Short answer: Both are possible. The C12 lauryl alcohol behind SLS is typically derived from palm kernel oil or coconut oil, or from petrochemical routes — and the final molecule is chemically identical regardless of route.

Why buyers ask

  • Sustainability commitments: brands with palm or deforestation policies need to know the feedstock origin and whether certified grades are available.
  • Natural-origin claims: a bio-based carbon content claim depends on the feedstock and must be documented.
  • Vegetable-origin positioning: some markets expect a vegetable-derived rather than petrochemical surfactant.

What to request

  1. State the requirement at enquiry stage — feedstock claims cannot be added after production.
  2. Ask for the chain-length distribution on the TDS: it is the specification that determines performance.
  3. Ask what certification or documentation can be supplied with the lot.
  4. Confirm whether the grade needs segregated storage and production, which affects price and lead time.

For standard detergent and industrial grades, feedstock origin is usually not specified; for personal care and brand-driven supply chains it increasingly is. Product pages: SLS CAS 151-21-3, SLES CAS 68585-34-2, AOS CAS 68439-57-6.