TCS Industries Limited (China-sourced API supplier) supplies Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care CAS 151-21-3 for pharmaceutical B2B procurement — COA, MSDS, and technical documentation available on request.
> Overview
| Product Name | Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care |
|---|---|
| Structural Formula |  |
| CAS Number | 151-21-3 |
| Molecular Formula | C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S |
| Molecular Weight | 288.38 g/mol |
| InChIKey | DBMJMQXJHONAFJ-UHFFFAOYSA-M |
| SMILES | Available on request where applicable |
| Appearance | White to pale yellow powder or crystals |
| Purity / Grade | By agreed specification and batch COA |
| Storage | Keep tightly closed in a cool, dry, well-ventilated place |
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (CAS 151-21-3, SLS, also known as sodium dodecyl sulfate or SDS) is an anionic surfactant with the formula C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S (MW 288.38). It is used as a wetting agent, emulsifier, and solubilizer in pharmaceutical formulations, and as a key component of in-vitro dissolution media. SLS is also the primary foaming agent in toothpaste, shampoo, and personal care products.
TCS Industries Limited, a Hong Kong-based trading and sourcing company, supplies Sodium Lauryl Sulfate in pharmaceutical (NF/Ph.Eur.) grade for global procurement programs.
> Applications
Pharmaceutical wetting agent and dissolution enhancer
SLS at 0.5–2.0% is used in tablet and capsule formulations to improve wetting and dissolution of poorly water-soluble (BCS Class II) drugs. It is also added to USP dissolution media (0.5–2.0%) as a surfactant to achieve sink conditions for lipophilic APIs. Shah et al. (Pharm Res, 2002, 19:1509–1515) evaluated the role of SLS concentration in dissolution media and its impact on discriminatory power for BCS Class II drug products.
Emulsifier and cleaning agent
SLS is used in pharmaceutical emulsions, suspension stabilization, and as a cleaning agent for production equipment. In personal care products, it is the primary foaming surfactant in toothpaste, shampoo, shower gel, and facial cleansers due to its strong foaming and degreasing properties.
> Sourcing & Supply
TCS Industries Limited supports development, qualification and commercial purchasing discussions for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care with buyers in South America, Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada.
- Evaluation and commercial quantities: 5 kg samples for formulation trials; 25 kg bags for production. Pharmaceutical (NF/Ph.Eur.) grade in powder form available.
- Pallet quantities and production campaigns: repeat supply is coordinated against packaging, lead time, annual demand and destination-market import requirements.
> Quality & Documentation
Key specification parameters include assay (≥85.0% sodium alkyl sulfates, with ≥85% of total being C₁₂), unsulfated alcohols (≤4.0%), sodium sulfate (≤5.0%), pH (7.0–9.5 in 1% solution), loss on drying (≤0.5%), heavy metals (Pb ≤10 ppm), and microbial limits. White to pale yellow powder or crystals. Meets NF, Ph.Eur. (Natrii laurilsulfas), and JP. COA and MSDS are standard.
> Packaging
SLS is a white to pale yellow powder, slightly hygroscopic. Generates foam when agitated — handle with care to avoid dust. Standard packaging includes 25 kg fibre drums with PE liner. Store at room temperature in dry conditions. Shelf life is typically 24 months. Labels and documents are checked before dispatch.
> Pricing & MOQ
Pricing is quoted by specification, packaging and destination. Common commercial discussions use 25 kg bag/drum formats, pallet quantities and production-campaign planning; smaller samples may be reviewed for qualified formulation teams.
> Regulatory & Compounding Context
SLS is monographed in NF (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), Ph.Eur. (Natrii laurilsulfas), and JP. Listed in the FDA IID for oral, topical, and rectal dosage forms. Approved for use in cosmetics (EU Cosmetics Regulation). Not a food additive. No special import permits for pharmaceutical-grade material.
> Alias Index
- Chemical name: Sodium dodecyl sulfate
- CAS Number: 151-21-3
- Formula: C₁₂H₂₅NaO₄S (MW 288.38)
- Abbreviations: SLS, SDS
- Pharmacopoeial name: Natrii laurilsulfas (Ph.Eur.)
- Commercial request terms: sodium lauryl sulfate NF, SLS pharma grade, sodium dodecyl sulfate, surfactant excipient, TCS Industries Limited
> FAQ
Is SLS the same as SDS?
Yes. Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) are the same compound (CAS 151-21-3). “SLS” is the pharmaceutical/cosmetic name. “SDS” is the biochemistry/laboratory name (used in SDS-PAGE electrophoresis). Both refer to the sodium salt of the C₁₂ alkyl sulfate ester.
What documents are available for Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care orders?
COA and MSDS are standard for commercial discussions. COO, packing list, invoice and other import-support documents can be arranged according to order scope.
Can TCS Industries Limited support Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care supply to South America?
Yes. We support B2B buyers in Argentina, Colombia, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay, Venezuela, Guyana and Suriname, subject to route and document review.
Do you support Europe, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico and Canada?
Yes. These destinations can be reviewed for project supply, import documents, packaging and logistics planning before quotation.
Why is SLS added to dissolution media?
SLS (0.5–2.0% in dissolution media) creates sink conditions for poorly soluble drugs by solubilizing the drug above its intrinsic solubility. This allows dissolution testing to discriminate between formulations. The SLS concentration should be justified based on the drug solubility and biorelevance. Too much SLS reduces discriminatory power.
Is SLS irritating to skin?
SLS is a known skin irritant at high concentrations. In pharmaceutical topical formulations, it is used at 1–2% where irritation is usually minimal. In cosmetics, rinse-off products (shampoo, shower gel) at 5–25% SLS are well-tolerated because exposure time is short. Leave-on products typically use milder alternatives (sodium laureth sulfate, SLES).
Can you arrange samples before commercial purchasing?
Samples or evaluation quantities may be reviewed for qualified buyers after target specification, application and destination-market requirements are clarified.
How is Sodium Lauryl Sulfate -– Surfactant & Wetting Agent for Pharma & Personal Care packaged for export?
Packaging is confirmed by quantity and material properties. Typical options include foil bags, HDPE containers, fibre drums, 25 kg bags or palletized export packaging.
Can buyer-defined specifications be reviewed?
Yes. Send the specification, methods, impurity limits and required documents. TCS can review feasibility before confirming quotation and lead time.
What payment terms are normally used?
Standard payment is 100% T/T before dispatch unless a different arrangement has been approved for an established commercial account.
What lead time should buyers expect?
Lead time depends on stock, batch size, document scope and destination. Available stock can move faster; made-to-order or pallet programs require longer planning.
What is the difference between SLS and SLES?
SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) is the non-ethoxylated form — strong foaming, stronger irritation potential. SLES (sodium laureth sulfate) is the ethoxylated form — milder, used in sensitive-skin products. SLES is not monographed in pharmaceutical pharmacopoeias. For pharmaceutical use, SLS (NF monograph) is specified.
Last reviewed: June 2026
Evaluation and research orders (≤10 kg) are shipped with COA, MSDS, and certificate of origin. Bulk commercial orders (>10 kg) qualify for volume pricing with a full technical documentation package available on request.
> Request a Quote
If your team already has a target application, estimated quantity, destination market, or documentation requirements, send those details so the commercial response can be prepared more efficiently.