Evonik and Unilever team up for large-scale production of world’s first “green” biosurfactant

Evonik is taking the next step in commercializing biosurfactants: With its fermentation technology, the specialty chemicals company is the first in the world to invest into industrial-scale quantities of biosurfactants.

Evonik and Unilever have partnered to commercialize a new hand dishwashing liquid based on Evonik’s biosurfactant technology.

Unilever has successfully launched the product under its “Quix” brand in Chile this summer, the first time it has been used in a household cleaning product anywhere in the world. Evonik’s rhamnolipids - a type of biosurfactants made via fermentation - provide Unilever with the exceptional foam-forming properties and high-performance cleaning results it demands for its consumers – but with the environmental benefits of being fully based on natural sugars and 100% biodegradable.

Evonik’s manufacturing capabilities on a commercial scale differentiate it from the market, making the specialty chemicals company a pioneer in biosurfactants and well positioned to capture future growth in the biosurfactant market. Following Veramaris, a joint venture of DSM and Evonik producing an algal oil rich in omega-3 fatty acids that helps conserve the natural biodiversity of our oceans, biosurfactants are the next game changer in Evonik’s innovation portfolio.

With the focus on the growth engine “Health & Care”, Evonik is meeting the demands of the global trend towards more bio-based products: “For us sustainability is the key driver for our portfolio, and Unilever has been an ideal partner due to its strong commitment to sustainable innovation”, explained Dr. Tammo Boinowitz, Senior Vice President of Evonik’s Care Solutions Business Line.

Following the successful launch, Evonik has started the engineering project to design a world scale plant to support further scaling of this innovation globally by Unilever, and to fulfil the growing demand for sustainable and high performing surfactants. Dr. Hans Henning Wenk, Vice President R&D Care Solutions, added: “Biosurfactants are a game changing technology in home care and beyond, and we continue to lead innovation in this field. This cutting-edge technology has the potential to fundamentally transform the way we produce cleaning ingredients”.

Peter ter Kulve, President of Unilever's Home Care business said: “Our R&D team has been aware of rhamnolipid for some years, but the technology and the science weren’t at a point where we were able to scale it and it remained an invention in a lab, until now.

That’s why we are so delighted to be partnering with Evonik. Together, our teams have worked hard to deliver a sustainable and safe product with even better performance.”

With its fermentation technology platform, Evonik was the first company in the world to use biotech methods for producing industrial-scale quantities of high-quality surfactants - key components of modern shampoos, shower gels, and household cleaners. Evonik’s expertise in biosurfactants and close cooperation has helped fast moving consumer goods company Unilever to develop and to launch this world-first innovation in the household cleaning industry.