Shampoo should clean the hair thoroughly, be well tolerated and provide care. It should also foam well and be insensitive to hard water. We plan and supply plants that let you produce shampoo in batches or continuously. Find out more in our cosmetics section.
Properties and ingredients
Shampoo is usually creamy or liquid and normally perfumed. This hair cleansing product comes in conventional and natural cosmetic versions. The pH value is usually slightly acidic to neutral, at around 5 to 7. Water and surfactants are almost always included. Depending on the formula, there are also:
Incorporating surfactants without lumps
Modern agitators combine water and surfactants such as ether sulphate in a hot-cold process at room temperature, directly in the shear gap of the homogeniser. As a result, the ether sulphate does not touch water beforehand in an undissolved state. Otherwise, gel lumps form that are hard to dissolve.
Requirements for the plant
- Combining water and surfactants directly in the shear gap
- pH control during production
- A pressure and vacuum-proof design so that no foam forms
- An integrated CIP system for short cleaning times
- Batch operation or continuous production with pumps and inline homogenisers, see homogenisation
Similar plants are also suitable for hair conditioner and shower gels. We are happy to advise you, including on used mixers.
FAQ: Producing shampoo
What is shampoo made of?
Mainly water and surfactants (e.g. sodium laureth sulfate), plus mild co-surfactants, thickeners, care and conditioning agents, fragrance, preservatives and buffers. The pH is usually approx. 5 to 7.
Why does ether sulfate form lumps during mixing?
Highly concentrated surfactant forms a viscous gel phase on contact with little water. Combining water and surfactant directly in the shear gap of the homogeniser reliably avoids this gel phase.
How is foaming avoided during production?
By working under vacuum, adding below the liquid level and using adapted speeds.
Batch or continuous?
Both are possible. For large volumes, continuous plants with dosing pumps and inline homogenisers are often more economical; for many recipes the batch mixer remains more flexible.
Does SEEFRIED supply plants for shampoo?
Yes, we plan shampoo plants in batch or inline operation and offer inspected used homogenising mixers.