EURECO™ PAP is chemically known as Phthalimido peroxy hexanoic acid. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a “bleach activator” but a true peroxy bleach. Find out more about EURECO™ PAP in this handy guide by Norman Lowe, Senior Technical Consultant at HARKE UK & Ireland.

 

EURECO™ Grades

EURECO™ PAP is available in multiple formats:

• EURECO™ LX5: 5% dispersion of PAP in water, pH-buffered with HEDPA (1,Hydroxyethylidene-1,1 Diphosphonic acid or Etidronic Acid) and thickened with Xanthan Gum
• EURECO™ LX10: 10% PAP dispersion (same formulation as LX5)
• EURECO™ LX17: 17% PAP dispersion (same formulation as LX5)
• EURECO™ RP103: Coated granular PAP (approx. 60%) for laundry powders, auto dishwash tablets, and stain-removing bleach boosters
• EURECO™ WM1: Powdered PAP, available under special arrangements
• EURECO™ HC P11: Powdered PAP/Cyclodextrin complex for oral care
• EURECO™ HC L17: 17% PAP dispersion specifically for oral care

 

How EURECO™ Works

In its liquid forms, EURECO™ is a suspension of PAP in water at a pH of 3.5. At this pH, PAP is insoluble and stable, yet still active.

To activate it fully, the pH must be raised. PAP becomes soluble and functions as an effective bleach and bactericide. However, it also begins to degrade in solution, making pre-mixed formulations unstable. Therefore, liquid grades must be dispensed at the point of use – primarily in industrial settings. EURECO™ RP103, as a coated granule, is stable and suited for incorporation into retail and commercial formulations like laundry powders, stain removers and auto dishwash powders/tablets.

 

EURECO™ Applications

1. Laundry

• EURECO™ LX5: Ideal for retail and small-scale professional settings (e.g. nursing homes) – supplied in 1L packs
• EURECO™ LX10 & EURECO™ LX17: Used in industrial laundries, dosed during wash cycles
• EURECO™ RP103: Used in retail laundry detergents and stain removers

2. Auto Dishwashing

• EURECO™ LX17: Dosed into industrial dishwashers
• EURECO™ RP103: Incorporated into household dishwashing tablets and powders

3. Surface Disinfection

• Used in spray disinfectants and wash-down products
• Effective against bacteria, fungi, and viruses
• Also functions as a deodoriser and surface bleach (EURECO™ LX5 can be used neat for kitchen/bathroom cleaning)

4. Oral Care

• Removes stains like tea, coffee, and red wine
• Two available formats:
  • EURECO™ HC P11: Powdered with Cyclodextrin
  • EURECO™ HC L17: 17% liquid dispersion (citric acid used instead of HEDPA)
• INCI Names:
  • Powder: Phthalimido peroxy caproic acid + Cyclodextrin
  • Liquid: Phthalimido peroxy caproic acid

5. Cosmetics

• Used in tooth whitening products (replaces hydrogen peroxide)
• Can potentially be used in other cosmetics (like syndets and lotions for skin care) as an anti-acne, sebum balancing and skin de-spotting agent

 

EURECO™ Usage Guidelines

Recommended pH Ranges

• Laundry applications: Optimal pH = 7–9. Higher pH (>9) leads to charge repulsion from fabric fibres, reducing efficacy.
• Hard surface cleaning: Acceptable pH ~11 (no fibre repulsion).

Dosage for Laundry

(EURECO™ LX17, Textile:Bath Ratio = 1:4)

Fabric Type	Main Wash (g/kg)	Main Wash (g/L)	Rinse (g/kg)	Rinse (g/L)
Low Stained	4.0–7.0	1.0–1.8	2.0–5.0	0.6–1.3
Normal Stained	7.0–10	1.7–2.5	5.0–8.0	1.2–2.1
Heavily Stained	10–16	2.8–4.2	8.0–10	2.1–3.2

Domestic Machines

(EURECO™ RP103, 9L Wash Volume)

Staining Level	PAP (ppm)	RP103 (g/wash)
Normal	100	1.45
Heavily Stained	200	2.9

Auto Dishwashing

• EURECO™ can replace 10–15% TAED/percarbonate systems with just ~5% RP103, reducing chemical load and inventory

Enzyme Compatibility

• EURECO™ is enzyme-friendly, with no negative effects observed

Disinfection Use Levels

• Effective at 600–1000 ppm (based on EN test protocols)
• Performs well at 30–40°C, reducing energy needs compared to >60°C for TAED/percarbonate systems

 

Key Benefits of EURECO™

• Non-toxic and biodegradable
• Safe for human and cosmetic use
• Registered under BPR and COSing
• Effective bleach at low temperature
• Broad-spectrum disinfectant
• Reduces textile wear and dye loss
• Compatible with enzymes
• VOC-free, chlorine-free, hydrogen peroxide-free
• Pumpable liquid and stable powder formats
• Requires fewer caustic chemicals
• Lower energy usage

 

Regulatory Status of EURECO™

• Listed under Biocidal Products Regulation (BPR), Article 95 (Product Types 1 & 2)
• Registered on COSing: Phthalimido peroxycaproic acid

 

Next Steps

EURECO™ delivers safety, sustainability, and superior performance across cleaning and cosmetic applications. For further information or specific data requests, get in touch with our experienced technical team – we’d be happy to talk to you.