactant chemicals themselves. This will capture the present state of affairs and also the emerging opportunities or needs for the future.
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