What is Coconut Diethanolamide?

Coconut Diethanolamide, CAS 68603-42-9, is a nonionic alkanolamide surfactant made by reacting coconut fatty acids with diethanolamine. It is also called Cocamide DEA, CDEA or 6501 and is used as a foam booster, thickener and stabilizer.

What is CDEA used for?

CDEA is used in shampoos, hand soaps, body washes, dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents and industrial cleaners. It is normally combined with anionic surfactants to improve foam, stabilize lather and build viscosity.

How does CDEA improve foam and viscosity in surfactant systems?

CDEA interacts with primary anionic surfactants to produce denser, longer-lasting foam and increases formulation viscosity. The thickening effect depends on the CDEA grade, surfactant type and the ratio of coconut fatty acid to diethanolamine used during manufacture.

Is Coconut Diethanolamide suitable for cold-process clear formulations?

Yes, CDEA is commonly used in cold-process surfactant systems. Heating or pre-mixing may still be helpful when the grade is viscous, but it generally supports clear, stable formulations with good foam.

Why is free diethanolamine content important?

Free diethanolamine is a key quality and safety parameter for CDEA because residual secondary amine can contribute to nitrosamine formation potential. Commercial 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 grades have different amide and free-amine profiles, so the supplier should state the grade and limits clearly.

How should Coconut Diethanolamide be stored and handled?

Store in tightly closed, compatible containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong oxidizers and temperature extremes. Use liquid-chemical handling controls and suitable PPE, and follow the safety information.

Coconut Diethanolamide CAS 68603-42-9

Coconut Diethanolamide (CAS 68603-42-9), chemically identified as Amides, coco, N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl), is a non-ionic surfactant functioning as a premier foam booster and viscosity builder in personal care formulations and liquid detergents. This viscous amber liquid, widely technically recognized as Cocamide DEA or CDEA, serves as a stabilizing agent to enhance foam density and emulsify oils in shampoos, hand soaps, and dishwashing liquids. We provide bulk supply of this cosmetic grade ingredient with competitive factory pricing to ensure cost-effective production for daily chemical manufacturers. Our quality control ensures strict compliance with purity standards, making MSDS, TDS, COA available alongside customized specifications to meet precise formulation stability requirements.

CAS: 68603-42-9
Synonyms: Cocamide DEA, Amides coco N,N-bis(hydroxyethyl), N,N-bis(2-hydroxyethyl)cocoamide, coconut fatty acid diethanolamide, CDEA
Einecs: 271-657-0
Molecular Formula: RCON(CH2CH2OH)2
Grade: Industrial / Cosmetic grade, typical active content ~85%
Package: 200 kg net HDPE drums 1000 kg IBC tanks Bulk / ISO tank or customized packing on request

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Product Description

Liquid Coconut Diethanolamide (CDEA, 6501) is a non-ionic surfactant made from coconut fatty acids and diethanolamine. It offers excellent foaming, thickening and detergency, and is widely used in shampoos, body wash, liquid detergents and various industrial cleaning formulations.

📧 Email: info@industrochem.com – Contact our IndustroChem team for the latest FOB price, COA/TDS and sample support.

1 Physicochemical Properties

2 Applications

3 Storage Conditions

4 Safety Precautions

Physicochemical Properties

Typical specification from standard Chinese factory production; values can be fine-tuned according to customer requirements.

Item	Typical Value / Range
Appearance	Pale yellow to yellow viscous liquid
Odor	Mild, characteristic
Ionic character	Non-ionic
Active amide content	≥ 85 % (w/w)
Moisture	≤ 0.5 %
Free amine	≤ 5.0 %
Glycerol	≤ 10.0 %
pH (1% aqueous solution, 25 °C)	9.0 – 11.0
Color (Gardner)	≤ 5
Density (25 °C)	Approx. 1.00 – 1.05 g/cm³
Viscosity (25 °C)	Typically 2,000 – 6,000 mPa·s (depends on grade)
Solubility	Dispersible / soluble in water; soluble in most surfactant systems
HLB (effective)	Medium–high, suitable for cleaning and foaming systems

These data are representative typical values and do not constitute a guaranteed specification; detailed COA and TDS can be issued per batch.

