Polyethoxylated tallow amine

Polyethoxylated tallow amine (POEA) refers to a range of non-ionic surfactants derived from animal fats (tallow). They primarily find used as emulsifiers and wetting agents for agrochemical formulations, such as pesticides and herbicides (e.g. glyphosate).

Animal fat is hydroysed to give the free fatty acids (typically oleic (37–43%), palmitic (24–32%), stearic (20–25%), myristic (3–6%), and linoleic (2–3%)). These are then converted to fatty amines via the nitrile process before being ethoxylated with ethylene oxide; this makes them water soluble and amphiphilic. The length of the fatty tail and degree of exothylation will determine the overall properties of the surfactant. Due to it being synthesized from an impure material POEA is itself a mixture compounds.

The polyethoxylated tallow amine used as a surfactant is referred to in the literature as MON 0139 or polyoxyethyleneamine (POEA). It is contained in the herbicide Roundup. An ethoxylated tallow amine (CAS No. 61791-26-2), is on the U.S. EPA List 3 of Inert Ingredients of Pesticides."

Roundup Pro is a formulation of glyphosate that contains a "phosphate ester neutralized polyethoxylated tallow amine" surfactant; as of 1997 there was no published information regarding the chemical differences between the surfactant in Roundup and Roundup Pro.

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