If you’re formulating products where mildness, sustainability credentials and surfactant properties all matter, you’ve probably already come across Alkyl Polyglucosides (APGs). APGs have moved well beyond niche status over the past decade. You’ll find them in everything from premium baby washes to industrial cleaning concentrates. But what are they, how do they work, and what do you need to know when considering them for your next formulation?
Here’s a straightforward look at the chemistry, performance and practical considerations of APGs.
What are APGs?
Alkyl Polyglucosides are non-ionic surfactants built from two renewable raw materials, a sugar component (typically glucose derived from corn starch) and a fatty alcohol, most commonly sourced from coconut or palm. The glucose provides the hydrophilic (water-loving) head, while the fatty alcohol provides the hydrophobic (oil-loving) tail. Like all surfactants, this amphiphilic structure gives APGs their ability to reduce surface tension and lift oils and soils away from surfaces.
The variable number of glucose units attached to each fatty alcohol molecule is what sets APGs apart from simpler surfactants. This is known as the degree of polymerisation (DP). Most commercial APGs have an average DP of somewhere between 1.2 and 1.7. The carbon chain length of the fatty alcohol can also vary and have a direct bearing on performance. Shorter chain variants tend to deliver better foaming and wetting, making them a good fit for hard surface cleaners and I&I applications. Longer chain versions are generally preferred in personal care for their milder skin feel and richer lather.
How are APGs made?
APGs are produced through a process called Fischer glycosidation, a chemical reaction between glucose and a fatty alcohol in the presence of an acid catalyst. During the reaction, glucose molecules attach to the fatty alcohol chain, with water removed to drive the reaction forward. The result is a mixture of mono- and polyglucosides, with the average DP determined by controlling the reaction conditions and the ratio of glucose to fatty alcohol used.
Corn-derived glucose is the standard source of the sugar component, while the fatty alcohol typically comes from coconut oil or palm kernel oil. Both are renewable, but the sourcing, certification and traceability of your raw materials, particularly in the case of palm oil, will have a direct bearing on the sustainability story you can tell about your finished product. We’ll come back to that point later.
The DP isn’t just a byproduct of the process. It’s something manufacturers actively control. Dialling the DP up or down lets you tune the balance between foaming performance, viscosity, solubility and skin compatibility, which is why APG suppliers typically offer a range of grades rather than a single standard product.
Where are APGs used?
APGs have found their way into a wide range of product categories, and for good reason. In personal care, you’ll find them in shampoos, body washes, facial cleansers and baby products, categories where mildness to skin and eyes is essential. Their low irritation potential makes them particularly well-suited to products positioned for sensitive skin or infant use, where the tolerance for anything that might cause reactions is understandably low.
In home care and I&I, APGs appear in surface cleaners, all-purpose concentrates, dishwashing formulations and hand soaps, often as part of a broader surfactant mix.
APGs perform well in hard water. They’re less prone to calcium and magnesium salt formation, which can compromise the effectiveness of some other surfactants.
APGs are frequently used as co-surfactants alongside anionic surfactants like Sodium Laureth Sulphate across all product categories. In that role, they help reduce the overall irritation potential of the formulation, as well as improve foam quality and stability.
Performance characteristics of APGs
APGs deliver a solid and well-documented performance profile. But it’s worth understanding their strengths and limitations before committing them to your formulation.
On the positive side, their mildness credentials are well established. APGs consistently score well on standard in vitro and in vivo skin and eye irritation tests. They’re stable across a broad pH range, typically pH 4 to 12, which gives you flexibility when formulating alongside ingredients that require acidic or alkaline conditions. They’re also compatible with a wide range of active ingredients, including proteins, botanicals and cationic conditioning agents, without the compatibility issues that can arise with some other surfactant chemistries.
APGs biodegrade readily under aerobic and anaerobic conditions, and they perform well on aquatic ecotoxicity assessments. This matters practically as well as ethically. It’s increasingly relevant for products seeking ECOCERT or COSMOS approval, EU Ecolabel certification or compliance with environmental procurement standards in the I&I sector.
There are, however, a few things to factor in. APGs tend to be more viscous than many conventional surfactants at equivalent concentrations, which can make handling and dosing more demanding, particularly at scale. Foam volume, while good, can be lower than with some anionic systems, which may need adjusting if high-foam is important to your end product.
And cost is a real consideration. APGs are typically more expensive per kilogram than their petrochemical-derived alternatives. Whether that premium is justified depends on the value your formulation derives from its performance and sustainability.
Sustainability and regulatory considerations
From a sustainability standpoint, APGs are among the better-credentialed surfactants. Both key raw materials (glucose and fatty alcohols) are derived from renewable agricultural sources. Their biodegradation profile and low ecotoxicity also support a more responsible environmental footprint across the product lifecycle.
That said, palm kernel oil is the most common source of the fatty alcohols used in APG production. While RSPO-certified palm is widely available, it’s worth considering how your customers and stakeholders view palm-derived ingredients. If your brand or your customers’ brands are committed to palm-free ingredients, you’ll want to clarify the feedstock origin with your supplier and explore whether coconut-only alternatives are available for your specific grade requirements.
From a regulatory standpoint, APGs are generally well regarded. They’re approved for use under major eco-certification schemes. They’re compatible with REACH requirements, though as always, the onus is on formulators to verify the specific grades and supplier documentation you’re working with, particularly where eco-label compliance or safety dossier submissions are involved.
Are APGs right for your formulation?
APGs are best suited to formulations where mildness is a priority, where you’re targeting eco-label certification, or where you need broad surfactant compatibility without compromising on skin or environmental safety. If cost efficiency is your primary constraint and your formulation doesn’t specifically benefit from APGs’ mildness or sustainability profile, conventional surfactants may be a more pragmatic choice. But for products where those attributes matter, and the market for products where they do is only growing, APGs are worth serious consideration.
If you’d like to discuss specific grades, performance data or request a sample, our team at MegaChem UK is happy to help you work through the options for your application. Get in touch to learn more.
Want to find out more?
Want to request a sample or get a quote? Our experienced team are on hand! Please do not hesitate to get in touch.
