Cleaning products for vehicle care

car wash

Discover our high-quality, environmentally friendly ingredients for all facets of vehicle care, supported by our outstanding supply chain management, regulatory expertise and customized formulations. From degreasers to leather care, our solutions help you meet your commitment to performance, sustainability and the demands of the market.

Serious environmental responsibility

Modern car washes and automotive cleaning product producers are increasingly prioritizing sustainability, and we’re proud to support businesses that are advancing this transformation. Specialty car wash ingredients and innovative formulations now deliver exceptional cleaning performance while reducing water usage and waste. As water conservation and environmentally responsible industrial cleaning solutions become central to operational strategies, eco-friendly practices are fortunately becoming central priorities across the industry.

We’re committed to helping you achieve your environmental and performance objectives with sustainable, high-quality solutions that always meet your needs. Our extensive range of eco-friendly car care formulations minimizes environmental impact while addressing diverse weather conditions, soil types and regulatory requirements.

Consider the following conditions before choosing your formulation

Soil typeAcidic conditionsAlkaline conditionsSolved boosted
Dirt and mudxx
Bird droppingsx
Insectx
Oilxx
Rustx
Saltx
Tarx

Building blocks for better Vehicle care 

Our comprehensive portfolio includes high-performance raw materials for all vehicle care formulations. Whether you’re a car care chemical wholesaler or a formulator for professional automotive cleaning solutions, we provide:

  • Surfactants (incl. APGs/Biosurfactants)
  • Chelating agents and builders (incl. GLDA)
  • Conventional and bio-based solvents
  • Silicones, waxes and oils
  • Specialty blends
  • Antifoaming agents

  • Corrosion inhibitors
  • Opacifiers and rheology modifiers
  • Biocides and preservatives
  • Fragrances and colors
  • Probiotics and enzymes

Product applications

Our solutions cater to your diverse needs, from bulk vehicle care products for commercial use to specialized formulations for professional detailing.

Discover more about our key applications:

Degreasers – also called pre-wash or pre-soak – are used as the first step in vehicle cleaning, designed to break down stubborn dirt, grease and traffic film from the surfaces. Typically applied with a low-pressure spray, they help prepare the surface for further washing. We offer formulations tailored to remove various types of soil, always ensuring effective performance.

Shampoos remove dirt, grease and traffic film from paintwork and windows, while keeping contaminants in suspension for easy rinsing. Whether you’re looking to develop high-foaming shampoos for touchless cleaning or convenient 2-in-1 shampoo and wax formulations, we can help you find the right ingredients for optimal performance.

Rinse and drying aids form a thin, invisible hydrophobic layer on the vehicle surface, causing water to bead for effortless removal during air drying. Using cationic surfactants, blends of cationic and nonionic agents, or ester oils can significantly enhance water repellency and drying performance, helping achieve a spotless, streak-free finish with greater efficiency. Adding silicones to the formulation further improves sheeting action, while speeding up foam breakdown and leaving a protective shine.

Glass sprays are designed to remove grease and dirt from glass surfaces. They use low surfactant levels (0.2-1.0%) for optimal wetting and penetration, ensuring a streak- and spot-free finish. Traditionally, different solvents have been used to prevent freezing and dissolve oils. Today, we offer biosurfactants and multifunctional materials that not only improve cleaning performance but also enhance shine without streaking.

A trend in auto carpet and upholstery cleaning is to add an odor-controlling agent (such as zinc ricinoleate) to neutralize malodors such as cigarette smoke, pet odors and food smells. When dissolved in water, this material forms complexes with malodorous compounds, typically containing nitrogen and sulfur. This complexing is permanent, and the malodor molecule is not released, even upon drying.

Insect removers are designed to eliminate tough external stains such as insect debris, bird droppings and organic stains. They’re often used as a pre-wash treatment, gently removing dead insects from glass, paintwork, chrome and plastics.

We formulate high-performance insect removers using specialty ingredients that ensure environmental compatibility and surface safety, even on sensitive surfaces.

Polishes and waxes protect painted surfaces, forming a barrier against UV rays, dirt, water and other elements.

Traditional carnauba wax delivers a hard, durable finish with excellent gloss and color intensity, while softer waxes like paraffin and beeswax improve spreadability and ease of application. To achieve the best balance of shine, durability and workability, blending hard and soft waxes is often the best approach.

Modern formulations can also incorporate silicone waxes, which enhance detergent resistance and weather durability, especially when combined with functionalized silicones. We can help you to develop tailored polish and wax formulations that deliver outstanding protection and a flawless finish.

