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Surfactant Insights Podcast

TKS Publisher

With 40 years of expertise in science communication, Tekno Scienze Publisher (TKS) continues to evolve, providing high-quality information to a global audience of scientists, managers, and industry leaders. Based in Italy, TKS publishes three leading scientific journals - Chimica Oggi - Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and Household and Personal Care Today - as well as the digital -only Italian publications Beauty Horizons and Nutra Horizons, known for their innovative and interactive content.
TKS now expands into the world of podcasts with The Surfactant Insights Podcast, an in-depth series dedicated to the surfactant industry. The podcast is hosted by Neil Burns, Managing Partner of Neil A. Burns LLC, an expert in the surfactants and oleochemicals sector. He produces major surfactant conferences, authors the Surfactants Blog, and serves on the Scientific Advisory Board of Household and Personal Care Today.
The Surfactant Insights Podcast covers technical, commercial, and economic aspects of the surfactant value chain, particularly as it impacts household and personal care consumer products. Each five-minute episode will dig into a subject of current topical interest for manufacturers, users, and sellers of surfactants. We are open to requests for subject matter to cover on these podcasts. We hope you enjoy and find them useful.
  • 20 episodes
  • Updated July 15

Episodes20

  • July 15 · 7 min

    Bio Mass Balance Accounting and Surfactants - Episode 27

    In this podcast, we discuss the Mass Balance Accounting system and its application the marketing of new bio based products in surfactants. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi –...

  • July 1 · 6 min

    Ehtylene Oxide, an In-Depth Look at Supply & Demand - Episode 26

    In this podcast, we discuss EO, production, consumption and trade dynamics. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and Household and...

  • June 17 · 6 min

    Dry Consumer Products – Current Trends - Episode 25

     In this podcast, we discuss trends in dry products for home and personal care.   Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and Household...

  • June 3 · 7 min

    US Antidumping Filings on Fatty Acids - Episode 24

    In this podcast, we discuss recent fatty acid anti-dumping filings in the US and the impact on surfactants.  Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food...

  • May 20 · 9 min

    BASF - Episode 23

    In this podcast, we discuss the Q1 2026 results and 2026 outlook from BASF one of the largest surfactant producers in the world.  Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry...

  • May 6 · 6 min

    Bio-based Ethylene Oxide - Episode 22

    In this podcast, we discuss the route to "Green" Ethoxylates without changing performance, by using 100% bio-based ethylene oxide.   Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi –...

  • April 15 · 6 min

    Petro vs Oleo vs Other - Episode 21

    In this podcast, we discuss the fundamental calculation purchasing, R&D and marketing managers make when considering supply chain options for surfactants. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific...

  • April 1 · 8 min

    Skinification - Episode 20

    In this podcast, we discuss skinification – That is the migration of mild, facial-grade surfactants into mass-market hair, dish and even laundry products. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific...

  • March 18 · 6 min

    Sulfonation - Episode 19

    In this podcast, we discuss sulfonation – the major means of making anionic surfactants. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and...

  • March 4 · 8 min

    Stepan Company 2025 Earnings Release - Episode 18

    In this podcast, we the 2025 results for Stepan, a bellwether in the surfactants industry. Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and...

  • February 18 · 7 min

    Biosurfactants at Commercial Scale? - Episode 17

    In this podcast, we look beyond the hype and analyze who is actually doing what in this interesting new surfactant market.   Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry...

  • February 4 · 8 min

    The C12-14 Mid-Cut Squeeze - Episode 16

    In this podcast, we look at the C12-14 carbon chain (Lauryl/Myristyl) alcohols their feedstock sources and pressures on supply today.  Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi –...

  • January 21 · 5 min

    The 1,4-Dioxane Regulatory Landscape - Episode 15

    Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi – Chemistry Today, Agro Food Industry Hi Tech, and Household and Personal Care Today. Always attentive to scientific innovation, the TKS Group...

  • Dec 23, 2025 · 6 min

    Distributors in the Surfactants Market - Episode 14

    In this podcast, we look at how distributors add value in the surfactants value and some challenges and opportunities going forward.  Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi –...

  • Dec 10, 2025 · 5 min

    Mergers and Acquisitions in the Surfactants Space - Episode 13

    In this podcast, we look recent M&A trends in the surfactant value chain and how we expect that to impact the business overall.   Tekno Scienze Publisher is an academic publisher in Italy. It publishes 3 scientific journals: Chimica Oggi –...

  • Nov 26, 2025 · 7 min

    Digital tools in the Surfactant Supply Chain - Episode 12

    In this podcast, we look broadly at the use of digitalization in its many forms in the business of surfactants. This includes generative AI, machine learning and laboratory information system.   Subscribe and follow 'The Surfactant Insights Podcast':...

  • Nov 12, 2025 · 10 min

    Investing in Surfactants - Episode 11

    In this podcast, we look at the public and private markets for investing in surfactants and take a closer look at the more recent innovations backed by venture capital. Subscribe and follow 'The Surfactant Insights Podcast': You Tube...

  • Oct 29, 2025 · 8 min

    Circularity and Sustainability in Surfactants - Episode 10

    In this podcast, we look at the concept of circularity and how it applies to the current surfactant industry. We also consider recent innovations in incorporating circularity into surfactants.   Subscribe and follow 'The Surfactant Insights Podcast':...

  • Oct 15, 2025 · 7 min

    Surfactants Driving Beauty - Episode 9

    In this podcast, we look at the roughly 15% of the market for surfactants that is in personal care and cosmetics. These products are used by consumers every day and the surfactant provides cleaning, emulsification, foaming and other sensorial and...

  • Sep 24, 2025 · 6 min

    Surfactant Cost and Price Volatility - Episode 8

    In this podcast, we look at the key commodity drivers of surfactant costs and how different types of surfactant respond to cost variability. We consider how recent disruptions in the supply chain have impacted business strategies in the surfactant...