Product focus: Nabion®
Nabion®, an effective sustainable builder for elimination of calcium and magnesium ions in automatic dishwashing and laudry powders formulations
Nabion® is an all-in-one and eco-friendly builder produced by Novabion (part of Humens group). It is a fully water-soluble mineral powder composed of white granules made from sodium carbonate and sodium silicate. It complies with the Ecocert standard for eco-detergents. Nabion® product range was developed for laundry and automatic dishwashing detergents (powder formulations). The range of Nabion® contains two references: Nabion® 15 and Nabion® 26 (depending on the percentage of sodium carbonate).
Its main advantages are: source of alkalinity with a buffer effect, fully, high and quick solubility, reduction of incrustation and high capacity of sequestration of calcium and magnesium ions. Our study focuses on this last property.
Calcium and magnesium ions, naturally present in tap water, are essential for life but are harmful for an effi cient washing. Theses ions are responsible for graying on laundry, spotting and filming on dishes but also reducing the performance of surfactants, it is strongly recommended to contain them to limit these negative effects as much as possible.
Protocol
The tests were carried out in Novabion laboratory under controlled parameters, at two different temperatures and two different pH values, with specific Calcium and Magnesium electrodes, in water containing 400ppm Ca and Mg (similar to very hard water). The test consists of measuring the sequestration capacity of the product initially introduced into the water at a concentration of 0.1%.
Results
The calcium sequestration performances of Nabion® (Graph 1) are higher than those of sodium citrate for all parameters. Regarding magnesium sequestration (Graph 2), the ideal conditions for NabionTM are pH12 and 40°C.
For optimal performances, the amount of Nabion® can be around 30% (dosage recommendation in a formula). This amount will also allow a buffer effect which will improve the action of surfactants for an effi cient washing.
Conclusion
This study shows that Nabion® is an efficient alternative to sodium citrate for sequestering calcium and magnesium ions while being a source of alkalinity. It is also an eco-friendly component (compliant with several Ecolabels) with anti-corrosive properties.
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