Written by Norman Lowe, March 2026
An important sector of the detergent market is auto-dishwash detergents. These products started in the past as powders, moved to tablets, and now appear to be moving into multi-pocket water-soluble sachets. Formulations have developed; originally phosphate-based (e.g., Sodium Tripolyphosphate), which was removed by regulation change, and used a chlorine-based bleaching agent. Now we can say the following is the basic structure:
Basic Structure of Auto-Dishwash Detergents
Surfactant: This is more to do with wetting than detergency, although detergency is still important. It has to be low-foaming and have a cloud point below the wash temperature. These tend to be alkoxylates, usually natural or synthetic fatty alcohol plus E/O and P/O, which give really good wetting. Note the surfactant has two functions: wetting up to the cloud point and then acting as a defoamer above the cloud point. In the wash, fats are saponified (resulting in soap) and cause foaming, so a defoaming action is required.
Builders/Chelating Agents: Phosphates have now been replaced. Di-Silicates of various types are the best to give both sequestration and provide the high alkalinity needed to remove both oils and burnt-on food residues. Because of this high alkalinity, Polyacrylates are added to stop glass corrosion, either added separately or in admixture with the Di-Silicate. These Polyacrylates also serve to chelate and disperse hard water salts, acting as the ‘salt’ component and eliminating the need for the addition or use of dishwasher salt. Tri Sodium Citrate is added as a more natural chelating agent.
Soil release polymers, such as Mirapol® Surf-S P Free Power NP (Syensqo), make removal of soils easier, enhance rinse properties, and help to disperse particulates and stop redeposition.
Other inorganics are added: Sodium Carbonate adds to the alkalinity and boosts detergency. Sodium Sulfate is added as a filler, and Amorphous silica is added as a flow aid to ensure a free-flowing powder.
Bleach: Sodium Percarbonate (Oxyper® SCS, HARKE UK/Solvay) and TAED (HARKE UK) to produce Peracetic acid in situ are the main products used. However, PAP (Phthalamido peroxy hexanioic acid) can be used (EURECO™ RP103, HARKE UK/Solvay) or Oxone™ (Potassium mono Persulfate, HARKE UK/LANXESS). These all replace previous chlorine-based ingredients.
Some fragrance can be added but has to be limited so as not to carry over onto the crockery, pans, glassware, etc.
Enzymes are incorporated to help remove oils and/or protein-based soils.
Packaging
Of course, powders will need to be tableted, which means binders are added, or the powder can be contained in a single-pocket water-soluble pod.
In multi-pocket water-soluble pods, the liquid components (fragrance, Alkoxylate) and the powdered components are contained in separate pockets. Ingredients, however, remain similar.
What HARKE UK & Ireland Can Supply
- We have the technical ability to formulate ADDs and have an active formulary.
- We have Sodium Percarbonate (Oxyper® SCS) and TAED to produce Peracetic acid in situ.
- We have EURECO™ RP103: PAP in coated granular form to give bleaching.
- We have Oxone™: Potassium mono Persulfate powder as a standalone bleach.
- We have a list of alkoxylates that can be used as wetting/detergent additives.
- We can source enzyme blends
- We can supply the water-soluble film; we are the distributors for Acello™ film in both Europe and the UK.
Basic Formulation
Simple starting point formulation for household powder, tablets, and pods:
| BRITESIL® H 265 HP (Sodium Disilicate) | 25.0% | PQ Corporation |
| Citric acid | 10.0% | Various |
| Sodium Carbonate (Granular) | 10.0% | Various |
| Antarox® LF 54 MB (low-foam surfactant) | 4.0% | HARKE UK/Syensqo |
| Oxone™ | 10.0% | HARKE UK/LANXESS |
| Mirapol® Surf-S P Free Power NP | 2.0% | HARKE UK/Syensqo |
| Fragrance | 0.5% | HARKE UK/IF |
| Detergent Enzyme Blend | 3.0% | HARKE UK/Field International |
| Sodium Sulfate (anhydrous) | to 100% |
Method: Blend all liquid ingredients into the H265, Sodium Carbonate, and Sodium Sulfate. Blend until homogeneous. Add the other ingredients and blend until homogeneous.
This is a free-flowing powder that could be packaged in a single-pocket soluble pod or in a multi-pocket pod with the powder ingredients in one pocket and the liquids (fragrance and Alkoxylate LF54) in two separate pockets. It is possible to make this into a tablet using the appropriate binders.
More traditionally, you can substitute the Oxone™ with TAED/Sodium Percarbonate (10%:2%) or use PAP (EURECO™ RP103) at ca. 5%.
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This is just a simple starting point; many more variations are possible. The technical department of HARKE UK & Ireland is adept at formulating to specific customer requirements and can formulate bespoke systems to a specific brief.
Contact HARKE UK & Ireland for more information.
