Akzo Nobel Surfactants produces industrial chemicals known as surfactants. Surfactants are a class of chemicals that, when mixed with water or other chemicals, change the surface of materials. For example, your laundry products contain surfactants to remove dirt and stains and make your clothing soft to the touch. Your shampoo has surfactants to clean and condition your hair. The oil in your car’s engine contains surfactants to keep vital parts clean, so your engine burns clean and lasts longer. Surfactants are an important group of chemicals that touch our every day life. We start with natural fats and oils, including the oils from soybeans and coconuts and tallow to produce our products.