3402.42.20 - Fatty substances of animal, vegetable or microbial origin

This HTS category, 3402.42.20, encompasses non-ionic organic surface-active agents that are specifically derived from fatty substances of animal, vegetable, or microbial origin. These agents are characterized by their chemical structure, where the hydrophilic portion of the molecule contains no ionizable groups and is typically based on polyoxyalkylene chains, often derived from ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide, or ester linkages involving polyhydric alcohols. Their function as surface-active agents means they reduce the surface tension of liquids, facilitating processes like wetting, emulsifying, dispersing, and foaming, making them valuable in a wide array of industrial and consumer applications.

Distinguishing this category from its sibling, 3402.42.90.00 ("Other"), is crucial for accurate classification. While both fall under "Non-ionic" surface-active agents, 3402.42.20 is specifically reserved for those where the fatty substances are the principal origin of the molecule's structure. The "Other" category would capture non-ionic surface-active agents that do not meet this specific fatty substance origin criterion.

Within 3402.42.20, further subclassification exists to refine the classification based on the specific chemical structure of the non-ionic portion. The subcategories include "Polyethers" (3402.42.20.10), which are primarily characterized by ether linkages derived from polyols, "Esters and ether-esters of polyhydric alcohols" (3402.42.20.20), which involve ester linkages with polyhydric alcohols, and a residual "Other" (3402.42.20.50) for non-ionic agents of fatty origin not fitting the first two specific descriptions. This granular breakdown allows for precise identification based on the chemical architecture of the surface-active agent.