Potassium Cocoate
- Anionic surfactants
- CAS 61789-30-8
- IUPAC: Potassium salt of coconut oil fatty acids
CarCareTruth tracks Potassium Cocoate (CAS 61789-30-8) as a car-care ingredient. It is readily biodegradable.
Mild anionic surfactant with low acute toxicity. No GHS health hazard classifications at typical use concentrations. Skin and eye irritation possible at high concentration; not classified at product-level concentrations in most formulations.
Potassium cocoate is a potassium salt of the fatty acids derived from coconut oil (CAS 61789-30-8). It is an anionic surfactant used in cleaning, detergent, and personal care formulations where its combination of foaming, emulsification, and skin compatibility is valued. It is chemically related to soap — the potassium analog of the sodium salts found in bar soap — and shares soap's ready biodegradability.
At typical use concentrations in carpet cleaning solutions, potassium cocoate does not carry GHS health hazard classifications. It is considered low concern for human health at diluted application concentrations. EPA Safer Choice recognizes coconut-oil-derived anionic surfactants as acceptable candidates. Environmental footprint is favorable: coconut fatty acid chains are readily biodegradable under aerobic conditions typical of municipal wastewater treatment.
Health & environment profile
- VOC
- no
- Prop 65 listed
- no
- Asthmagen
- no
- EPA Safer Choice
- no
- Aquatic toxicity
- no
- Biodegradable
- yes
- Bioaccumulative
- no
- Persistent
- no
- Ozone depleting
- no
- Microplastic
- no
- PFAS
- no
- Env. score
- 4/5
Common questions about Potassium Cocoate
- What is Potassium Cocoate used for in car care?
- Anionic surfactant derived from coconut oil; used as a cleaning and foaming agent in aqueous formulations.
- Is Potassium Cocoate a VOC?
- No. Potassium Cocoate is not classified as a volatile organic compound (VOC).
- Is Potassium Cocoate on California's Proposition 65 list?
- No. Potassium Cocoate is not on California's Proposition 65 list.
- Is Potassium Cocoate biodegradable?
- Yes. Potassium Cocoate has a confirmed biodegradable profile.
No products on file contain this (yet)
Related
Health and environment notes translate the manufacturer Safety Data Sheet, the GHS classification, and authoritative regulatory listings (California Prop 65, EPA). Not medical advice. They describe the ingredient itself; whether a hazard applies to a finished product depends on its concentration and how it's used.