Product Overview
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate (ALS) at 70% concentration is a high-performance anionic surfactant produced by the sulfation of lauryl alcohol derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil, followed by neutralization with ammonium hydroxide. Its INCI name is Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate, its common abbreviation is ALS, and its CAS number is 2235-54-3. The 70% grade refers to the active matter concentration, making it a concentrated, cost-effective surfactant base for formulation across personal care, pet care, cleaning, pharmaceutical, and industrial applications.
ALS is an alkyl sulfate anionic surfactant closely related to Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) but distinguished by its ammonium counterion rather than sodium. This substitution results in ALS being milder and more skin-compatible than SLS while retaining excellent foaming power, strong cleansing performance, and stability in mildly acidic formulation systems. ALS performs particularly well at lower pH levels — making it a preferred choice for pH-balanced shampoos, acidic cleansers, and formulations where the sodium counterion of SLS would negatively affect stability. It is biodegradable and derived from renewable fatty alcohol feedstock.
Key Features & Benefits
- High-foaming anionic surfactant that generates a rich, dense, stable lather with excellent cleansing and degreasing action.
- Derived from coconut oil or palm kernel oil through sulfation and ammonium neutralization — a renewable, naturally sourced fatty alcohol feedstock.
- Milder and more skin-compatible than Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) due to the ammonium counterion, while retaining comparable foaming and cleansing performance.
- Performs well and remains stable in mildly acidic formulation conditions — preferred for low-pH shampoos and acid-balanced cleansing products.
- Compatible with amphoteric, non-ionic, and other anionic co-surfactants for balanced, multi-functional formulation design.
- Biodegradable and derived from renewable sources, supporting sustainability requirements in personal care and cleaning product formulations.
- Cost-effective at 70% active matter concentration — a high-value surfactant ingredient for both small-batch and commercial-scale manufacturing.
Applications
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70% is used across five industry categories served by EZ Elements.
- Shampoos and conditioning shampoos as a primary high-foaming base surfactant for all hair types including color-treated and chemically processed hair
- Low-pH and acid-balanced shampoo formulations where ALS performs better than SLS due to its stability at lower pH values
- Body washes, shower gels, and liquid hand soaps requiring rich, stable lather and effective skin cleansing
- Bubble baths and bath products where high foam volume and a pleasant bathing experience are formulation priorities
- Facial cleansers and gentle scrub bases formulated with mild co-surfactants to balance cleansing with skin mildness
- Shaving gels and shaving foams where dense, stable lather is needed for comfortable razor glide
- Toothpaste formulations as a foaming and cleansing agent supporting oral hygiene and product distribution
- Dog and cat shampoos across all formats — standard, medicated, flea-control, and general-purpose grooming shampoos
- Professional grooming concentrates designed for dilution before use in salon and kennel environments
- Low-pH pet shampoo formulations where ALS is favored over SLS for improved mildness on animal skin
- General-purpose pet bathing products for shelters, veterinary facilities, and animal care centers
- Pet grooming product bases where high foaming performance and effective soil removal from coats are required
- Household all-purpose cleaners, surface sprays, and bathroom and kitchen cleaning formulations
- Dishwashing liquids — manual and pre-wash dishwasher formulations requiring strong grease removal and high foam
- Laundry pre-treatment sprays and liquid detergents where effective soil lifting and stain treatment are required
- Carpet shampoos and upholstery cleaning products where ALS is used for its effective foam-based cleaning action
- Institutional and commercial cleaning products in hospitality, food service, and facilities management sectors
- Emulsifier and mild surfactant in topical pharmaceutical creams and ointment formulations
- Pharmaceutical equipment and laboratory surface cleaning where a high-foaming, biodegradable surfactant is specified
- Foaming agent in medicated shampoos and dermatological cleansing preparations for scalp and skin conditions
- Emulsifying agent in rubber industry pharmaceutical formulations and specialty latex-based pharmaceutical materials
- Textile wet processing and fiber scouring operations where ALS acts as a wetting and emulsifying agent
- Rubber industry emulsifier in latex and rubber compound manufacturing processes
- Emulsion polymerization processes where ALS stabilizes polymer dispersion systems at lower pH ranges
- Oil field applications as a surfactant and emulsifier in drilling fluid and completion fluid formulations
- Printing and dyeing industry dispersing agent in ink and textile dye formulations
- Fire-fighting foaming agent applications where its high-foam characteristics are leveraged for suppression
Technical Specifications
| Property | Specification |
| INCI Name | Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate |
| CAS No. | 2235-54-3 |
| Chemical Formula | C12H29NO4S |
| Common Abbreviation | ALS |
| Appearance | Clear to slightly hazy, pale yellow viscous liquid |
| Active Matter | 70% plus or minus 2% |
| pH (10% Solution) | 6.5 to 7.5 (mildly acidic to neutral) |
| Solubility | Soluble in water; partially soluble in oils |
| Ionic Type | Anionic |
| Origin | Coconut oil or palm kernel oil-derived lauryl alcohol, neutralized with ammonium hydroxide |
| Recommended Use Level | 5% to 30% active in finished formulations |
| Stability | Stable in mildly acidic to neutral conditions; avoid pH below 5 or above 8 |
| Biodegradability | Readily biodegradable; environmentally acceptable surfactant |
Why Choose EZ Elements as Your Supplier
EZ Elements supplies cosmetic and industrial-grade Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70% with consistent active matter content, verified batch quality, and complete documentation to support manufacturing across personal care, pet care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial applications in Canada and North America.
