Hydrotropes — the buyer's & formulator's guide to SCS and SXS
Vasudev Chemo Pharma is an ISO 9001:2015 certified manufacturer of hydrotropes at Ankleshwar, Gujarat — supplying Sodium Cumene Sulfonate (SCS) and Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (SXS) in 40% aqueous-liquid and 90% free-flowing-powder grades to detergent, agrochemical, oilfield, and industrial-cleaner formulators across 35+ export markets.
Quick answer
A hydrotrope is a short-chain aromatic sulfonate salt that increases the solubility of hydrophobic surfactants and organics in water. Sodium Cumene Sulfonate (CAS 28348-53-0) and Sodium Xylene Sulfonate (CAS 1300-72-7) are the two dominant hydrotropes used in liquid detergents, hard-surface cleaners, and agrochemical concentrates to prevent phase separation and lower the cloud point.
Our four hydrotrope grades
Sodium Cumene Sulfonate 40%
- CAS:
- 28348-53-0
- Active:
- 40 ± 1%
Clear liquid hydrotrope for cold-blend detergent and cleaner formulation. Preferred for regional supply within ~2,500 km of plant and for processes that need pour-and-blend handling.
View product details →Sodium Cumene Sulfonate 90%
- CAS:
- 28348-53-0
- Active:
- 90 ± 1%
Free-flowing powder hydrotrope. Cuts freight cost per kg active by ~60% vs the 40% liquid — preferred for long-haul export, spray-dried laundry powders, and dry-blend cleaner concentrates.
View product details →Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 40%
- CAS:
- 1300-72-7
- Active:
- 40 ± 1%
Pale-yellow liquid hydrotrope. Strong electrolyte tolerance for alkaline hard-surface cleaners, laundry liquids, dish wash, and agrochemical SL concentrates.
View product details →Sodium Xylene Sulfonate 90%
- CAS:
- 1300-72-7
- Active:
- 90 ± 1%
Free-flowing powder for spray-dried detergent, built alkaline cleaner concentrates, and agrochemical water-dispersible granules. Preferred for global export lanes.
View product details →How to choose: SCS vs SXS, 40% vs 90%
SCS vs SXS — chemistry choice
Choose SCS when the formulation is dominated by nonionic surfactants or when maximum cloud-point depression per gram of active is the binding constraint.
Choose SXS for high-alkaline or salt-rich cleaners where electrolyte tolerance is critical — typical HI&I degreasers, built laundry liquids, and vehicle-wash concentrates.
40% vs 90% — form-factor choice
Choose 40% liquid for cold-blend processing and regional supply within ~2,500 km of the plant — it pours straight into a reactor with no dissolution step.
Choose 90% powder for long-haul CIF export and for spray-dried or dry-blend formulations. It cuts freight cost per kg active by roughly 60% versus the 40% liquid.
Technical articles & buyer guides
Technical Guide
SCS vs SXS — which hydrotrope is right for your formulation?
Side-by-side comparison of Sodium Cumene Sulfonate vs Sodium Xylene Sulfonate: chemistry, cloud-point performance, electrolyte tolerance, cost per kg active.
Technical Guide
How hydrotropes lower the cloud point of surfactant systems
The mechanism of cloud-point depression, how to run a bench cloud-point trial, and dosing curves for SCS and SXS at 20, 25, 30 and 35 °C.
Technical Guide
40% liquid vs 90% powder — a freight-economics calculator
How to calculate the CIF break-even distance between 40% liquid and 90% powder hydrotrope grades and decide which to buy for your lane.
Technical Guide
Hydrotropes in agrochemical EC and SL concentrates
How SCS and SXS stabilise pesticide EC/SL formulations, dosage ranges, interaction with common adjuvants, and tank-mix compatibility tips.
Technical Guide
REACH, GHS and regulatory status of SCS and SXS hydrotropes
Detailed regulatory profile: REACH registration, EC numbers, GHS classification, IMDG/ADR status, Kosher and Halal certification, and import documentation.
Technical Guide
How to read a hydrotrope Certificate of Analysis
A buyer's guide to each row on a hydrotrope COA: active matter, free sulfate, chloride, iron, colour, pH — and what values actually matter for your formulation.
Where hydrotropes are used
Clear liquid detergents
Laundry liquids, hand dish wash, all-purpose cleaners — hydrotropes prevent gel-phase separation and stabilise high-active concentrates.
HI&I hard-surface cleaners
Alkaline degreasers, washroom cleaners, vehicle wash concentrates — SXS in particular handles high-electrolyte systems.
Agrochemical EC / SL / WDG
Emulsifiable concentrates, soluble liquids, and water-dispersible granules — hydrotropes solubilise active ingredients and stabilise tank-mix.
Personal-care surfactant blends
Body wash, shampoo concentrates — hydrotropes control viscosity and cold-storage clarity.
Oilfield & metalworking
Acid-coupling additives, corrosion-inhibitor packages, and metalworking fluid compatibility aids.
Textile & paper auxiliaries
Wetting and scouring auxiliaries for cotton and blended fabrics; pulp slurry aids in paper-mill operations.
Frequently asked questions
What is a hydrotrope?+
What is the difference between SCS and SXS?+
Should I buy the 40% liquid or the 90% powder grade?+
What dosage of hydrotrope is typical in a liquid detergent?+
Are SCS and SXS hydrotropes biodegradable and REACH-registered?+
Who manufactures hydrotropes in India for export?+
Need pricing or samples for SCS or SXS?
Export MOQ 1 MT · Domestic MOQ 220 kg · Batch COA, REACH and Kosher/Halal certification on request.
Request a quote