| Actives content |
28 – 38 % (water + ~4 % NaCl) |
70 – 95 % actives (little to no water) |
| Viscosity (25 °C) |
1 000 – 5 000 cP → easy pumping |
Flowable granule or fine powder; dusting risk |
| Preservation |
Usually contains MIT or benzyl alcohol; needs preserved storage tank |
Essentially self-preserving (low water activity) |
| Cold stability |
Can cloud or gel < 10 °C; may need drum warming |
Remains free-flowing; hygroscopic so needs sealed bags/desiccant |
| Shipping & carbon footprint |
Higher weight/volume → larger logistics cost |
2–3 × more actives per kg → lower freight, smaller footprint |
| Handling safety |
Low irritation; no inhalation hazard |
Dust can irritate eyes/airways → local exhaust & PPE required |
| Typical use level (finished formula) |
3–12 % as-supplied (gives 1–4 % actives) |
1–4 % as-supplied (gives same actives) |
| Dissolution |
Instantly disperses, even in cold water |
Needs slow addition to vortex at ≥40 °C or pre-wetting with glycerin/propylene glycol |
| Ideal product formats |
Shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers, baby wash, micellar waters |
Solid shampoo bars, syndet bars, cleansing powders, water-free pastes, tablet cleansers, concentrated liquid bases to be diluted by consumer |
| Cost structure |
Lower price per kg, but pay for water; higher warehousing |
Higher €/kg, but lower cost per active & lower transport/storage fees |
| Formulation impact |
Naturally contributes chloride for salt-curve thickening; can thin if over-used |
No salt—gives formulator full control over viscosity build; demands separate electrolyte source if needed |