We supply formulators, grooming product brands, cleaning product developers, contract manufacturers, and industrial producers, providing:
- Full documentation including Technical Data Sheet (TDS), Certificate of Analysis (COA), and Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
- Bulk supply with competitive, transparent pricing per kilogram
- Flexible packaging options suited to both small-batch and high-volume production requirements
- Technical support for dilution guidance, pH optimization, co-surfactant selection, and formulation compatibility across all industry segments
Safety & Storage Guidelines
- Store in a cool, dry, well-ventilated location between 10 and 30 degrees C, away from direct sunlight, heat, and freezing temperatures.
- Keep containers tightly sealed to prevent contamination, moisture ingress, and viscosity changes over time.
- Wear appropriate protective gloves and eyewear when handling undiluted material; avoid direct contact with eyes and skin.
- In the event of eye contact, rinse continuously with clean water for a minimum of 15 minutes and seek medical advice.
- ALS decomposes above 40 degrees C and in highly acidic conditions (pH below 5); do not store or formulate outside recommended pH and temperature ranges.
- Do not combine with strongly alkaline materials or cationic surfactants in undiluted form without prior compatibility assessment.
Complete handling, first aid, emergency response, and disposal instructions are provided in the Safety Data Sheet (SDS) available from EZ Elements upon request.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Which industries use Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70%?
ALS 70% is used across five industries: Personal Care (primary surfactant in shampoos, body washes, bubble baths, facial cleansers, and oral care products), Pet Care (dog and cat shampoo bases, professional grooming concentrates, and general-purpose pet bathing products), Cleaning and Sanitation (household cleaners, dishwashing liquids, laundry products, and carpet shampoos), Pharmaceutical (emulsifier in topical formulations, medicated shampoos, and pharmaceutical equipment cleaning), and Industrial (textile scouring, rubber emulsification, emulsion polymerization, oil field applications, printing, and fire-fighting foam).
Q2: What is the difference between ALS and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate)?
ALS (Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate) and SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) are closely related anionic surfactants produced by the same sulfation process but neutralized with different counterions — ammonium hydroxide for ALS and sodium hydroxide for SLS. ALS is generally considered milder and more skin-compatible than SLS, with better stability in mildly acidic formulation conditions. ALS is the preferred choice for pH-balanced shampoos and acidic cleansers. SLS tends to produce higher viscosity in salt-thickened formulations and may be preferred where high formulation viscosity is a priority. Both are effective, biodegradable surfactants derived from the same coconut or palm kernel oil feedstock.
Q3: Can ALS 70% be used directly on skin or hair without dilution?
No. ALS 70% is a concentrated raw material intended for use in formulation, not as a ready-to-use product. It must be diluted with water and incorporated into a complete formulation at the appropriate active matter concentration — typically 5% to 30% active in finished shampoos and cleansing products — with the pH adjusted to the target range for the intended application. Using undiluted ALS would cause significant skin and eye irritation.
Q4: How does ALS compare to SLES (Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate) for formulation?
ALS and SLES are both anionic surfactants with high foaming performance, but they differ in key ways. SLES is produced by ethoxylating lauryl alcohol before sulfation, which introduces ethylene oxide units that make SLES milder, better-foaming in hard water, and more viscous when salt-thickened. ALS lacks the ethoxylation step, making it somewhat less mild than SLES but preferred in low-pH formulations where SLES may be less stable. ALS also has a slightly lower cost profile and is biodegradable, making it a competitive alternative in formulations where mild acidity and high foam are priorities.
Q5: Is ALS suitable for use in pet shampoo formulations?
Yes. ALS is used in pet shampoo formulations across professional grooming and consumer product categories. Its high foaming performance effectively removes coat oils, dander, and heavy soiling from animal coats. For pet formulations requiring maximum mildness — such as those for puppies, kittens, or animals with sensitive skin — ALS is typically blended with milder co-surfactants such as Coco Glucoside or is used at lower concentrations. ALS performs better at lower pH, which also aligns more closely with the skin pH of dogs and cats (approximately 6.5 to 7.5) than strongly alkaline SLS-based systems.
Q6: Where can I buy Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70% in bulk in Canada?
Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70% (ALS) is available for bulk purchase from EZ Elements, with supply options for personal care brands, pet care manufacturers, cleaning product developers, pharmaceutical formulators, and industrial producers across Canada and North America. Contact our team for current pricing, documentation, and product samples.
Related Ingredients
The following EZ Elements ingredients are commonly used alongside ALS 70% across personal care, pet care, and cleaning formulations:
- Coco Glucoside Low Viscosity — Mild, sulfate-free non-ionic co-surfactant used to improve mildness, reduce irritation potential, and add a natural ingredient positioning to ALS-based shampoo and cleansing formulations.
- Sodium Lauryl Ether Sulfate (SLES 70%) — Closely related high-foaming anionic surfactant; frequently blended with ALS to combine the complementary stability and viscosity profiles of both surfactants in personal care and cleaning formulations.
- Aloe Vera Juice — Natural soothing and skin-conditioning botanical that complements ALS-based shampoos and body washes, helping to offset any drying tendency and improve the skin and coat feel of the finished product.
Order or Enquire
Looking to buy Ammonium Lauryl Sulfate 70% (ALS) in bulk? Contact EZ Elements for current pricing, full product documentation, and supply options across personal care, pet care, pharmaceutical, cleaning, and industrial applications. We supply brands, formulators, and manufacturers across Canada and North America. Reach out today to request a sample, Technical Data Sheet, or a bulk pricing quote for your next formulation project.
