For detergent production, order LABSA 96% active matter in 210-225 kg drums (about 80 drums per 20ft container) or 1050 kg IBC totes. Check three COA values before payment: active matter 96% min, free sulphuric acid 1.5% max, and Klett colour 50 max. Shipping takes 25-45 days depending on the port.
LABSA — linear alkylbenzene sulphonic acid — is the single most important raw material in a detergent factory. It is the workhorse anionic surfactant that removes grease and dirt in washing powder, liquid detergent, dishwashing liquid and industrial cleaners. Almost every detergent plant in West and East Africa and South America imports LABSA from China, because China is the world's largest producer of alkylbenzene feedstocks. This guide covers the grade to order, the laboratory values that actually decide quality, and the practical import details.
1. What grade to order
Export-grade LABSA is sold by active matter content. The commercial standard is:
| Specification | Typical value | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Active matter | 96% min | More active = more cleaning power per kilo |
| Free sulphuric acid | ≤ 1.5% | Too much free acid damages pH and skin-feel of the product |
| Free oil / unsulphonated matter | ≤ 2% | High free oil reduces foaming and cleaning efficiency |
| Colour (Klett, 5% solution) | ≤ 35–50 | Darker LABSA makes yellow detergent powder customers reject |
Most African and South American buyers order 96% active matter. If your formula is price-sensitive, 90% grade exists, but the cost per active kilo is rarely better — 96% is the sensible default for detergent production.
2. The three COA values to check before payment
- Active matter (%) — the number that sets your detergent formula. Insist on the batch certificate showing 96% min; low active matter quietly raises your cost per tonne of finished powder.
- Free sulphuric acid (%) — high free acid means aggressive, pH-unstable slurry and can cause skin irritation in the finished product. Keep it ≤ 1.5%.
- Colour (Klett value) — a simple lab reading, but it decides whether your powder is bright white or off-yellow. Ask for Klett ≤ 50 on the COA.
For every shipment, ask for the batch COA (not just a type certificate), plus a sealed sample before loading so your own lab can cross-check.
3. HS code and shipping classification
LABSA is classified under HS 3402.11 (anionic organic surface-active agents). In its commercial 96% form it is normally booked as general chemical cargo, but shipping rules vary by line, so always confirm two things with your supplier: the MSDS, and whether the carrier's DG policy applies to your batch. Because LABSA is a viscous liquid, it needs proper stowage and clean handling equipment.
- 210–225 kg plastic or steel drums — the standard for most buyers
- 1050 kg IBC totes — for plants that consume a full container quickly and have drum-handling facilities
A 20ft container holds roughly 80 drums (about 17–18 tons) or 20 IBC totes. LABSA thickens in cold weather; if your plant is in a cool region, order drums (easier to warm up) and plan for heated storage.
4. Shipping time to your port
- West Africa (Lagos, Tema, Abidjan, Cotonou): about 25–35 days
- East Africa (Mombasa, Dar es Salaam): about 20–30 days
- South America (Callao, Santos, Cartagena): about 35–45 days
Because LABSA is a viscous liquid, plan a couple of extra days at the port for discharge and, in cold months, ensure your receiver can offload before the product thickens.
5. The three most common problems
(1) Active matter below 96% — an unscrupulous trader can blend with water or cheaper diluents; always cross-check the batch COA and keep your sealed sample. (2) Dark colour — old or poorly stored LABSA oxidises and darkens; your powder will look grey or yellow. (3) Freezing / thickening at the port — plan for the season and your port's storage conditions, especially for East African and Andean destinations.
SAIFENG supplies LABSA 96% in drums and IBC totes alongside caustic soda flakes, sodium sulfate anhydrous and K12 — the complete raw-material package for detergent factories — to buyers across Africa and South America. Every inquiry is answered within 2 working hours.
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