Written by Norman Lowe, June 2026
Malodours are a constant problem, whether associated with human or animal bodies, or non-cosmetic areas like toilets, drains, refuse tips, sewerage, rotting food, cooking smells, and smoking. This blog provides an overview of the systems and chemicals that can be employed to combat these odours.Continue reading
Consumers are increasingly turning to short cycles and cold wash settings to save energy and extend garment life. Syensqo have developed a new grade from their Repel-O-Tex® range called Repel-O-Tex® Crystal Premium, which has been designed to offer improved cold wash performance in modern liquid laundry trends.
As the household, industrial and institutional cleaning landscape continues to evolve, we take a look at the top 3 trends impacting formulations and ingredients in 2026, covering sustainability, smart cleaning technology and the growing popularity of wellness inspired scent profiles.
Written by Norman Lowe, March 2026
This is the second blog on Oxone™; the first was an introduction to this stable peroxy bleaching powder. This blog goes to the next step, showing starting-point application formulations that HARKE UK & Ireland has developed.Continue reading
In this blog, we celebrate some of Carrubba’s candle fragrance trends for 2026 and look at what ingredients are shaping air care this year. Continue reading
Written by Norman Lowe, April 2026
In surfactant chemistry, we discuss four broad types based on their ionic charge. The first three are: “anionics,” which provide a negative charge in solution; “cationics,” which provide a positive charge in solution; and “non-ionics,” which do not ionize in solution and thus carry no charge. The fourth type is the “amphoterics,” which possess both a negative and positive charge, for example:
R.N⁺(R²)2.COO־
This example features a quaternary nitrogen group (N⁺R₄) with a positive charge and an acyl group (COO־) with a negative charge within the same molecule. This is balanced at neutral pH and is known as the “zwitterionic form.”Continue reading
The air care market is booming, from reed diffusers and scented candles to liquid electric plugins. In the UK alone, air care is valued at over £620 million (Mintel), and globally it is expected to grow by over 7% by 2034 (Fortune Business Insights). So we’re pleased to introduce an exciting new ingredient to air care formulators: Rhodiasolv® AIR L UP by Syensqo.
A technical overview of quaternary ammonium surfactants by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant HPC and Industrial at HARKE UK & Ireland.
Quaternary Ammonium Surfactants are a class of cationic surfactants, commonly abbreviated as Quats. Chemically, they are defined by the structure R4>N+, where R is any carbon chain.
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This technical presentation explains the chemistry and properties (both physical and chemical) of the range of mild anionic surfactants we supply, including Alkyl Sarcosinates, Alkyl Methyl Taurates, and Alkyl Isethionates. Written by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant HPC and Industrial, October 2025. Continue reading
Verdant’s range of MACKAM® Propionates deliver exceptional performance and flexibility across a range of applications, from acid cleaners and built alkaline cleaners to heavy-duty degreasers and oven cleaners.Continue reading