Rim cleaners are specially formulated to remove dirt, brake dust and grime from wheels, restoring their shine and protecting against future buildup. Whether you’re looking for waterless, sustainable or traditional solutions, we can help you to develop high-performing formulations. The right combination of surfactants, emulsifiers, foamers, chelates and wax additives delivers a streak-free finish, minimizes sling and provides long-lasting protection.

Interior cleaning solutions are designed for use on display screens, consoles, steering wheels, fabric, vinyl and dashboards. They should clean, protect and deodorize all car interior surfaces, whether in easy-to-use sprays, foam formulas or ready-to-use wipes. We’ll help you find the safest, most efficient solutions.

Leather care is essential for maintaining and enhancing leather car interiors, including seats, dashboards and steering wheels. Leather conditioners create a protective barrier that repels water, preventing stains and damage. They also extend the lifespan of leather by guarding against dirt and debris. Our silicones and specialty ingredients can provide products that protect the surface and penetrate the pores to keep the material moisturized and soft.

Cars’ external plastic and vinyl surfaces endure significant wear and tear – such as from UV exposure – leading to drying, cracking and fading. Plastic-care products clean, restore and protect these components. Our low-foaming surfactants, combined with specialty silicones, effectively enhance surface care and appearance.

Electirc Brenntag Buzz

Trends in vehicle care

The vehicle care industry is undergoing significant transformation, driven by evolving consumer expectations, technological advancements and a welcome focus on sustainability. These trends are shaping the way formulators, manufacturers and suppliers develop and deliver solutions for modern vehicle maintenance and care.

Sustainability and environmental responsibility

  • Eco-friendly formulations: Increasing emphasis on environmentally friendly and biodegradable products is reshaping the market. From renewable raw materials to biosurfactants that reduce water use during rinsing, innovation is aligning with global sustainability goals
  • Water conservation: With water shortage a pressing global issue, there is a focus on reducing water consumption in car washes. Reuse systems and specialty ingredients are promoting more efficient water management
  • Low-temperature efficiency: Formulations that perform effectively at lower temperatures are gaining in popularity, helping to save energy while delivering superior results

Product innovation

By embracing these trends, the vehicle care industry is adapting to meet both consumer needs and broader environmental challenges, ensuring that innovation drives progress in sustainability, performance, and convenience – and we are here to support you every step of the way.

New-generation glass-cleaning products are addressing consumer demands for eco-friendliness, high performance and convenience. Key advances include:

  • Hydrophobic coatings that repel water and enhance gloss
  • Faster drying times and enhanced cleaning power
  • High-concentrate formats for refillable systems, reducing plastic waste

  • Enzyme-based odor removers offer molecular-level efficiency, breaking down odor-causing substances rather than masking them
  • Multi-functional rinse aids provide drying acceleration, hydrophobic protection and water-spot prevention, while eco-friendly versions continue to gain popularity

  • Longer-lasting protection
  • DIY ceramic coating kits

  • Odor-eliminating products
  • Nanotechnology for interiors

  • Graphene-infused tire dressings
  • Self-cleaning wheel coatings

  • Digital tools: Real-time cleanliness measurement and apps enabling connectivity with washing facilities are revolutionizing the consumer experience. This is particularly significant in the era of ride-sharing services and the increasingly complex transportation landscape
  • Professional-grade accessibility: Professional-grade products are now more accessible to everyday consumers, catering to a growing demand for high-performance vehicle care solutions at home

  • Electric vehicles: As the market share of electric vehicles grows, maintenance needs are evolving, with new care requirements for both the interior and exterior of these vehicles
  • Lifestyle changes: Remote working and similar shifts have led to a reduction in vehicle washing frequency, prompting a demand for products that minimize cleaning time and effort while maintaining high standards

  • Microfiber-safe formulas: With microfiber towels becoming standard in vehicle care, compatible products ensure streak-free finishes and enhanced performance
  • On-the-go solutions: The rise of portable solutions like odor-removing wipes allows users to clean and deodorize vehicle interiors conveniently
  • High-efficiency products: Consumers and businesses alike are seeking solutions that minimize washing frequency, save time, and deliver hygienic benefits without compromising on quality

Get more information

If you’re ready to take your Home Care, I&I business to the next level, with the highest-quality products and a team of experienced professionals behind you, you’re ready to work with us. To find out more about our Home Care, I&I ingredients and services, contact our team now.

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