Course Description

Are you a formulator, process chemist, technologist, or R&D manager involved in specialty chemical segments?

Do you work in one of the following industries?

  • Household & industrial cleaning
  • Personal care & cosmetics
  • Textile processing
  • Paints & coatings
  • Oil & gas production
  • Agricultural formulations

If so, you won’t want to miss our masterclass on Nonionic Surfactants, now available to AOCS Members on-demand. This masterclass offers a deep look into nonionic surfactants, with a particular focus on ethoxylated alcohols.

Whether you are supporting research and development or working directly with surfactants, this masterclass will provide interesting insights into the behavior of nonionic surfactants.

Developed by industry leader Rick Theiner, this masterclass addresses a wide-range of applications involving emulsification and surface wetting. As an Applied Innovation Manager for Evonik Cleaning Solutions North America, Rick brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to this course.

Designed to be interactive, this 90-minute masterclass featured a live Q&A, audience-engaging polls, and a stimulating closing discussion.

Meet the Instructor

Rick began his career as a bench chemist formulating cleaners, detergents, and sanitizers for industrial and institutional cleaning shortly after earning his BS in chemical engineering from Christian Brothers University in Memphis, TN. He later continued his studies to earn an MS in physical chemistry from Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA.

Rick’s passion for lab experimentation and self-education led him to specialize in surfactants and interfacial interactions during his tenure at Tomah Products in Milton, WI, where he was instrumental in introducing new nonionic and cationic surfactants to the household, industrial, and institutional (HI&I) cleaning market.

Rick’s career has been further marked by formulating cleaning products for both home and industrial use, developing new product lines, and even venturing into market development. He is currently an Applied Innovation Manager for Evonik Cleaning Solutions North America at the Richmond Business & Innovation Center in VA.

Dates & Times

Oct 02, 2024 - Oct 02, 2024
9:00 am - 10:30 am CDT Chicago, USA; UTC-5

Pricing

Free for AOCS Members

Education Type

  • Masterclasses

Delivery Method

  • On-Demand

Topics

  • Industrial Oil Products
  • Member Only
  • Surfactants and Detergents

Share

View event

Learning Objectives

  • Develop an understanding of how nonionic surfactant structure impacts interfacial properties, which lead to performance and application benefits (or drawbacks).
  • Learn how surfactant properties are evaluated and how those properties describe behavior at interfaces.
  • Gain familiarity with the physical chemistry concepts that are used to describe surfactant properties.

Learning Outcomes

  • Diversify your surfactant portfolio to support various application segments.
  • Improve your success in selecting the appropriate surfactants for your applications.
  • Deepen your understanding of interfacial processes and how they are impacted by surfactants.

Who Should Attend

✓ Professionals interested in topics relevant to specialty chemical segments such as oil & gas production, household & industrial cleaning, textile processing, metal working & lubrication, and agricultural formulations.
✓ AOCS members that specialize in surfactant & detergent divisions.
✓ Beginning and experienced formulators, process chemists who support research & development, technologists who interface with surfactants, and R&D managers.
✓ Professionals who work across broad application segments that involve emulsification and surface wetting.

Registration & Access

FREE to AOCS Members
Non-members join for access

On-Demand Access

On-Demand Access

Related Resources & Education

AOCS members-only webinar on detergent surfactant analysis, characterization methods, and surfactant system evolution from 2000 to 2022.

Webinars

July 23, 2026

Analytical Tools for Identifying, Characterizing Structures and Quantifying Surfactants in Commercial Detergents plus the Evolution of the Surfactant System in Detergent Products from 2000 to 2022

In an era defined by fluctuating raw material costs, shifting regulatory mandates, and intensifying consumer demand for sustainable products, the formulation of commercial detergents has become a complex balancing act. As commercial detergent formulations grow increasingly complex, the balance of cost, performance, and environmental impact requires a deeper look into the chemistry of cleaning. This webinar…

Learn More

AOCS 2025 State of the Society

This content is an exclusive benefit for Society members. If you’re a member, log in and you’ll get immediate access. If you’re not yet a member, join today to get access to top-notch resources like this one. You’ll also receive invitations to members-only events, access to exclusive publications, discounts on AOCS technical products, and more….

Learn More

Webinars

March 24, 2026

Know Before You Go! Maximize Your Time at the Annual Meeting

Preparing for the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo With 80+ sessions, 500+ presentations, over 60 exhibitors, and a full schedule of networking events, the AOCS Annual Meeting & Expo offers a wide range of opportunities to learn and connect. For many attendees, the challenge isn’t finding something valuable—it’s knowing where to focus your time. Whether…

Learn More