FBC Chemical is happy to announce that we are currently stocking Brosurf DIPA, a coconut amide that can be substituted in place of the traditional 1:1 amide workhorse. Brosurf DIPA offers similar foaming and viscosity characteristics while offering a better health and safety profile. And unlike cocamide DEA, Brosurf DIPA is California-friendly and will not trigger a Proposition 65 warning, so it should be especially attractive to manufacturers that sell products into California and want to avoid a warning label. 

Cocamide DEA vs. Brosurf DIPA: Foam Characteristics

Cocamide DEA is known for its foam boosting and stabilization properties. Adding a small amount to a formula with other foaming surfactants (such as sodium laureth sulfate) will increase the initial foam height and foam persistence in the finished product. in testing, cocamide DEA and Brosurf DIPA both have very similar initial foam heights. And 5 minutes after agitation, the tested formula showed less foam decline using Brosurf DIPA than did the cocamide DEA version.

Conclusion: Brosurf DIPA provides about the same initial foam height as cocamide DEA, and it is superior to cocamide DEA in stabilizing the foam.

Cocamide DEA vs. Brosurf DIPA: Viscosity

Adding common salt to a formula with an amide is a good way to inexpensively boost viscosity. Brosurf DIPA and cocamide DEA will both respond to added salt.

Cocamide DEA can achieve a slightly higher peak viscosity response. It takes 33% less salt to achieve peak viscosity when using Brosurf DIPA, and using too much salt with either product will result in a loss of viscosity, so be careful not to add too much salt when making substitutions.

Cocamide DEA vs. Brosurf DIPA: Health and Regulations

Brosurf DIPA has been tested and found to be very mild on eyes and skin. Cocamide DEA, however, shows high irritation potential, especially to those with skin allergies.

The International Agency for Research on Cancer considers cocamide DEA to be a possible carcinogen. California added it to Proposition 65’s list of chemicals known to cause cancer in June of 2012. Brosurf DIPA lacks the residual diethanolamine responsible for these warnings. Thus you can include Brosurf DIPA in a formula and sell it into California without having to label it as a potential carcinogen.

Conclusion

Brosurf DIPA offers several advantages over traditional amides, while providing almost identical performance. Substituting Brosurf DIPA into a formula that contains cocamide DEA will be simple; just replace it at a 1:1 ratio, cut back about 33% on added salt, and test. Brosurf DIPA is considerably more expensive than cocamide DEA, but some companies will find it worth the expense, particularly when selling into California or health-sensitive markets. Brosurf DIPA would be a great candidate for “sensitive skin” applications.

Contact our office or your FBC sales representative today to learn more.