Preservatives
Raw Materials
Preservative supply for cleaning, home care and performance formulations.
Hawthorne sources and supplies preservative systems for manufacturers, brands and formulators developing water-based cleaning products, home care products, concentrates and specialist chemical systems.
Discuss Preservative SupplyProtection against spoilage, contamination and product failure.
Preservatives help protect water-based formulations from microbial growth during storage, transport and use. The right system helps maintain product quality, odour, appearance and performance.
Hawthorne supports preservative sourcing across automotive, home care, janitorial, industrial and specialist cleaning markets, helping customers select suitable materials based on formulation type, pH, compatibility and regulatory requirements.
Help defend finished products against microbial spoilage.
Support shelf life, odour control and product consistency.
Maintain quality across storage, transport and repeated use.
What are preservatives?
Preservatives are ingredients used to inhibit microbial growth in formulations that contain water or ingredients that may support microbial contamination.
They are used in products such as surface cleaners, interior cleaners, shampoos, APCs, refills, gels, concentrates, fabric care products and other water-based chemical systems.
Technical Consideration
Preservation must match the finished formulation.
Preservative choice should consider pH, surfactant system, fragrance, solvents, chelates, packaging, raw material quality, dilution, end use, regulatory limits and expected shelf life.
Preservative functions
Different preservative systems offer different strengths. Some are better suited to acidic products, some to neutral systems, and others to wider pH ranges or more demanding formulations.
Broad Spectrum
Systems selected to provide wider protection across common microbial risks.
pH Specific
Preservatives chosen for acidic, neutral or alkaline formulation environments.
Boosters
Materials used to support preservative effectiveness and improve system robustness.
Alternative Systems
Options used where product positioning, labelling or formulation constraints require alternatives.
Preservatives we can source
Availability depends on grade, specification, active content, pack size, volume and supply chain conditions. The list below covers common preservative types Hawthorne can support through raw material sourcing.
Phenoxyethanol
Common preservative used in home care, personal care and water-based formulations.
Ethylhexylglycerin
Preservative booster often used alongside phenoxyethanol and other systems.
Benzyl Alcohol
Preservative used in suitable formulations, often as part of blended systems.
Dehydroacetic Acid
Organic acid preservative often used with benzyl alcohol in suitable pH ranges.
Sodium Benzoate
Preservative for acidic formulations where the pH is suitable for performance.
Potassium Sorbate
Preservative used in acidic systems and selected cleaning or home care products.
Benzoic Acid
Acid preservative used in appropriate low-pH formulation systems.
Sorbic Acid
Acid preservative used where pH and solubility are suitable.
BIT
Benzisothiazolinone. Widely used industrial preservative for water-based formulations.
MIT
Methylisothiazolinone. Used in selected industrial and cleaning systems where allowed.
CMIT/MIT
Preservative blend used in appropriate applications with strict regulatory controls.
OIT
Octylisothiazolinone. Used in selected industrial preservation applications.
Bronopol
Preservative used in certain industrial and formulated chemical systems.
IPBC
Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate. Used in selected preservative systems where suitable.
Preservative Blends
Ready-made systems combining actives for broader or more targeted protection.
Preservative Boosters
Support materials used to improve robustness, solubility or preservative performance.
Choosing the right preservative
Preservative selection should be based on the finished product pH, water content, raw material quality, surfactant system, fragrance load, packaging, expected shelf life and regulatory position.
pH range
Water content
Microbial risk
Shelf life target
Surfactant compatibility
Fragrance compatibility
Solvent compatibility
Packaging compatibility
Regulatory limits
Cost and availability
Consumer product systems
Used where product experience, odour, labelling and compatibility matter.
- Surface cleaners
- Refill concentrates
- Interior cleaners
- Home care products
Industrial preservation systems
Used where robust protection, storage stability and commercial performance are required.
- APCs
- Shampoos
- Degreasers
- Bulk concentrates
Formulation Led
Preservative sourcing linked to compatibility and shelf life.
Hawthorne considers how preservatives behave inside finished formulations, including interactions with surfactants, solvents, acids, alkalis, chelates, fragrance, colourants and packaging.
Typical applications
Preservatives are used across water-based cleaning, care and chemical formulations where microbial protection and shelf life are required.
Automotive
Shampoos, APCs, interior cleaners, dressings, glass cleaners and concentrates.
Home Care
Surface cleaners, refills, bathroom cleaners, kitchen cleaners and fabric care.
Industrial
Bulk cleaners, degreasers, concentrates, emulsions and water-based chemical systems.
Janitorial
Commercial cleaners, washroom products, floor care and hard surface cleaners.
Supply formats
Preservative supply formats depend on the material, active content, concentration, pack size, volume and supply availability.
Sample and small pack formats where available.
Common commercial pack size for many preservative systems.
Drum supply for higher-volume users.
IBC supply for selected liquid systems.
How we support preservative sourcing
Requirement
We identify the product type, pH, formulation base, shelf life target and preservative requirements.
Review
We consider compatibility, handling, documentation, regulatory position, supply format and commercial suitability.
Source
We source suitable preservative options through appropriate supply routes and available grades.
Supply
Materials are supplied in the agreed format with relevant technical information where available.
Preservatives FAQs
Can Hawthorne source preservatives not listed on this page?
Yes. The list is not exhaustive. Hawthorne can review specific preservative requirements and investigate availability.
Can you help choose a preservative system?
Yes. Hawthorne can support preservative selection based on pH, formulation type, compatibility, regulatory requirements and shelf life target.
Can preservatives be supplied in drums or IBCs?
Yes, some preservative systems may be available in drums or IBCs depending on material, grade, volume and supply conditions.
Do all water-based products need preservation?
Many water-based formulations require preservation, but the need depends on formulation, pH, raw materials, packaging, use pattern and microbial risk.
Can preservatives be used in private label products?
Yes. Hawthorne can support preservative sourcing, formulation and private label manufacturing depending on the project.
Looking for preservative supply?
Hawthorne supports manufacturers and cleaning brands with preservative sourcing, technical guidance and commercial supply formats.
Discuss Preservative Supply