Linear alkyl benzene, or LAB, is the primary raw material for LABSA (linear alkyl benzene sulphonic acid), the most widely used anionic surfactant in the world. Detergent and cleaning-product manufacturers buy LAB as the starting point for their sulphonation lines.
Supreme Petro Chemicals supplies linear alkyl benzene from Chennai to detergent and surfactant manufacturers across South India.
What Is LAB?
LAB has CAS number 67774-74-7. It is a clear to pale liquid hydrocarbon used almost entirely as a feedstock. On sulphonation it becomes LABSA, which is then neutralised to produce the active surfactant in detergent powders, cakes, and liquids.
Industrial Applications
- Detergents: The core feedstock for LABSA used in washing powders, detergent cakes, and dishwash.
- Liquid cleaners: Surfactant base for hard-surface and dishwash liquids.
- Industrial surfactants: Wetting agents, emulsifiers, and cleaning concentrates.
- Agrochemical formulations: Surfactant component in selected formulations.
Packaging and Supply
LAB is commonly supplied in drums and bulk loads for sulphonation plants. Because consumption is usually high and continuous, share your monthly requirement and delivery location so stock and dispatch can be aligned.
Get a LAB Quote
For linear alkyl benzene supply from Chennai, view LAB in our catalogue, call +91 86087 80096, WhatsApp an enquiry, or use the SPC enquiry form.
Grades & Packaging
LAB does not carry the kind of published purity specification table that a solvent like acetone does — the property detergent formulators actually track is linearity, not a single purity figure. The notes below are established chemistry facts about the material rather than a batch specification; a Certificate of Analysis accompanies every SPC consignment.
- CAS number: 67774-74-7 — confirm this on every SDS and purchase order.
- What "grade" means for LAB: commercial LAB is generally traded as a single detergent-grade material, differentiated mainly by linearity — the proportion of straight-chain (n-paraffin derived) molecules versus branched isomers.
- Why linearity matters: higher-linearity, or "soft", LAB is preferred for detergent-grade LABSA because it biodegrades faster; this is the reason detergent buyers ask about linearity rather than a simple assay percentage.
- Production route: LAB is produced by alkylating benzene with linear olefins derived from n-paraffin — a well-established route in the surfactant industry.
- Appearance: a clear to pale liquid hydrocarbon at ambient temperature.
- Typical packaging: bulk tanker loads for continuous sulphonation lines, plus 200 litre drums and IBCs for smaller or trial volumes.
- Storage: ambient temperature, standard hydrocarbon precautions, kept away from strong oxidising agents.
FAQ
Is LAB the same as LABSA?
No. LAB (CAS 67774-74-7) is the aromatic feedstock. LABSA, or acid slurry (CAS 27176-87-0), is what you get after LAB is sulphonated — it is the active surfactant that manufacturers neutralise to make detergent powders, cakes, and liquids. LAB is the raw material; LABSA is the intermediate that goes into the formulation.
What packaging is LAB supplied in from Chennai?
LAB is generally moved in bulk tanker loads for sulphonation plants with continuous, high-volume consumption, and in 200 litre drums or IBCs for smaller or trial quantities. Confirm your preferred packaging and offtake pattern when you share your requirement.
How do I get a quote for LAB from SPC?
Share your monthly quantity, preferred packaging, and delivery location via the contact page. Quotes are typically answered within 4 working hours, Monday to Saturday.