The surfactant group of the taurates was developed by I.G. Farben in Germany (just like the isethionates) and produced under the trade name Igepon at the Hoechst plant. Taurates rapidly spread due to their lime resistance and their oil-removing effect in textile treatment, as detergent raw material and in cosmetics applications. They had a breakthrough in particular because they do not felt wool during washing (as opposed to soap). The production of taurates decreased after the outbreak of the World War II, since only poor quality fatty acids were available due to the fat management.