Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate MES CAS 93348-22-2

FAQ - Technical & Supply Chain

• Q:

  What is Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate MES CAS 93348-22-2?

  A: Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate MES CAS 93348-22-2 is an anionic surfactant produced by sulfonating fatty acid methyl esters, commonly from palm or other plant-derived oils. It is supplied mainly as light yellow to white flakes or powder and is used for high-performance laundry, dishwashing, and industrial cleaning formulations.
• Q:

  How does MES CAS 93348-22-2 compare with LAS or LABSA?

  A: MES is a bio-based surfactant, while LAS and LABSA are petroleum-based. It generally has better tolerance to calcium and magnesium in hard water, lower skin irritation, good biodegradability, and can often replace part of the LAS while improving cleaning performance or reducing builder demand.
• Q:

  Is Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate only suitable for powder detergents?

  A: No, it is widely used in powders because it is easy to handle as free-flowing flakes, but it can also be formulated into liquid detergents and dishwashing products. For liquid systems, formulators usually need to control dissolution, viscosity, and the amount of di-salt or free oil.
• Q:

  What does the typical MES 80% C16-18 specification include?

  A: The common industrial grade specifies active matter of at least 80%, di-salt usually not more than 10%, free oil not more than 2.5%, water not more than 5%, and pH of a 1% solution around 4.5-7.0. Appearance is normally light yellow to white flakes or powder.
• Q:

  How should Sodium Methyl Ester Sulfonate be stored to maintain quality?

  A: It is hygroscopic and can hydrolyze if exposed to both heat and moisture, so it should be stored in tightly sealed bags in a cool, dry, well-ventilated warehouse. Keeping the material below about 45 C and avoiding excessive pallet stacking helps prevent caking and quality loss.