Applications

1. Personal Care

Shampoos & body wash:
- Foam booster and foam stabilizer
- Thickener to adjust viscosity without high salt levels
- Helps create rich, creamy lather and better skin feel
Hand soaps & facial cleansers:
- Improves foam fineness and stability
- Works as a co-emulsifier in mild cleansing systems

2. Home Care & I&I Detergents

Dishwashing liquid & kitchen cleaners:
- Enhances foam longevity in sink and spray applications
- Improves grease removal in combination with anionics
Laundry liquids & fabric cleaners:
- Improves wetting and detergency on textiles
Hard-surface & vehicle cleaners:
- Provides good wetting and emulsifying performance
- Helps keep soils dispersed and prevents redeposition

3. Industrial Uses

Textile & dyeing auxiliaries: Used as detergent, wetting agent and thickener in scouring and dyeing baths.
Metal cleaning formulations: Co-surfactant in alkaline or neutral metal cleaners, improving oil removal and rinsability.
Other formulations: Emulsifier / co-emulsifier in polishes, inks, agrochemical adjuvants and other water-based systems.

Storage Conditions

Store in tightly closed original containers in a cool, dry and well-ventilated area.
Recommended storage temperature: 5–30 °C. Avoid prolonged exposure to temperatures below 5 °C (risk of increased viscosity or partial solidification) and above 40 °C (risk of degradation).
Protect from direct sunlight and strong oxidizing agents.
If partial crystallization or separation occurs at low temperature, warm gently (e.g. 40–50 °C) and mix uniformly before use.

Safety Precautions

Liquid Coconut Diethanolamide is an industrial chemical and should be handled with standard surfactant safety practices:

Avoid direct contact with eyes and skin.
Wear suitable protective gloves, goggles and work clothing when handling concentrates.
In case of skin contact: wash with plenty of water and mild soap.
In case of eye contact: rinse carefully with clean water for several minutes; seek medical advice if irritation persists.
Do not ingest. If swallowed, rinse mouth and seek medical attention.
Ensure good ventilation in production and filling areas to avoid inhalation of mists or vapors.
Keep away from food, beverages and animal feed.
Dispose of residues and rinsing water according to local environmental regulations and your plant’s EHS procedures.

For full safety information, please request our MSDS/SDS.

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

Q:
What is Coconut Diethanolamide?

A: Coconut Diethanolamide, CAS 68603-42-9, is a nonionic alkanolamide surfactant made by reacting coconut fatty acids with diethanolamine. It is also called Cocamide DEA, CDEA or 6501 and is used as a foam booster, thickener and stabilizer.
Q:
What is CDEA used for?

A: CDEA is used in shampoos, hand soaps, body washes, dishwashing liquids, laundry detergents and industrial cleaners. It is normally combined with anionic surfactants to improve foam, stabilize lather and build viscosity.
Q:
How does CDEA improve foam and viscosity in surfactant systems?

A: CDEA interacts with primary anionic surfactants to produce denser, longer-lasting foam and increases formulation viscosity. The thickening effect depends on the CDEA grade, surfactant type and the ratio of coconut fatty acid to diethanolamine used during manufacture.
Q:
Is Coconut Diethanolamide suitable for cold-process clear formulations?

A: Yes, CDEA is commonly used in cold-process surfactant systems. Heating or pre-mixing may still be helpful when the grade is viscous, but it generally supports clear, stable formulations with good foam.
Q:
Why is free diethanolamine content important?

A: Free diethanolamine is a key quality and safety parameter for CDEA because residual secondary amine can contribute to nitrosamine formation potential. Commercial 1:1, 1:1.5 and 1:2 grades have different amide and free-amine profiles, so the supplier should state the grade and limits clearly.
Q:
How should Coconut Diethanolamide be stored and handled?

A: Store in tightly closed, compatible containers in a cool, dry, well-ventilated area, away from strong oxidizers and temperature extremes. Use liquid-chemical handling controls and suitable PPE, and follow the safety information.

Ordering & Documentation

Key information for document requests, quotations, and supply planning.

Documents

COA, TDS, SDS/MSDS and packing details are available on request.

Quotation

Send the CAS number, grade, quantity, packing preference and destination.

Sample & Supply

Support is available for samples, trial orders, bulk and repeat supply.

Storage & Shipping

Product-specific conditions are confirmed before order.

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